New member here, details of our Father/Son build

[Jason Aschle]

Hello, My user name is, well... That's me... My oldest son, Blake, which is 11 now has been wanting me to find him a 68' Chevelle for about 6 years now, but my bank account can't support the cars I would be willing to buy. He also has been wanting a truck, something older he says... Last weekend I found a 1971 Chevy 3/4 ton for... FREE ! The truck is mostly original as far as I can tell. The plan for it right now is, shorten the frame and find a stepside, as that's what my boy wishes. Fortunately, I have almost 5 years to get the truck on the road (doubt I will wait long and we will start driving it fairly soon lol ). I loaded it up on the trailer and took it to my shop, put a battery in it and fired it up ! The transmission leaks, so with no fluid yet, I haven't tried driving it, but things are looking good !

I went to a buddies house the day after picking up the truck and got a pretty clean front clip from a 72' , again, everything for free so far rear trailing arms, new eurathane bushings for the arms, passenger side outer rocker panel (new) and a 5 lug rear. I'll start a build thread once my son and I start turning wrenches.

For anyone that may be interested, here is the project :

[Jason Aschle]

[Jason Aschle]

[Jason Aschle]

The blue 68 is not mine, he rents part of the shop...

[MistaGavin]

That looks like a Longhorn to me. Would be sad to convert to a SWB - in my opinion anyways. Regardless what you do your son will remember fixing it up for the rest of his life so have fun with it.

[sean1969c10]

x2 I don't know if I would have the heart to cut up a Longhorn. Nice score for free!! My 4 year old is looking forward to building his ride, have fun!!

[MARKDTN]

Nice ! I too could not cut up a Longhorn. I like a LWB truck anyway. Whatever you do, good luck and enjoy.

[1972RedNeck]

X4 I'd couldn't touch a longhorn frame with any type of cutting tool.

[Tom Vogel]

Dont talk to this man!!!

[Jason Aschle]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

Dont talk to this man!!!

Hey now Tom...

What is the special interest with the Longhorn ? I'm a Camaro guy that has always liked the 67-72 style of these trucks, but don't know all of the ins and outs... Is the Longhorn something special over a standard long bed? I measured the bed and found it a few inches longer than normal, but that's all the differance I see...

Thanks guys !

Jason

[BlackTopMotors]

You have a Longhorn, don't cut it...restore it (stock) and sell it. Then buy a short bed truck! Love the 8 lug steel wheels as well (3/4 tons are cool)! Keep those picks coming, take care.

[dmack91]

OK, I will be the dissenter. It is your truck, do what you want with it. I realize on the forum the Longhorn is considered rare, but I haven't seen any huge market for them over a standard long or short box, at least around here.


Price is right, nice find.

[POS68GMC]

I forgot you'd be in here too... get to work!

[brans72]

then someone needs to trade him a swb for the long horn other wise cut it up if you choose to.

[cheyenne shortstep]

Of all the trucks I've sold the only regret is selling my BB '70 Longhorn, I vow to get it back and do have first right to refusal. Don't cut the 'horn. Cut a LWB 1/2 ton.

[POS68GMC]

what's the big deal between the long bed and the Long Horn?

[68Lowrider]

What a great father and son project ,I say cut and slam it ........
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[original-71]

nice truck but the only thing i saw was FREE HOW DID THAT HAPPEN ?

[67c10rustbuket]

It's your truck I say cut it up! or someone could donate a regular long bed frame for you to cut if they are so concerned with you slicing it up. Maybe sell/trade to one of these longhorn fanatics. Personally I have never seen a longhorn in person and I understand the "rarity". Like my 2 dr wagon some think it is made of gold and others look at it and say "really I don't get it?" It's a matter of opinion and your choice. I'm sure you and your son will have a lot of fun with it either way. Enjoy it!

[Low Elco]

It'd be one thing if the bed didn't look like it lost a bar fight, and the front clip wasn't nearly smacked off of it. Part what you can, sawzall the rest, build what ya want!
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[alsriv2]

As both a '69 GMC Custom Camper (Longhorn) owner and a '69 Chevy LWB owner, I would have to say it is your choice to do what you would like. However, as a fan of the Longhorn series, I would say try to find someone who will trade you for a better platform, that being a shortbed truck or a 1/2 ton LWB. The longhorns are a rarer breed and there is enough interest out there to resurect that longhorm you now own.

Please look over the options before butchering that longhorn.

My wife is trying hard to get me to sell my LH, and I personally enjoy the uniqueness of them so I am fighting back...hard! LOL!

Good luck on what ever you decide!

Al
'69 GMC 2500 Custom Camper (Longhorn)
'69 Chevy C10 396BB

[sameyrasmea72]

Cool project!!I don’t have a problem like some of the others cutting up a longhorn frame. My problem is that you are going to spend a ton of time and even more money, by the time you change the frontend and rear end. And you will still have a chopped up heavy duty frame. Sounds like you have plenty of time. I would start looking now for a short frame. You should be able to find one for $350-500.

Heck since this is a father/son project (I have played the role of the son in a couple of those), I will make you the offer of the week. Come to Lubbock TX and I will give you a SWB frame. It’s a bare frame (not rolling) but it will get you started. And to return the favor you can give you longhorn frame to one of the 1000's out there looking for one.

[67Slider]

Very cool offer Sameyrasmea72! That's why I love this site. Cut it, don't cut it. All your call.

I can relate to the cost of the Chevelle. My 10 year old son wants a 68 Nova. I am looking and have seen a few. The cars in my price range are shot! Hopefully I can find one for the same price you got yours!

Best of luck on the new project.

Matt

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by POS68GMC

what's the big deal between the long bed and the Long Horn?

The Longhorn was offered in both C20 3/4 ton and C30 1 ton as Fleetside pickups from mid 1968 through 1972 (models CS/CE21034 & CS/CE31034). These trucks featured a 8 1/2' bed. Basically they were a parts bin solution to carrying long heavy campers with a lot of rear overhang, like a 12' side entry.
By building the Longhorns on the heavier/taller/narrower one ton frame the wheelbase became 133" (extended 6" from the regular 127"). This allowed the bed to be extended forward, which in turn allowed the load (camper) to slide further forward adding weight to the front suspension thus better balancing the vehicle. However it was not a tailored camper package, but instead a long heavy duty Fleetside pickup sprung as a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. Concurrently Chevrolet also offered a one ton stepside pickup with a 9' bed (CS/CE31004) that could also be "Custom Camper" optioned.

[Husker]

Cool Deal. Welcome.
Have fun.
Ron