!968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

Ok, everyone .

I will try and keep you all posted with pic's , and progress reports on my GMC truck restoration / build.

The Truck 1968 1/2 ton shortbox step side 4x4


Now for a little histiory:

I purchased this truck in 1975 as a daily driver when I lived in the Colo Mtns.
Little did I know , the guy who owned this thing beat the crap out of it , I mean shortly after I got it , the engine went , the transmission went and the frame was cracked at the front steering box.
I put in a engine , pd great money to have tranny rebuilt and had the frame welded.
I moved back to Michigan in 1980 drove the truck all the way here , got married in 1983 , bought a new truck , tore this one apart and it has sat untill now .
My intention when tearing it apart was to restore it right away. But like many of us with new familites , , new house , starting a new business. The truck got put on the back burner , for lack of time and lack of money.
Move ahead almost 20 yrs and I now have the time and money to do this restoration I so wanted to do for 20 yrs.
I have been slowly obtaining new parts and tools for this very thing. I also needed a Garage to actualy do this job.
Well everything is now in place ( Finaly ) and I am slowly getting this started.
So , as I can and as I remember , I will try to keep this threaded updated with progress reports and pic's.
I welcome any and all suggestions and comments.
By the way , I have a 72 cab to replace the old 68 it was total shot ( Mich winters ) Anyhow , I need all the underdash a/c stuff or anything I can get used. So if anyone has anything or knows where I can get it please let me know.

I am looking for some original print pic's to upload. so you all can see what It originaly looked like.

My only request : Please offer constructive advice , oh yes I am waffeling on what color to paint this truck. So thats my biggest undecided as of right now.

Gary

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

need pics...many many pics :)

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

If I can get out into the shop tonite , I'll get a bunch and down load . Be patient

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

Ok, here is a currant pic of the frame and cab . more to come

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

I am debating about gas tank location , in cab as from factory or should I do the under box tank install ?
I know I will gain some cab room and from the sounds of it , eliminate the gas odor at the same time.

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

My wife said move it so move it I did.:)

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

The puter at home took a dive and I am at the public Library to do some email work , pic's will be on hold for a while.

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

Ok, here we go several before and after pic's of parts that have been polished , clean and dyed ,
As you'll see the Stainless was looking sad , but some cleaning and buffing and way differant , The same goes with the shifter boot , nuts , bolts and washers. I also have pic's of things that will be redone . so keep looking.

The nuts,boltsand washers were heavly rusted but used the vibrator and cleaning media and you see the end results. It sure saves a lot of time doing them by hand .

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

Here's some more.

By the way Ignore the date in the lower right corner. I have not rest the camera date. These were taken today , excpet the snow scene , thats from last winter.

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

My door panel inserts , will be padded and vinyle covered. I'll show them as soon as I get them back from shop.

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

here's more

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

Here are some more parts that have been blasted and repainted. before and after pics.

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

Missed a couple

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

I am one happy camper > When I bought My sand blasting cab , my wife like most ask why do you need that ? I told her it would save me a lot of time and money . She wondered and said if you say so. Once he saw what I could do with it , she was amazed by the work it eliminated. I don't know how you can do with out one.

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

Ok, guys heres some more stuff redone.

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

And More

Re: !968 4x4 short box step side Restoration / Build Thread
 

more yet