VA72C10 Longbed Patina'd Driver

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Good looking buy, and I like what you've done so far.

Thanks. It's been fun working on something I can hop in and drive if I want. Even though the wiring is frustrating and I can't ever get the right parts locally...those are minor bumps in the road

[Slick67]

VA, this is my first look at this thread and all I can say is.....I want one! Really like the driver look that this one has. The stance really is cool. I'll be keepin an eye on this one cause something tells me I will be doing the same to another one!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Slick67

VA, this is my first look at this thread and all I can say is.....I want one! Really like the driver look that this one has. The stance really is cool. I'll be keepin an eye on this one cause something tells me I will be doing the same to another one!

Thanks for checking it out. The stance in the rear is about what I want ride height to be (it's current ride height) THe front I want down about 3" for ride height. And want the show height to be 3-4" lower than the rear height is now.

Got interior phase 1 completed today. Happy with the results although I still have to button up the mechanicals in the engine bay for the gauges to function properly (temp sender and tach wire) and also have to get the gas gauge wire ran. Never had one working since the PO had it.

[VA72C10]

First, here are a few pictures of the hood before and after for comparison

Before:





After:

[VA72C10]

I LOVE THE PATINA

It's even better now that I toned down the rust on the hood. It probably has come back a little too since I did the CLR treatment on Saturday and it poured Sat night and last night. Got to get my garage re-organized to fit the truck inside so I can keep the patina the way I want it. Next step will be to polish and wax it to add some extra protection and bring out a little more gloss.

The other thing I did today was mask off and spray the upper cab corner where the gas cap patch was. I am going to sand this area down and re-do the patch and filler to make it look better. I will be trying to find factory paint....but for now did a quick fix... not really close in color but closer than white...

[VA72C10]

Looks a lot closer on the cap than how it sprayed...oh well....it's temporary

Next I started removing unneccessary interior parts. Took out the lock that looks to have been an old hood latch lock but was cut off just past the firewall. Took the gauges out that were literally just hanging by their wires, and the older three gauge bezel under the dash. Also disconnected the Air/Fuel Ratio gauge. It actually is hooked up to two oxygen sensors. Showed the truck is running slightly rich. Made sense to have them since the truck used to have a supercharger... I'm saving this gauge just in case I end up putting a blower back on....

took the column mounted tach out as well as the original dash.


Next was the ashtray. I got a chrome one off ebay last year only to find they'd used a rusted ashtray with it. Well, I drilled out the rivets on the bad tray and the good one then installed the good tray on the chrome face. The screws on the back of the dash bezel ended up working perfectly.

Nice tray, huh?


original face drilled out

complete

[VA72C10]

Then went to work on the radio....couldn't stand the sheetmetal patch they used so I took that out. cut off the rivets and then removed the sheetmetal

[VA72C10]

I had gotten the radio plate fix from Mekdad last year. Thankfully it was large enough to cover the GINORMOUS hole the PO cut for the stereo. The smaller plate others had is nice, but wouldn't have worked here. Spent a good two hours last night polishing it up from rough machined to decently polished. With better polishing products and more time I'm sure this can look like chrome but it's nice and reflective now and this is a driver after all

crazy big hole


taped template on, center punched and drilled


Put the radio mounting bracket in the plate and tightened down the tabs. The whole plate was this rough machine finish...



mounted the studs and tightened them down behind the dash....glad I have long arms....just wish they weren't so thick


and here it is installed

[VA72C10]

You can also see the ashtray installed there. So I also had a chrome glovebox door with woodgrain overlay laying around Also had this laying around...


Soooooooo...... here's how the interior ended the day.

Radio in...


And the whole dash

[VA72C10]

I'm pretty happy for now...stage 2 of the interior will consist of a new wheel, new seat cover, new dash pad, and new carpet or green floor mat...

Phase 3 (if I get more money) will be vintage air, and a chrome tilt column.

[70k52wd]

Hey that looks really good. I like the chrome ashtray w/woodgrain. I want.
Green paint looks better.

[northern 85]

Wow the little things make the biggest differance. Great job!

[OARNGESI]

Looks good are you going to reclear the truck

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by 70k52wd

Hey that looks really good. I like the chrome ashtray w/woodgrain. I want.
Green paint looks better.

The woodgrain stickers are far from perfect in their fit....don't think they'd do your show truck justice....fine for my driver....

Originally Posted by northern 85

Wow the little things make the biggest differance. Great job!

Thanks

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

Looks good are you going to reclear the truck

Probably just going to polish and wax it. It would have been a single stage paint so no clear currently on it. Don't think the clear would hold up well to the surface rust areas. Just going to work on maintaining it. Probably will end up opening up the inner rockers and spraying them with rust converter to keep the outers from getting worse....and spray the inside of the cab corners/etc.

The only things that will get new paint on this truck will be the chassis and then probably the engine bay.

[VA72C10]

Well, only update for today is that I went to my fifth auto parts store looking for the correct temp sending unit....without finding the right one....one more shot tomorrow...

[oldblue1968chevy]

Wow all the updates ive missed! lookin' good..

What kind of floor shifter is that and how do you like it? Does it shift smootly?

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Wow all the updates ive missed! lookin' good..

What kind of floor shifter is that and how do you like it? Does it shift smootly?

Thanks.

Not sure what shifter....I assume stock with a B&M handle on it....it is a LONG throw....but does shift smoothly....

[oldblue1968chevy]

is it a 3spd?

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

is it a 3spd?

yes....must have a 308 rear because it was like 2500rpm's at 65mph....

[nuke1]

Truck looks amazing, love the patina, and that interior came out great!!!! keep it up.

[PHAT TONY]

IF you do find a temp sender that works with the factory gauge, please please please post who and what; I've yet to find one that works properly.

[VA72C10]

Ended up getting a local detailer to come and polish out and seal the paint and polish up the rims....

[oldblue1968chevy]

nice man! what is next

[VA72C10]

just general tuning etc. for now until money catches up... Want to finish up the interior and then it will be suspension and engine time....

[gcburdic]

see.....you can polish a turd!!!

J/K looks cool Jon....the wheels set it off nicely!