So, I recently joined this forum, mainly to find out VIN information on my truck. But, while I'm here, I might as well document the project I have planned.

This truck was my grandfather's farm truck, so it's pretty beat up. I've kinda had this truck for a while, but recently decided to slowly start working on it.

The engine is pretty clean looking (300 c.i.d. straight 6), so I will likely just see if it will run and use it like that for a while. The eventual idea would be to swap engines with some sort of diesel, in order to be more driveable/economical on fuel. But, to get bugs worked out, the engine is there, so we'll see if it works. I'll put up a pic of the engine bay later, forgot to take a pic of it last weekend (currently the truck is an hour from my house).

The floor of the cab needs some love, as does the seat upholstery. All the glass is pristine, and the bed is in great shape.

This probably won't be a fast moving project as I have other old vehicles in the garage as well, but a project none-the-less.

The plan for the truck is similar to this, lower than stock (not as low as this truck though), with no bodywork, and mooneye wheel covers. More of a rat rod style look I suppose (sorry all you purists):



Here is the truck as it sits today. Going to play with it some this weekend, but just to move it around to better ground to work on:





Needs some floor work, and seat upholstery:



570 miles? haha! I'm guessing it has turned over 100,570 miles



Remove the wood bed addition (slides right off), and the barrel is just chillin, not really used for anything. Debating whether to use the barrel as a fuel tank or not...

 

Have fun. My suggestion is once you spend money to get the engine running, replace literally every fluid in the truck. Brakes, gas, oil, transmission oil, differential oil, coolant and grease the chassis.

AS for the gas tank, that would be kinda cool but I think you should use the stock one as long as it isn't super rusty.

 

Thanks for the input! I've done a couple old vehicles, so I will definitely be changing fluids and such. The barrel idea might not stick, but it was a fun idea someone mentioned to me when they saw it sittin there... 55 gallons of fuel would suck to fill up though!

 

Wow i thought my floor was bad. that really is a truck you can drop you beer cans through the floor and watch them bounce down the hi way behind you.

 

Remember to check oil and water before using! LOL My grandfather had one of those label makers, labelled absolutely everything. Good luck with the project.

 

I think I'd shop for a new cab. That's going to be an eternal amount of welding.

 

i'd look for a cab (twice) looks to me the door post is rusted out, and i'll bet the cowl base is rusted also, then ck the back of cab at the base there are drains there also. not a good news guy here but thats what i see
roy

 

The cab does have some rust, but I don't mind fixing up holes, and welding keeps me in the garage longer (which I also don't mind haha). Just because there is rust, does not mean the cab is useless. This will not be a "show quality" truck as most seem to want to build, so the cab stays.

 

Looks a lot like my truck. Good luck on the project! Keep us posted (with lots of pics).