The Brown Turd

[Thebrownturd]

My dad and I picked up this truck about 3 1/2 years ago from a guy he used to work with. He used it as a daily driver. He inherited it from he dad after he passed away in Washington. The rust is not bad for being in such a wet place. So, I'm not sure but, I think it has had at least 1-3 previous owners. For the most part is pretty original, other than the (turd colored) paint over the original paint and that the engine and tranny are out of an 85 or 86. The original plan was to get it running and be driving it once I got my license.

1970 custom/20
- 350 Chevy small block
- th350
- np205
- Eaton Ho52 (4.10)
- Dana 44 5-f
- stock height
- factory cab lights
- power steering
- power breaks

[Thebrownturd]

Plan of Attack
- breaks
- change all oils/lubricants
- get the engine running smoothly
- electrical
- body work
- primer
- paint
- interior

[Thebrownturd]

The first thing we did was to replace all break pads, calipers, fluids, ect. We went with braided steel lines on the front breaks. Before you could push the pedal all the way in and it wouldn't stop. Scary to think it was this guys DD. Next, we replaced all plugs and wires after putting in a new HEI. We had to put in a new water pump and replaced the hoses after it blew up. My grandpa helped install a new Holley 600 cfm carb. Once tuned up a little it was running very well. A compression test showed about 150 psi in each cylinder, pretty good for an old engine with unknown miles.

[Thebrownturd]

I went and cleaned up some of the wiring in the engine bay and painted the inner wheel wells while I had them out. A lot of the wires were eaten up or twisted together. There was a rats nest of wires where they shaved some coating off and twisted on wires to go to an old camper that used to be on there. I just cut it and used some shrink tube wire crimps to reconnect them. Now my break lights and turn signals work. Some fresh wires and tubing to put it in makes a big difference in looks. I'll have to save up for a new battery next.

[Thebrownturd]

Once I finally got it up to the shop at my grandparents I stared tear down. I took the grill home for some polish and paint.

Before

[Thebrownturd]

After

[DWilbur]

Looks good. Nice truck to start with. Nothing like polishing up a good old turd.

[Thebrownturd]

I sure hope it will polish up nice. I would like to paint it back to the original color, dark bronze. I believe it was only available in 70 on these trucks. Here is a picture of the inside of the cab with the dark bronze. It is lighter when it gets in the sun.

[Thebrownturd]

Currently the truck is apart and I am working on the bed. I started by filling the holes for the old camper hold downs.

[Thebrownturd]

After sanding off the turd paint I found out that lower front portion of the passenger side of the bed had about 3/16 thick bondo. It was pretty stretched and dented metal

[Thebrownturd]

on the bright side the hood had only one small dent. I filled if with body filler because the hood brace is under the dent and I cant get my dolly in there.

[Thebrownturd]

Here is a picture of the dark bronze in the light

[Thebrownturd]

Just kidding here it is

[7dee2]

Nice color the bronze, a lot better than a turd brown or as my wife would say mocha!

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

Looks good. Nice truck to start with. Nothing like polishing up a good old turd.

[Nitis]

my favorite color from this vintage! pair that and a white cab and youll have a sweet ride

[Bladeboy1998]

^^^what he said, white roof and paint it the original bronze. My great uncle had one in that color back in the 70s, I wish we still had it. Keep up on the build and don't go to fast, you will be burned out fast

[y5mgisi]

That is an excellent color.

[Thebrownturd]

Thanks guys. I really like the bronze color, but I have never seen another dark bronze truck. It seems like they are all medium bronze and white. That is one good thing about the Reno area, there are a lot of these trucks still on the road, or parked somewhere. It makes it easy to picture my finished product.

[Greenlee]

Nice looking truck!

[DWilbur]

Originally Posted by Thebrownturd

Thanks guys. I really like the bronze color, but I have never seen another dark bronze truck. It seems like they are all medium bronze and white. That is one good thing about the Reno area, there are a lot of these trucks still on the road, or parked somewhere. It makes it easy to picture my finished product.

Now that I think about it my friend Russ had a 1972 Longhorn dark bronze color

[Bladeboy1998]

Any updates?

[cmabolt]

I'm kinda partial to bronze. Good choice.

Chris

[Thebrownturd]

A while back I took apart the seat, sanded and painted the frame, and repaired a broken spring. I used some thin string to secure some canvas over the springs. In the second pic I cut out a bad spot on the drivers side and put in a new section. We'll see how it works. I'll need to do some shaping. The foam is a little stiff, but should soften up after a while. All I need is a seat cover to complete the seat.

[Thebrownturd]

Recently I have changed all of the oils and lubes while tracking down leaks at the same time. I found the tranny is leaking from the accumulator cover and the dip stick. New tranny seal and rear seal on the differential seemed to stop most of the leaks.

I ran it through all of the gears and the 4x4 works well. It sure sounds good with the new exhaust.