I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Announcing that I got my third Chevy pickup! Last century it was a '48, I just sold the '69, found this unmolested 1968 Long Bed in Phoenix via Facebook Marketplace.

It's original paint, body appears to be straight with no prior wrecks, some rust under the driver door sill. Has the 4 on-the-floor, V8 (I feel stupid not knowing what size it is, SB must have been replaced), no frills such as a/c, power steering or brakes. I wanted simple, and not a rolling wreck. It has dual exhausts, and new front and rear bumpers. Not going to restore it, but update as necessary, starting with replacing the headlights with Hella like I did with the '69.

First part will be an ignition switch! The seat needs to be redone, so will look for the topic about that here. Several other parts that I got for the '69 like a glove box box are going to get ordered today.

Funny how the '69 grew on me. Glad it went back to the original family.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/530741...posted-public/

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

I need to relearn how to post pictures.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Nice looking truck! I agree, keep it original looking with a few updates for drivability and comfort.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Wow very nice original truck there.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Congratulations on you new old truck! It really looks straight and clean, plus its one of the best color combinations in my opinion. Great plan too. Looking forward to seeing any progress and updates you can share;)

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Very nice find. Looks great!

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

What a beaut! Can't wait to see the project!

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Nice! More pictures now that you figured out how to post them.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Thanks everyone! Don't get your hopes up, it's not going to get restored, hot rodded, slammed, nothing like that. I just wanted a useable working pickup.

I have tried to change the profile picture on my Control Panel, does not seem to be replacing the old picture.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Hi Kurt, Are those vintage Ariz. plates on your rig?

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

YES! Sharp eye sir. That was on the car I grew up with. I have also put the Historical plate on, saves money besides being cool copper.

I started making parts today, and digging into what else needs to be fixed. The hood trampolined while driving, so put a support in. Made a gas pedal. Took out the junk heater control, the pot metal levers were the achilles heel of these trucks, weren't they? Need to get the rear wiring harness, one taillight bulb sort of worked when I started twisting it, then couldn't continue, discovered the plastic keeper things were broken, then I looked underneath at all the splices and bare wire. More rust than I care to see under the cab, but the seller said it had bad areas. Figuring out what oil seals are needed for the engine is next.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

For my own use, my first post on this forum.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693245

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7875/...902e519f_c.jpgThe first trip home! by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Note to myself how to post pictures from Flickr:
1. On Flickr, click "Share Photo" button.
2. Click "BBCode" button.
3. Chose 800 x 530 (iPhone ratio).
4. Highlight the url ### and copy.
5. Paste directly in comment box, don't use the "Insert Image" button.
6. "Preview Post" before submitting reply.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7821/...9f99ab80_c.jpgThe first trip home! by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7859/...a286f09c_c.jpgThe first trip home! by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/...067911cc_c.jpgThe first trip home! by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7838/...77c9078d_c.jpgThe first trip home! by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7905/...fd6d002c_c.jpgThe first trip home! by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7882/...7e10f9f4_c.jpgThe first trip home! by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

That's it for the glamor shots! :aw:

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

OK, so you have the state copper historical plate on the rear. I wondered how the MVD allowed you to use a '69-'72 Yellow plate, but under current laws only the rear plate counts. I wanted to use the '73+ Orange plates I put on the '68 C/10 Stepside when I finally registered it in AZ c. '74-'75. In 1989, I had to change to the Maroon plates that are on the truck now. MVD wouldn't let me use the Orange plates as YOM [Year of Manufacture] plates.
On my '71 GMC Jimmy, I was in luck, as I had a Yellow '69-'72 plate with a 1971 sticker, even. So I was able to switch its Maroon plates, along with getting collector car insursance and '71 YOM plate and thus I escape having to run the truck thru annual emissions. I thought the '71 plate had once been on my Dad's '64 Olds wagon, but MVD said it did not trace back to my family. It may have been found in Chrystal Cave in the Chiricahuas. I used to collect license plates as a teen.
Now I need a White w/Black letters AZ 1966-'68 plate for resurrecting my '67 K/10 Suburban. I've seen them on ebay, but not currently.
Just for amusement [a lot of Beemers, Mercedes and Audis have moved into my neighborhood] I put a West German plate on the front of my pickup.
And a shot of the Yellow plate on my Jimmy.
I may have a spare '68 Gas pedal. You can have it free if you need it. Just reimburse me for postage.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

When I was evaluating what needs to get done, I also made parts.

But I should show the very first thing that was changed, the Historic plate. It's actually cheaper than "normal" plates. I didn't think of asking if there was an 89 in the short stack in his drawer, but I like 8 and 4, since my first pickup was a '48.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7868/...c30d5e87_c.jpgThe first trip home! by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

The first part I made was to keep the hood from doing the trampoline while driving. I used Corian instead of wood for pushing up the ridge.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7926/...9805a2cd_c.jpgFirst parts by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

I used some scrap metal, heavy wall steel tube, and aluminum angle. I scrounged for bolts that would match the tap sizes.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7893/...3c3cf82c_c.jpgFirst parts by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Now I have a custom gas pedal.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7841/...54a7733d_c.jpgFirst parts by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

The heater controls were junk. These are the achilles heel of these trucks, aren't they? I can reach under to do the defrost/cabin lever, cut some scrap wood blocks so the on/off heater control can be worked. But I have no idea what to do for the fan switch, yet (yea it's somewhere on this forum).
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7869/...17e3d983_c.jpgFirst parts by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

AZ does not even have a front plate. I know people can use old plates for the real ones in AZ, I've seen Model Ts with really old ones.

Don't know if I should admit to having a white/black letters plate, that came off another of my dad's vehicles.

Funny about the Euro plate, but do they even look?

As you can see, I'm good on the gas pedal. That's an easy fix for me. The heater controls is another issue.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Check out our letters, KM!

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

No working on it today!
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7914/...b952442b_c.jpg1968 Chevrolet by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Build sheet.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7822/...d2df4d88_c.jpg1968 Chevrolet by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Glovebox ID.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7904/...a50eb999_c.jpg1968 Chevrolet by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

The last time the State of Arizona issued front and back plates was with the Orange plates [1973 -1990?]. The next series was the Maroons, in 1981, and they went with a single plate.
The ''Desert Dawn'' series came out in the late '90s, IIRC.
I read your other post about the '69 Fleetside, [also blue and white]. You mentioned a Mercedes 190. My Dad had a '61 Mercedes 190 sedan, gray overall, 1900 CC L4 motor, 4-on-the-column shifter, 4 door. Ours had an accordian sunroof and fog lamps. He taught me to shift and use a clutch on it as a teenager. I never heard my Dad cuss before that.
I got to drive that car in college, but sadly I loved it to pieces. Being a kid I knew nothing about regular maintenance, and it blew up on me. Then I bought the Orange Stepside and paid a lot more attention to its upkeep.
I believe I remember one of the vendors selling stamped steel replacement Heater Control Levers. Don't recall who. You might Google it on the Search function -- use the 67-72chevytrucks.com internal search. You're right, the pot metal sucks.
No snow here yet, but it's in the mid 40s and is supposed to rain.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

No way! You recognize the mountain in the background?

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/...cdd4eeaa_c.jpgGrandpa's stuff 46 by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Catalinas?
Dude, that's my car!

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Actually, I remember my Merse as being a little lighter grey. And it had that sunroof. Ours had Black and Yellow California plates, IPA 388. Never changed out to AZ plates. We moved to Tucson from LA in 1971. When gas was a lot cheaper [.25 cents/gallon for premium in Hollywood] I commuted to school in LA.
My Dad was told by the Beverly Hills used car dealer that it had been Jack Lemmon's car-for-his-maid-to use. When he fired her, he sold the car. It had just been re-ringed by the MBZ mechanics, <<Fritz und Wolfgang>> [I called them]. I was to bring it back for valve adjustments in precisely 100 miles. I didn't, I kept running it, and the 1900 cc mill threw a rod southbound on the Newport Freeway while hotfooting it to a Rubgy game.
Shortly thereafter, I was done with imports and found the Orange pickup in the LA Times classifieds in Pasadena for $1200.

As per you pic: Haircut says Late '70s. Suit and object in hands [diploma?] says Graduation. Catalinas in b.g. says Tucson, U of A? Me too.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

High school prom, took it to the restaurant with my date, battery died, dad had to come down to trade for the Civic CVCC. That is actually Tanque Verde Mountain, we lived in Saguaro N. M. (now it's a Park). We moved after that to Prescott.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

When I used to run it in Southern California, I'd try to park on a hill where I could popstart the clutch after coasting downhill. Yeah, they were problematic in the electrical dept. Mine had a Blaupunkt AM/FM/SW radio. Mono, but sounded great anyway. No pushbuttons, though, you had to know where your stations were on the dial. The dshboard was painted a flat black. After some of the OEM paint wore off, I noticed it was a nice hardwood. So I unscrewed it and sanded the dash board down and oiled it. It took on a beautiful walnut sheen. The black vinyl pad on the steering wheel cracked, and I pulled that off, saved the MB star from the middle and remounted it using some reddish suede doeskin.
I also had a 10 channel CB rig over the hump and a big spring-loaded whip antenna mounted on the rear bumper.
There's a Tanque Verde Wash [and Road] in Tucson. Funny how a lot of places in the Southwest look similar. That skyline looked a lot like the backside of the Santa Catalina range.
Agreed, the coincidence factor is uncanny. Also, I can tell you're a gentleman with exceedingly fine taste in vehicles.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

This picture was taken in Soniota or Patagonia, note the folded over front plate.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1326/....jpg?zz&#x3D;1Dads parents by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

This was brand new, when he worked/lived at Zion N.P.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/...a64ef8f6_c.jpgDad&#x27;s slides 131 by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

I was considering finding a '52 Ford pickup, like the one my dad owned in the day. But I like this more modern truck.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/...35de4fc7_c.jpgDads slides 45 by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Your 190 is a lot more polished than I remember mine. After a fender-bender in downtown Hollywood, [I was 19], I replaced the passenger side front fender with a very straight one from a Canary Yellow junkyard Mercedes. Mine was a Pearl Grey, not Slate Grey.
The effect made it look like an Me109 with the yellow cowling for ID during the Battle of Britain. Driving in Los Angeles in that period was highly competitive -- almost combative.
Like PHX traffic is now.
My Dad never liked white walls after the Fifties.
I took photography classes, photojournalism, TV production, cinematography in school. Learned how to develop B&W, and print pix. Lost art now.
You have an "eye".

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Thanks for that! My dad influenced my taste in cars and photography. He gave me a Kodak 828 (?), I got an Olympus OM1 later and took slides. Sure is nice to have the digital way now.

What is this vent called? It is lacking hinge holes, what is missing?
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7877/...9918ac4b_c.jpgVent thingamajig no hinges by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

They're called Air Vents. LMC lists new seals [p/n 38-7420] and knobs [p/n 30-2630]. My catalog is old so you'll have to look up current pricing.
Clean them up. If you're lucky the little 1/4'' dia. spring-loaded pivot pins at 12 0'clock and 6 0'clock aren't rusted out. They snap into 1/4'' holes at 12 and 6 on the cab kick panel.
If they're AFU, you'll have to source them from junkyards, parts dismantlers, WTB ad, the usual. I call them ,,Mexican A/C''.
EDIT: Good news -- LMC now sells repro vent doors. P/N: 38-5348 [+9] Bad news -- they're $50 each.

Hey Kurt, You were looking for a better solution to pot metal heater control levers?
Here you go: www.oldairproducts.com
P/n: 50-7725B ''67-72 Chevy/GMC Non-Air Heater Only, Lever Controls w/ Black Face'' [Steel]. ....$28.50

GMail sent.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Thanks for helping out! I really need to look closer on the cab's hole, I felt around for the pivot holes earlier. I ain't buying a new unit, that's something I can live with, or if I have to, have a plan to make sheet metal pivot pieces.

I see the whole heater unit is more reasonable than expected, so that is on my wish list. I'm also tempted to buy new taillight and backup light lenses, after replacing the wiring harness. Some things I will buy new, if safety or comfort related, and can't be scratch-built.

I need to search and find how to adjust the hood, that can't be difficult, can it?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...nge+adjustment

My first job of hauling, was out of firewood, snow is coming again, and since no woodcutters have any now due to the weather and being colder than "normal", got some from my mom. LOL
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7835/...6accac53_c.jpgFirst job by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Yeah, I brought inside a milk crate of 14 - 16'' length mesquite, I originally cut for the BBQ smoker. It won't get as cold here, but sure is nasty to us locals. My parents used to have a cabin in Pinetop. I miss the smell of Juniper smoke.
You can spot the Snowbirds in the supermarket -- they're in khaki shorts and tanktops, while the locals all have their puffy down jackets on. I have a fireplace, and installed a wrought iron crane arm on the right side. so I can swing a Dutch oven over the coals and cook. My Shepherds' Pie is killer. I add a pint of Guinness.
There's a few pounds of Bison stew meat in the freezer. Maybe Buffalo Red Chile?
Back to trucks -- a professional wiring harness is a safety necessity. I recommend M&H Electrical Fabricators. USA-made, with factory spec color codes, gauge sizes, exact lengths, and Packard [OEM style] connectors. Perfect fit. [Fifty year old copper lines get brittle, not to mention packrats.] And the technician who builds the harness puts a tag with his name on it. Thev are not cheap, however. www.wirengharness.com/
I spent my last 3 off days trying to get my horn working again. Anyway the Stepside has a new Turm Signal switch and harness. I'll post it on the Electrical forum later. I'm stumped.
I replied to your email.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

That is a great truck, and one of my favorite color combinations. It helps that you take good pictures also.
I will second the vote for M&H wiring. A very quality product.
When you get the heater control replaced or rebuilt, be sure to lube the cables and pivot points in the duct system. It will make a world of difference. It’s worth taking it all apart to clean and re-furbish, you’ll get another 50 years of use out of it.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

When I saw the color in the ad, I was drawn like a moth to an LED. Thanks, photography is a hobby of mine. I won several monthly photo contests on the MINI Cooper forum when I had one (two different ones).

I was wondering about that, same with a bicycle shifter/brake cable, helps to lube them. I already ordered the wiring from LMC, did for the previous truck and worked for me.

Check this out, the guy I bought this from, has a Cadillac Coupe like yours that he is fixing up. He said one piece of side trim was hundreds of bucks. He regretted having to sell this, that's why I committed to buying it.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

I replaced the turn signal switch on the '69, because the hazard switch got stuck to "on" when I tried it out one day. Had to disconnect that day driving around. LOL That's also when I saw the original color was the dark metallic green, the original owner repainted the whole interior. Lots of small broken parts were found in there. I need to work on getting my horn button working too.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Great looking truck!! Love the original paint. So cool to find the build sheet still there as well!

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

So Hell Froze Over this morning -- snowing in Tucson.
Didn't last though. Just all wet now.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Snowed just outside of Phoenix too!

Prescott got hammered. I was at undocumented wife's house last two days, she could get out on her street with Honda CRV, my car is buried. I got home, have a fire going now.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7911/...893a616a_c.jpgMore snow by Kurt Womack, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7851/...8f68b600_c.jpgMore snow by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Guess I won't be working on it, or driving for awhile.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

I'm at 2700'. What's the elevation there?

Letter mailed tonight.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

I'm at 5,420 feet. (thanks, sent off today)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7808/...36377cc7_c.jpg1968 Chevy in the snow by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

Put my first new part on today! :bling:
Ditched the crap sealed beam headlights....
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7899/...dd4cf67d_c.jpg1968 Chevy new eyes by Kurt Womack, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7902/...743751ef_c.jpg1968 Chevy new eyes by Kurt Womack, on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7863/...922e191d_c.jpg1968 Chevy new eyes by Kurt Womack, on Flickr

In the name of safety. And I just like the looks of the Hella units, and they are brighter white. Also used fine steel wool and polish on the trim rings.

Re: I'm legit again, my "new" '68 LB
 

Looks nice. Did you cut in a relay harness, or stay with the stock wiring?
You might wanta keep the old lights for spares.
Last November, I blew thru a string of 4 or 5 headlights, until I R+R'd the EVR. Also a lost nut on the positive starter cable was a contributing factor. I like the halogen lamps
but the Sylvania Nighthawks I used to run went up to $25 each...That's fifty bucks for both.
Late night, and stores closed, with a work call in the morning, I even cannibalised the headlamps off my '67 Suburban. One I had to glue back together with RTV, the lens had separated from the reflector due to 20 years of sunbaking. The other one slipped off my tailgate and smashed on the hard ground when I moved my leg. Ooops.
I got a deal of 4 NAPA/Wagners from RockAuto for $3.87 each. Then two popped from my wild voltage surges.
Settled down now, but I'd keep the hard core old school stuff around for when the fancy stuff goes poof.

Wow, that's twice my elevation. Reminds me of snaps of my trucks snowed upon in Pinetop. I'll have to dig them out and digitize them.