Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Well as some of you guys know I sold my 70 shortbed big block truck I worked on for about 5 years this past spring. I’ve went to some shows and swap meets throughout the year looking for another truck, I was wanting something pretty much done this time. With my job I’m only home every other weekend and out of state the majority of the time so I didn’t want to build one. This little 68 shortbed caught my eye and I pulled the trigger on it about a month ago. It’s very clean, rust free, and the hard work is already done. There’s a few things I’m going to change and some things I’ll do just to make it “mine” I guess I really can’t call this a full blown build thread because it’s not but I’ll post up some changes and progress I’m making. I do want to say this is a great forum with lots of knowledge and great information that helped me along on the black truck I built. I had very many obstacles in my way on it but a lot of problems and issues I had were resolved on here.... let’s see how it goes!!!!

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Nice truck, have fun.

Rg

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Thanks

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First thing on the list is the guages and the steering column. I got a set of Dakota VHX guages in black and a Ididit tilt column for it.

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Another nice one my friend ! Subscribed. It will be interesting to see what you do with it.

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Truck looks like a really nice clean build, good purchase.
I'm sure you'll put your touch on it soon enough, interior is nice, steering wheel seems to modern but it;s all in what you like.
Mudman.

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

CST lower wheel well trim maybe ?

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Nice looking truck! You’ll need to give us the current specs so we know what you’re working with.

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Sub'd ...fer sure!

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

subscribed!

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Thanks Chad, you still selling yours???
Thanks, stay tuned for some interior mods....
I have been contemplating the lower trim, I really like it on the 67/68 trucks
Thanks, I guess I did leave everybody in the dark on the specs
Thanks Vic
Thanks

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Out with the old, in with the new!!!!
The previous owner had put a set of Dolphin guages in it and I didn’t care for them so I got the Dakota VHX guages in and finished up

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I pulled the front wheel off to disconnect the steering shaft from the box, so I hit the wheel with a little Adams metal polish, now I’ll have to do the other 3:smoke:

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Nice truck, I very much like the wheels.

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

You're going to love those gauges. I have them in mine and they have so many features and add-ons available, it makes them one of the best gauges you can buy. I just wish I hadn't wasted money on a different set before these.

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Gauges look good in there, I have a set of the vhx gauges for my burb too. Also really like the wheels and they polished up nicely!

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Thanks man
I had a set in the black truck and I really like them so that's what I went with again
Thanks Kieth, I can definitely tell a difference with the quality of aluminum used on these wheels vs the Coy wheels I had......

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Got the Ididit tilt column painted and ready to go in. I bought it in bare steel and painted the upper part satin black then cleared the whole thing with a satin clear to keep the natural steel look on the lower part, just something a little different. Waiting on the steering shaft to be delivered now, I bought one with the u-joints instead of the factory style rag joint.

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Super sweet to start with but your own touches are very nice! Also LOVE those wheels!!! Thanks for sharing your work.

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Great looking truck and good choice on the gauges. Tagging along for more updates.

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Thanks for checking it out
Thanks, I’ve ran those guages before, super nice

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Looking better and better! Have you decided on a steering wheel to go with the Ididit column? Lotsa nice ones to choose from to complement the VHX setup. ;)

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Thanks Vic, yes on the steering wheel, it’s out in the garage!!!
I got a black Billet Specialty “Draft”. Just waiting to get everything buttoned back up

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

That's a nice looking pickup, what engine and transmission does it have in it and how is the rear end set up?

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Well I ran into a little issue today that I kind of was expecting. The previous owner installed a Vintage Air kit like you would use in a hot rod, more of a universal kit. I knew this was something I wanted to change when I bought the truck. So today I tore into it, he welded tabs in the opening to make it smaller left and right and cut it out bigger up and down. I’m going to have to cut it back out to the correct width to install the new factory style control panel but it will be to big on the top and bottom...... Keep in mind this thing is all painted and I don’t want to do any welding. I pondered it all day and may have an idea, I thought about ordering a piece of carbon fiber about 1/16” thick and making a nice little “bezel” that would cover the indented area that the ignition switch, heat-ac control, and cigarette lighter is in. Feel free to throw out any other ideas
By the way, I did order a complete Vintage Air Surefit kit for it this morning. Everything he installed is all new but I just don’t think I’d be happy with it

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Thanks, it has a mild built small block, .30 over, a set of GM Performance vortec heads, comp cam, aluminum intake, Edelbrock carb, ceramic coated Hedman headers. The trans is a Th350, rear end is a 12 bolt posi but not sure of the ratio. I’ll investigate that this winter

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Here is the A/C control he had in it

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How much of a gap will there be top and bottom? The carbon fiber is a good idea. Try it and see how it looks. Also, would it be possible to use it as a bezel just around the hvac controller with just enough width to cover the top and bottom?

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I thought about that also, just don’t know what I’d use.
There is very little space between the control panel to the ignition switch and the same towards the cig lighter

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

I got a few Christmas goodies for the truck, a set of Fesler tail lights, and a set of the flush van side marker lights:metal: The wife says the Vintage Air kit I ordered Friday is a present also but I’m not sure about that.....

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Today was about 19 degrees out so I figured it would be a good day to hang out in a warm garage. I removed the “universal” Vintage Air unit that the previous owner installed and started getting ready for the new kit I ordered. I also got the Fesler tail lights and the van marker lights installed....

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Need to figure out how to post more than one picture :sumo:
Here’s the marker lights

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Those all look awesome installed! The quality of them looks impressive.

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They are very nice lights, but I’ve had 2 sets on 2 different trucks and they have both required a little grinding and filing on the corners to get them to fit

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Killer truck Jason! I'm looking forward to following along.

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Thanks Mike, I have a few more little things to do to it this winter and hopefully be ready to cruise it this spring!!!!

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

A "few" more things and it will be ...perfect. Beauty.
Mudman.

Re: Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed
 

Nice truck Jason. I'm glad you found another one and I am subscribed.

POP

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Thanks mudman, just a few more I promise!!!!!
Thanks POP, I’m glad also that I found one. I don’t have time for a “project” but I like doing some personal touches to this one.

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My Vintage Air kit came yesterday so I got a few things done with it. Got the condenser and dryer mounted today along with the tubing lines ran into the engine bay. I succeeded without removing the grille but I’ve got some sore knuckles!!!!