Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

Thanks for the link. My truck came with a front sway bar from the factory and they are 7/8 inches thick. I went to a wrecker and got a 1 1/4 front bar from an 85 1 ton truck as they bolt in and firm things up a bit. I bought a rear Hellwig 1 1/8th rear bar , in link , but havent installed it yet. A lot of folks say you dont need a rear bar with the trailing arm suspension so I liked to hear your comment that the truck droves like normal vehicle now. I know the front sway bars make a huge difference in the handling of a truck and I'm sure the rear will too. https://www.hellwigproducts.com/our-.../?searchq=7401

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

You guys are warming my heart and confirming I am on the correct path.

Metaldoc is a bit ahead of me but that is where I am right now. Hope with some time off around the holidays I can get the rear end finished up and back in the truck. I've told more than one person when it hits the road it will look much better underneath than on top but that's OK with me for now.

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

Yep, yep. Make’s em more fun! Tho since i got this one almost 15 years ago, i must admit I’ve done very little mechanical either. Trans rebuild, new carb and rear end. And a new interior. She just goes when i turn the key...

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

I like all the replies especially the ones with pictures. I can appreciate the complete restoration trucks but as long as it's safe,dependable, and fun to drive that's all really matters. Besides the little nicks and dings and worn paint just adds character and personality to these old trucks in my opinion.

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

For some reason flicker doesn’t resize my pictures, so you can click on the link to check it out, but yes...it’s more fun, less expensive, and still gets lots of attention. I have “touched up” the patina, and eventually will do the rockers and cab corners, but I don’t ever plan to paint it...I’ve been down that road, then you spend your time waiting to cringe over the first scratch and ding


https://www.flickr.com/gp/184454012@N04/Y3ZDMd

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

Yep, skipping the body work. But doing everything else. Still have a ways to go. Here's a few pics of what's been done.

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

Few more pics.

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

This is our 70 C10, this truck sit under a tree for 6 years before I acquired it. It has it’s fair share of rust and patena paint but we went through the drive train completely and it has the perfect look for us. Converted brakes to 6 lug disks on the front and added the rally wheels and tires, all new lines and brakes on the rear. New 450 hp 383 Stroker/TH350/3000 converter for a great power combination. We drive this truck anywhere we want to go and enjoy every mile.

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

Didn't read all the posts, but the OP. I will say that my son's 69 is a beast and needs a ton of work. So far, all the wiring in the truck was redone using a kit from AAW, new Alternator, new front disc brakes and checked the rears, new brake lines, new upper ball joints and new rag joint and he has done some light sanding and painting in the dash and doors. This truck is bad, the motor leaks and burns oil, the steering box leaks. It must look horrible rolling down the road, but he loves it. I say, drive it and enjoy it. Who cares what it looks like. If you are happy with it, that's all that counts. He is only 18, so he has plenty of time to get it right. RR

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

Like many that have posted, I kept the exterior and completely went through the electrical, drivetrain, brakes & suspension. However I did replace the cab corners and rockers and made the cab comfortable (seat, carpet, A/C, tilt). My brother sprayed matching paint to the cab bodywork and replacement bed floor as the original was rusted out beyond repair.

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

Where did you purchase the rear sway bar???

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

OK, here's where I screwed up. I found the truck I wanted except it had been restored body wise. I really wanted an unrestored one to actually use as a truck but I saw the pictures (67/72 truck porno) and the rest is history. Having a nice paint job and enjoying it is hard. I have put more scratches and dents in it than any vehicle I've owned. Drives me nuts. I still drive it everywhere but I can't use it as a truck. I have thrown the canoe in the back and other easy stuff but no lumber, mulch etc. Jealous of the "Show Your Truck Hauling" thread. Luckily it needed mechanical repairs so I have bonded with it. I guess it's like having a beautiful wife that costs you a lot to keep her looking that way and everyone envies you but that's it or a beauty in the eye of the beholder wife that cooks great and does stuff you wanna do and enjoys it. Both can be exciting. I think in a couple of years I'll have the best of both worlds. Right now I had to buy a beat to crap 06 Sierra 4x4 from a friend who owns a landscaping business.I could drop a tree on it and no one would see a difference but it has only 85000 on it and runs great. I guess I have the best of both worlds now.

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

I've done this in basically every car I've owned. My vehicles are always as close to 100% mechanically as I can get them. I've changed around tail lights, side markers, grills, bumpers to get the look I want. I'll throw some rattle can on it, or swap out junkyard body parts, but I don't need it to be nice. I really do not want to car that has good paint. I don't want to have to clean it. I don't want to be afraid it is going to get dinged, or that I am going to scratch it. Especially for my trucks. I want to use them like a truck.

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

When I was looking for mine I knew that if I found one with a decent body I could take care of 90% of the mechanical stuff. That's what I got with my 67 GMC. There were a lot of issues that I found later that the previous owner did. I've replaced front and rear axles, steering column, lowered it from a 6 inch lift and 38 inch tires to a 3 inch lift and will get some 33's sometime soon. Have new seats, new chrome grille and a new (rebuilt 350) getting ready to put in this summer. That will make it so I can confidently drive it anywhere I want to go.

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

I've had the 68 for almost ten years , did a bunch of mechanical to drive it at first , going through it this winter to address some loose rivets in the frame , collapsed rubber mounts , rockers, exhaust , just go though it again.. but no paint but the rockers.. truck is perfect this way.Resisted the desire to paint and powdercoat everything like metaldoc did. I want to have it back together and driving by spring....

Re: Anyone just skip the the bodywork and rebuild everything mechanical.
 

Its an old 1 in. 7402 Hellwig that came with the truck. Modified the mounts to look better and work with the FlipKit. They're still available in 1 1/8 in. They are pricey.