The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk tear down

iam going to start taking my truck apart this sat to see how bad it really is should start on front end or bed or in the cab and work my way out ? the truck run and drives good but i plan on going through the the whole truck front to back

The answer is yes!
Or a better answer is, "start wherever the bolts are the loosest."
And send pics we like pics.
Best advice is to keep every scrap, every nut, every bolt, every part; sort out and label everything. If you don't you will regret it.

I've broken mine down into three stages - firewall forward, cab, bed. Then when the bed is off the frame will be completely exposed for the mechanical and exhaust work. The reassemble would start with putting the cab back on, then the front sheetmetal and finally the bed.

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned in my life is that there are no big projects, just a series of small projects strung together. If you think of it like that it doesn't seem so overwhelming.

Oh yes... like 3600 says, photograph EVERYTHING for future reference and invest in zip-lock bags and a Sharpies to tag everything, and store parts in boxes that are clearly labeled with ALL of their contents. You cannot be too organized.

Ditto above and also do not toss or get rid of anything until you've got the replacement installed. Photos, notes and drawings will be helpful on down the road. A photo journal such as Webshots/Photobucket helps show others your work and can be used for reference or to answer questions. We all like pictures! I've been on my 4t6 almost 5 years and my mind isn't what it used to be so every little bit helps.
Dan

YES ON TAKING LOTTS OF PICS!.......1 year or 4 down the road the road they are invaluable in re-assembly!
YOU would be suprised how much you forget...especially on this bracket went where ??? or this thingy was here ....lol

dittos''' even with all the bags, tags and pix, I still have issues trying to figure out how things go together... much less FIND the part i need.

You did not mention what year your truck is, but if an assembly manual is available; get one. It will answer some of the hundreds of questions you will have in your restoration. You will be suprise at how things can be "changed" over the years. Some PO have no concept of orginality or in some cases functionallity.

Have fun.

I wish I had of had/took or thought of this advice years ago when I started my restoration! I have parts everywhere and have no clue on where a lot of them go or what they do. I also picture a part in my head that I need and have no idea where the heck I put it. So frustrating!

All good thoughts as above. I took the approach of removing things in sections or assemblies and then rebuilding them before they grew into piles. Example: If I removed the rear bumper I reconditioned the brackets, sourced new bolts, put them in the holes they went in for reassembly and stored them away. Then on to the next item. Now as I am starting to reassemble I am taking fresh rebuilt parts, paint, and fasteners and just installing parts. It goes fast and keeps you from getting frustrated by having an overwhelming amount of work to get through. Also I was able to really study the individual assemblies and how to restore or repair as better than new.

While it might be a pain at times tearing it down,(and I do mean pain literally, I've got the busted knuckles to prove it) you'll appreciate all the hard work in the end.

thanks for the info guys very help full my truck is a 72 gmc 1/2 ton long bed my father in law gave it to me iam the third owner sense new his best friend bought it new in new orleans its is all stock even still has original ac compressor under hood with the 307 one bbl carb truck runs like a top but has cab rust still has stock paint on it

here are some pics http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff251/mbigd73/72%20gmc/

well it rained here all week end so didnt get to work on my truck any but maybe this week end

well got to work on truck a little its rained here evry day for to weeks off and on i got the seat out and found my gas leak the bottom of my tank is full of pin holes also found the floors arent as bad as i thought rockers and cab coners are shot but floors well live posted some new picks

I've found it's a good idea to start fixing things as you take them off. That way you don't wind up with a pile of parts instead of a truck AND looking at finished things is an incentive to finish.

Woody - I concur... make assembly go faster too.

well been workin on the old girl got her running good and stoping good trans has a leak in front seal but not to bad iam thinking about putting a new tank under the bed but not sure wich way to go if any one knows the pros and cons please let me know i also changed the wheels to some late model steel wheels rather than the alum ones that were on it off of my 97 gmc i like the look of the steel wheels i will put pics up tomarrow also started buying little misc stuff off of ebay and craigs list head lights wernt workin but was just a dimmer switch all wiring looks good

Your picture is of an "Economy Gauge" Basicly a vacume gauge. The Ideal was if the driver "Romped & Stomped" it would show poor milage and at steady cruise would be in the green - good econmy range.

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff251/mbigd73/72%20gmc/?action=view&current=72gmc017.jpg

Gm had some factory installed usually in large sedans & station wagons as another gauge on the dash. This one appears to be a add on later.
The couple I have driven were a pain... jump all over the place. Until you get used to them the needle kept catching my eye something moving will.

Hope this helps
Brad

cool it still works good i think i will leave it in the truck must have been after market dont think it was stock it works fine thanks for info

well havent worked on the ol girl much because life gets in the way had to redo house for the wife now thats done its time to play i just bought another truck its a 68 chevy long bed 283 4 speed its in good shape as far as the body goes but the kid that had it air bagged it i might leave it that way just redo a few things will try to get pics up soon tearing he gmc down the rest of the way soon