Previous owner '68
 

Yes, I am the future previous owner of a 1968 short step that has been basking in the elements of my back forty (actually my back 4 but who's counting?). Since I have retired I have been asked too many times what I do all day so I decided to drag it to the shop and tear it down into thousands of pieces so I could have a decent reply.

I will be using parts I have laying around and also spending way too much on new parts for this build. It won't be a show truck or have any fancy sounding parts and modifications done to it. Mostly I will be trying to make it a decent driver, that's lowered, and runs reliably.

The starting point... ouch...

November 8th

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I like it. What color was it originally?

Re: Previous owner '68
 

It was 505 dark green. This truck had a government property tag inside of the glove box where a spid usually is and no spid. Not sure if a previous previous owner did that or what.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

That is a Great start there Neighbor.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Thanks Getter-D, tons of potential for sure.

I vacuumed MOST of the leaves and mouse deposits out of it and moved it inside, cause I'm old and don't like the cold.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Bed wood is non-existent. Started out by tearing out the old wood and rusted strips, also took off tailgate and rear lights.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Since I like 5-lug trucks better because of the front disc brakes and better selection of wheels, I removed the old rearend, using a big (as in LARGE) ratchet to remove the old u-bolts. I removed everything from the 6-lug rearend I thought I might need and took every thing left to my buddy who has a bunch of 63-66 chevy trucks.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I had a 5-lug rearend from a 72 in my (no)horse shed so I brought it to the shop and opened it up. There's no smell quite like 50 year old readend grease, especially when it's in a worn out posi rearend. After much cleaning I put new clutches in the posi and replaced the worn out pinion gear thrust washers. I put in all new brake parts, and replaced the axle bearings and seals. My wife made me throw away some perfectly fine work clothes after making me strip on the back deck. Hope the neighbors enjoyed it more than I did.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I didnt even realize this was your thread.. Whats the plan for the color? Since your just down the road... You cant do red LOL

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Post 3:lol:

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I'm in agreement with everything you are doing!!!

Carry on!!!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

**** man... Its been a loooong week... I actually remember reading that LOL

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I'm thinking I'll stick with the green, but occasionally I think of all the metalwork it needs and I get to wishing I had a simpler hobby, like synchronized swimming or maybe hooting a jug in a jug band.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

While I had the rear axles out I noticed a couple of the lug nut studs were not up to my standards (which aren't really that high to start with) so I ran to a local parts store and got some. Well, they didn't fit. They were 1/2"-20 but the serrated part was too small (about .535) The part number was abn-138. The stud I found that fit was an abn-191 (.621 knurl size)

Exciting, I know.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Sometimes you can find the part number you need on this site>

Link: https://www.dormanproducts.com/c-778-wheel-studs.aspx

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Now I have to make a disclaimer at this point, actually more of a warning. I do sketchy crap. There, I've said it. I would not advise anyone to try to duplicate my methods, these posts are not meant to educate or encourage. Trucks can and will try to kill you if you are stupid.

The following pictures may offend and horrify. Children and OSHA guys should go and look at cat videos on Youtube. You have been warned.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Now that the warnings are out of the way, I decided to remove the bed, by myself, with very little in the way of lifting devices. I survived, it was sketchy. I may just leave it off.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Good to know! Thanks!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I made a makeshift cart out of an old hose reel, some piano wood and some old casters. I'm crafty like that.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I don't see anything wrong with that.

Job got done and No one got hurt.:metal:

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: Previous owner '68
 

You are correct, and I also remembered a bunch of words from my Navy days.

I have to add, the orange hand crank bumper jack was the one my grandfather used when he owned a garage. I rebuilt it and repainted it the way he had it. I think about him when I'm huffing and puffing trucks up and down.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

That’s a handy old jack.
Did you see my hoist and wheelbarrow frame moving method? If it works…..

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Hmmm, I'll have to check it out, always looking for better ways.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I knocked the rust off the frame and used everybodies favorite moisture cure paint to seal in the rust (at least that's what the sales literature says).

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Then I decided to remove the doors. Actually the jack did most of the work.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Good progress

Re: Previous owner '68
 

That Jack saves the day again! Perfect for doors.

I don’t know if it’s a better way, but it worked and didn’t require much from my back.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

That is a Handy-Dandy jack.:metal:

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I like it! Here's another project I did using a broken hose reel. It made a great cart for the plasma cutter.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I decided to replace the cab mounts so I jacked up the cab for access.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Which quickly turned into this. I think this is called the snowball affect. Yeap, using that jack once again.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Yeah the snowball effect happens alot.;)

Then when the Snowball melts you are going down the Rabbit Hole. :lol:

Great progress. :metal::metal::metal:

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Thanks, it all takes time.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

I have been noodling on how to semi-safely remove the bed from my truck, in a single garage bay, by myself, with no special tools to speak of. I approve of your methods :chevy:

I'm thinking about some sort of block-and-tackle arrangement myself. OSHA, more cat videos for you guys!

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Also, now that I look again, I am very curious about what appears to be a 2nd-gen Firebird in the background of those bed-removal photos.

Re: Previous owner '68
 

You can do it! Don't get yourself hurt though.

You got a good eye joeydurango. It's a '73 Firebird ( who will soon be identifying as a Trans Am).

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Beautiful! I sold my '76 Trans Am only a week ago. Always wanted a '73 but didn't have that kind of cash. If only I'd been earlier to the Trans Am world, they go for crazy prices these days.

...sorry, now back to the truck resto...

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Nice looking car, I'm a fan of the '76, the bumpers flow better than the '74-'75 and I am burnt out on black and gold 77-78's. At least you had 4-speeds, my 73 is a 350 auto.

I had a '73 Trans Am when I was in the Navy and always wanted another one but the prices were not something I was willing to spend. I found this '73 Esprit and have slowly been upgrading it to be what I want. It will end up a 400 4-speed.

One more pic then back to trucks!

Rg

Re: Previous owner '68
 

Very curious to see how the truck turns out.. And now the pontiac too lol

Re: Previous owner '68
 

You and me both!