LFD's low buck truck build!

[corn]

Whoa! You of all people dont have to stand up for your work. Your work says more than you already can. I just wanted to see how hard it must have been to weld both sides. I have to add that your cover up work turned out better than anything most could hope for on the exposed side. I also remember you saying you were going to line it & just wanted to prove to myself that you would make it look pretty invisible before it even gets lined. Great work, just as I figured...


Thanks for the pics too...

[Rokcrln]

Ok I am looking for some input form everyone. As far as side molding goes I am not sure if I want to shave it off since mine is not in good shape and being a low buck build I do not want to spend money on new trim. That also leads into the paint, two tone or one solid color. When this truck is done it will be my shop truck and I am going for a look like this one from Air Ride. I just found this pic on the board but it folows right along with my thoughts on this build right down to the warn out logo's and lettering. I had planned on two tone with trim but this does add to the build price of $1400 for all new trim and $? for used trim as it comes in. What do you all think? Now is the time to start welding up holes if I go that route.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Bob Moore]

Are you thinking 67/68 trim or 69/72 style with upper and lower or just lower?

[PBFAB.COM]

I say an epoxy primer... Black of course, no trim, and then do the patina logo thingy on the door. Or even a crisp, fresh lettering would be cool.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Bob Moore

Are you thinking 67/68 trim or 69/72 style with upper and lower or just lower?

It is a factory CST with upper and lower so I would go that route.

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

I say an epoxy primer... Black of course, no trim, and then do the patina logo thingy on the door. Or even a crisp, fresh lettering would be cool.

Personaly I think the flat blace is getting a bit played out. I have thought about doing a full Patina paint job on the entire truck. Nothing like taking sand paper and scotch brite to a new paint job.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[65-72 chevytoys]

I would go with no trim to keep the cost down especially with your skills weld them holes. Then go with a flat color and logo.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Personaly I think the flat blace is getting a bit played out.

By the time you get done with the sandpaper and scotch brite the full patina will be played out as well!

[cheyenne10]

I do like the air ride truck but when they are that low they look bent in the middle.

I am a factory option guy and like the upper and lower trim. I think it goes well with cargo lite and tailgate band.

I think a decent set of used trim could be put together or pimp your truck out a little with some shameless advertising and get support from some vendors for reduced/low cost 2nds or ?

Part of you "low buck" ideas are getting creative and this seems like part of a business supported project for you.

I'm confident with what ever you decide your truck will be very popular. One of the magazine editors a few years ago put together a multi colored "circus wagon" shortbed that I think was the most popular truck on the boards and drew huge attention. I think that is something I will attempt one of these days. Would save a bundle on nice body and paint!!

[franky69c10]

shave them off........

[RACINJASON22]

I vote weld em' up and go with a solid color I personally think it should be that way with the shop truck theme. GR8 build no matter what. RJ22

[BigSky71]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

By the time you get done with the sandpaper and scotch brite the full patina will be played out as well!

Oh man, I am tried from a long night in the shop [ok, garage] and that cracks me up!

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by cheyenne10

Part of you "low buck" ideas are getting creative and this seems like part of a business supported project for you.

You lost me on this one! It could just be that it is 4am but ?

Well after an hour or two of sleep I am thinking I need to keep the trim because although this is a Low Buck build part of it is to end up with a nice truck that is worth more than you have into it. I feel that a well optioned truck is worth more than a plane jane (no offence Jane) truck. That is part of the reason to start with a long bed and make a shorty out of it. Well optioned long beds are still cheaper compaired to well optioned shorts. I just went and looked at a fully loaded 72 LWB a few days ago, it was a factory complete 402 BB, A/C, tilt, auto on the column... for $1750 but I decided I need to finish a few things before getting more projects. But this same truck in a short bed I would guess would start in the $4-5k range for th esame shape. So with some time and work you end up with a nice clean truck that if you wanted to sell it you might make a few bucks. So I think the trim will stay even if that means some pieces are left off untill good ones can be had. Also I think most guys building trucks want a nice (but still cheap) paint job so this will have some shine to it as well. I will still have my Logo and info in it some how but I have not decided on just how yet.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I agree with keeping the trim. There's just something "wrong" with removing it from any 71-72 truck.

Since you're buiding this for your business, do you have any specific colors for your logo? You could use those as your paint colors. Is the copper and black your colors? A black truck with copper down the middle would look pretty sweet, or copper and white...

No matter what you do, it will be a nice ride when done

[jay-dawg]

I like your idea of a fully optioned SWB truck on the cheap. (as opposed to cheaply made lol). Keep on keepin' on!

[NTR72GMC]

What color/colors are you thinking about painting it?

[C10Squared]

I vote keep the trim. Especially if you plan to patina the truck because the faded trim will add to the effect.

[skchevota]

I say keep the trim, go two tone. white in the center and a dark metalic blue in the rest. Oh and a white top of course.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Is the copper and black your colors?

No that is just plane steel on a dark pillow for the pic. I like how it turned out though.

Originally Posted by NTR72GMC

What color/colors are you thinking about painting it?

We are thinking of white and a darker green kind of like this pic.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[NTR72GMC]

Are you going to keep the wheels that are on the truck now ?

[Draggn66]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Personaly I think the flat blace is getting a bit played out. I have thought about doing a full Patina paint job on the entire truck. Nothing like taking sand paper and scotch brite to a new paint job.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Hey Kevin I asked about this paint in the paint forum but what do you think of these colors?

http://www.tcpglobal.com/kustomshop/ksflatz.aspx

[PanelDeland]

Maybe on color a two tone without white,just to make it different.Maybe go with a charcoal and do silver between the trim and on the roof.It would be 2 tone but not like any I have seen.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by NTR72GMC

Are you going to keep the wheels that are on the truck now ?

No I am not. I have a line on a set of stock truck ralleys with rings and caps. I am running 8's in the rear and 7's up front.

Originally Posted by Draggn66

Hey Kevin I asked about this paint in the paint forum but what do you think of these colors?

I have never tried those colors before?

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

Maybe on color a two tone without white,just to make it different.Maybe go with a charcoal and do silver between the trim and on the roof.It would be 2 tone but not like any I have seen.

Sorry I like the more factory look with my own custom touches. Even my 71 SWB with the body drop, Z-step, LT1 and tilt front end. Once it is done it will look just like a 68 two tone with every piece of factory SS trim you can get. I used John's as inspiration. I have added the front fender and hood trim as well as al the tailgate trim to mine. I also had a set of vett ralleys built in 17's as well. Here is a pic of John's.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IAFF2407]

Kevin if you're looking for a dark green, my truck is in the recent "tonneau cover thread" it's been a couple years, it's a corvette stock color('86 ??) possible called fairway green. If interested let me know, I have it written down somewhere in the bottomless pit file where I put my receipts.

thread; Has anyone seen any box covers

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by IAFF2407

Kevin if you're looking for a dark green, my truck is in the recent "tonneau cover thread" it's been a couple years, it's a corvette stock color('86 ??) possible called fairway green. If interested let me know, I have it written down somewhere in the bottomless pit file where I put my receipts.

thread; Has anyone seen any box covers

Did you mean "box cover" I looked last night and could not find it then today I wanted to see what a "box cover" was and their you are. Yes this color looks very nice. If you can find out just what it is I will add it to the list for my wife to look at! Do you know if it comes in the "short" version

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

Well I spent 3hrs today working on my frame. I drove it over to the car wash and cleaned teh frame then started getting ready to slice and dice.

I started by setting it up on jack stands on a level area of teh driveway out side my shop. I ended up needing a few more inches in height under the cab so I placed two of my stands up on a 4x6x3/8" tube and welded the stands to it. My big stands are holding up my rock crawler while my buddy barrows my 37"s for some snow runs. Then I removed the extra bed mount and unbolted the rear cab mounts. Then I lifted the rear of the cab about 1/2" above the rear mount and placed a 2x4 between the frame and body. It shouold be far enough forward to be out of the cut and weld area. I then re-layed out the rear cab mounts 12" back so when the frame is welded back together I won't have to do it all under the truck. I drill it all out for 7/16 bolts and added a bolt to the top cross member hole were the bed mount was.

Kevin
LFD Inc.