The project build goals (forgot to mention them in the introduction).
I want to bring this truck back to life, and I want to do it as soon as possible. My intent is to spend all of my free time working on it, but am a bit shocked about how much of my free time, is not actually mine. Life is certainly going to interfere with the project, but I am powering through. I work at least 40 hours a week on a computer from my rv, and can see the truck out my window. Sometimes I sneak out at lunch and do a small project. I am learning to tell people "no" on the weekends. Luckily, I work East Coat hours, so I generally have early evenings to go out and fiddle.
There is lot of research for me as well. I read old threads on the forum, buy mechanic buddies drinks and bug the with dumb questions. The tech tips page here is awesome. I bought Tom Brownell's book on restoring Chevy's, and found some shop manuals on the internet. Still looking for a Motor from that year.
I have no tools. I use a $30 Harbor Freight tool set that I bought to put under the Dually back seat in case of roadside emergency. My grandfather has a shop I can borrow tools form if I can find them, my uncle is down the hill with a better shop, and my father over the hill with even more items. I also have Master Mechanic friend across town who has everything including a block planer. I hate borrowing tools because I tend to break them, so I will probably invest here in there in nicer tools as the project progresses.
I have no shop. None of the above listed people want a torn apart truck in their space, and I cannot really blame them. I offered to clean out my Uncle's second bay that has turned into storage, and hinted to Grandpa about the hay barn slab, but no takers yet. For now, it is outside my trailer with a pressure treated sheet of plywood between the tires, and a thick sheet of cardboard over that. I put a pop up tent over the cab, and have an old table as a work bench. I may drag a swamp cooler over if it gets hotter. Honestly, it is perfect for now. I can talk to my girlfriend while she gardens, and I am not in anybodies way. If I prove that I can get the truck running, perhaps we will re-visit the use of space in other peoples shops.
https://twoheelers.tumblr.com/post/160165797924/i-put-an-addition-on-my-garageI am not sure of the specifics of the project. Right now, I want the motor to run, and the brakes to work. I have a tentative fantasy about driving in the Fourth Of July Parade. People ask me what I am going to do with the truck, I tell them I will take it to the store for groceries, and ratchet strap them to the bed. In truth, I want it to be a daily around town driver so I can mothball my overpriced Dodge Dually. We may build a house, and I want to pick up lumber in the old truck. I intend to use the truck as often as possible.
With that in mind, according to Tom Brownell's book, I am doing a Rebuild, not a Restore. This could change if the motor needs to be rebuilt. I am going to keep it as original as possible, but not obsessively. I will never sell the truck, it will always be in the family, so I am not too worried about resale value. I am not currently planning on putting a big block, small block, Cummins, or taking the cab off to put on a Kodiak as has been suggested by various people around these parts. I want to drive around in an old original truck. Grandpa wants a split manifold on it, so we will go there.
Originally, I was going to paint and chrome it, and clean up the body. Some people are trying to talk my into just clear coating it as is to preserve the vintage used look. That is too far off to decide now, there are a lot of more important items. I do have to replace the wood on the bed, and a lot of people are suggesting replacing the entire bed. Again, too far off.
The general flow as I see it is: I will get the motor running. Fix the brakes and lights, and put it on the road. Driving it around will be rewarding, and will give me insight into what needs to be fixed in which order. I'll pick something like the power steering, go through it, and them move on to the next. When all of the mechanical systems are up to speed, I will figure out the body. I am seriously considering trying to find an original 4x4 system to put in it.
Of course all this can and will evolve as the project goes on. It is quite possible that I will destroy the motor, or lose my project funds to a house, or who knows. For now though, full steam ahead a described.
Thanks
