1968 50th Longbed build thread - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

drewbert41 · 09-01-2015, 12:05 AM

Starting a build thread instead of keeping my first post going.

(backstory) Traded my 98 S10 for this straight up. Bruceman1968 determined it is a 50th anniversary edition.

drewbert41 · 09-01-2015, 12:08 AM

Truck needs rewired before I can do anything with it. PO's wiring job is a hazard.

Bought a new harness and diagram/manual

Picked up some parts off CL

drewbert41 · 09-01-2015, 12:13 AM

Update: Started prepping for rewiring today. Pulled the battery and cut out most of the old wiring under the hood. Pulled the carpet and seat as well and I was pretty impressed with the floor. Going to take off the cluster next now that I have learned how to properly remove the headlight switch.

1968aj · 09-01-2015, 07:15 AM

some of those headlight switches do not cooperate. sounds like you made a good trade.

drewbert41 · 09-01-2015, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1968aj

some of those headlight switches do not cooperate. sounds like you made a good trade.

I found the button but couldn't get it out. To turn it on do I pull all the way out then twist right?

WarMonger · 09-01-2015, 10:00 AM

Good looking truck. I'm subscribed to this one. What is the trick for the headlight switch?

drewbert41 · 09-01-2015, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarMonger

Good looking truck. I'm subscribed to this one. What is the trick for the headlight switch?

Pull headlight switch all the way out. Then push the spring-loaded button on the switch behind the dash and pull it out.

drewbert41 · 09-01-2015, 10:15 PM

Update:

My door hardware came in the mail today so I could begin installing the CL door panels and armrests. Before I did this I installed my new door locks from Leon.
I could not leave any tools in the truck before because it didn't come with a door key. Thanks LockDoc!

drewbert41 · 09-19-2015, 10:50 PM

Luckily I have had help wiring from a friend. Over halfway done.

drewbert41 · 10-20-2015, 02:40 PM

Wiring is finally done!

got a free tailgate

bought some more parts off CL

Redline novdog · 09-01-2015, 07:01 PM

Sounds good! I'll follow along.

Redline novdog · 10-20-2015, 07:17 PM

Glad to hear you're moving forward! Enjoy and be aware of the first drive.Love it or hate it it will be in your memory forever!!!

drewbert41 · 01-02-2016, 11:48 PM

Still have not driven it since rewiring. I discovered that I had a crack in my exhaust manifold that had melted a boot. Could explain why it was backfiring through the carb. I got Summit coated headers for Christmas so I have been working on installing them. I also had to get a bracket for the alternator to work with the headers. Had to pull the starter to get the pass side header to fit. At least one of my plugs is way too close to the tube. I am going to have to buy some shorty plugs and possibly have to put in a well placed ding in a tube. I have heat wraps for the boots. This is also my first post since running a steel fuel line to replace the leaking rubber one it came with. I also took the cowl off and put some seam sealer under there to stop a leak I had in the pass side floorboard from the antenna hole.

drewbert41 · 01-02-2016, 11:56 PM

Also I picked up a set of 15x8 4 nubs for $100! I just sold the hubcaps on ebay for $65. So I basically got four 4 nub 15x8 steelies for $40. Pretty damn lucky considering they are $900 on ebay. I will be buying a new set of tires for them soon.

Here they are sitting next to the truck

drewbert41 · 04-15-2016, 10:50 PM

Well those wheels ended up being 15x6 but they are 4 nub at least and will clear disc brakes if I install them. I sandblasted them and primer/painted them with rustoleum rattle can with a handle attachment. Saving up for white walls at the moment.

drewbert41 · 04-15-2016, 10:58 PM

Picked up some Yankee 77s off ebay to fill the holes left by the PO. Not a huge fan but they sure beat tape!

projectking · 05-24-2016, 11:53 PM

Nice truck!

drewbert41 · 09-20-2016, 03:27 PM

Finally running 1 year later! Rewired, replaced blown manifolds with headers, new plugs, wires, and fuel line. Changed the oil and rebuilt the carb.

drewbert41 · 12-06-2016, 11:52 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM3FyUdpYTI

mild68 · 12-06-2016, 09:02 PM

Making progress.
BTW, I'm in Normal.

68Gold/white · 12-07-2016, 04:37 PM

Glad to see a 50th getting some proper work done to it, now for mine...
I can see why someone might change the color, the original gold was not an eye catcher. It's likely the owner knew nothing of the significance of the original gold color.
There's a build here, fellow named Chad, doing a 69 in gold, converting to a 68. The color is awesome! Have you seen that thread? If not I will dig for it, and bring it ahead...

drewbert41 · 08-10-2017, 11:43 AM

That's awesome. I don't think I have seen it. Link if you don't mind.

drewbert41 · 08-10-2017, 11:45 AM

So I got the timing where I wanted it with a little help. Sounds great now and starts right up. Time to move on to the transmission. I need to stop the leaks, fill it with fluid, hook up the shift cable, and I should be able to drive to the exhaust shop.

https://youtu.be/EqE7fwPNPWk Sorry about the poor audio quality. (Open headers are loud)

Orange67 · 08-11-2017, 02:30 PM

Really like your truck, man. Very nice.

drewbert41 · 04-17-2021, 02:32 AM

Well it has been about 4 years since I posted on this thread, but since then I have moved to a house with a garage. During covid I was able to clear out the garage enough to have the truck towed here and the longbed just barely fit. I have it up on wheel dollys and it is working out pretty well. I installed some garage lights from harbor freight and now its a good place to work.

I got the cheapest vinyl seat cover from brothers for Christmas and did an alright job installing it myself. Good enough and beats the musty\mildewy cloth from before. I also got the seat lowering brackets from brothers and installed them.

I put on a new felpro gasket and filter on the TH350 to hopefully fix the leak and still need to hook up the cable.

I decided to go back to manifolds so I pulled my headers which meant the starter and alternator as well. I went ahead and ripped out the rest of the exhaust. A lot more room to work underneath now. I am painting up my new manifolds with VHT and I bought a flowmaster downpipe kit to put on with my Porter mufflers that have been waiting around.

I have a fuel delivery problem so it is not running at the moment. Thinking of installing the Edelbrock intake and carb kit. I definately want to move the tank to under the bed someday.

Here is a pic dump!

09-01-2015, 12:05 AM	#1
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	1968 50th Longbed build thread Starting a build thread instead of keeping my first post going. (backstory) Traded my 98 S10 for this straight up. Bruceman1968 determined it is a 50th anniversary edition. Last edited by drewbert41; 09-01-2015 at 12:31 AM.

09-01-2015, 12:08 AM	#2
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Truck needs rewired before I can do anything with it. PO's wiring job is a hazard. Bought a new harness and diagram/manual Picked up some parts off CL

09-01-2015, 12:13 AM	#3
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Update: Started prepping for rewiring today. Pulled the battery and cut out most of the old wiring under the hood. Pulled the carpet and seat as well and I was pretty impressed with the floor. Going to take off the cluster next now that I have learned how to properly remove the headlight switch.

09-01-2015, 07:15 AM	#4
1968aj Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: houston texas Posts: 1,438	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread some of those headlight switches do not cooperate. sounds like you made a good trade.

09-01-2015, 10:00 AM	#6
WarMonger Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 818	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Good looking truck. I'm subscribed to this one. What is the trick for the headlight switch? __________________ ..................... ____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1970 C20 -_--_--_- ______ _--_--_- /___\|__\____ -_--_-_ \|_(0)\|__\|_(0)] 1972 K5

09-01-2015, 10:15 PM	#8
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Update: My door hardware came in the mail today so I could begin installing the CL door panels and armrests. Before I did this I installed my new door locks from Leon. I could not leave any tools in the truck before because it didn't come with a door key. Thanks LockDoc!

09-19-2015, 10:50 PM	#9
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Luckily I have had help wiring from a friend. Over halfway done.

10-20-2015, 02:40 PM	#10
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Wiring is finally done! got a free tailgate bought some more parts off CL

09-01-2015, 07:01 PM	#11
Redline novdog Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington,Il Posts: 632	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Sounds good! I'll follow along. __________________ It builds on my intelligence when I make a mistake, Boy am I building on it! '67 C-10,'70 Nova SS

10-20-2015, 07:17 PM	#12
Redline novdog Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington,Il Posts: 632	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Glad to hear you're moving forward! Enjoy and be aware of the first drive.Love it or hate it it will be in your memory forever!!! __________________ It builds on my intelligence when I make a mistake, Boy am I building on it! '67 C-10,'70 Nova SS

01-02-2016, 11:48 PM	#13
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Still have not driven it since rewiring. I discovered that I had a crack in my exhaust manifold that had melted a boot. Could explain why it was backfiring through the carb. I got Summit coated headers for Christmas so I have been working on installing them. I also had to get a bracket for the alternator to work with the headers. Had to pull the starter to get the pass side header to fit. At least one of my plugs is way too close to the tube. I am going to have to buy some shorty plugs and possibly have to put in a well placed ding in a tube. I have heat wraps for the boots. This is also my first post since running a steel fuel line to replace the leaking rubber one it came with. I also took the cowl off and put some seam sealer under there to stop a leak I had in the pass side floorboard from the antenna hole. Last edited by drewbert41; 01-02-2016 at 11:59 PM.

01-02-2016, 11:56 PM	#14
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Also I picked up a set of 15x8 4 nubs for $100! I just sold the hubcaps on ebay for $65. So I basically got four 4 nub 15x8 steelies for $40. Pretty damn lucky considering they are $900 on ebay. I will be buying a new set of tires for them soon. Here they are sitting next to the truck

04-15-2016, 10:50 PM	#15
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Well those wheels ended up being 15x6 but they are 4 nub at least and will clear disc brakes if I install them. I sandblasted them and primer/painted them with rustoleum rattle can with a handle attachment. Saving up for white walls at the moment.

04-15-2016, 10:58 PM	#16
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Picked up some Yankee 77s off ebay to fill the holes left by the PO. Not a huge fan but they sure beat tape!

05-24-2016, 11:53 PM	#17
projectking Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Orland Park Il Posts: 2,041	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Nice truck! __________________ 68 GMC C3500 Longhorn DRW 67 Chevy C10 LWB 90 Mustang Gt 90 Mustang Notchback



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

09-20-2016, 03:27 PM	#18
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Finally running 1 year later! Rewired, replaced blown manifolds with headers, new plugs, wires, and fuel line. Changed the oil and rebuilt the carb.

12-06-2016, 11:52 AM	#19
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM3FyUdpYTI

12-06-2016, 09:02 PM	#20
mild68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Normal, Il. Posts: 110	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Making progress. BTW, I'm in Normal. __________________ my next project 68 step side 5.3 S10 build thread My 68 Chevelle SS396

12-07-2016, 04:37 PM	#21
68Gold/white Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ark City, Kansas Posts: 3,279	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Glad to see a 50th getting some proper work done to it, now for mine... I can see why someone might change the color, the original gold was not an eye catcher. It's likely the owner knew nothing of the significance of the original gold color. There's a build here, fellow named Chad, doing a 69 in gold, converting to a 68. The color is awesome! Have you seen that thread? If not I will dig for it, and bring it ahead...

08-10-2017, 11:43 AM	#22
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread That's awesome. I don't think I have seen it. Link if you don't mind.

08-10-2017, 11:45 AM	#23
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread So I got the timing where I wanted it with a little help. Sounds great now and starts right up. Time to move on to the transmission. I need to stop the leaks, fill it with fluid, hook up the shift cable, and I should be able to drive to the exhaust shop. https://youtu.be/EqE7fwPNPWk Sorry about the poor audio quality. (Open headers are loud)

08-11-2017, 02:30 PM	#24
Orange67 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Syracuse, Utah Posts: 499	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Really like your truck, man. Very nice. __________________ Justin '67 C20 CST Custom Camper '04.5 LLY Duramax CCSB...sold

04-17-2021, 02:32 AM	#25
drewbert41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 491	Re: 1968 50th Longbed build thread Well it has been about 4 years since I posted on this thread, but since then I have moved to a house with a garage. During covid I was able to clear out the garage enough to have the truck towed here and the longbed just barely fit. I have it up on wheel dollys and it is working out pretty well. I installed some garage lights from harbor freight and now its a good place to work. I got the cheapest vinyl seat cover from brothers for Christmas and did an alright job installing it myself. Good enough and beats the musty\mildewy cloth from before. I also got the seat lowering brackets from brothers and installed them. I put on a new felpro gasket and filter on the TH350 to hopefully fix the leak and still need to hook up the cable. I decided to go back to manifolds so I pulled my headers which meant the starter and alternator as well. I went ahead and ripped out the rest of the exhaust. A lot more room to work underneath now. I am painting up my new manifolds with VHT and I bought a flowmaster downpipe kit to put on with my Porter mufflers that have been waiting around. I have a fuel delivery problem so it is not running at the moment. Thinking of installing the Edelbrock intake and carb kit. I definately want to move the tank to under the bed someday. Here is a pic dump!

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.