My 1968 C30 Wrecker rebuild

[irl104]

I got the fenders, hood, and cowl panel painted.

[irl104]

I got the doors painted both colors and door panels. Of course the wife didn't like them being stored in the house.

[projectking]

Looking good!

[junksaver]

Great job. Keep the pictures coming.

[MYGMCANDME]

Great job! Looks fantastic. Can wait to see it completed. Keep up the good work and keep the pics coming.

Jon

[irl104]

Thank you for the encouraging comments ." The Glass Man" installing my windshield and back glass. The first windshield was the wrong size and wouldn't fit. Keeping the oil bath air filter.

[irl104]

I prepared the seat frames and used Chassis Saver paint on it so it will last down the road. Had to rebuild the interior heater box. Got the visors and the dash pad installed. I got a lot of NOS parts from Clay Coopers Parts in Mooresville, IN. He has a large selection of NOS parts and very reasonably priced.

[ajviper]

Did you buy the cab from Marv at Golden Gate?

[irl104]

I bought the cab from Marvin in Golden Colorado. Not sure of his company name. He had it listed on Craigs List. We talked for several months about it. Shipping was the problem since I'm in Indiana. So I ended up driving out there and got it myself. He was a great guy to talk to and deal with. I bought several original and reproduction parts from him.

Was there a wasps nest in the glove box? lol

[ajviper]

Yep same guy. I've known him for quite a while. I remember that cab, I'm sure the wasps nests were there haha. I'll have to show him the pictures of the progress you have made next time I see him.

[irl104]

I got the seat back from my upholsterer. I got new seat belt material from Seat Belts Plus. A great company to work with. New buckles and tags from In Line Tube. Another great company to work with. The seat material is NOS from N.O.S. Automotive Fabric in Columbus, Michigan. It is the original material and pattern for 1968. Tony and I talked on the phone and sent emails back and forth. He sent me pictures of the materials and advised me of measurements that I would need. I highly recommend them.

I went back with the original type sound deadener and insulation. I did double the Jute padding on the floor and cowl panel, since the original was twice as thick as the new products.

[irl104]

AJ

It's a small world. It must have been the marking on the cab doors that gave it away. lol. Marvin loaded the cab took the time to find me other parts that I was going to need. Explained several things to me that I didn't know or remembered. A great guy to deal with. Very honest and fair. Did the city make him move yet? He was in a residential area behind a car dealership.

[irl104]

I had to redo the steering column and repair the steering wheel. It had several cracks all over. I used Eastwood's deluxe steering wheel repair. It did a fine job. I added a clear coat over the color so the clear would come off before the color for easier repair later on. Stayed with the original type floor mat from LMC. It was a good fit. The high hump was originally all black from the factory. I thought that was odd. I figured it would be the same color of the truck.

[irl104]

It's starting to look like a truck again as things are coming together. I did add a different twist with the grill. All steel and nothing fancy, for it was a work truck. There was no color code for the silver paint on the front grill area. It was factory but no mention of the color on the SPID.

[ajviper]

The landlord that bought the lot doubled the rent and forced everyone out. He is still selling parts out of his house and tinkering with trucks here and there. When you said Golden and I saw the markings on the cab I thought it look familiar. Your work looks awesome!

[35boulder]

I have been following along with others. You first post was early November and I'm wondering when did all this work get started? Liking what I'm seeing. Thanks for all the pics.

[irl104]

Putting the body parts on trying not to scratch them is a huge pain. But when you get another bodyman/painter to help you. They understand the importance of the install. Thanks to "Bear", no scratches.

[irl104]

The cold weather is now here. I have stopped working on this project. Now I can post my progress. I actually started working on this in May of 2014. I went to pick up the cab the day after we buried my mom in July of 2014. I needed the alone drive time to reflect. It has been a little over two years now. A lot slower than I wanted. But the funds were not, nor are there. It has been a lot of work doing these things mostly by myself. I am fortunate that I am an old bodyman/painter/wrecker driver. It has been a true learning curve due to new products since I last did this type of work in 1989. Thank you all for your encouraging comments.

[irl104]

More adjustments and fine tuning.

[irl104]

The cab part is done. I still need to bleed the brakes, fire up the engine, do some more wiring, and tires. The wrecker bed is next up. It has a 10 ton Braden Winch on it. I have a lot of welding and panel replacements to do in the spring. It was odd that there were never any rear shocks on this truck.

[irl104]

Still have to mount my mirrors also. Thanks for looking at my posts.

[irl104]

I am normally a lurker. Paying attention to directions and details. I do want to say in the short time I had been on this site, I have learned so much information. The members posting questions and answers have been fantastic. I have bought things from members here and they have been very informative. This is a great site full of knowledgeable and helpful people. I couldn't ask for anything any better than that.

Thank you so much for everyones advice, comments, knowledge, and especially the board!

[projectking]

It looks great, do you plan to work it on occasion? My 1 ton GMC didn't have shocks on it either!

[72 tigger]

Looking very nice! You're doing it right

[70short]

Man that looks awesome! Nice work!