71 Step novice build

[bkwagonss]

Well, I thought it was time to start my own build thread.
I got a little encouragement at this point in my build because I’m in the process of installing a full cab floor.
There seems to be a number of people who need to do this and don’t know how hard it is to do themselves.
I am in no way saying I know how to do this.
Matter of fact, every step I take is a new experience for me.
I’ve never welded or really done much metal work at all.
This could turn out to be a “how not to build thread”.
I started this truck as a hobby.
I was showing my 94 Caprice wagon for almost 5 years, until it got wrecked.(more on that later)

I’ve always liked the 67-72 Chevy pickups so I started looking for one.
3 years ago my son happened to spot this truck.


It was pretty rough, but the price was right ($500) so I brought it home.

It’s a 1971 C10 Short Stepside ½ ton Pickup.
Options were amp and vacuum gauges, and a painted rear bumper.
It was originally Medium Olive but someone got the bright idea to paint the whole truck with
teal Rustolium paint, brushed on everything, even the rubber, dash and wheels.
The wheels and bumpers were painted brown to match I guess.

It had a 250 inline 6 and a 3 speed on the tree.
Someone later put a floor shifter in it.

It was bought new at a local dealer that is no longer in business.
I still have the owners manual and the Protect-o-plate card.

It did manage to drive up on to the flat bed under it’s own power and I drove it around the block once (without a muffler) before I started tearing it apart.

The first year I started taking the truck apart and collecting some parts I thought I’d need.
I fell into luck with the chassis.
My chassis was junk. I happen to be looking on Ebay one day and saw a complete chassis.
Someone had started the project and gave up. He sold everything else but still had the chassis.
It was blasted, POR-15ed, and painted Ford engine blue. All the bearing, bushings and seals were replaced and ready to go. I threw a low bid out there and won! $150
Two little problems, 1 it was in Detroit and 2 it was a 68 chassis (no disc brakes and 6 lug wheels).
My wife and I drove up there from Jersey with a tow dolly and dragged it home.