My 1968 C30 Wrecker rebuild

[Ricks1971]

great job so far

[Deer_hunter_088]

Love watching this build!!

[outfield]

This is me too!

You're doing and awesome job on this truck, can't wait to see the finished project!!

Originally Posted by 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!

[irl104]

Projectking, I did put a furnace in my barn earlier last year, but I'm waiting to see where the new I-69 is going to run before I decide to insulate it. If the weather gets near the 40's I might go out and do some welding now and then. Due to an uninsulated pole barn I don't want to run the furnace due to costs and making the wife mad. lol

I did drain and clean out the winch. Added new gear oil and now I'm waiting to grease it until it's painted. Going to order the metal I need for the bed repairs in the morning.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

[projectking]

Originally Posted by irl104

Projectking, I did put a furnace in my barn earlier last year, but I'm waiting to see where the new I-69 is going to run before I decide to insulate it. If the weather gets near the 40's I might go out and do some welding now and then. Due to an uninsulated pole barn I don't want to run the furnace due to costs and making the wife mad. lol

I did drain and clean out the winch. Added new gear oil and now I'm waiting to grease it until it's painted. Going to order the metal I need for the bed repairs in the morning.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

I feel your pain, as I have to work on my GMC outside weather permitting.

I was asking if you plan to use it as a tow truck or just bringing it back to its former glory.

[tinman_local2]

My dad ran a wrecker for a local GM dealer back in the 70's and 80's. He towed mostly big trucks since he was their big truck mechanic, too. If I remember it was an early 70's C-60 chassis with a wrecker bed. On snow days from school, I would get to ride along with him. You talk about being in heaven. I was around 5-10 years old at the time. Sure would like to have that old truck to fix up. You've got quite the neat project there!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by irl104

Yes. Keeping the 292 stock. Just adding headers to it. There was an issue with the motor soon after it was bought. We fought with Chevrolet on it. They replaced the engine with another 292 but it is a 1970. The frame and cab are in bad shape due to rust. I've got to find another cab and brackets and braces to reinforce the frame.

Hi real nice resto project.
Interesting story about your 292. Are the ''dress numbers'' near the distributor pad still legible? Curious to know what they are. I have a '68 C/10 Stepside I bought in Pasadena, Calif. in 1973. It has its original engine in it with some strange dress numbers: F0627XAE. I can't find 'XAE' on any L6 engine code breakdowns. Since it was over 40 years ago that I spoke to the PO [who wasn't the original owner either] I can't remember if he said anything about an engine replacement under warranty.

[70chevyC-Ten]

This is a great thread - Thank YOU - for taking the time to share it with US.

[irl104]

PK Working outside is a pain. I am going to make this a working wrecker. With todays cars I can't tow them without damaging them. It just has a sling. I can tow trucks and older cars with real bumpers. Today you need a wheel lift or rollback. I will use it for my friends in need.

Tinman
I was about 5 or 6 when dad would let me go with him. Being at the shop and making wrecker runs was a big part of my childhood. Now what I consider the good old days. I started working in our bodyshop at the age of 13, making wrecker runs before I had my drivers license, I quit at the age of 23, when my dad died. I became a firefighter and still am. I did go back for 4 or 5 years working for my dads twin brother.

68
I couldn't find any numbers on the shelf by the distributor. There are some mill or grinder marks there.

I ordered my metal (for bed patches) today and it will be ready for me to pick it up tomorrow.

Thank you all for looking and responding.

[projectking]

That's great, I love seeing old tow trucks working.....especially ones with a 292! I've never seen a 67-72 but plenty of 73+.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by irl104

68
I couldn't find any numbers on the shelf by the distributor. There are some mill or grinder marks there.

Thank you all for looking and responding.

I was afraid of that, some rebuilders tend to mill off these numbers,and others add their own. It was only 48 years ago, too.
Thanks for checking.

[Ken B]

I've been following along, this is one of my all time favorite threads. Your work is top shelf, I'm sure your Dad is mighty proud... If you have any local parades around 4th of July I bet your truck would be enjoyed by many...

[irl104]

With warm days happening here and there, I've been able to work a day or two in February. I was able to get all my metal panels for the bed welded in. I broke two 4 ton and one 2 ton come-a-longs. Quite challenging.

[irl104]

Rebuilding and working on the sling. Welding, Drilling, and tapping. Welded the chains on the wheel chalks.

[irl104]

A few good days in March. I was able to prime the metal with self etching primer. Sand the bed and prime with 2K primer. I need add some spot putty here and there.

[irl104]

Wheel chalks, brackets, and sling are primed and ready for paint. Next is to sand and prime my west coast mirrors.

[irl104]

After searching high and low for a set of wrecker dollies. By word of mouth, a towing company had bought a later model wrecker from my cousin twelve years ago. They had a set of pan dollies off one of our old wreckers they didn't use anymore. I explained what I was doing and he gave them to me along with two belts for my sling. A huge thank you to Brandon of Stanley Towing. The dollies are in bad shape, but I have the frames. I'm in need of the pans and dolly tubes.

[flashed]

Looks great ,staying tuned for more .

[projectking]

Great work, thanks for sharing!

[Moose Monkey]

Wow!

[b.sharp]

Would Stanley towing be in Frankfort KY by any chance? Like the wrecker build and the history?

[irl104]

Thank you for the comments. Stanley Towing is in Martinsville, Indiana. I got my tubes and drilled them to fit. I got my metal to make my own dolly pans. I ordered new wheels, tires, and hubs for the dollies. Now hurry and wait until my parts arrive. This weekend I used spot putty on the bed this weekend and mocked up the lights for placement.

[irl104]

My dolly progress.

[flashed]

Looks great .

[irl104]

I made my own dolly pans since I couldn't find any. Doug Weddle of Weddle Heating and Cooling, a friend of mine with a sheet metal break helped me get these finished up and did a great job. He saved me several hours with his break.