Project 68 Longbed....No Shortbed Stepside...

[StormRider]

Well I figured that it was time for me to start my own build thread since I've been on here for about 2 years now. I've been trying to do my truck for about 2 years now also. Almost lost motivation and started trying to sell my unfinished project but then changed my mind. In a way, I am glad that no one bought it. Ok, I have a 68 Longbed Stepside but I no longer like the Longbed so I went out and bought this 67 Shortstep. I am planning on using the 67's frame and bed with my 68 cab and front. What parts I don't use, I will sell to help fund my project. Here are some pictures of the 67 donor.

[jkaylor68gmc]

cool, lets see the other cab and front clip, looks like you have a start.

[StormRider]

Here are some more pictures of the 68 Longstep. I will need to replace the door bottoms, rockers, cab supports, kick panels, and some of the floor. I will be using my camera phone so bare with me.

[StormRider]

A few more pictures.

[StormRider]

The front clip is in pieces right now. Just need to pull out a few dings and repair the front fenders. Bumper and grille is in excellent shape. I will take pictures later or when I start repairing them.

[StormRider]

Well, I was able to take more of the front clip off on the donor truck today. Also found a guy locally that wanted to buy my 68 front clip and rearend for $800. I am thinking about selling it to him to help with my funds for the project. The grille and the hood on the 67 are ok. Just need a few repairs and straightening. The fenders are beyond repair so I can replace them aswell as the radiator support which I needed. Figured I could buy those for around $500 and still have $300 left over. I've already got new inner fenders so I might by an aluminum radiator. I will have the 68 Longbed and chasis that I need to sell and the cab and doors for the 67. Also a running 327 and a 3 spd saginaw that I will be selling. I will work on it some more tomorrow morning and I will take some progress pictures then.

[BACKYARD88]

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[72BlckButy]

Looks like a great project, good luck!

[StormRider]

Thanks. I am trying to build this thing on a very tight budget so I will have to start selling unused parts as I go along. Here are some pictures of the work that I did yesterday. Had a hell of a time removing the inner fender from the fender because for one thing there was so much grud on the inner fenders that I couldn't find the bolt. And when I did, most of them just broke the nuts and spun around. I still got the right side to do today. I might just use the cut-off tool on them because the inner and outer fenders are beyond repair.

[StormRider]

Here are a few more pictures. The tailgate is in very good shape minus the surface rust and the cheezy reflectors.

[StormRider]

Well, not much progress today as I had to play babysitter today. I did manage to get the right inner and outer fenders and radiator support removed. All that is beyond repair for me. My non-repairable pile is getting so much bigger than my repairable pile.



I also managed to take the bench seat out and take it all apart. I knew it wasn't that bad like everyone had said. Just a few broken springs...nothing a mig welder can't take care of. I figured that it would cost a little over $400 for me to redo these. I've done them before so hopefully this one won't be that hard. I just like the original style bench seat because when you look through the back window you don't see the headrest like some of the newer seats. Just my personal preference.

[kingsolver72]

I like your style.

[stingrayorangekrate]

Originally Posted by kingsolver72

I like your style.

[StormRider]

Originally Posted by stingrayorangekrate

Originally Posted by kingsolver72

I like your style.

Thanks guys. I am selling the 68 front clip today to a local guy for $600. Just the hood, fenders, grille, and cowl pan. I figure I can buy 2 new fenders and a radiator support (which I need because they're both bad...of course) for around $500. That will still leave me with $100 buck to go towards the project. The 67 hood has some holes but will be repairable. The 67 grille is also repairable with just a few dings. My front bumper is in really good shape. I've got new inner fenders already that I bought 2 years ago so I think I am set as far as the front clip goes. We started to take out the shortstep bed yesterday and the driver side panel looks worse than I thought. We will know more tonight when we take it completely apart. I might have to buy a good used panel. I know what some of you might be thinking....Why don't you cut the panel from the longstep because they're in great shape? Well because I am trying to sell the longstep complete and can bring in more money that way. Plus the cutting has to be vey accurate. I think I am better off locating a used driver side panel.

[StormRider]

Well I guess I haven't been able to do a whole lot lately. I wish I had a little more time but it's tough with too kids, a job, and a hobby. On monday, I went and picked up my new best friend. His name is Hobart.




I managed to weld some of the broken springs on the bench seat. It was not the greatest job....but it will do. I will try to get better with welding so I can tackle the body panels later. I cleaned it up and use a couple cans of rustoleum gloss black on it and bam! Good as new. At least it will get covered up anyways.



Today, I had planned on working on the project but some A-hole used a screwdriver and F-ed up my door lock and handle on my 04 Suburban yesterday so I couldn't open the door. So I took it all apart and found that the handle, lock cylinder, and some clips were all broken and needed replacing. I called the dealer they wanted $400 for the parts and recoding the lock. So I went with plan B and went to the junk yard, found a handle and lock on a Tahoe and got my locksmith friend to rekey it for free. The handle was pretty scraped up so I sanded it down and sprayed it with once again, a can of auto spray paint. It didn't seem like it had enough clear so I bought a can of clear and spray it on top. It matched up pretty good and everything just costed me $40 and a whole day.




What do you guys think?

[StormRider]

I just removed the motor and tranny from the 67. I got a friend that is going to buy it. Here's a picture of it out and covered up on a crate that I make with 2x4s. And here is my son wondering when the heck I am going to finish his ride....

[jay-dawg]

haha...nice pic of your kid. Keep up the good work!

[Spray-Bomb]

Looks like my yellow 67 short step