Build Advice

[69ROTROD]

Greetings to all. I recently got my 1969 Fleetside LWB back from my dad. Here's the condensed story: I bought the truck for $150 when I was 19 from my aunt who had been using as a feed truck on her ranch. It sat in my parents garage for a few years and then I left for bootcamp. I sold it to my dad to help finance a new car...he dropped a new 350 crate motor in and got it running. I have since bought it back from him and drove it all the way from FL up to Northern VA. (That was exciting.)

With the engine being solid and the tranny apparently the same (870 Mi FM FL to VA). What should my next step be? I have the mechanical skills to do the whole truck I just don't know where to start. I stripped and primered the hood since the old farmer that had it brush painted it to slow the rust down.

Please keep in mind that I am an E-5 in the military and don't make huge bucks...any advice is more than welcome!

Where do I start?!

[chevy_mike]

First mod, post pictures.

[steelhorse]

When I was in I used the base hobby shop to work on and paint my truck.If it is your daily driver the it is best to do weekend projects and not tear it all the way apart.It sounds like you have a good drivetrain,so what are your plans?Do you want to lower it or leave it stock.Original looking or more of a resto mod?Good luck on your build and THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!

[Ackattack]

If it's like most of our trucks, it probably has rust in the cab that will need to be repaired.

I would look into buying a welder so you can work on that. And while you're welding you can go ahead and cut it down to a short bed!

Without knowing what you really want to do to it, its hard to know where to start. I remember when I first got my 72 GMC in high school I made up a list of all the things that my truck needed and I wanted to do to it. When I finally sold the truck this spring I was gathering up all my documentation for the new owner and found my original list. I looked at the list and sure enough over those 11 years I had done almost all of the things that I had wanted to do back in HS. [about the only things that didn't get done was A/C and front roll pan.....never had the money to put a/c in it and my taste changed where I didn't want the front roll pan]

good luck and post some pictures!

[69ROTROD]

The plan right now is to save up enough for a disc brake conversion with 2" drop spindles. I would like to lower it 2-3" up front and 4-5" in the rear w/o airbags. Paint will be flat black w/ white top. I gotta keep it retro and roll on the smoothies.

I haven't ventured into the base hobby shop yet but I hear they don't have a paint booth. I think that re-building the steering box and cleaning up the rear end might be a good starting point...once I post pics I think that you may get a better idea for what I am up against...

[FormerMember]

Really need to know what sort of condition the truck's in.

I'd start with the basics... get it back to stock(ish) form and go from there. How's the brakes, hydraulic system, wiring, sheet metal?

I would stay away from a frame off... they tend to snow ball...

Ask me how I know.

[69ROTROD]

The let me out of here around 6 and I have an hour commute. I will get some pics when I get home and post them...

[67ChevyRedneck]

Whatever you do, keep it in one piece as long as possible and enjoy it.

The biggest mistake a lot of people make is blowing everything apart, losing interest (you get sick of looking at it if it's been in a pile in the garage for 3 years), and never finishing it.

[69ROTROD]

I think I've got it...

[69ROTROD]

Front end

[69ROTROD]

Wife is kicking me off the 'pooter. More pics to come...

[LuckyHenriksen]

You've got some nice patina going on there

[msgross]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Whatever you do, keep it in one piece as long as possible and enjoy it.

The biggest mistake a lot of people make is blowing everything apart, losing interest (you get sick of looking at it if it's been in a pile in the garage for 3 years), and never finishing it.

I second that one... being on AD I would keep it running and in one piece. (never know when Uncle Sam wants to move you).

Like people said, get it solid and running, do the brake upgrade, then work on any rust repair (solid floor etc..)

I like the patina look,

most important, have fun with it!

ps, keep food on the table too, I was enlisted once and couldn't afford anything. Now I am a little higher ranking and still can't!

[69ROTROD]

Originally Posted by LuckyHenriksen

You've got some nice patina going on there

Yeah, Flordia sun will do that... Hopefully I can get the whole truck primered before the first snow this year and I have to put it in the garage.

[69ROTROD]

So I finally got some time off from my other responsibilities and took the old front bumper off. It has a pretty good dent in it and some surface rust I will give it to anybody that wants it.

[msgross]

Leave it like it is and make a "shop truck" themed truck...

[pocketpool]

Originally Posted by msgross

Leave it like it is and make a "shop truck" themed truck...

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by msgross

Leave it like it is and make a "shop truck" themed truck...

x2

[steelhorse]

Get some flat black paint!

[69ROTROD]

Originally Posted by steelhorse

Get some flat black paint!

That's the plan. I already primered the hood so I think the shop truck look is already out. It's a tough decision because I really want to get the rust off and patch the holes up...

[Frizzle Fry]

Does it have a sway bar? I ask because that's one of the easiest and biggest 'bang for your buck' upgrades you can make. Even if it already has a small bar stepping up to the 1.25" bar with poly bushings makes a nice improvement in handling.

Just take it one small project at a time and keep 'er drivable.

[69ROTROD]

My steering has a ton of play. I can move the wheel almost 30-45 degrees without getting any tire movement. All of the bushings on the truck are cracked and rotting. Since I can't afford a full brake upgrade, I figured this winter would be good to do new ball joints, a sway bar and a good front end alignment. I may have to do some tranny work b/c she's leaking pretty good too...any input from you guys would be great!