1974 chevy truck...

[terrywolfpack]

Hey guys new to this form. My name is Terry and i picked up on a 1974 chevy longbed with no motor for free..It had an engine fire so i know the electrical part will need replace but all of the glass doors and body parts are there, also have a 350 sitting in garage. Hope to have all you help me get this project started....Terry

[roundedline]

Welcome to the forum Terry. will be happy to help out.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[terrywolfpack]

well went and looked at it, it's a little beyond my repair so i guess it's back to the drawing board, darn and i was looking forward to it....Terry

[1976Scottsdale]

What all did it need?  Most people here know at least a little about everything and some of us know more about specific areas of the trucks than others, so, if are really set on it and wiring is an issue, go to a salvage yard and simply remove the wiring from another truck.  One bolt, 3/8" I think, hold the plug into the cab, everything else simply un hooks other than a few keepers here and there.  About an hours work and I would guess no more than $20 and you have the wiring solved.  If you can't find one then I will try to come up with one and will try to get it to you.

[87swb]

a free truck is the best deal you can get, i don't care what kind of shape it's in.good luck.

[terrywolfpack]

well when i looked at it the wiring harness was fried and the dash wasn't there no steering column and the bed was shot the cab itself was alright grille didn't look to bad so do you think that is worth it. The place it's at is a body shop and the laughed at me when i said i thought about putting it back together...Terry

[Lt.Del]

Go back after you rebuild it and laugh at him when you DRIVE it back to him to show him.

SgtDel

[terrywolfpack]

yeah but sometimes that can be more to fix than it's worth right? Is the wiring harness really that simple to put in? need some input from all of you what should i do? What would you do if you were in my shoes.....?

[terrywolfpack]

ok i need everyones opinion? It's a 1974 chevy truck longbed it has no motor and but the tranny is there. the best is rusty around wheelwells and cab forward doesn't look to bad. Inside all the interior is pretty shot the wiring inside the dash looks to be burnt up due to the battery falling over and starting a fire, and there is no steering column or wheel. So if it were you what would you do fix it up or what need some input? Are there alot of these trucks out there cheap? also show me pics of ugly trucks that everyone else would of parted out but you fixed them up?....thanks for your time....Terry

Pasted from another post... -roundedline

I need everyones opinion...The 74 I told you about let me go more into detail about it. 1974 chevy longbed it had a fire the battery fell over and fried the wire harness inside the dash lookes to be fried it got so hot it melted some of the dash benzel. From what i can tell the wiring looks to be burnt all inside the dash and there is no steering column has no motor and the trans is still there. The bed has rust around both wheel wells and a busted taillight, the doors are ok along with front clip and it's a freebie, and all glass is also there. Would it be worth fixing up or what don't know the general market and cost of fixing a truck of this year up? Well let me see pics of everyones fixer uppers if the look worse than that and give me some input on this...Terry

Edited by: roundedline at: 2/7/06 2:14 pm

[Lt.Del]

An option would be to go ahead and get it.   If it is pretty bad, find another truck around the same year that may be in pretty rough shape and combine the trucks...using all the good parts from both vehicles.

Years ago in my teenage days, i did this w/ old mustangs.  Its funny how parts interchange w/ those old fords...65 and 66 were the same body, 67 and 68 were the same body, 69 and 70 were the same.  I'd buy parts cars and throw the good parts on a running vehicle.




SgtDel

[1976Scottsdale]

Okay, the wiring is not bad.  It will take a little while if you want to do it right.  The bed can either be replaced or have new sides put on.  These trucks were well known for rusting in the bed and rockers, therefore, don't worry too much because Roundedline has most if not all of the parts you need to fix it.  The wiring in the cab as I said will take you a little while to run.  Once outside, however, it is really really easy.  Take some baking soda and put it wherever the acid might have spilled and then wash it off.  This will neutralize any acid left over.  For not having an engine, this is kind of a blessing since you will usually need to put a new front seal in the transmission.  Engines can be bough relatiuvely cheap.  I also rebuild them so I can help you with advice if you want.  I also have a few engines lying around and so do several people on the site.  send me a PM if you have questions.

[87swb]

you can find most of these things in junkyards. just grab an old wiring harness out of one, may be hard to find but you will come across one. engine, doesn't have to be new just one that will run, new, old, used, doesn't matter just something that will work. the rust spots on the bed you can find a good bed off of an old truck, just look around, if you can't find one you can buy those weld-in pieces from JC whitney and that goes for any other rust spots. if you get the truck and think it is a mistake you haven't lost nothing, it was free. it's a good feeling when you get something and fix it up and when you first drive it. it can be something to just tinker with.

[terrywolfpack]

does anyone have pics of trucks that look like they needed to go to the junkyard and still they fixed them up? Thanks for all the wealth of information, i really appreciate it guys...Terry

[87swb]

well you can check out this website, go to the galleries on the left of this homepage and click on number 8 photo gallery and theres a man with an 81 GMC with a before and after picture and up under that a guy has a clean green 73 LWB chevy. so theres a little motivation.

[1976Scottsdale]

Well, I am currently about to bring home a 1977 Bonanza with the same problem as your 74, except that the mice ruined the wiring and not a fire.  It has no bed, a burned up turbo 350 with a good transfer case, and  it needs floorpans, rockers, and cab corners.  Oh yeah, the doors and front clip are shot.  The engine is good though, 20,000 miles on it.  Cost me $500.00.  T, you and I are going to be very busy with our trucks if you get one.  I, as before, will try to be as helpful as possible.