Project "Texas Pete". A dedication to my brother.

[bigo181979]

The Story:

Well this truck use to belong to my brother Pete for about 20 years. About 14 years ago at the age of 36 he had a major heart attack and a quadruple bypass. After his surgery his health continued to decline over the years until February of this year when he suffered what would be his last major heart attack and passed away.

This truck was always his pride and joy and he swore to everyone he would never sell it. By 2007 his health had declined to the point that it kept him from being able to work on or maintain it any more. By this time he had moved to Kansas from Texas, where he had spent most of his adult life, and he needed a much more reliable means of transportation to take him back and forth to see his daughter. So I traded him a very nice Honda Accord for the truck along with an explicit agreement that I would never sell the truck.

I started to disassemble the truck in 2007, but due to "life" getting in the way several times I had to stop and it has sat in my garage since... that is until this past weekend. My family came to town for my graduation and my dad surprised me with my gift. I had the choice of getting my old completely customized 2002 Silverado back that I sold him years ago or $5000 to invest into the 68... well the 2002 was worth way more then the cash, but I have really been wanting to start back on the truck since my brother passed away earlier this year. So the decision was made and me and dad set out to get project "Texas Pete" rolling this past weekend while he was in town.

First pictures are of when I got the truck back in 2007.

[bigo181979]

Here is where me and dad got with it by the end of the weekend!

[bigo181979]

And then the bed came off.

[bigo181979]

As far as the final goal, I am building it with the intent of it looking much like "Sexual Chocolate" but different wheels and color, so basically a Restomod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Viu0f6DrpB8

[Low Elco]

Sorry to hear about your brother. Looks like good solid bones, hope it goes well. Where at in Wichita? Lotta guys on here from the South side, I'm originally from Valley Center. Are you having it blasted? Good Luck!

[bigo181979]

I live up on the north side off 37th and Meridian, not quiet valley but pretty darn close! I will have it blasted, I'm the assistant manager of Conklin Cars Body shop in Newton and I was going to have a guy that they have used in the past do it for me, but I am always open to suggestions.

My plan is to get the chassis done first, I am going with a full porterbuilt dropmember front and rear. It will have a rebuilt 5.3 backed by a 4l60e with around 500hp and I am thinking 20's and 22's or 22's all around and as wide as I can fit in the rear

[zbm100]

sorry for your loss
looks like a awesome tribute

[timmytimm3]

Im in for this one. My brother, Father and I have been working on trucks for a long time together. I think it's great you're rebuilding your brother's truck and never sold it.

The way it should be.

[Low Elco]

Originally Posted by bigo181979

I live up on the north side off 37th and Meridian, not quiet valley but pretty darn close! I will have it blasted, I'm the assistant manager of Conklin Cars Body shop in Newton and I was going to have a guy that they have used in the past do it for me, but I am always open to suggestions.

My plan is to get the chassis done first, I am going with a full porterbuilt dropmember front and rear. It will have a rebuilt 5.3 backed by a 4l60e with around 500hp and I am thinking 20's and 22's or 22's all around and as wide as I can fit in the rear

Ha, I grew up at 53rd and meridian. Big motorsports 'hood nowdays. I don't know anyone down there anymore to recommend except Chaotic, who seem to do real nice work. Hope the project goes well for you!

[bigo181979]

Yeah Ed Williamson is down there at Chaotic, he is probably one of the top airbrush artists in the midwest if not the country. If your not familiar with his work google Head Hunter Dodge, here's a link to the truckin feature http://www.truckinweb.com/features/1...am_headhunter/

He's also redoing InSINerate, which was already an insane paint job https://www.facebook.com/houstonshow...type=3&theater

Here's a link to Ed's FB photos. Dudes work just makes my jaw drop!
https://www.facebook.com/ed.williamson.33/photos

But as far as paint and such I am actually the assistant manager of Conklin Cars Body Shop in Newton so I will actually be doing the paint and prep my self, I just didn't know if you meant you had a reference on media blasting.

[Low Elco]

Oh! Kansas Dry stripping I hear is good.

[bigo181979]

Well its been a slow day in the body shop on the administrative side of life, so I decided to figure out what color I am going to go with for the truck... I decided I would be painting it the new GM Brownstone Metallic with an Ivory Pearl white like the rendering. The dash will be 2 toned as well with the face being painted the same pearl white and will be topped with brown leather pad. The seats and door panels will also be brown leather with beige piping, stitching and accents.

[BigMike]

I am so sorry to hear about your brother. You are going to take it on and do what your brother couldn't do because of his failing health. I will be following your build. I wish I lived closer so I could give you a hand if you needed any.

Good luck. And remember, if you get stuck on something along the way, you can just ask one of us. We would be more than happy to help out

Mike

[mcbassin]

Looks like a very nice project. Sorry for the loss of your brother. This will be an inspirational build to follow. Keep the pictures coming.

[bigo181979]

Well not to much to report from the weekend. Spent Saturday afternoon running around trying to find an outlet pipe for my pressure washer. I let a buddy borrow it last winter and he didn't unhook the hose and it froze and cracked . So finally found one Sunday and got to work cleaning 40 years of red Texas clay and grime off the frame.

I pulled a bunch of useless brackets and the trans cross member. Got all the old brake lines out and everything ready to pull the front crossmember as a unit and same with the rear axle and suspension.

Now I just have to wait for this check to come in this week so I can put my order in for all my Porterbuilt products

[Low Elco]

Good Progress!`

[mikeleeshields]

Good luck. You will be so satisfied with Nate's PB equipment.

[71cheynne402]

Glad to see another c10 fom wichita!

[bigo181979]

Just a quick update, not much to report. Still waiting on a check to come in so I can order all my suspension stuff. Been pretty busy with family and work as well. I did however buy a welder this week. Picked up a nearly new Miller 180 for $700 with a brand new gun and lead adn after another $500 at the welding supply store I am almost ready to weld! Just have to get power in the garage now lol.

[bigo181979]

Also picked up a new speedglas helmet from our 3m rep today!

[c10Dream'n]

The plans sound pretty good to me with some top-notch products to boot...i'm in for sure. best of luck.

[rcrahn]

Sorry to hear about your brother. Hope this project brings back good memories of the times you shared with him. Following the progress.

[Low Elco]

Yaaaay, new toys! Time to start choppin'! Do yourself a favor, for bodywork, get some esab ezgrind wire in .023. Muuuch nicer on bodywork. Loves a nice tight fitup. If your local dude gives you a blank stare, Amazon has it. A 2# roll goes a long way. Good luck!

[supercheyenne]

Originally Posted by bigo181979

assistant manager of Conklin Cars Body Shop in Newton

Woo! Someone else who has a connection with Newton! LOL


Nice score on the Welder. Craigslist is impossible because they get snatched so quickly. Looks like this is going to be a classy ride. Can't wait for the finished project.

[screaminchevypickup]

Sounds like a great build!!