Hi guys, i was just wondering where i should start on my truck, its been sitting in the backyard for 6 years and is in OK condition, not alot of rust, engine runs... crappy, but it runs, the rear axle seems in ok condition but no too sure and a whole bunch of other stuff. I would like to start with the engine/drivetrain and if anybody has some good ideas for building a 302 with a little more torque that stock, some really important transmission/rear axle upgrades and anything else that has to do with a total restoration.

Thanks in advance, Jon

 

Strip her down to the bare frame and go from there, that is what I am doing with my 84. What to do for drivetrain upgrades... well it depends. What are you going to use the truck for?

 

im going to use my truck for daily driving and a little towing (light quick loads) just something to add to my transmission to make it stronger, why not? I already have to rebuild it (found metal shavings in the burnt orange coolant)

 

First go over your brakes, don't over look a thing, check every square inch of brake line. I've had trucks sit in my yard a few months at a time, the brakes tend to rust and not function properly at first.

we just pulled my dads old truck out for behind the garage, after a 13 year nap. the master cylinder was dry, the lines rotted out at an intersection under the truck, and the fluid dripped out. The front left wheel wouldn't turn at first because the pads had rusted to the rotor.

what shape is your interior in? Hopefully it remained critter free. Get up behind your dash, under the truck, and under the hood, make sure all the wiring is in good shape. Nothing like doing alot of work only to have your truck burn down. well your under the truck make sure the frame/cross members, and floor boards look ok.

the best thing would be to take Pkupman82s advice, strip it down to frame and redo it piece by piece.