Project: Garage time!
 

Well gents,
after lurking here for a few years I will first off thank you guys for tips in buying a new project. So I took a week off work and started hunting for a truck and this is what i found. Its a 68 swb with a 250 I-6 4 speed. 12 bolt rearend and is in pretty good shape compared to a few i have seen to date. Apparently someone started this project before me, because a few things have been done already. pretty much all stock stuff on it right now. That will soon change! pics to come as soon as i figure out how to do so.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Click the "Edit" button on the lower right hand side of your post, then click "Go Advanced", then go down to where it says "Manage Attachments", then add your pics.

Welcome to the site, looking forward to the pics.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

I put a new ignition switch in tonight. I had to remember how to remove the tumbler. After a few cold ones i figured it out. New dist cap and rotor and plugs to go in tomorrow night. I Purchased this truck from a guy 30 miles away and drove it home on dirt roads the whole way. What a blast from the past. I know it needs new u joints and a carrier bearing for sure. I was a little scared at first but it made it home just fine.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

That's going to be a nice foundation for sure. What are your plans for the rascal?

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Well keeping the straight six for sure. Ive had my eye on porterbuilts stuff for a while. Most likely to lay frame. Other than that pretty much stock. For now I am working on the drive line. It starts every time but has a ton of miles. Need to get new motor mounts and trans mount, carrier bearing and u joints. Maybe ill get it all one color one of these days. Found a 292 what i believe is a tall deck. idk for sure. it has the one piece 6 inch pushrod covers. Havent fully identified it for sure yet.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Look forward to seeing some more pictures! How is the body? Is there rust in the normal places like the Rockers and the cab corners? Is there any rust holes in the firewall? How Does the floorboards Look? I see you have a Fleetside shortbed, What kind of floor do you have in it? Is it wood or metal?

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

The inside of the cab corners are all rotted out and the bracing below is also bad. Outside the truck is in great shape as someone has already done some work on the rockers and corners. Oh and it has a wood bed, wich is a must Because I am a carpenter so I will have to come up with something pretty trick there. Thinking of inlaying some chevy emblems in some kind of exotic wood. Well see when i get to that point. Firewall is in excellent shape and looks like new under neath the dash. Right fender under battery is all gravy. Top of cab is all good too. Besides a new floor pan and bracing i should be in pretty good shape. Although i have never done anything even close to a floor pan, it cant be that bad. I look forward to the challenge. Went and picked up another steering collumn today out of my parts truck. Anyone ever shortened a collumn or can recommend a good one to get. I am 6'5'' tall so i need to gain some room in the cab. I have some buckets on their way(craigslist find) via my brother who is coming this weekend from college. Two buckets out of a blazer. Hope that will give me some room in the cab. Also need suggestion for a frame mounted fuel cell to go in the rear.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

where do i find some good patch panels or just a good quality floor pan?

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Hey guys long time no see! Scored a lt1 to slap in this old truck along with a 4l60e. The plan is to get it more driveable. I am gonna need it to fetch its own parts. I'm currently living in apartment. Any ideas on swapping a driveline in a apartment complex without pissing the land lord off? I scored a pretty damn good deal on the motor and tranny. The guy also has a front end and rear end to update it to 5 lug and power brakes.
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Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Looks like a great project! I dont know about doing an engine swap at an apartment but I have seen stranger things. Maybe do it late at night? Do you have a friend who would let you swap it at their house? Looking forward to some new pics ;)

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Well boys after a few years I've got a solid cab again. I replaced the floor, cab corners and rockers. It's in primer and I've ordered porterbuilt goodies! I've got an lt1 4l60 combo to put in her for now.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Nice to see you back on it

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Got a shipping confirmation from azproperformance today. The complete porterbuilt setup should be here shortly. Here's a teaser!

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Ok guys, it's time to update this thread a bit. This truck is now almost complete. I've got all the mechanicals worked out and have since blown it back apart down to the frame rails once again. Currently filling all the unwanted and unneeded frame holes. Then it's on to powder coat or paint. Any recommendations on paint for chassis.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

A few more. iPad will only let me post one at a time.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Frame holes

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Since I got this truck it's received a full Porterbuilt treatment. New cab floor rockers, cab corners, and a bunch of other new stuff. The idea behind this truck is to build a truck in an average garage with ordinary tools that can be easily had. So far I've done all the work except machining the axles down to accept the transit wheels. I have a welder and work entirely out of a small craftsman tool box. :metal:

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Nice progess. Looks like it's coming along nicely.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

I love how you used tubing for the air lines. Is it stainless?

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

No it's aluminum. Stainless is too hard and the push to connect fittings won't grab it.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Is it 3/8" tube? Does it raise and lower your truck pretty quickly?

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

It is 3/8 tube on 200 psi. It does fine. Here's a video for your viewing pleasure. The boy really digs it.

http://youtu.be/LmXbKpTOO9o

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

VERY cool project. Not sure how I missed it before now. Keep the updates coming!

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Very nice looking truck! Dig the video :)

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Yes, keep more updates comin.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Sweet truck, more updates......:D.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Cool truck! Can't wait to see it finished.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Wow, You are going all out! Say Hi to Matt and Festus if you bump into them...:D

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

I know it doesn't look like it but I'm three years into this build. I've assembled this truck a few dozen times to make sure it's just the way I want it. So far so good. As soon as I finish filing a hundred plus holes it will be painted or powder coated, haven't decided yet. Then it goes back together one last time hopefully.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Who is Matt and festus?

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

He's not that old.....:sexy:...:lol:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunsmoke

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

cool build!

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Awesome! I dig the video. Is that a 5 gallon tank? Maybe my speakers wasnt loud enough, but i never heard the compressors kick on

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Dual viair compressors into an accuair I believe it's six gallon.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Well I welded up a whole mess of unneeded factory holes in the frame and have since done a final mockup and sent it all to powdercoat. It is now incredibly boring in my garage. Once it all comes back this should escalate relatively quickly.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Very Nice Build! Just can't imagine taking all that air ride line apart after such a nice routing job.

More pics with your progress :)

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

lookin good. :metal:

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

very cool to see you have done all the work in a small garage with minimal tools. It gives me hope for the future! keep it coming with the pictures.

Project: wife's mad!
 

Should be picking up the frame from powdercoat tomorrow. Game on, this should escalate rather quickly from here on out.

Re: Daves new 68 chevy swb
 

Looking for advice on a builders exhaust kit. Something I can cut and make fit. Also does anyone know if I can run the larger diameter brake booster without interference with the Porterbuilt goodies? I will also be looking for info on a pair of bedsides and possibly door. Any suggestions?