Restoring old trucks

[Master Roda]

Anybody else into this?

I recently aquired a 1969 Chevy CST/20 350 Fleetside. It has the rare option of a factory bed internal toolbox.

So far, I have been adding up costs, bought a pop-up garage, bought a few parts.

I'm goint to start a build thread on another Forum when I'm ready.

Have any of you "been there, done that" ? I could use some advice. Where to buy parts, what to do to make it worth more. I've always assumed that restoring to original is the best way, no custom crap.

The value of these beasts is incredible if they are done correctly. Good thing I'm meticulous :) According to the NADA guide, this truck is worth around 30k if done well.

[Master Roda]

Here's a before shot :)

The previous owner put bondo over where the toolbox is supposed to go.

[Mike484]

When done right these are cool, actually would rather have one of them than a new one.

[Vance]

I would love to have a 1949 Freightliner COE or a Flexible Bus of the same era.

I love the way they look and they feel solid, like they will go on forever.

I would bastardize it with later model running gear.

Good luck with your project, I hope it brings you much joy.

I had a brand new 1967 Ford F 100 so to me those are late model trucks.

Thank you, Vance

[Earthboundmisft]

Hey Jon, I dig the old Chevys too. I had an 86 shorty with a stout big block, TH400, Posi.
A company called LMC Truck has everything to build one right from the magazine.
Your body style was plagued with rust around the roof driprail. Maybe you lucked out.
Yours has the "truck-arm" rear suspension with coil springs, adopted by Nascar, still used today. After 76 they went to leafs. I have an 89 now, love it.

[Master Roda]

This thing has leaf springs, but they are a heavy duty factory option as well as the front.

And the rust, let me tell ya, the rust is whats holding this thing together!

I've dug through the LMC catalog and I found almost everything I need except the toolbox parts. They just don't seem to have them anywhere.

It needs alot of love, but I'm gonna do it because it's just cool :)

This truck is going to go nicely with my 1974 6x6 amphib and my 1982 Yamaha 465 dirtbike. I wish I could turn the clock back on myself!!

[scottessex]

I had a 1963 chevy c-10 since 1988, I just sold it this year. (along with my 1960 bel-air I have owned since 1990)
Just not into the old cars anymore. :) maybe sometime in the future I'll get back into it.

[lanichol]

Overhaulin with Chip Foose. Strip it, body off frame, media blast, fix the metal, fill/block sand, primer, paint, rebuild the frame, engine, trany, and suspension, put it back together. 7 days is all it takes. (and about 15 people).

And for the parts (http://classicindustries.com).

[Master Roda]

Larry,

Thanks for the link. I bet they put more money into those restorations than they are worth. Of course, the money they make on the show is what they're after.