Any ideas for my cheapo '64?

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I've got a 64 GMC short bed step to go through this winter, I want a driver next year. I'm on a budget for it, 230 I6 3 on the tree, stepside, at this point its kinda up in the air, I have the bed and front end off, I'm not sure WHAT I want to do with it. Run the I6, or slap a 400 I have in there. Drop the front for a california rake, what color to paint it, thinking avbout white or red, maybe run it in primer, what do you guys think for any cool ideas for a budget truck? I'm open to anything, will just be my second vehicle for drinig around....

[Vernski]

Hi 250 having a budget really slows down the process,I know it does for me. If your not under any pressure to have it for a daily driver that makes it easy.
Do a little bit at a time as the budget allows. I would put it together use the I6 if its in running condition. Use some marine plywood for the bed, get some rattle cans of primer your choice of color and there you have a pickup. The little things it may need will come in due time. Just try to set a goal and work at things one step at a time. When the time is right slap the 400 in there and
there you go.---Vernski

[PrerunnerRob]

What buget do you have in mind? A buget can vary widely, got any rough ideas of what you want to accomplish?

[Captainfab]

The engine of choice would depend on your ultimate goal as PrerunnerRob said. If just cruisin and MPG is a concern then stick with the 230 & 3 speed. If MPG isn't a concern and if you like to feel the power then go with the 400. Of course then IMO a better trans would be in order.

[slepysal]

my 60 fleet has a 250, the po had installed headers and a clifford intake with a 350cfm 2bbl carb. It's a cool motor I like it. Warming the 250 can be a little pricey, so as vernski mentioned a budget can slow the build .
One tip I want to pass on to you is Make a plan, and stick to it.
In other words these trucks can be built up many ways and I think they all look good from stock, to lifted 4x4 ,to lowriders and every thing in between so chose a style you want and try to stay with that theam.
A good example is Chief's old truck,
bird7263's pabst blue ribbon, any of LilReds beautiful stockers or Jchavs yellow 62 .
look at the sticky "how about some pics of 60-66 trucks"
this will give you an idea of what other members have done to there trucks, what paint,rims etc...
Shoot I built my long bed on a the cheap and called it "El Cheepo"
Good luck and post some pics!!!

[markeb01]

A budget will go a lot further if you don’t have to make major changes in the beginning. Personally I like the old inline engines. I wouldn’t be in a hurry to replace it unless the 400 is perfect and the I6 is worn out. Cleaning up the motor and drive train, rebuilding the stock brakes, replacing the shocks, worn tie rods, etc, will go a long way to making the truck enjoyable to drive. Any budget you set, triple that amount and it will end up closer to what actually gets spent.

Body work and rust repair add a lot of cost unless you can do it yourself, or be content with the quality of work you’re capable of doing yourself. Modern paint materials are very expensive. If you want this to look like a show truck someday, start with high quality paint materials now, or you’ll have to do it over later at additional expense.

On the other hand, if this will always be a hobby level fun-to-drive-around truck, a synthetic enamel paint job is dirt cheap by comparison. If you like the red primer look, you can go with flat or satin red enamel and it won’t get rusty. Most primers are porous and allow the metal to rust if not top coated with finish paint.

Depending on your personal tastes, stock steel wheels will mount a variety of hubcaps and wheel covers that can make a budget build distinctive and interesting. Check out the variety of trucks others have built for ideas you like.

One last tip, it’s easier to maintain enthusiasm in a project vehicle that can be driven. It’s easy to start out taking off a couple of parts, and ending up with a bare frame. Then little things get in the way of reassembly, like a wife, family, work, illness, etc and the project never gets put back together. Resist biting off more than you can chew. Smaller projects provide the satisfaction of completion, and the results can be checked out individually.

[Slow Build]

Rat Rod it.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Markeb01, your truck is kinda what I want mine to look like. Thanks for the input guys. I guess my budget is.... what it costs. I don't want to do anything too expensive, other than repair the rust and put it all back together, which will be plenty expensive anyway. I'd like to paint it with a paint gun and have it come out halfway decent, but the rat rod idea is what I keep thinknig about. Pretty sure the 230 is staying with the 3 speed, I have slot mags for the wheels.... Yeah, I guess I'll look at what everybody else has done.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Here is a picture of it. This was before I pulled the front clip off. We will see what happens, but I figured Id try to get some ideas, I keep hearing a set plan is needed for a project.

[markeb01]

It's really a lot like building an old 3 in 1 model car kit which can be assembled stock, custom, or racing. It usually comes out better if you have an idea up front what you want when it's finished. As Slepysal noted, starting out building one version and changing to a different theme half way through is a lot more expensive on a real truck than a model kit.

[Vernski]

Hi again 250 I ran across this web site that has some ideas that you can do to your truck check this link out.---Vernski

http://www.persh.org/pickup/IdeaPage.htm