Where do I start?

[Emily]

Last one
Try not to totally poopoo this lol

[oem4me]

Not bad at all. In fact, it's better than a lot of projects I see here.

[ls60apache]

hey that's a nice looking truck looks like a good project worst I see is the left bed side but nothing to keep it off the road. need to take a peak under the rubber floor mat to check for rust....a engine and a lil tlc and you be on the road.

[DPowers]

Thats a great start. Make a plan and dig in.

[Classic v6 GMC's]

Looks better than most I see for sale around here.

[Chevystep]

No kidding, my quarters and rockers were toastier than that beaut, the custom cab and deluxe horn ring are a plus...

[Emily]

Ok. Y'all have really pumped up my self esteem. Thank you. I know it's bad but I've seen some really bad ones on here.

Budget is fluid. I figure I'll cut the budget for shoes, purses, jewelry and makeup for a while and put it to better use on the truck. Luckily I only have fur children in the form of two westies. They don't usually ask for money.

Sorry, couldn't resist...

[Slow Build]

If you like trucks with patina yours is half way done.

[64 Stepside]

Great material to start with. Automatic and deluxe interior. Body looks pretty solid. Load up a pic of the engine compartment (watch out for bees and other stingy or bitey things). I bet it has a v8 in it. Go through the rear drum brakes, put in a crate 350 and rebuilt 700R4 which would work great with the 3.73 rear gears for city and highway, driveshaft will have to be shortened. I would add power steering and disk front brakes and you have a great driver with real nice patina. After that a new wood bed would be next for me.

I saw a complete set of hubcaps in the bed which is cool.

But the very first thing: I'd get rid of the propane tank parked under the bed.

If you watch youtube look up MrHevyshevy he is working on a truck like yours for his daughter.

[Turtleman]

That doesn't look bad at all,,, If it were mine I'd get a power source in it and make it safe as a driver.. then tinker on it for awhile

Yee Haa!... you even have a Easy Rider Rifle Rack in it... that means its a keeper

[nail pounder]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the pics. Lots of good info here. That truck has some sweet patina! I bet if you CLR it you would be surprised how good it looks. I know alot of people wish they had that look and spend a ton of time trying to replicate mother nature. Looks to have all the chrome extras as well. You said you will keep it forever and drive the wheels off​ it so take your time, be patient and do just that. Start with your mom's list. Since you will be driving it forever I'd opt for a new (rather than a good used) crate motor & 700r4 for reliability and freeway speeds. Upgrade and replace all the brake components and at least your on the road burning rubber, making noise & enjoying it. Do all the other things as money and time allows. If it's going to be a driver rather than a show truck you don't need to have a $10,000-20,000 paint job, I've seen decent Earl Scheib paint for $1200, but seriously that patina is bad @$$. You can spend a small fortune having a shop do it but like everyone says, it is possible to do at home on a budget with friends/family. I'd spend the money on tools, and learn as you go. Once you do one truck you may get hooked like the rest of us. Just to give you an idea, I'm all in @ just under $6,000 on my 66 and it's done.. unless I decide to put AC in. My 58 is an ongoing project, so far I'm at around $4500.

[Captainfab]

I agree that is not bad at all. In fact it is in rather good condition IMO. As already said, I would just put a good crate 350 engine with a 700R4 trans in it, some tires along with the other necessary things and start driving it. The easiest way to get discouraged it trying to do too much all at once.

Our forum transmission expert is located in DFW and I'm sure he would be happy to build a good 700R4 for you. He may even be able to recommend someone trustworthy to help you with the rest. Send a PM to member clinebarger or look him up in the 'Engine and Drivetrain' section here on the forum.

['63GENIII]

Lets start with what it has..

Patina - Its all the rage right now. Not my thing personally but that truck has tons of it. Embrace it for now. The worst rust that I can see is in the outer floor boards, lower fenders and front door corners. I think everyone here would agree that there have been many much worse examples of the brown cancer that couldn't pass for "patina" ever.

The interior - Looks pretty clean to me. Not cut up. Needs a real good washing and a little attention to the rust on the floor to keep it from getting worse.

Glass - Looks to be in good condition. Especially that BIG back window! Nuff said on that.

The bed.. A sheet of plywood will do for now. Remember #1? Patina? Goes great with the plywood.

Whats in the bed is of more interest to me.

I spy 4 hubcaps, West Coast mirrors, a core for a transmission exchange, gas tank and a propane tank. Id say get rid of the propane tank and try to salvage the rest. Get a exchange transmission. Use the one you have for a core. The radiator may still be good. Have it checked at a radiator shop.

I also see the cool aluminum trim on the sides along with the aluminum grill. More cool factor.

No rust around the rain gutters - another win.

All in all, Id rock that rig in a hot second!

[Victweezy]

Is it bad that I'm jealous of that patina?

[Bomp]

Sweet looking little truck.
Make a plan, go for it.
Im in.

[PGSigns]

Looks to be a good solid truck. I see a 6 cylinder carb and distributor in the cab on the floor. Looks like a powerglide in the bed. Here id what I would do. try an pump up the tires and get it out he field. Once on solid ground pull the wheels and put 4 tires on it so it will roll with out tires going flat every day. Then give it a good cleaning inside and out so you can see what you have. I'll see if I can get a number to a guy I know in Dallas who is a good trans guy.
Jimmy

[CRUZN66]

Here's who did my OD transmission for my 66, I would highly recommend them!

http://aaaatransmissionsinc.com/

[cg285]

Originally Posted by Emily

I figure I'll cut the budget for shoes, purses, jewelry and makeup for a while.

most women NEED less makeup.

what are your expectations of a finished product?

[PGSigns]

PM inbound with some info for a guy in Dallas that is good at what he does and fair. Call him and let him know what is up and that should get you started.
Jimmy

[shp4man]

Many opinions here. Mine is keep it the way GM designed it. Those old engineers already worked through the problems, you don't need more caused by aftermarket mods. Especially if you have to pay somebody to "fix" it.
Also, these old trucks, which I love dearly, don't drive like a modern vehicle- they're harder to park and harder to deal with in modern traffic.
But, they can make you feel all right with the world, which is a priceless thing.
I wish I could find my parents old '65 Belvedere. That would make me happy. Good Luck.

[cg285]

Originally Posted by shp4man

Many opinions here. Mine is keep it the way GM designed it. Those old engineers already worked through the problems, you don't need more caused by aftermarket mods..

10-4 i'm guessing no one in that family died in that truck because it didn't have power disc brakes or lowered suspension.

[nail pounder]

What does it say on the doors? Old company logo?

[duallydude63]

thats not that bad!!!!! mine was worst so go for it !!!!! and good luck! and welcome aboard

[andyh1956]

The Pate swap meet is coming up next month. There is a vendor there who brings a covered utility trailer loaded with engines. They are all plumbed & wired & can be run right on the trailer. They are different stages of rebuilds & he warranties them so you could pick up an engine there. Lots of manual transmissions at Pate but I dunno about autos. Nice truck, good luck!

[franken]

That looks better than the truck in my driveway. I'd make it run and work on the brakes and mechanical bits. You may find that old trucks are a lot different than new trucks/cars. You may hate it. I sort of compare riding in/on my junk vs the new stuff as car vs tractor. But the old junk is always a thrill while the new junk is just an appliance.
I'm right up the road from you so if you meed help, shoot me a PM.
The most cost effective way to make old stuff better is to learn to do things yourself, gather used tools from CL, swap meets, garbage sales, etc. and do.