My "Mator" build

[Mator]

Well, it seems to be that time like a few other "newbies" to take the plunge. First I would like to say this site has inspired me and has given me the confidence to tackle this project. This is my first project ever. I have owned fixer uppers but never really did anything with them. With that said this is not a full on custom but rather a nice DD I can be proud of and say "I DID that".
Let’s introduce her. She is a 67 short step with a 350/TH350. Nothing special but it will light em up. I drove 7 hours to southern Missouri to pick her up. I thought she was pretty solid except for some surface rust. Well it turned out to be a little more than that. That’s when I found this forum and confidence to do most of the work myself.
Here is the first pict I took outside St Luis getting dinner. I couldn’t believe it when some came up and asked me if it was for sale while I was stopped.

[Mator]

Started stripping her down. By hand and boy did I make the wife mad with all the dust.

[faribran]

keep it up.. and keep us posted with pics... i have one very similar to this.... mine is green...

[Mator]

Well took some time out of sanding and primering to work on the engine and get her running. Needed a new carb and fired right up. The neighbors loved me that day.

[Mator]

Pulled the bed last Jan and sent to sand blasting. I got racked over the coals and learn a leasson about sand blasting and body work. Lets just say I will everything I can before it goes to the shop.

[Mator]

Attached are the picutre of stripping her down.

[aggie91]

Really nice starting point, that is exactly what I wish I could find...

[Mator]

I would like to say thanks to Art at " Arts classic truck parts" He helped me a truckload of good sheet metal. I have attached a few picts of inners, rad support. He also helped with floor pans. Oh, I might have forgot. While stripping it down I found a few things needed to be replaced. I started with the inners and rad support, floor pans, kick panels cab corners and rockers and a few cab supports. Yes that is a plural for everything. Not to mention a whole lot of welding. I took the plunge and bought my welder since I know how to weld and be robbed at the body shop. I paid $300 for it new. Nothing fancy but I know it more than paid for itself already.

[Mator]

Well, I thought so to. last pict was out of sequence. I cut out both cab corners and rockers and relaced them. I also replaced replaced floor pans and lick panels.

[Mator]

Going back together. Let the welding comence.

[Mator]

Not bad for a beginner.

[Mator]

Floors and kick panels

[Mator]

Forgot one

[Mr Chevorlet]

That a good start, looking good on the work too. It will be a nice truck for sure.

[Mator]

Thanks for the comments.

[Mator]

Well, here is the motor before and after I cleaned it up. Decided to just do a visual make over for now. It ran great when I pulled it so I decided not to mess with it.

[Mator]

Trying to get ready for painting of the interior and fire wall. One piece windows were next on the list.
Brothers had a great price at just over $300. I needed both wind wings replaced as well as door glass and from what I saw it was cheaper to go this way.

[Mator]

Here is the dash after it was rebuilt with new parts and a little paint. Also I tried to clean up the hood hinges with a little help from Eastwood. Came out pretting dang nice.

[Mator]

Okay guys and gals, We are pretty close to being up to date. I have added picts fresh from a friends after interior paint and fire wall paint. This has been a little over a year to get to this point. Life always seem to slow you down.

[Mator]

Installing tank and misc interior parts. Man I love this color. Randy from R rods in Oelwein Iowa mixed this really cool single stage color that will match the Candy Apple red that I plan on using on the outside. Thansk Randy

[Mator]

I finally get a little Dash time. Well better than nothing I guess.

[Mator]

Okay this is where I am as of last week end. Motors in and sitting in place. Man, I had to fight the motor mounts for about 3 hours to get it to drop in. Please let me know what you think. I still have a long ways to go.

[aggie91]

Looks realy good, are you sure you are a beginner?

What are your plans for the suspension and wheels/tires?

[gdavis]

All these truck have the same issues. (I mean rust) in about the same places. I like those mickey thompson on your 350. And the small rear glass is also a plus. I have been working on my stepside 68 shorty going on two years. I took it all the way down to the frame. There is not a bolt or a part that I have not touch and cleaned. I am going to paint the cab in Jan. So if you have any questions on these truck you can't find a better place to ask, than this board.. I have done everything on my truck myself.
Being said happy building and welcome aboard. It seems to me that you are doing everything right and you look like you are on track.

[flashed]

Im in for the rest of this beauty of a build ,damn what a nice truck this one will be .