Green Gus the 68 shortbed convert

[hewittca]

This weekend our small town held their annual Christmas parade. I decided we should participate this year since the truck was all in one piece. You're supposed to decorate your vehicles, so I "gift wrapped" the sides of the truck two tone style. The kids had a ton of fun throwing candy and the truck was a big hit. It was nice to enjoy the truck a little because I haven't done much with it other than working on it since I got it. Happy holidays!

[SKT]

.

^ Great update!

Merry Christmas!

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[rusty76]

Nice. Can’t wait to unwrap it. Lol. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[68bowtie]

That’s awesome!

[botoepfer]

Love the truck,, in case I missed it do you know the name of the color and where I can get some?

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by botoepfer

Love the truck,, in case I missed it do you know the name of the color and where I can get some?

The color is original 505 dark green. They used it for many years and was also called woodland green at some point. Any paint shop should be able to mix it up for you using the 505 code. I would recommend getting single stage to match the original paint as close as possible.

[botoepfer]

Thanks Corey !

[hewittca]

I haven't worked on the truck in the past few months, so not much to report in terms of progress, but I have been getting it out to drive and use a few times. Just figured I'd post some updated pics to keep this thread alive





I'm swapping out the heated rear springs for some 5" drop springs. Thanks to Graham57a for the springs. While I wait on a chance to go pick them up, I figured I'd pull the old springs and lay it out. Once I add the springs, blocks, and c-notch this is about where I will be able to run it static with no interference or rubbing.

[c10jmac]

Very nice truck!

[rusty76]

Glad to see ole Gus. Hope all is well.

[GR8-68]

Looks good buddy, hope all is well with you and the family

[sduckworth13]

The truck looks great! I like the white wheels instead of the silver too.

[hewittca]

Thanks guys! I've been really anxious to work on the truck but just don't have the parts necessary yet to tear into it. One thing I could do that I haven't figured out yet is modifying the inner fenders. Once I add drop spindles, the stock wheel tubs in front just aren't going to work. I'd love to throw some Hills tubs and Porterbuilt hinges in it but can't justify that kind of cash. I know at some point I saw a thread on modified raised stock tubs but can't find it now. I'm thinking about going this route instead, and in the meantime running tubless until I figure it out.

[smbrouss70]

Here you go, but he never quite finished them.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=258732

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Here you go, but he never quite finished them.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=258732

That's the one, thanks! Man I wish he finished that Tahoe, it was an awesome build.

[hewittca]

Picked up some 5" springs this weekend to replace my heated stockers and threw them in. These are the springs that Graham57a was running in his badass '72 before he swapped out to some 6" springs. The truck sits level where it is but I'm not a big fan of the level look. Once I add spindles/blocks I will mill the blocks down to give the truck a 1" rake.



I took the truck out to test them and I'm pretty happy with how they feel. Right now I have no notch and about 2" of travel but have not bottomed out yet. My daughter tagged along in "her" truck and we found a cool new spot to take photos down by the Yadkin River.

[Graham57a]

Looks awesome man, those old springs look tired haha. So what is your plan out front now?

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by Graham57a

Looks awesome man, those old springs look tired haha. So what is your plan out front now?

they were happy to be relieved of duty. Up front will be getting some 2.5" drop spindles to bring the fender down to right at the top of the rim. I will have to take out the inner fenders to run it this low. Then out back I'll bring it down another inch with drop blocks. Should look something like this:

[rusty76]

Nice pics. I’m sure your daughter is sold on the truck being hers.

[hewittca]

I've been trying to figure out the history of my truck, but have been met with some roadblocks. As far as I can tell for certain, the truck has been in this area of NC its whole life including the previous 20 years with the same owner in Kernersville NC (right outside of Winston Salem), and I was told it was purchased new locally in Winston Salem. That means it could have only come from one place, Modern Chevrolet which at the time was in downtown. I tried calling Modern but of course their records don't go back that far. Regardless, I'm going with this since it's the best and most probable scenario. That being the case, I decided to bring the truck back to where it was (most likely) purchased to recreate a great photo I found from the "Modern Chevrolet Truck Headquarters" lot on the corner of 4th and Broad. The dealership has moved and the lot has been replaced by a new building, but these photos are both taken from the exact same spot.

1963


2018

[rusty76]

Cool shots Cory. I go by that spot almost two to three times a week. Our shop is close to the ballpark. I remember Modern being there up till they moved. I hate that they are at the north end of town now. Oh well. If only our trucks could talk.

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Cool shots Cory. I go by that spot almost two to three times a week. Our shop is close to the ballpark. I remember Modern being there up till they moved. I hate that they are at the north end of town now. Oh well. If only our trucks could talk.

Cool! Yeah I go by there every day. My kids go to school on Poplar St. I remember the vacant lot there when I moved to town in '08. Never thought much of it until I saw that old pic and realized it was the Chevy dealership! The showroom was on the opposite corner of the same intersection, which is now an apartment building as you know.

[rusty76]

Crazy how things change. There is another car show close to the apartments and the piano place in the fall I think. I couldn’t go this year but I feel like it was probably pretty good.

[slowcpe]

Just went through your whole thread. Cool truck! Found it (again) while looking at ideas for "fauxtina". In the process or bringing home a '72 that has a primered hood and passenger door. Reading up on ways to blend the new paint and preserve the original patina. Yours turned out perfect!

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

Just went through your whole thread. Cool truck! Found it (again) while looking at ideas for "fauxtina". In the process or bringing home a '72 that has a primered hood and passenger door. Reading up on ways to blend the new paint and preserve the original patina. Yours turned out perfect!

Thank you! Yeah I think it turned out ok. At first I didn't think it matched that closely but after getting used to seeing it painted I don't even notice that it's not original anymore. I've also had quite a few complements on the truck overall in person and no one has ever noticed it's not original, so I suppose it's close enough!