78 downlow-littledough
 

Well howdy there fellas. Name's Wayne and my new project is a 78 Chevy 1/2 ton, fleet-side, short bed pickup.
By my title 78 downlow-littledough, you have probably already guessed that I am planned on putting her a little closer to terra firma and hopefully do it without buying a bunch of big ticket items
Last year I built (not 100% finished yet) a 72 El Camino that I have in the "Alternate Tinkerings" section. The year before that I built a 68 Chevy 1 ton dually short bed step side in the 68-72 section called "Meet Homer".
Anyhow, I mention these past projects so you will know a couple things about me before looking at this current project.
I have been going back and forth on whether to build a 63 GMC I had or do a square body. Well about a week ago I finally came to terms with this pickups former owner so a deal was struck. I put my 63 on Craigslisssss and on down the road it went. Went and picked up my new to me and brought it home this morning. It is a pretty straight and almost entire rust free truck. The former owner had pulled the rearend out to install new disk brakes along with engine upgrades and that was where the project met a timely death.
I had been trying to buy this truck for about the last 2 years off and on for a one of these days project, but felt he was asking too much money. I finally decided that his asking price was fair, so here she is in all her "glory",,,,,

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

A few more of this "clean" interior.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Looks like a great start! Congrats!

I'm in for the build.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

I am in.
Congrats on finally getting it.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Thanks Derek.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Thanks. I appreciate it. Plan is to strip the doghouse, cab, & bed off ASAP so I can get started cleaning the frame & making plans.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Wow Coop ,that is a very nice truck to start with ,you know Im going to follow along .

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Right on. I appreciate the kind words. It is a pretty nice hull to start out on. Not what I'm used to starting with.
Oh well, let the games begin.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Well, not getting around very good right now as I had a little knee scope operation last week, but, was getting around good enough to help my "helper" Chuck get started tearing this dude apart.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

A few more. I know most of these pics are boring, but for me it is invaluable when it comes time to put it back together and I can go back and look at these pics and see what part bolted together into what hole. Great storage pics.
:metal:

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

last ones today, I promise.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

last ones today, I promise.
Took Chuck 2.5 hours, I paid him for 3, and we all know who got the better end of that deal?:metal:

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Wow ya'll dont waste any time .

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Right on. I love the "honeymoon" phase of a build.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Had a little lunch and sat and watched about 30 minutes of the toob, and had to "go back out in the garage just to check it out".
Well, about an hour later I had the rearend, springs, and e-brake cables out. Inch by inch.
That's it for today. Back to work tomorrow.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

We like pictures, don't worry about it.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Cool.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

We are going up similar roads here with kinda lower bucks low builds and nursing a bum knee. Hats off to you on your builds.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Right on. We just keep plugging along. Keep up the good fight. :metal:

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

I'm following. Cool truck

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

Glad to have ya. Thanks

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

I'm down for lowbuck builds.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

That makes "MANY" of us. I would only do high buck builds & have nothing but the best parts installed by the best shop, except, (wait for it) hard to teach this old dog that trick.

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

How about a total of 9 inch drop in the front after installing 3 inch drop spindles?
Actually thinking about a hybrid rear suspension? I have a 66 1/2 ton frame at my cabin property that was hit pretty hard in the front. It has trailing arms. I am thinking I can do an axle flip with a lowering block & have a good place for my bags to sit?
What do u think?

Re: 78 downlow-littledough
 

lurk:cool: