Project High School Reunion
 

I thought I would start a build thread for my 70 Short box stepside.

I am calling it High school reunion because I purchased it in the spring of 1989 my junior year in high school. It had a 250 with 3 OTT. That summer I worked at a machine shop and built a .030 over 350 for it and had it looking like the first and second picture on the first day of school my senior year.

It came from my dads friend who purchased it from a GSA auction in Las Vegas Nevada. It was a Dept of agriculture supervisors pickup who used it to drive around to different job sites. I don't think it ever hauled anything.

the summer after I graduated I scuffed it up and did a quick paint job with the 80's ribbons, 3rd picture. I drove it hard for many years. (and many sets of rear tires)

That brings us up to present day pic with my 68.

The engine has some fouling from either valve guides or rings, and it is in need of TLC.

It has been in a garage, when not in use and never seen snow except out the garage window. I believe all of the sheet metal and grille are original GM. the rockers and cab corners are near perfect, and never replaced. and there is still black paint on the frame from the factory.

With that being said, it needs to be redone. it was originally a grey government color, and it was put through an Earl Shieb like paint job job. they didn't prep the cab real well and the paint is peeling down to the original grey in the jams and interior.

The truck is still in storage, but I have some parts I have been working on , and collecting parts. I will get more pictures once I get it out and start blowing it apart.

Thanks For reading
ED

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

The plans are:
-a 2/4 drop
-disc conversion
-possibly vintage air or similar opinions wanted
-one piece door glass Opinions wanted
- wheels and color are still undecided, but close on color
-custom gauge cluster and glove box.

New wood bed, the original is cracked and bowed, that is why I have the cover on it:)

I will probably do the conversion with 6 lug disc as the rear is a 3.73 posi
And probably TMI interior components

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

The hood currently in the truck is off of a 72 I got off a parts truck. But I am getting all the original parts back. I welded up the bow tie holes, really like the Eastwood sct sander, made short work stripping to bare metal. 1.5 hours.

As you can see just a couple of spots needed filler.

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Cool story, cool project. Look forward to seeing more of the resto :mm:

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Thank Larry, your build is going very well also.

Here is the hood after 2 coats of etch and three of 2k, it is very close.

The rest of the sheet metal is this nice, and will go quick. There is some customizing on the box I will be doing, that will slow me up. Have to get it out of storage.

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Finally got it out of storage.

I started smoothing out the stake holes near the tailgate.

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

It's been tough finding time this year, my daughter graduates in June, and my wife has kept me busy.

I got a good start on my custom tailgate, got the bottom tube with the trunnions and the frame all set, I plan on using fleetside latches and mar k hardware to get rid of the chains.

It will also have chevy cut and lit with leds

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Here are some more pictures, the grille, and what the cab corners look like.

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

I have been really busy with work, but I have been collecting parts.

I picked up a new drivers fender to get rid of the spare tire cut out.

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Got some time on it today.

I removed the old stepside latches, and filled the area, I also used Toyota pickup latch and catch for the new tailgate

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

I had Chad from Rendered rides do two mock ups for me.

I have been thinking of yellow, but the copper with white top is growing on me:)

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

I have been super busy at work, hopefully I can start working on it again,
I got the bumper, hood and grille out.

Fun working with a rust free truck, loosened the bumper bolts with a open end wrench and turned them off by hand!

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

I finally got time to work on it again,

I got the first nine parts media blasted, primed and painted.

And the inner grille repaired, cleaned and re done with the silver 70 bars

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Got the front fenders and Inner fenders media blasted and epoxy primed.

Also had the outer surround straightened and polished by JR Chrome

About 12 more hours and the front clip is ready for final sanding👍🏻

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

I am also working on custom wood gauge cluster with new vintage gauges and glove box.

I am thinking of flame or quilted maple. Instrument grade like the attached

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Here is the first color test, it is a 2017 Hyundai copper

It looks really nice and changes with the body lines

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Yeah, it contrasts well, with the snow...:D

My brother painted his 73 Camaro that color. really catches your eye in the sunshine....

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Thanks, yeah the snow is not function

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Got the grille reassembled.
Just have from there back to finish😀

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

That grill looks purdy... I've heard about those sct sanders that Eastwood sells, but have never seen them in action (besides their website). Just curious if they are worth the money. I checked into them awhile ago and the price was kinda high I thought and then you need different attachments and all that. Just haven't been sold on it yet.

What I've found works the best (if you don't have air) is an angle grinder with the paint stripping discs that look similar to a sponge I suppose. Not sure what your method of paint stripping was before you bought the SCT sander, but would it be worth getting one if the paint stripping discs work pretty good? You said you did your hood in an hour and a half. Was that both sides? I can't say for sure, but I believe I could probably strip the top of the hood in that time with my method. If you did both sides in that time, that's pretty impressive! I still have a lot of panels to paint strip... wondering if this sander is the ticket.

What would be a ball park figure for the tool and the attachments I would need to take all the paint off to bare metal? What other uses does this tool serve?

Thanks

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

The sander works really good, that was both sides of the hood. It is kinda spendy.

If it is factory paint, it peels it off really fast.

This had the factory paint, a earl shieb quickly paint, and I painted it in 92-3.

So I had many layers of paint to go through.

I actually had the other panels media blasted and epoxy primed,
Because I have had too much work.

I do have the paint stripper discs for the angle grinder. It is faster, but really heats up the metal.

So I use the Eastwood sander on the large flat spots, the the angle on the hard to reach and curved areas.

A 7” variable speed sander/buffer with 80 grit is just about as fast as the Eastwood. With the cheap ones one eBay, you can have the tool an discs for around 100.00.
Either way it is labor and messy.
Ed

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

I've been using a 4 1/2" dewalt and a heavy velcro backer with a Norton "crud Thug" style stripping disc with good result. Also, a standard drill with a used 6" DA pad and 80 grit works really well. Looks like good progress!

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Right on thanks for the help guys. Progress is looking good!

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

The passenger side inner fender has a little rust from 47 years of the battery seeping on it.

Cut it out and welded in a new piece.

Re: Project High School Reunion
 

Got the bed off and all the wood and strips off.