Hi guys, new guy with an old Panel Truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68PanelTruck · 08-13-2020, 08:37 PM

Hello All. After a 30 year break I finally got back into a truck restoration. I picked up a rusty old 68 Panel Truck over the 4th of July weekend from a local guy that had an ad on Offer Up. When I saw the ad I contacted him and went to look at it the next day. I have been itching to get back to the hobby that I gave up when life got in the way 30 years ago and had been looking for a 1960 to 70 pick-up. Then I was this Panel Truck

When I first looked at it my hope sank. This truck needs a LOT of work. The rear quarter bottoms were rusted through and so was the cab floor. Leaky gas tank. Under the hood was a wiring rats nest, lol. I was ready to walk away. BUT, the 396 ran great and the guy was willing to deal. What to do??
I offered him way less than his asking price and he said OK. What did I just get myself into.

So for the past month or so I have been fixing a bunch of small stuff and gathering parts. I found a used front wiring harness to replace the melted down one. I ordered a radiator support, front fenders and new wheel wells. I also gave it what I think is it's first tune-up in 20 years, lol.

So that's where I'm at right now. Here are some specs of the truck:
68 C-10 Panel Truck
396 4 barrel
4 speed on the floor
Maxi-track rear end, not sure of the ratio.

My plan right now is to fix all of the rust first and then down the road I may lower it 4-5 inches.

68PanelTruck · 08-13-2020, 08:42 PM

Here are some pics. BTW it was an old work truck that the original owner used for his refrigeration business.

**Klas** · 08-14-2020, 09:42 AM

Welcome aboard. I drive a '64 panel as a daily driver. It's just a driver but I get a lot of positive comments.

68PanelTruck · 08-14-2020, 05:42 PM

Thanks for the welcome! I hope to make mine a daily driver but the front end is all taken apart right now.

**Dieselwrencher** · 08-14-2020, 08:44 PM

Welcome to the board and very cool panel truck! Even a tach and buckets! Most times those are snatched right out of them!

68PanelTruck · 08-15-2020, 01:00 AM

Thanks! Looks like you have quite a collection.

franken · 08-15-2020, 01:05 AM

Nice!

MikeinNH · 08-15-2020, 08:02 AM

Cool truck, looking forward to seeing more.

68PanelTruck · 08-15-2020, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Welcome to the board and very cool panel truck! Even a tach and buckets! Most times those are snatched right out of them!

I was lucky enough to also get the original owners manual and warranty book with the Protect-O-Plate still attached!

08-13-2020, 08:37 PM	#1
68PanelTruck Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Frankfort, Ill Posts: 143	Hi guys, new guy with an old Panel Truck Hello All. After a 30 year break I finally got back into a truck restoration. I picked up a rusty old 68 Panel Truck over the 4th of July weekend from a local guy that had an ad on Offer Up. When I saw the ad I contacted him and went to look at it the next day. I have been itching to get back to the hobby that I gave up when life got in the way 30 years ago and had been looking for a 1960 to 70 pick-up. Then I was this Panel Truck When I first looked at it my hope sank. This truck needs a LOT of work. The rear quarter bottoms were rusted through and so was the cab floor. Leaky gas tank. Under the hood was a wiring rats nest, lol. I was ready to walk away. BUT, the 396 ran great and the guy was willing to deal. What to do?? I offered him way less than his asking price and he said OK. What did I just get myself into. So for the past month or so I have been fixing a bunch of small stuff and gathering parts. I found a used front wiring harness to replace the melted down one. I ordered a radiator support, front fenders and new wheel wells. I also gave it what I think is it's first tune-up in 20 years, lol. So that's where I'm at right now. Here are some specs of the truck: 68 C-10 Panel Truck 396 4 barrel 4 speed on the floor Maxi-track rear end, not sure of the ratio. My plan right now is to fix all of the rust first and then down the road I may lower it 4-5 inches.

08-13-2020, 08:42 PM	#2
68PanelTruck Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Frankfort, Ill Posts: 143	Re: Hi guys, new guy with an old Panel Truck Here are some pics. BTW it was an old work truck that the original owner used for his refrigeration business. Attached Images

08-14-2020, 09:42 AM	#3
Klas Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Trinity, NC Posts: 90	Re: Hi guys, new guy with an old Panel Truck Welcome aboard. I drive a '64 panel as a daily driver. It's just a driver but I get a lot of positive comments.

08-14-2020, 05:42 PM	#4
68PanelTruck Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Frankfort, Ill Posts: 143	Re: Hi guys, new guy with an old Panel Truck Thanks for the welcome! I hope to make mine a daily driver but the front end is all taken apart right now.

08-14-2020, 08:44 PM	#5
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: Hi guys, new guy with an old Panel Truck Welcome to the board and very cool panel truck! Even a tach and buckets! Most times those are snatched right out of them! __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

08-15-2020, 01:00 AM	#6
68PanelTruck Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Frankfort, Ill Posts: 143	Re: Hi guys, new guy with an old Panel Truck Thanks! Looks like you have quite a collection.

08-15-2020, 01:05 AM	#7
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,122	Re: Hi guys, new guy with an old Panel Truck Nice!

08-15-2020, 08:02 AM	#8
MikeinNH Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Southern NH Posts: 54	Re: Hi guys, new guy with an old Panel Truck Cool truck, looking forward to seeing more. __________________ Mike https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUa...rZijm2tORBoexQ YT channel of my son and mine. 71 resto-mod (probably take years to do) Projects: 71 C10 going on 04 Tahoe chassis * 67 IH 1200B Pickup mostly original w/ ext rust repair * 41 Buick Super 8 4 Door all original * 52 IH L-110 Panel Van getting S10 motor * 73 Datsun 620 Pickup all original



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