How rare is a 68 c10 w/396/TH400?

[SB_in_SC]

The unit I am speaking of is the dealer add-on type. The under-dash unit, which I believe had 2 registers. (I stated "factory A/C, but I meant "dealer add-on") I would not consider changing the dash, even though it would be hidden as dtlilly said. Its just that the unit is FREE and would be just as you could have ordered it from the dealer. Just wondered if y'all thought it would be wrong or might detract from the original resto value of the truck by adding the "dealer add-on" unit. I would love to have A/C, but not at the risk of detracting from the value or "spirit" of the original truck.

Thanks to dtlilly and sixty8c10 for the response!

[71Shortbed]

Unless you are going for a concours show quality restoration I don't think a properly done addition of a dealer add-on would hurt. You have to maintain a balance of originality and driveability.... it can get pretty dang hot in these things in the south. Put it in and enjoy it.

[cheyenne10]

In my opinion when I see other than factory looking AC I consider tuck worth less. If I really wanted the comfort of AC and did not ever plan to sell the truck I might consider under dash AC if cost was like 1/2 of adding factory looking AC. I have seen pics of trucks with correct indash vents installed, firewall mods and correct pieces used to make it look and perform correct. I have also see aftermarket vintage AC or Old Air AC installed to look nice. In any case I feel the dash vents and appearance when looking in the window needs to look stock with stock vents not the aftermarket cutins. If custom pump brackets and custom pump installed on passenger side were added under hood I would accept that if done extra clean.

Couple of ways in my opinion to get stock dash vents is by removing and replacing entire dash piece with AC version by cutting at spot welds at windshield or by carefully cutting existing dash to take stock vents.

my 2 cents.

[sixty8c10]

i would use the dealer add-on one if had it (especially if it was free) and not even think twice about it. i drive my truck alot, comfort and driveability are #1 to me.

[71Shortbed]

Chopping up the dash and welding in vents is something you can't "undo". I never buy anything that has been chopped up and modified to give the appearance of being factory original. To me that just detracts from the value of the truck. An original dealer add-on would not have that affect. There are enough clones out there (fake Supers) etc. Sell it to me before you butcher it up...

[see ten]

If you want air put it on! As far as holes being put in the dash being something that can't be undone, thats a little out there. Look at this board at the pictures of trucks that looked like swiss cheese or a twisted up piece of scrap that have been brought back to like new condition. A couple holes in the dash for A/C vents would be nothing if someone wanted to reverse your modification later. Do you really want to put a small fortune in this truck to let it sit on those days when it's hot and humid? I live in Georgia I know how it is in the south. Build your truck for you not anyone else! I do agree that you have a rare truck and I would by no means hack it up. We are talking about A/C not chopping the top or body drop or Pro streeting it. If you ever tried to sell it do you think anyone would really go " if only it didn't have air"? I added air to my 72K10 and I love it. It's a low mileage truck painted in the original colors, factory motor, lift kit, blacked out windows and a few other hidden odds and ends. My 72C10 I bought from a man who had owned it 27 years. He said he could have sold it 2 dozen times if it HAD air on it. I added A/C blacked out the windows and it will be lowered soon. Build your truck the way you want! My advice would be,no matter what you do is to be happy with it yourself, to heck with everyone else. I would personaly rather drive one that looks like yours does NOW with cold air than a fully restored one with no A/C. GOOD LUCK on your project, and by the way don't price it if you don't want to sell it.

[71Shortbed]

Thats an interesting perspective.... I guess almost anything could be repaired but, then it loses its originality. Thats what I meant by it being something you can't undo (kinda like getting your virginity back). Since he said he didn't want to cut out the dash and weld in a new one, the add on made sense to me. Dash stays original and he stays cool.

I like these kinds of debates. It makes the board fun. Let us know how this turns out.

[SB_in_SC]

I agree, great debate and input! I believe I will pursue the "dealer add-on" unit my friend has offered me. My old '72 didn't have A/C and I remember many miserable days when traffic wasn't moving(especially on the strip in Myrtle Beach) and it was WAY to hot not to have A/C. My feelings are that it would not detract from the originallity of the truck, but would add much comfort.
As far as the "don't price it if you don't want to sell it" statement, you're exactly right. I shouldn't put a number out there when I don't really want to sell it. At the time, I would have considered $5k before I started this project, but not now. Now I'm stoked about getting it restored. You guys have fueled the fire with all your responses and I intend to chronicle this resto every step of the way. Can't wait until I can drive her to a meet where you guys can see her in person. That'll be a while, but we'll get there!

[sixty8c10]

just post lots of pics (entire buildup if possible)........ lots of them

[stelth2002]

Looks like a nice truck, but does anyone find it different that the horn cap is painted? They should be polished alumium or steel, if I remember right.

[SB_in_SC]

S...2002,
You're right. The middle part of the steering wheel and the horn button have been spray painted. We used this as our work truck for over 20 years and I believe the wheel and the horn button were stained pretty dark with grease. When my brother drove this truck as his personal veh for a few years, I believe he must have sprayed it b/c it wouldn't come clean, or he was too lazy to polish it. The boy LOVES a can of spray paint. You can still see the remnants where he primered the whole truck with spray paint to hide the surface rust! He once wasted a whole can of my gloss black to paint flames on a wrecked 73 sb/fs we had in the back yard!

[SB_in_SC]

Got a little work done today between the last thunderboomer and dark. Got the fan, radiator shroud, and radiator out. Also got the radiator support completely loosened. Hope to get it out over the weekend and start pulling the eng./trans. out.

[SB_in_SC]

Got the Rad. support, hood, cowl, and passenger side fender removed. Inside the cowl looks really good. Even with all the pine straw in it, no rust! Here are some pics of the progress.

[SB_in_SC]

Weather is mostly crappy in SC today. Cold and rainy, so decided to stay in the shop and strip down the fender. Both inner and outer have rust under battery, so I'm preparing to cut out the rust and weld in patch panel. Not very exciting, but progress is progress!

[70c10swb]

good work

little progress is still progress

[SB_in_SC]

Got the DS fender(inner and outer) off today. The wiring harness and the grounding strap are loose. Soaked the motor/trans mount bolts and the exhaust bolts down with "break free" in preps for pulling the motor/trans out soon. Maybe over the weekend, if time permits.

Check out the pinstripe! Didn't even remember it had one until I looked close at the fender.

Got a question about sandblasters. Are the ones I see from Eastwood and Northern Tool for about $150-$300 good enough for blasting sheetmetal and frame on my project? I have no experience with them. Is it worth getting one? What size/specs are the minimum needed?

[SB_in_SC]

Not much to report today. Did get the DS fender stripped down. Weather was too nice when I got home, so I rode my motorcycle for a while.

[70c10swb]

thanks for keeping us updated

[special-K]

I`ve seen prestine,well optioned 67-72s for sale and at shows.Take a look in the window and see"add-on"air.Doesn`t take away from the truck one ioata.I think it`s cool.Dealer air was just another common add-on typical from this era.

[grayw0lf]

I love those old style big block valve covers! They make the engine look enormous.

[SB_in_SC]

Busy weekend. Didn't get to do any work on the truck until 6:30pm Sun. Got the exhaust loose(only broke one of the 6 bolts!) Got the motor mounts and trans mount loose. Took the shifter linkage, starter wiring, and power steering hoses aloose. Nothing left but pull the eng/trans out and start breaking it down.

Stopped by my brother-in-law's Saturday and got to talking about my project. He offered to help build the engine. He knows the truck, because he was a mechanic at my dad's shop and his partner at the end. We worked together for many years at the shop and on our dirt track team. He's a great mechanic who has a big shop behind his house. He said to bring the motor down when I pull it and we'd get to work. That'll save me time and money. I'm going to try to get it pulled by the end of the week and down to his shop.

More to come!

[Hutch]

SB_in_SC
Very nice Big Block Shortie project you got there.
This board will help out a lot on the restoration.
Are my eye's wiggin out or is there a hidden message in that pic of the fender with the pinstripe?

[SB_in_SC]

Let's hope its a good omen!

[67cst]

i cant make out what was is written there, help me out someone

[68w/sbc406]

i am in the same boat