What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**68 Stepside** · 07-04-2025, 09:51 PM

Hello all.

Longtime member here. Bought a 68 short wheelbase stepside Chevy back in 1999. Wound up selling it as a running and driving project in 2011.

It never left my mind, but I was certain I didn’t want it, or need it back in my life. Until two days ago when I saw it pop up on marketplace, being sold by the guy I sold it to 14 years ago.

He hadn’t done much of anything to it, outside of tagging the body with some spray paint and doing a few burnouts in his driveway back when they first bought it. It has been sitting in their garage since.

To try and keep this novel a little bit shorter, suffice it to say, it’s now sitting back in my garage.

The good:
95% rust free.
750 mile, mildly built 406 small block that I installed back in 2000.
Front discs and power brakes in 2001.

The not great:
Cosmetics.
TH350 auto that has been badly abused (but somehow still seems to function).
Did I mention cosmetics?
Tires are ancient, but still round and hold air.

The gross:
The fuel. Dear Lord… Thankfully I already have a poly blazer tank to install that I bought from Classic Heartbeat a few decades ago.

Unfortunately, it’s going to be slow going. I’m just thankful to have her back, permanently.

Anyway, it’s good to be back.

-Tom (TJ)

**Stocker** · 07-04-2025, 10:02 PM

It's not everyday we are given a second chance. Congrats and enjoy your 'new' project!

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 07-05-2025, 12:01 AM

Will the spray paint come off the doors with MEK? Or is it easier to cover with more primer?
I too, am partial to '68 C/10 Stepsides. Everytime I fill it up, some joker wants to buy mine.
But for 52 years,
I've been telling them to Fx*^ Off.

Luke87gt · 07-05-2025, 01:25 AM

Very cool! All the best to you sir!

**1970cstblazer** · 07-05-2025, 07:17 AM

Congrats on reuniting with your truck. I'm glad I never had to sell my Blazer, which I have owned since 1987, and dad bought new.

**MS66** · 07-05-2025, 07:36 AM

That's a great story. Hat is off to you, hard to beat getting the truck back in respectable condition. I did the same thing over 25 years ago when I sold a '75 K5 that I owned. Found it a few years later and grabbed it again, in better shape. My kids got to grow up in the Blazer! It was well worth the effort.
Heart bigger than brain... I resemble that remark too.

Good fortune on the TH350 freshen. Sorry about the paint...

PS fixed the pic for you. Not sure why they rotate sometimes.

**dmjlambert** · 07-05-2025, 08:14 AM

Krud Kutter makes several cleaning products. I had a guitar case with spray paint on it and wanted to get that off. It worked and didn’t damage the case. I would try krud kutter graffiti remover. Nice truck but I don’t know what you mean about cosmetics, it’s a lot nicer than mine.

**raggedjim** · 07-05-2025, 10:06 AM

You had me at 95% rust free...

**Steeveedee** · 07-05-2025, 11:11 AM

You can remove the graffiti by wet sanding with 2000 grit.

I'd like to have a truck like that, too!

chris mc bride · 07-05-2025, 12:45 PM

sound almost like story pof my 69 Panel. Grandfather bought new sold 8 years later 4 times what cost. Bought it back 12 years later but not in anywhere near condition he sold it in. Then bought for less than when bought in 1969

68Gold/white · 07-05-2025, 02:37 PM

Paint thinner will take the spray paint off. Wear gloves, don't breathe fumes.

You've got a foundation for an awesome pickup!!! Small block 400, disc brakes. Those 2 things are worth the price of admission!!!

weq92f · 07-05-2025, 03:03 PM

.

Wish I could find the '68 stepper I traded away back in about 1990. I'm always watching what comes up for sale...good on you for making it happen.

Drive it now that it's yours again!

-Kevin

**Palf70Step** · 07-06-2025, 11:20 AM

Congrats on the re-aquisition. And welcome back.

tim_mc · 07-08-2025, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedjim

You had me at 95% rust free...

Amen - and congrats on getting it back!

**mike16** · 07-08-2025, 10:01 AM

Cadiomagaly

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 07-08-2025, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike16

Cadiomagaly

*caRdio...

**Steeveedee** · 07-09-2025, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

*caRdio...

mEgaly...

Eddie70 · 07-09-2025, 07:27 PM

Congrats on finding your old truck and being in a position to reacquire it!! I think it looks awesome!!

jumpsoffrock · 07-10-2025, 04:26 PM

Lotta people don't find their old flame, thats cool.

It's crazy to think that someone spent all that money on an engine and ran it 750 miles in 25 years. Hopefully it'll last it's normal lifetime.

07-04-2025, 09:51 PM	#1
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Hello all. Longtime member here. Bought a 68 short wheelbase stepside Chevy back in 1999. Wound up selling it as a running and driving project in 2011. It never left my mind, but I was certain I didn’t want it, or need it back in my life. Until two days ago when I saw it pop up on marketplace, being sold by the guy I sold it to 14 years ago. He hadn’t done much of anything to it, outside of tagging the body with some spray paint and doing a few burnouts in his driveway back when they first bought it. It has been sitting in their garage since. To try and keep this novel a little bit shorter, suffice it to say, it’s now sitting back in my garage. The good: 95% rust free. 750 mile, mildly built 406 small block that I installed back in 2000. Front discs and power brakes in 2001. The not great: Cosmetics. TH350 auto that has been badly abused (but somehow still seems to function). Did I mention cosmetics? Tires are ancient, but still round and hold air. The gross: The fuel. Dear Lord… Thankfully I already have a poly blazer tank to install that I bought from Classic Heartbeat a few decades ago. Unfortunately, it’s going to be slow going. I’m just thankful to have her back, permanently. Anyway, it’s good to be back. -Tom (TJ) Attached Images __________________ ___________________ 1968 C10 Short Step, back in the fold permanently. 2015 RAM 1500 QC RIP El Jay

07-04-2025, 10:02 PM	#2
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 14,020	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. It's not everyday we are given a second chance. Congrats and enjoy your 'new' project! __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-05-2025, 12:01 AM	#3
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 8,118	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Will the spray paint come off the doors with MEK? Or is it easier to cover with more primer? I too, am partial to '68 C/10 Stepsides. Everytime I fill it up, some joker wants to buy mine. But for 52 years, I've been telling them to Fx^ Off. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 07-06-2025 at 07:31 PM.*

07-05-2025, 01:25 AM	#4
Luke87gt Registered User Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: Pleasanton CA Posts: 472	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Very cool! All the best to you sir! __________________ 1969 C10 Shortbed

07-05-2025, 07:17 AM	#5
1970cstblazer All stock and staying that way Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 2,501	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Congrats on reuniting with your truck. I'm glad I never had to sell my Blazer, which I have owned since 1987, and dad bought new. __________________ 1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze poly, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Frame off restored 1970 K20, To be a clone of my Grandfather's K20, Dark Blue poly, 350, 4 speed, 16.5" X 8.25" Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM radio. Latest project truck 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, Dark Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 51k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 71k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels

07-05-2025, 07:36 AM	#6
MS66 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Florence, MS. Posts: 246	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. That's a great story. Hat is off to you, hard to beat getting the truck back in respectable condition. I did the same thing over 25 years ago when I sold a '75 K5 that I owned. Found it a few years later and grabbed it again, in better shape. My kids got to grow up in the Blazer! It was well worth the effort. Heart bigger than brain... I resemble that remark too. Good fortune on the TH350 freshen. Sorry about the paint... PS fixed the pic for you. Not sure why they rotate sometimes. Attached Images Last edited by MS66; 07-05-2025 at 07:38 AM. Reason: pic

07-05-2025, 08:14 AM	#7
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 4,051	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Krud Kutter makes several cleaning products. I had a guitar case with spray paint on it and wanted to get that off. It worked and didn’t damage the case. I would try krud kutter graffiti remover. Nice truck but I don’t know what you mean about cosmetics, it’s a lot nicer than mine.

07-05-2025, 10:06 AM	#8
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 4,102	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. You had me at 95% rust free... __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=856475 '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Ideas - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851743

07-05-2025, 11:11 AM	#9
Steeveedee Ram-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dong Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 11,903	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. You can remove the graffiti by wet sanding with 2000 grit. I'd like to have a truck like that, too! __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

07-05-2025, 12:45 PM	#10
chris mc bride Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: greensboro nc Posts: 895	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. sound almost like story pof my 69 Panel. Grandfather bought new sold 8 years later 4 times what cost. Bought it back 12 years later but not in anywhere near condition he sold it in. Then bought for less than when bought in 1969 __________________ Only the stupid know too much to learn something new.

07-05-2025, 02:37 PM	#11
68Gold/white Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ark City, Kansas Posts: 3,551	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Paint thinner will take the spray paint off. Wear gloves, don't breathe fumes. You've got a foundation for an awesome pickup!!! Small block 400, disc brakes. Those 2 things are worth the price of admission!!!

07-05-2025, 03:03 PM	#12
weq92f Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 3,850	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. . Wish I could find the '68 stepper I traded away back in about 1990. I'm always watching what comes up for sale...good on you for making it happen. Drive it now that it's yours again! -Kevin __________________ 67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold

07-06-2025, 11:20 AM	#13
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 48,486	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Congrats on the re-aquisition. And welcome back. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

07-08-2025, 10:01 AM	#15
mike16 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: bisbee, arizona Posts: 1,609	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Cadiomagaly

07-09-2025, 07:27 PM	#18
Eddie70 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: LC, Tn Posts: 44	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Congrats on finding your old truck and being in a position to reacquire it!! I think it looks awesome!! __________________ 1970 Corvette 1970 C10 CST



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07-10-2025, 04:26 PM	#19
jumpsoffrock Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California Posts: 1,126	Re: What happens when your heart is bigger than your brain…. Lotta people don't find their old flame, thats cool. It's crazy to think that someone spent all that money on an engine and ran it 750 miles in 25 years. Hopefully it'll last it's normal lifetime.

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