Project Charlie Boy

[rob32472]

The idea for this project came over Thanksgiving when my niece mentioned her dad was looking for a stepside pickup (which I already had). She went on to say how he had had one when he was younger and what good memories he had in that old truck and how he wanted to share them with a soon to be grandson. Charlie, who is due in mid Feb. He will share the same first name with one of the best men I have ever known, my father in law, who passed away several years back. Charlie, I hope that you will grow to love these old trucks as much as your grandpa and I do.

[rob32472]

Plans for the truck are some what in the decision making process but here are the basics: 2/4 drop, LS engine custom interior, wilwood brakes front and rear, exterior will be black, step bed will have black wood with stainless strips. There are some custom ideas I have for the truck which I wil post up as they happen. I have already blown it apart blasted the frame and painted it and I am working on the suspension now. I have a RUST free cab from cali and all front end sheet metal will be new repop stuff as we are putting a 68 front end on it, so stay tuned for fit and finish pics as I have been told it is all the latest tooling.... Hope you guys enjoy the build.

[ncaa]

Im really excited about this project and look forward to seeing the final product. Rob does an excellent job and I'm very proud to call him my brother- in-law. I had very fond memories of me and my (then) 4 year old daughter riding in my old '68 Chevy stepside. 22 years later Rob will help reconnect me with more memories with my grandson.

Thanks Rob

[gcburdic]

Rob....I know this will be a very nice build!...Look forward to seeing it come together

[mooseknuckles]

so far its lookin pretty good!

[1970ChevyChamp]

Projects are always that much more fun when you can share it with other people. By the way, that '68 front clip with the hood and all looks great! I'm very interested to hear about your custom ideas. Keep the post and updates coming!

[crappiewrangler]

Looks Interesting...I'm in..

Subscribed

[rob32472]

Here are two cool pics my bro in law sent me of his old truck. I love the one with his daughter in front..... it is funny in life how some of our best memories are made. Simple times are the best times!

[rob32472]

I was able to get in the shop this morning and do some front end and brake work. I was amazed to see fed ex on a saturday show up with brake lines from in line tube... just in time. We used cpp drop spindles with cpp 1" drop springs up front. The front has been totally rebuilt with all new bushings, ball joints, tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm and gear box. The brakes are wilwood D59 calipers with stock rotors. We are planning to use the same in the rear with Capfabman's bracket kit.... I hope to have this thing on the ground next week.

[Valhalla]

I am diggin it.

[rob32472]

Got some time today and got the rear end in... mocked up the rear brakes and got the front on the ground.. So far so good....

[funkytechmonkey]

Glad I am looking at this with a laptop.....*Tilt laptop on side* Looks good!!

[rob32472]

LOL! I agree thats an I phone for you....

[rob32472]

Finally a roller..... waiting on the rear calipers and I am going to cut some holes in the trailing arm cross member to run the exhaust thru and then I can start putting the cab on....

[crappiewrangler]

sweet progress. Keep up the good work

[ncaa]

Wow, looking great Rob can't wait to see it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[rob32472]

Got the cab bolted on, then moved on the the front sheetmetal. Check out these gaps! This is all reproduction sheetmetal and while it is not perfect its looking good so far.... Porterbuilt hindges came friday so I started the install so far they have been easy.

[funkytechmonkey]

Rob... I just bought those hood hinges too... Will you come help me install mine? I have never welded before and I'm scared to death to try it on my good hood.

Also... Did you bend all your own lines? Man I really wish you were closer to me. It would be nice to have someone help me with all this stuff. Your truck is coming along nicely.
Posted via Mobile Device

[rob32472]

Few more pics

[rob32472]

Originally Posted by funkytechmonkey

Rob... I just bought those hood hinges too... Will you come help me install mine? I have never welded before and I'm scared to death to try it on my good hood.

Also... Did you bend all your own lines? Man I really wish you were closer to me. It would be nice to have someone help me with all this stuff. Your truck is coming along nicely.
Posted via Mobile Device

Brian the hinges are relatively easy to install I used a dremel tool and went slow. I found that it was easy to make a template out of poster board and trace it on the fire wall then just cut the lines slow and easy. As for the hood if you dont have an engine in the truck maybe place the hood on the truck where it needs to be and trace the outline of the bracket on to the hood and take it to a body shop for welding.... that way you have no worries, but if you will search porterbuilt hinges LFD did a great write up on the install and you will see it doesn't take much welding really. The lines are all prebent from in line tube with exception of the rear which I did by hand. I took a rubber mallet and some 2x4 and straitened the SS tubing using then some copper wire made a template and bent the tubing to match....... I only had to flare two ends and the tool was a loaner from autozone

[rob32472]

went by the shop today and took pics of the bed.... I am please with the way the back end turn out those are 50's pontiac lights........ just about ready for paint

[rob32472]

Time for an Update: The whole reason for the build, Charlie was born on Feb 14, I am proud to say that mom and baby are doing very well. The truck is coming along great I will be bringing it home from the body shop this week. They did a great job on the fit and prime. They are great to work with and kept me updated on the process. Here are the pics of what they have done. I will be working on getting the wiring done and engine dropped in etc. My plan is to have a running driving truck work out all the kinks then blow it apart one last time for paint.

[rob32472]

more

[rob32472]

more pics

[rob32472]

still more