My build up thread 67 small window short/fleet

[byrd]

OK I'm finally going to get to build a truck I have started on a shorty 67 small window fleetside. Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to tell the story of the truck.I started with a truck that was given to me by the old man across the street from me and my wife. Frank lived across the street from me my entire life, he was a good man always help the neighborhood kids with their bikes and as we got a little older lawn movers.I how loads of memories of he and I tinkering with stuff in his driveway. Frank was like a second grandpa to me and I can remember riding in this truck when I was 3 years old.He couldn't read or write, but could fix anything. He was diagnosed with Alzthiemers(sp) 4 years ago at the age of 85 and it quickly progressed and his mind was lost Became very mean and had to be put in a specialized care facility, so they could handle as his wife was in no shape to really be able to help him with the day to day stuff. Then about 2 years ago when he was getting very close to the end his wife signed the truck over to me, now I know it was free, but it wasn't much to look at and was in need of a total frame off restoration to get it up to par again, and the only thing salvageable was the frame,with some work(see pics).None of his kids wanted the truck, and I had always liked it from way back when.
So that is how it got the name of project "Frank"

Now onto the truck itself...

I have started on it and gotten a little done to it. I got it to run after sitting for about 5 years to get it into the garage from the barn in the back of the property for teardown. Couldn't believe it started I have tore it down completely and gotten down to just a bare frame. Ground and wire brushed and cleaned up the frame as best as I could without blasting it and have coated the frame, front crossmember, and rear end with Eastwoods two part rust converter, and will most likely paint the rear end and front crossmember today with the rust encapsulator and then high gloss chassis black. The frame still needs to be flipped back over so I can two part the top of the rails and finish on the inside, getting it ready for rust encapsulator and the high gloss chassis black. While cleaning the frame found some serious rust in the rear spring perches and a small hole in the drivers side of the frame(has been fixed) but still trying to get a good set of perches to finish the rear up. Before I started on the truck I built a tip and flip dolly from LFD and got a replacement small window cab from billsbotie and had it blasted and primered waiting on patch panels to start cutting on it.
The cab will need A LOT of work as there was much hidden under the paint as usual. I ordered all the sheet metal needed for the truck and picked it up yesterday form Bob Hook Cheverolet here in Louisville, Goodmark dealer(No shipping cost ) I got both bedsides, both front 67 fenders, rad support, front bed panel, wheelhouses,hood and every patche they make for the cab except the inner roof(only really clean spot on the cab. I think I got a great deal on the sheetmetal, it was about $2200 for everything.

The truck is going to be a nice driver for me to run around in.I'm thinking I will paint it black(not sure), will have a 350/200r4/3:07 open rear.I am lowering it 3.5" in the front and 5" in the rear, to hopefully level the truck out.I will be doing alot of little stuff to it, like shaving the firewall on the passenger side for vintage air, shaving the gas filler, move the fuel tank to the rear of the truck(ordered and fuel cell form the fuel cell guy ) I will post progress as I move along, and now for some pics,

[byrd]

More pics

[byrd]

last set of pics for now....

[70c10]

Cool . Wish my garage was bigger so I could do another truck Keep the pics rolling Randy!

[special-K]

I`m impressed with your story.Ilove this stuff.I will enjoy watching you bring "Frank the truck" back to it`s full glory.I only hope I can leave or have left such an impression on a youngin or two.There are a couple guys from my childhood that I can say planted seeds in my tinkering life,including my dad.When I`m real old I hope I have a few "Sidekicks" around.

[byrd]

Thanks K...I wish my dad was into this stuff,but he would rather play golf.. he used to be nicknamed Mr Goodwrench cause everything he touched ended up needing to go and see a real Mr. Goodwrench I got the wrenching fromy Grandpa and Frank of couse, so I'm sure you will be passing the bug on to some yougins as well.

[Jimbotronics]

Right on Randy - it's going to be great to get to follow your project. Keep us updated... love progress pics!!!

[ChevyDude]

Gonna be sweet!!! I will be watching "Frank". Drop chose sounds awesome! Take your time and do it right! Good Luck!!!

Alex

[byrd]

Got a little more done today, rust encapsulated and painted the rear end, trailing arms and the fromt crossmember. Got the frame flipped ( dam that thing is heavy ) and the rest of the frame 2 part rust comverted hopefully to rust encapsulate and paint the top, and part of the inside of the frame tomorrow, weather permitting. Then let it dry 24-36 hours and flip is back over and rust encapsulate amd paint the bottom and the rest of the inside of the frame. Here's a few pics of today progress..

[byrd]

in the last pic I have mocked up the tranny crossmember, but am unsure if it is in the right location? and the right orentation as well? I will be installing a 700r4 and wanting to make sure it is in the right spot before I paint the frame, any help is greatly appreciated, Randy

[byrd]

Here is a pic of the wheels and tires I got off my parts truck that I will be useing at least for a while but wanted to know what they are. If anybody knows please speak up!!

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by 70c10

Cool . Wish my garage was bigger so I could do another truck Keep the pics rolling Randy!

A-men, and looking very good so far

[jamie72]

randy great post..sorry i couldn`t help on the perches, good luck on the truck i bet its going to be one nice truck!!!
keep us posted.

[MDC]

I think that's a great story and it needed to be told. I's more fun to work on something that has a special meaning. Will be watching for updates.
I don't know about the rims, but let me know if you go to get rid of them. I like them!

[69_hafton]

Always nice to know the history behind a vehicle.

Wheel look similar to some of the ones you see off corvette's? Even the emblem on the spinner looks "corvetty"

[byrd]

MDC, I really like them too they look good and kinda in line with the era of the truck, and the best part, it looks like they are 15x8 front and 15x10 in the rear


69 hafton thatt is what I thought, but after checking into it,I don't think they are the spacing of the holes(too many holes maybe) looks off to me, but who know's???

[special-K]

I thought they looked like the 80-ish Vette wheels,but see they are just simular.And,nice.Especially since they are 8s & 10s.Keep me in mind after MDC if andwhen the time comes to sell.Definately will look great on your truck.

[N2TRUX]

It sounds like Frank was a hell of a guy. It's good to hear your keeping his spirit alive and building a truck that he would appreciate. Keep us posted...

[67ChevyRedneck]

It seems like more and more 67's are turning up.... could it be they were the coolest chevy truck ever built?

My truck has a lot of "goodmark" in her too. I was able to pick mine up at THE goodmark distributor in lawerenceville Ga, about 2 hours from greenville

[byrd]

Thanks guys, has anybody been able to determine if I have the tranny crossmember in the correct location for a 700r4? (see last pic above of frame)It is mounted in the second set of holes from the engine area. The holes lined right up and all but I really wanted to be sure before I paint it. TIA Randy

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck;

It seems like more and more 67's are turning up.... could it be they were the coolest chevy truck ever built?

The styling of the 67-68 is classic. Harry Bentley Bradley out did himself with this one...

[jsbgump]

Nice build thread. I can't wait to tear down my 68 and start it. Good luck and keep us updated.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by byrd

Thanks guys, has anybody been able to determine if I have the tranny crossmember in the correct location for a 700r4? (see last pic above of frame)It is mounted in the second set of holes from the engine area. The holes lined right up and all but I really wanted to be sure before I paint it. TIA Randy

I can't tell you that for sure as I think 700R4's varied slightly from model to model.

I CAN tell you that on my truck, which was a 67 swb like yours with a one piece driveshaft, I had the 350 in the correct V-8 position and with the 700R4 behind it (out of an 83 firebird) that I had to move my crossmember so that the front holes in the crossmember lined up with the rear holes in the frame and I had to drill out the back holes in the frame (if that makes sense to you?). I know it would suck, but the best thing to do may be to test fit your engine and tranny.

BUT if you're just going to rust encapsulate the whole frame you can go back and touch it up later.

[byrd]

Thanks 67 chevyredneck, Yeah I did the whole thing so it wouldn't be hard to touch up. I will be putting the engine and tranny in in a couple off weeks and will just have to T&E.
Got a little more done today, got the frame off the tables I have it on and got it on some car dolly's got it outside and sprayed the frame sides, and top. Rand out of paint and and needing some more parts to come in before I can move on with the chassis.
I will most likely turn my attention to getting the engine cleaned stripped and ready to paint.I have the por15 trial kit which is enough to paint the engine with, but is that OK? or will the motor get too hot? I also have to drop the tranny off at a local shop near my house to have it rebuilt and updated, so that hopefully when I'm ready to trial fit it all I will have it all ready and waiting on me. Couple pics of the frame painted.

[BarryB]

Hey nice progress! I wish I had my garage cleaned up so I can get out there and do the same with mine. Keep us posted. Hey three day weekend good time to get it organized.