FryGuy from VA

[fryed_1]

Always wanted an old Chevy pickup since before I could drive and now at 40 I finally have one! Wife agrees that for a mid-life crisis vehicle, this is a pretty good choice.

71 c10 longbed. Not original unfortunately, but just means I can have fun now! mild 307 with 3sp column shift (which I just had to rebuild today!), dual exhaust. Previous owner did the patina paint job after he replaced the tailgate, bedsides, cab corners, outer rockers, inner and outer fenders and hood, so not a lick of bondo on it and very little rust now.

Plan now is to use it as my daily driver (I work from home, so not like a lot of miles going on there) and Lowe's runs while I remodel and finish my garage. Maybe some Friday nights I'll send the kids to grandmas while the wife and I hop over to the Dairy Queen for the weekly classic car nights without ever again feeling the tinge of regret that I've never indulged in one myself, but what happens next in building it up, I haven't decided yet. It's a good running and solid truck that has a ton of life left in it. Just going to enjoy it for now.

[jhama78]

Welcome, nice truck. Post more pics.

[fryed_1]

More pics? How about these? On Tuesday left me stuck in 2nd 5mi from home and since I just picked it up Sunday, didn't have anything in the truck to bang it out of gear. Finally got it out and wouldn't engage R/1 plane at all. Yanked the column, tore it down and regreased everything yesterday. Now putting it back in. Shifter ball is worn and still a little wobbly, but should work for a bit until I can find a new aftermarket tilt column I like.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/i-F5egrEsBw

[fryed_1]

Welp got her shifting like new again... however... I guess the little nubs that stop the turn signal housing from turning with the steering wheel were worn down too much to stop it from turning with the wheel. Destroyed the turn signal plastic crap inside the housing, tore up the wiring harness, bent some of the housing and broke the signal lever.

It was already missing a few horn parts under the wheel. Found a new 68 column shift complete and 100% working with 90-day guarantee from steering wheel to steering box for $100 about an hour away, so picking it up tomorrow to get back on the road. Then will rebuild the old one completely and sell to add to the fixup fund.

Another day or two and I can finally load Old Blue up with some lumber and insulation to continue finishing off my garage!

Love having a cool classic truck that I can use as a truck!

[1ATony]

Thanks for joining, great looking truck
Tony

[fryed_1]

Steering column done, replaced bearings and rag joint. Fixed up a mess of 50yr old bandaid wiring at the fusebox, tagged and ready for the road today!

Bed isn't great, but not horrible either. Couple rust-through spots, but I've definitely seen worse. Interior is definitely better than I've seen on vehicles this age and workable. Engine bay needs some cleanup work, but again, definitely not the worst I've seen and she runs strong.

Lots of new small parts like marker lights, emblems, etc... that were done before I got it a bit at a time.

Not sure if I'm a fan yet of the "patina paint job"... but whatever. Body is very solid and nearly rust free so I'm happy just putting around.