69 Custom 30 wrecker restoration

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by coops714x4

Ok Bob this is ALL your fault.... did a little "horse trading" and this is what I got. think I am going to put it on the '72 I was telling you about (still haven't got it bought tho) Coop

Do I see a future wrecker build thread coming??

[coops714x4]

Yep its looking that way and its all your fault got to get a 1 ton first but I THINK I've got one bought

[RCbowtie69]

Looking good on this build,you've come a long ways.Hope to see more pictures soon & keep on truckin'

[bobs409]

Thanks.

Feels wierd to not be working on it.

I'm doing floor pans on my 63 Impala among 99 other things so taking a break from it for now.

If I ever hit the lotto, I'm hiring a personal assistant. Maybe 2.

[Petie724x4]

Just read start to finish, awesome job, love it. A little motivation for me to start mine, love these 1tons.

[bobs409]

Thanks, it must have taken some time to do so. This turned into a novel.

Lots more to come...

[no moa]

Updates?

[bobs409]

Nothing right now, been taking care of some of the other cars/trucks in my "fleet".

I'll be back at it in the spring time...

[wrwelton]

Congratulations on the wrecker find. It looks like it is in good hands. Just got my 72 back from the paint shop. Looks like we both will have a busy spring. Give it hell. walt

[scotteric]

Subscribed.....sweet truck

[coops714x4]

Ok Bob, it's spring, so what ya got done???

[bobs409]

Funny you should ask. I've been working on an update the past few days. I'll have one soon... Lots to talk about...

Thanks for the interest!

[bobs409]

Guess it's about time to do an update! Took some time off over the winter from this project but I've been getting some things done in the past month.

The main plan right now is to finish up the cab so I can paint the firewall and interior area. Once those are done, the fun begins. I can install the engine & transmission, the dash with all components, wiring, column, pedals, etc. This will allow me to fire up the engine and get the cam broken in. (and get alot of stuff out of my garage that I've been tripping on for 6 months!)

With that paint work done, I will also be able to reinstall the rear window and am going to have a windshield company come to my place and put in a new windshield. I don't trust myself with $230 dollars of fragile windshield glass! (back ones are no problem however)

The pics below show the cab getting sanded to bare metal. I used an 80 grit
sanding disc then etch primed. I did the same to the firewall. The cab & roof are very straight so once this is all done, I will apply a few coats of a 2K urethane high build primer and block sand out later. I will do this same thing to ALL body panels.

[bobs409]

I recently installed the new repro drip rails (pic #1) and they fit really good, better than I expected. The other day I resealed around the roof drip rails with POR patch. It's something new I'm trying. It dries very hard and won't crack so they say. I'm so tired of re-doing roof gutters on these trucks every few years due to failing seam sealer. (3-M fast n firm specifically) I'm hoping this will help to avoid that. I'll be using it on some of the firewall and door jam seams as well.

I went to Carlisle, Pa car show on 4/26 with the hopes of picking up a new badly needed cowl panel so I can complete that area but unfortunately, this part has been sold out for about a year now and is still not available!@#!. Goodmark must have shipped them on the slowest boat from China or maybe pirates got them. I can't wait any longer for this part so yesterday I removed my old cowl from the old firewall section I've been saving to re-use it. Lots of metal work will have to be done to it and I plan to get started on that today. The bright side is I saved about $250 but in the end, will probably even out with all the labor I'm in for. (see last 3 pics)

[bobs409]

While I shouldn't touch the box yet, I just couldn't resist getting started on it a bit. I'll just mess with this once in a while when the mood strikes me but not full time. The rest of the truck is the part I need to focus on right now.

I started out just cleaning the leaves out but somehow wound up getting carried away like usual. Shown below I used my engine hoist to stand it up on end so I could work on it easier. (this thing is SOOOO crazy heavy!) Got all the leaves out though!

Getting a better look at the bottom shows me I will have to replace the main frame rails as they are flaking badly between them and the floor plate. I got lucky in that a new place opened near me that sells all kinds of metal so I got 2 new C channel pieces for the rails as well as some 3/16 inch square tube that I'll cut in half to replace the cap trim that runs around the box. I am also replacing the metal rods that work the winch as the new rod is very inexpensive.

I cut out a section of the box as shown using my sawzall and a cut off tool but quickly found this thicker material takes a long time to go through. The perfect excuse to buy myself a plasma cutter! Got one from Eastwood and it works great! Cutting the bad spots out won't be any problem now! lol

I also decided it was time to buy an arc welder since I'll be working with thicker metals. I could use my mig welder but an arc welder is better for this. (and another excuse to buy a new tool) I haven't arc welded since I was in high school's metal shop so wasn't sure how it would go but I caught on very quick while practicing with it.

More to come...

[no moa]

lol, are you restoring a wrecker, or building a new tool collection? lol

[stealthy '69]

I like it. Keep up the progress, I can't wait to see it finished. I can honestly say it'll be the first wrecker I've seen restored. (or even in decent shape for that matter) Great build.

[wrwelton]

wow it is looking good. Ive been trhere and it is a long tedius process but gonna be a great truck when you are done.

[almstlo]

thats one hell of a task

[Shaun1162]

Lookin good!

[bobs409]

First off, a big THANK YOU to Tim (coops714x4) from this forum who donated a "flyswatter" mirror arm & bracket to the project. I've been searching for these mirrors with absolutely no leads almost since this project started! With that one arm/bracket, I'll be able to use it to make a duplicate for the other side. I don't have mirror heads but will put on a pair of painted rectangular 69 repro's. I think these originally had a mirror head design all their own but they can be changed easily later if I find the right ones. The important thing is I can do my door skins with the correct inner brackets now and not have to worry about changing anything later. (and having to repaint the doors!)

I know some of you don't like this style mirror and at first, I didn't either but it very quickly grew on me. I located some west coast style DG5 mirrors recently from a big truck and considered putting those on but to me, it's like bolting scaffolding onto your doors. LOL They are massive! And since this trucks heavy towing days are behind it, the small mirrors will do just fine. (and be original!)

Well now that this huge obstacle is out of the way, I've made quite alot of progress lately!

After a few days to revive that old cowl panel, I got it back in good shape again. Lots of metal work and 2 coats of POR-15 on the bottom side. (Pic #1) I also did the top part of the inner cowl with POR and then primed it before it fully dried. (Pic #2)

(Pic #3) shows the wetsanded dash panel getting a test fit. All was perfect so it was fully bolted and welded in. Notice the kick panels recieved a skim coat of filler to blend in the new lower patch panels.

(Pic #4) shows the completed cowl panel installed and black Eastwood seam sealer just applied. This is the BEST seam sealer I've ever used! Can't say how durable it is just yet but it applies like a dream! After using many different brands over the years, what a difference with this one.

(Pic #5) shows a new day where after getting everything sanded and cleaned, I applied a gray sealer coat inside and out.

Continued...

[bobs409]

After one hour, I was able to get a few coats of 514 Red (looks more orange to me!) (pic #1) I used a single stage acrylic enamel and added hardner to it.

My main focus here was to make the firewall, ceiling and around rear window, dash panel and door jams nice. (they recieved an extra coat and most of my attention) All other areas such as under dash panel & floors got a color coat but since they get covered up or unseen, I didn't fuss with them as much. (as the factory would have done)

I did not paint the outside of the cab (roof and rear of cab) as I want to paint all the exterior portions all at the same time so all will match. (next year)

(Pics #2, 3 & 4) show some more "after" color shots. This color acts weird in front of the camera. Depending on the light source, it does change shades. From what I've learned, this color will darken in time too.

I have a 71 Cheyenne 20 that's also this color originally. I may paint that one pure red instead of having 2 trucks the same color. (and I also have a 72 Chevelle that's Hugger Orange!) While it's a different shade, it's still close enough and don't want to overdose on orange!

Continued...

[bobs409]

I wasted no time continuing on. The very next day (today) I drug the old 350 (now fully rebuilt) out of the garage as well as that "anchor" SM465 transmission. This is one HEAVY tranny!

(pic #1 & 2)

After spending some time bolting on the bell, flywheel and installing the clutch/pressure plate, I "married" the engine and transmission together. (it was a small ceremony, just me and the new couple)


And here it is (pic #3) making it's way back into the chassis. (the engine tilter was doing what it does best in this photo) Not shown is how I had to jack the front of the cab up about 5 inches so the transmission would clear due to the cross member not being removable on these trucks and the tall top plate. Much easier to this way rather than install trans from bottom after the engine was in. (pics #4 & #5) show it all nestled in. And that's where I'm at as of right now!

Won't be long now until I fire it up!

[coops714x4]

Bob, first you are VERY WELCOME my friend, (there wasn't any way I was gonna put that back on my truck) JK LOL that's what this forum is for to share and help....
GREAT progress, you make me look like I'm backing up LOL , its coming along nicely, keep it up and you'll have it finished before ya know it .
Since your doing a total restoration, are you going to put the lettering back on it, or leave it plain, or perhaps do your own "shop" logos ?? I think It would be real cool to letter it the way it was, and even cooler if the PO could see it and maybe sign the glove box, AAAHHH Americana preserved.
Oh by the way, what's this "next year" stuff, I wanna ride in it before then !! LOL GREAT TRUCK, GREAT PROGRESS. Coop

[RINC]

Its purdy !

Have you got pics of the mirrors ?

I'm a trucker by trade so I aint skeerd of no big mirrors