Hey all. I'm getting ready to start a build on a truck I've owned for nearly 10 years now. This build will be a very slow process since I am a truck driver and am only home once a month. So, I won't get the time that a lot of builders have.
The original truck came with the 305 TBI and 700R4 transmission. The only mods were the running boards, bed rails, and wheels. When I purchased it, I had to replace the transmission and replace the crank/bearings. While apart I also replaced the oil pump, oil pickup tube, timing chain/gears, and water pump. Just for good measure.
This is the truck after purchasing from my Father-in-Law, the original owner, in Michigan:
Once the cab corners started to go, I decided to park it. That was about 6 years ago. About 3 years later, I moved my family to South Carolina and towed it with me:
Today, the truck looks terrible after sitting for so long. I've removed the motor and transmission to sell them since I have no plans to use them in the build.
Here is how it looks today after hitting rock bottom:
My Father-in-Law has since passed away. My wife refuses to let me just get rid of the truck because it was her dad's baby and she learned how to drive in it. So, after careful inspection, I decided it might just be worth fixing back up. The bed and frame are still in great shape. The cab, however, is bad. Luckily, the floor pans are still in one piece, which makes this a doable job for me.
I'm in no way a body guy. So most of the cab work will be done at a body shop and the front clip is just replaceable.
So, this will be my official build plan:
- Remove entire interior right down to nothing.
- Remove front clip, use scrap money for replacement parts.
- Remove all wiring, front to back.
- Remove cab from frame to take to body shop.
- Remove bed from frame to do minor repairs (bondo minor dents, holes).
- Remove everything from frame for paint.
During the tear down time, I'll also be looking in fields for anything that might have a motor I can use. There's not a lot of extra money for a major engine rebuild. But I am looking to get a 350/350 turbo combination. I'm doing away with anything computer. I like EFI, but want to build old school.
For the build up, I will be running new:
- brake/fuel lines
- replacing fuel pumps (dual tank)
- running new wiring harness to the rear
- new tail lights/sockets
- new suspension/steering parts
- new wiring harnesses for engine/cab compartments
- repainting all metal as close to OEM as possible
- new or used fenders, hood, doors
- new or used radiator support, grill, headlight assembly from 88 style K-9 or Suburban
- converting rear end to disc brakes
- if motor/trans are in good running condition, I will just be going through them with new gaskets, timing chain/gear, oil pump/pickup, water pump, tune up, and possibly doing a mild shift kit.
- new exhaust
I'm still up in the air about the interior. It is currently a bench seat and in great condition, but I might switch to buckets w/center console. I'm also up in the air about wheels. I like the American Racing wheels that used to be on it, but I want to go with a 16" wheel to fill up the wheel wells a little more.
The other thing I'm debating is lowering. I like the 4" rear 2" front, to lower and get rid of the "jacked up" stance of the truck, but with it being an 8' bed, it might look dumb. I may just level it with a 2" rear spring drop. If anyone has ideas on this, please let me know.
Thanks for reading and I hope this goes faster than planned.
I'm sure I missed some stuff, but you get the idea. Again, this will be a slow process since time is a factor with me and my job.
1
