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Hello, I just became a member yesterday and looking forward to documenting my project on this forum. I bought the truck about a year and a half ago and it’s been waiting it’s turn in the garage since then. It came with a Oregon Title and the owner had since passed away so spent about 6 months getting a California title which was not easy but got it done. I think the truck has been sitting for about 20 years as i found a receipt for disk brakes that it came with dated 2002. Truck seems to be all original with some rust but not terrible. It seems as the previous owner spent a weekend tearing down parts of the truck in an attempt to a restoration and gave up quickly. My Build plan is to leave completely original with preserving/buffing out original paint, new interior, rust repair and full mechanical restoration. Yesterday I pushed it into my main work area and started making a parts lists and started soaking all the rusted hardware as it all seems pretty rusted and never been disassembled. Today after work I did a second spray down with PB Blaster and did the passenger side bed side buff out to see how the paint is going to look. Tomorrow I plan to remove front clip ( if i can get the rusted nuts and bolts to break loose) and remove engine which was frozen but was able to break loose after days of soaking with different lubricants. I am a Full Time construction worker but enjoy to work on old cars in my free time and will appreciate any future help /info from fellow members as I will definitely need. I mainly work on VWs but have a few Fords but never really restored one. Also been a long time Lurker on VW Forums, Garage Forums and Ford Truck forums but have never made a single post as I’m not really a computer type guy and kinda shy but am excited I’m finally starting my own thread and really looking forward to it. Hopefully this post goes through properly and my pic attachments work.
Welcome to the forum. Looks like a good truck - lots of back to life projects started with much worse starts. There are a lot of knowledgeable folks here that will be happy to provide thoughts and advice. Good luck and happy restoration
Welcome to FTE. Good looking truck and a really good looking "Work Area". I would hardly ever be in the house. Take more pics for the before and after comparison.
nice truck. we also have a 66 that i just started seriously giving time to.
and nice Bus lurking in the background....need to know more about that.
we came from out west and spent a summer up and down the west coast in our '76 just a few years ago... not as pretty as yours but fun nonetheless.
Thanks for all the positive comments on my truck. NumberDummy thank you for the decoding info.
Today I was able to make decent progress. Front clip removed, engine and Trans out and cut out old rusted exhaust system. I now have lots of parts and Hardware to clean. Question for you guys on quality parts suppliers for these trucks. Who sells the best seat covers that resemble original? Best rust repair sheet metal parts? And best overall supplier of parts in general for these trucks. I’ve been searching around tonight but not really sure who I should be buying from? Here’s a few pics from today’s work. Last night I did a buffing sample of original paint. Pretty happy with the result
nice truck. we also have a 66 that i just started seriously giving time to.
and nice Bus lurking in the background....need to know more about that.
we came from out west and spent a summer up and down the west coast in our '76 just a few years ago... not as pretty as yours but fun nonetheless.
(mount hood...)
Hey Tennessee Pete, Nice Bus! My bus is a 63 Rivera Camper. I’ve had it for about 6 years, lowered it as soon as I got it and just finished swapping all suspension back to original. Kinda over the lowered bus scene and wanted a more usable camper. We Normally get it out camping to local beach spots a couple times a year. Looking forward to some back country camping with the new stance and tires!
Lowered stance it’s had for last 5 years Back to original suspension as of last weekend
I'm jealous of your shop! That lift is a great tool. and you have plenty of space.
There are a lot of parts suppliers out there. A lot of them get their stuff from Dennis Carpenter Restoration Parts.
Carolina Customs does decent floor and cab mount pieces. Higher than most, but they are made of heavier sheet metal.
Most of the common mechanical parts can be bought at any auto parts store.
This forum is a great place to hunt for specific, used parts. I've picked up a steering column, and some other miscellaneous bits and bobs.....
Thanks! I love my garage, Finished the exterior of it about 3 years ago and since then have been doing a lot of interior work with reclaimed materials I come across. Thanks for the info on parts suppliers, I will look into these vendors tonight.
Originally Posted by ibuzzard
For original upholstery, SMS Auto Fabrics , in Canby Oregon:
I called and left a message today. Hopefully hear back from them soon.
Originally Posted by Vandy23
I just got some samples from them and the materials look really nice! Also offering 19% discount an account of the virus!
Good to hear, From the looks of the website it looks like they have some nice materials. Do you known what their normal lead times are on items for these trucks?
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