Project "Cheap Truck"

[72BlckButy]

No biggie Scott. Can't wait to see some additional pics with it installed.

[sjarrett71]

It's gonna have to get a little warmer outside I think . Plus I don't have another day off until after the new year between my 2 jobs.

[VA72C10]

Nice project...looking good and some nice parts for it!

[sjarrett71]

Received my new turn signal switch from American Autowire. Went to install it in the column and found out the indicator bulb assembly was installed incorrectly. It's facing to the front on the bottom of the turn signal switch when it should be on the top facing to the rear. Shouldn't be a big problem to switch the light socket to the correct location but I assumed it would be correct when I received it.

[bobbo]

you dont have that intake and carb on yet?
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[sjarrett71]

No! I just got the snow and ice off the hood today. Hopefully next weekend! I want to drive this thing again!!

[sjarrett71]

Found this at a used car lot yesterday. It was in a 69 that was so far gone the guy was gonna junk it. I paid too much for it but it looks like it just left the upholstery shop! Gonna get the 350/400 combo out of it next weekend. I don't need really need it but I will clean it up and keep it for a spare. Everything else on the truck was either cut up, rusted, or damaged in some way. Anyway, since if there are no pics it didn't happen, here you go:

[sjarrett71]

Oh yeah, I guess I can now document my tilt column as being installed. Gotta get to work on that rust repair though!!

[oldblue1968chevy]

Truck looks good!!! Gettin' better all the time..

Need a set of OEM style mirrors and a horn cap/polish on that wheel.

[sjarrett71]

I'll get new mirrors when I change the doors. Gotta find some in my price range though. Mine are totally rusted at the bottom. Also the steering wheel will get changed too. I do have the horn button for this one it's just not on it right now.

Will hopefully get a new floor put in this summer/fall timeframe and replace the torn up rubber mat with carpet.

[VA72C10]

very nice!

[oldblue1968chevy]

New doors?

Dont take this the wrong way but some used mirrors would look great on there (not show paint or anything, but would match and look great!)

Again, dont take that the wrong way, I just despise that style mirror (my truck had em to lol)

[sjarrett71]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

New doors?

Dont take this the wrong way but some used mirrors would look great on there (not show paint or anything, but would match and look great!)

Again, dont take that the wrong way, I just despise that style mirror (my truck had em to lol)

Yeah I need new doors, mine are rusted badly. I figure I'll just use these mirrors till I get the doors and can mount some new ones.

[72BlckButy]

Looks good!

[yukon ratrod]

the beginning of something special! looks like a great project. I started building a daily driver, but somewhere got of the beaten path! nice truck!

[nickp51chevy]

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

...... I also have an extra 72 Chevy longbed frame with rear coils I was thinking of rebuilding and using as I get the body repaired. It has leaf springs out back right now and I'm thinking the coils would be cheaper to replace (to lower) and more comfy of a ride. Any opinions on that?

I've heard that the leaf sprung 2wd trucks are kinda rare.?. Either way it's all up to you what you want to do to your truck. Me, I'd leave the leaf springs in it.

Sweet build!! You're finding some great deals. Are you gonna put the A/C in it if it's not still there?

[sjarrett71]

I probably would leave the leafs if they didn't need replaced anyway. A PO put mis-matched leaf springs on it and the truck sits lopsided.

With the coil spring frame I figured I could get everything replaced and painted and as I get the body of my truck fixed I could just sit it on the "new" frame and go with it.

[sjarrett71]

Well the weather was just too nice NOT to do something this weekend so a friend and I changed out my old granny low transmission for a Th400. I had a TH350 and a TH400 available and I decided on the 400 because I had ALL the parts, including the driveshaft, to use it instead of the 350. The swap went with almost no snags and the truck is SO MUCH MORE FUN TO DRIVE NOW!! The only snag we had was a battery/starter problem that was no direct result of the swap. It was even better after we realized we had the number 5 and 6 spark plug wire switched around. I used the shifter linkage out of a 76 2wd truck and works great! I'll get some pics tomorrow and post them up. My friend was also great enough to weld up my shifter hole!

[72BlckButy]

Can't wait to see some updated pics Scott.

[sjarrett71]

Here are pics from the 1st major surgery of my truck. It was when I changed from the granny low trans to an automatic. I had the choice between the TH350 and TH400 and I went with the Th400 simply because I KNEW the trans was good and I had the driveshaft and everything for the 400. We got busy putting the trans in and I only got a few pics but here they are:

[72BlckButy]

Nice update there Scott! Hope you got everything figured out with the starting issues.

[sjarrett71]

Oh, I have! The old starter tested fine on the bench but when it got hot it wouldn't start. I put a new starter on and let it run for about half an hour. Shut it off and tried to start it again and it fired right up. I also upgraded to the CS144 alternator.

[mcbassin]

Nice project Scott! I will be following along too. BTW, if you need your money back on that tilt let me know. Looks like a solid truck.

[sjarrett71]

Installed the fan shroud today I bought a while back but my sister picked up for me and just delivered. Also fixed a rear marker light wiring issue that the PO had fixed with a wire nut. Gonna replace my rear license plate lights since they are required here in Missouri. Started by removing the old ones and fixing several broken wires and such. Now I just gotta get replacements and install them.

[RatRod68]

Truck is looking great brother. Semper Fi Scott!