My 1969 SWB restoration project

[Boise69]

I call him 'Boise' since purchasing him 8 years ago in Boise, ID. I drove him for 4 years nearly everyday but decided to park it when rust in the rockers and cab corners started to appear, it started leaking trans fluid, power stealing fluid and I almost had a rear end collision when I had to hit the brakes hard and the drums just locked up the tires, so now it's time to bring her back to reliable, safe and pretty. I recently purchased some 4 post lifts to make the job a bit easier.

Here's the to do list:

Pull the motor to reseal, clean, paint and dress up
Fabricate a new exhaust system, FM or MF, X or H pipe - undecided
Have the 400 trans gone through, works fine, just leaks
Purchase '73+ front assy and rear axle with discs on all 4
New suspension parts front and back, shocks, mounts e.t.c
New rockers, floor boards and cab corners patched
New brake system, all OE
New power steering pump
Vintage air / heat
Gas tank relocated to under bed

Box removed and painted
New wood in bed, flat lacquer, brushed alum strips, new mounts
LED tail and side markers

Interior removed and inside painted
New instrument panel
New gauges
Bench seat recushioned and apolstered
New door panels
Better sound with under seat subs
Sound proofed

Full frame resto with POR 15
Complete paint job with different green - undecided

Install new wheels and tires

Enjoy

This thread will be on going and I will be coming to all of you for help. TIA

I give gifts for the most help
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[dmwphoto]

let the fun begin.... Rule number 1 and there is only 1 rule...

[Boise69]

Originally Posted by dmwphoto

let the fun begin.... Rule number 1 and there is only 1 rule...

For some reason I'm having problems posting pictures, I'll keep trying
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[Boise69]

Up on the lift ready for the sorting process. Had to go to my laptop to post, i guess i cant post pictures from my Ipad ?

[Boise69]

I purchased the Boss 338's back during that cluster group buy, got mine ok, but I remember being told they won't fit...

who has a link where someone made them fit on a '73+ set up?
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[litew8]

Keeping it stock/original - no lowering. Nice.
I've just recently read that H pipe is the better/prefered way to go.
I'm in it for the gifts!

[fakerwade]

Looks interesting!

[Boise69]

So. I've began again but this time, it's off to the local Hotrod shop for a complete restoration with my involvement in only sourcing parts. I thought I could find the time to do it, I simply can't, so I'm going to pay to have it done and finally enjoy it when it's done.

The plan:

- Pull the current 350/400 motor and trans and sell it. It's been restored but I'm looking for more power and better econ. I will replace it with a ZZ4 crate and a 700r4.

- pull the cab and box and send it off to the body shop for rocker replacement, minor rust repair, firewall smoothing, all new rubber, Dynomat, wood bed install, new dash pad, painted interior, carpets, door panels, head liner, recushioned seat, upholstery, new sound system, debating sunroof, New instrument panel, remove gas tank.

- the frame will be sanded and powder coated

- new brake lines, complete fabricated exhaust with H pipe, cross through trans member, all new rubber mounts

- restore front and rear suspension, worked to accommodate the new 308 Boss wheels I have. Moser posi rear end. 6 bolt Axles swapped to 5

This will be the goal in the first 3 months

Pictures coming and I will need help in sourcing parts
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[Tinkermc]

sounds like a good plan

[Boise69]

Funny the difference a year makes.

I decided to have a local Hotrod shop do my restoration. I've owned my truck for nearly 10 years and it has say for over 6. No more!

So I took it over and it will be done in 4 stages

Stage 1: chassis

The cab and box was stripped from the frame
Fuel tank removed from behind the seat
The frame was stripped of all its parts
The frame and all its parts were sand blasted and sent over to powder coat
Drum brakes and lines all removed

New GM 11" rotors on all corners with all new calipers, lines and booster
New Moser posi
New 5 bolt rear axles
All new Moog suspension parts
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[Boise69]

Few more
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[Boise69]

Once phase 1 is done. It's engine and trans and wiring.

I would like a 383/700R4

Who's got the best deal in turn key?
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[fastnotch89]

700 would be nice if your going to drive it, i need to get mine going....looks about like yours, its a 69 also but its all olive green