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I wanted to add the last year with this old truck. I purchased it just over 1.5 years ago. I appreciate all of the information yall shared with me to get this done. I hope that it inspires/encourages one of you. I actually started calling it my Emotional Support Vehicle. It was nice to disconnect and woke on something else. I thought I really liked the truck. When we got home the dog fell in love with the truck and refused to get out. It was clamed as hers. Every time I would work on it, she would let me know I was not right if she was not right beside me. I’d gotten it with the floors fixed and some of the mat installed. The seat was well used and it was a good start. Problems with the tank, and old parts that had already been replaced. The motor had been rebuilt by a speed shop in SC and a good transmission. I, like many of you, had visions of what it could look like in the future. The first day that I’d gotten her home. It had good bones but there was some rust and panel issues that needed some repair. It was time to start taking a serious look at the body and the battle against the cancer we call rust. The inner fenders rattled against the outer fenders, but they didn't fall off. I pulled the front off and found that the lower part of the core support was missing As well as a previous repaired crack that moved up the entire front fender as I drove it. Removing the fenders I found that I needed to repair the inner cab sections. Now that I'd removed most of the rust I could put some primer on it until I was ready to start painting it. I did have to cut each one of the bolts holding the rear fender off. It was so much lighter after the fenders and the wood was removed from the bed. I spend a great amount of time watching Youtube videos and totally diving into the forums (this one) to get advice. I pulled the be off and replaced the cab rear sections. Its starting to look much different. This is how I drove it that winter and half the summer so that I could work out issues with mechanic issues, gather more parts, and finally choose the color. I chose to put a paint on bed liner and sand down the wood for the bed. One day at the bucked like a bronco and fan bit into the radiator. That was the day I said that I was going to start the final stage. If it was going to be down, It was going down hard. I didn't waist time with my sons chipping in her and there to help take her apart. My garage became very small very quick. Getting this thing so I can push it out for more space was important. It was much lighter without the motor, trans and so many body parts. I was able to pull the glass and most of the other parts out. It helped with the budget to not need to replace so many broken parts. Unlike months ago, it was time to take it down the metal and teach myself how to fatten out some of the dings it had. For the most part I was fortunate with her. All though I did find some rust I didn't expect, damage I didn't know about and a bullet hole. Slowly teaching myself to weld and replace metal on the body and venders. Now filling some of the low spots to get it into primer for the first time. I found a great deal on Eastwood for primer and paint. So it was time to start using something more than rattle cans. Man I was nervous. I did actually have a family member that was able to come and help. I'd priced out the cost of the getting it painted from cheap to specialty paint shops. I didn't trust them or it blew the budget. I was able to purchase this booth for 800 from amazon with attachments for my compressor to actually make me feel it was possible. Most of my neighbors didn't mind, but it did look like this for a few weekends. Things started really changing once primer started. Now to start sanding so that we can do the filler paint, filler, and glaze. After what seemed like for ever, it was time to start putting color on the truck. The hood had to be done twice. It actually fell on when it was standing up after it was perfect the first time. Some of the first parts to have color. Man things a changing quickly and I am trying to be patient. The red was on for a week and now we can do white. Once the hood was painted white, I had to brace it so that I could sleep at night. I don't want it to fall like when I was sanding it. Now that the cab is done, I wanted to wait a week so that the paint could off gas prior to messing with it. During this time I actually scraped down the frame and used bed liner on it too. So the first thing was go put the motor and trans back in. So now that the frame is clean I can start replacing other parts that should be done prior to adding the pretty parts on. Back to the upper side. I was able to replace the metal on the inner fenders. It was impossible to find the fender or the core support at this time. I do some work on that lower section of the core support in a few areas to make it look right. Its starting to show some shine. Doing some wet sanding while I'm putting some parts on her. Gotta tell ya, its hard to go slow. I did get the wheels and grill on. It was time for wiring and making sure I start prioritizing things that are easier to do prior to getting everything together. Once all of that was done, I had to figure out how to make a template for the headliner. I knew I didn't want the traditional one. I ordered the material from Etsy (ask, Ill give the name). I used poster board to tape up the template. When the template was complete. I took it apart and cut out foam board 1/4 inch. I did find that applying boxing tape to both sides allowed for me to bend it into shape without breaking it. I was able to now use the tape and heat to get the shape I needed. It was time to put in the glass before everything else was in my way. It took the wife and I all night, but it was nice to get it back in without cracking it. I installed 1 inch foam board in the space above and behind the head liner. This was also a place that packing tape was helpful for bending without breaking. It fit perfectly, I am so happy I did it now. It made a great deal of improvement. Once the headliner was in, it was time for the recovered seats. I was able to find a original wheel and later a ring. Believe it or not the cheap pen springs are helpful for rebuilding front turn singles and the horn retention pin. The last thing was the tail gate. Now its time to put the final touches on it. I was watching thunderhead289 and figured I would put and electric fuel pump, fuel return and regulator on it. This has made all the difference in the tuning and starting of my 352. It is now looking nice inside. Its now my daily driver when Im out and about. Even the puppy loves the new right. She still thinks it is hers.
Thank you for posting this photo sequence and story. It gives me some confidence to tackle some tasks that I have been delaying. Excellent work, a truck to be proud of, and kudos to you for jumping in and doing it right. Yep, it takes patience! Sometimes the latter is the most important skill to have. Nice work.
