1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

First off I'm not good with nicknames for vehicles and it shows lol. Well I feel I should disclose the fact that I really was not into any Squarebodies as a kid, I always seem my dad messing around with 67-72's and just never liked the 73-87's. As time went on and I started building my 67 c10 and I started gaining low knowledge and most importantly respect for all classics... I started to look at the 73-74 Squarebodies and seen all the cool differences and older styling that they had yet carrying the new body style and realized they are really cool trucks and that I do in fact like them. So now I'm a squarebody fan, the 81-87 are still growing on me.. So anyways onto the truck! It's a 1974 Chevy custom deluxe|10 which if I've got my info correct is 1 up from base model. So this truck has been a couple PO parts truck (very sadly to say)... It's missing suspension, bed, bumpers, motor, Trans, hood, and some other little odds and ends. But months less it's still a pre smog original paint 74 1/2 Ton! Can't let this one die. Found the SPID in the glove box so I was able to see the options and what currently missing parts of the truck used to be. Upon opening the glove box I found all the original manuals! So my plans for the truck are to complete the missing body by hunting down original Ochre yellow body panels such as the hood, bed and tailgate. And then I'll lower it down with a 5-7 drop from CPP and of course like I've done to all my vehicles, steel rims and dog dish hub caps, which I already have 5 "bright metal hub caps" as stated on the SPID. I do have questions as im not very knowledgable on Squarebodies yet:
When's the last year for '536 ochre/white' paint? More specifically the ochre paint for Squarebodies? I know 73-74 have it what about 75-76? Also what did the custom deluxe package all consist of? I'm assuming wood grain on the door panels, chrome bumpers, bright metal caps, window from and at least the upper side trim? Anyways heres pictures of the truck.. Or should I say pieces of the truck lol..

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

SPID, how is a squarebody vin decoded?

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

All the manuals found in the glovebox

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

I have some parts already for the truck, but plans are to get it back on 4 wheels and rolling and clean up the frame and such and complete the body. Then I'll get on with doing drivetrain

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

There's a ton of info here, http://www.73-87.com/7387info/7387info.htm

I don't know the answer to most of your questions, but I'm looking forward to seeing your build.

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

Well I got the truck off the trailer and I threw some very temporary suspension under the front. Also put a "new" driver side vent window, drip rail and door trim for both sides as well as poped the dent out of the driver door. And for fun I put some headlights in switched out the Amber lenses for some better ones and put a front bumper on. Also seen a ochre/white 73 GMC Sierra 2500 in town and got to talking with the guy, he thinks he has some extra parts so I'm hoping he's got the correct 73/74 stuff.. Really wish he would sell me his perfect patina'd ochre hood!! Lol anyways here's the truck... Or half of it.. Wait.. Is the truck a 1:4 time since it's half if a half ton? Lol

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

In the picture I posted above of the SPID, does anyone know why "vacuum power brakes" is listed two times under different option numbers? One is J50, and the other is JB3. Also I'm guessing v/ratio power steering is a variable ratio box?

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

I think that you could get power brakes with 1" or 1.25" rotors.

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

Some assembly required; but at least you didn't have to take it apart, and you have access to detailing the whole rear portion of the frame. I think your name for it is a good one. And the plan for it sounds cool.

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

Interesting that they wouldn't describe it as a "HD front brake package" but instead call it a power brake option?
Your certainly correct I'm going to have my work cut out for me as far as finding decent original paint body panels but I'm in no hurry with this truck and I want it to be a fun "original" truck so to speak and I figure if I take my time I can find the right color body panels so the heat is on, haha. thank you for the feedback as far as the name and plan!

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

Yeah, the whole J-- brake thing has never made much sense to me anyway lol. Far more straightforward than Ford's nonsense though.

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

Well bit of an update, found a guy turning a 74 Cheyenne/30 into a mud truck :waah:, but because of him doing so I was able to trade parts and buy parts off of it since it has original ochre paint still, managed to get both Cheyenne door panels, upper and lower grille trim, parking light lenses, tailgate, and hood.. The truck also has a factory tilt column and I'm trying to persuade him that it's too fancy for a mud truck lol. But ingot the hood cleaned and installed... The hood didn't cost me a dime (unless you consider the price of gas involved) so I'm perfectly willing to live with the bad rust up front. Looking more like a truck.

Re: 1974 Chevy custard deluxe
 

I did not know you had a square body truck. I just got my 73 cheyenne super 10 about a month or so now.