Where do I start?

[Emily]

Hello!

I'm new here. I'm looking to restore a 64 chevy truck that belonged to my parents. Unfortunately it had been rusting and rotting away on their farm for the last 30+ years. It needs pretty much everything. Body work, new engine, tranny etc etc. I understand that when I'm finished there may only be one original part left on it. The trouble is that it has a TON of sentimental value.

I've always been a car enthusiast and I'm looking forward to this major long term project. Any advice, comments, questions etc would be appreciated.

The problem is I have no idea where to start. Could someone break it down to me what a logical order in restoration looks like?

Many thanks,

Emily

[siggyfreud]

I prefer to do powertrain and non-body upgrades first. Once you get that all nailed down then focus on body and paint. It's tough to do chassis and powertrain upgrades once the body and paint is done, as you're always at risk of damaging finished work. On the other hand, there is little you'll do to damage the powertrain and chassis in doing body and paint work.

I'd list out everything you want to do specifically, and then people here can help guide you on the logical order.

[chevyman95]

That's like asking how to eat a Reese's. There's so many different options. It depends on what you want when you are finished and how much cash you have. I would start by making it road worthy and driving it for a while just because I hate to see trucks sitting apart in a million pieces. Others would tear it down for 8 years while they slowly and painstakingly piece it together. It's up to you really.

[Emily]

In all honesty I want a badass truck. I want a v8. I want it to look amazing and be rebuilt the right way. I plan to keep it forever and drive it regularly. If I knew how to do it, well I'd do it myself. I don't really want to spend more than $20k. Any recommendations on people or places that will do the work? I'm located in the Dallas Fort Worth area. I'll upload pics. They are pretty cringe worthy...

[Vinceg]

Hello Emily and welcome.
There is a ton of good information on here and some guys with amazing knowledge of these old truck. I'm working on a 66 c10. It is pushing 4 years now but it is coming along. What are your plans? Restore to original, resto mod or? Start by reading through a bunch of the rebuild threads they will get you going in the right direction. I hope you have space to work on it or store stuff. I made the mistake of getting rid of things before I should have. Take pictures and bag and tag stuff for later. Even if your going to get new fasteners its nice to have some old ones to Mach up the size. I stripped the truck to the frame. Cleaned up the frame and painted it. Covered it up and layed the cab back on it to start its repair. It was by far the hardest. Lots of drilling out spot welds, cutting, measuring, dry fitting and welding. Good luck with your project.

[The Rocknrod]

Well body work and paint can be your biggest costs. To put it in perspective I have paid as little as $6K for a paint job and as much as $24K and it's still not done at the paint shop.
You will be able to do just about everything you need to do if you have patience and dont mind putting on a pair of gloves and go to work. You'll need tools along the way. People here will be more than glad to help, knowledge wise.

[ls60apache]

hello! do you have any pics of the truck so we can check out how much rust you will have to deal with esp the floors and rockers and the roof above the windshield..do you have a long bed or short? fleetside or step side? as others have stated getting the running works going first is best option,,but you don't want to be riding around in an unsafe rotted cab. good luck on your project.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Emily

I would agree with getting it running and driving first. You will need to decide what engine and trans you want. You will also want to upgrade the brakes to at least power front disc brakes. Then power steering would also be nice.

I hate to be the guy to say it, but if you have to pay someone to do everything on your truck, there is no way you are going to get a nice truck for $20K. The body and paint alone will easily eat that up.

For a little perspective. I have a friend that co-owns a shop that builds custom cars and trucks. A couple years ago his shop built a '66 C10 for a local guy. It is a nice truck, but is by no means over the top nice. I believe the total cost ended up being $80K.

[oem4me]

Hello, and welcome! Where to begin? I'd say start with a full assessment. BEFORE you put a bunch of money and effort into getting it upgraded with a new engine, trans, brakes, etc., look further down the line at what the body/sheet metal needs are going to be. No sense at all getting it running well if the body is toast. Not trying to be negative here, but if the body is totally rotten, perhaps retiring the family truck and finding a similar one in better shape to restore as a "tribute" would be a better choice. Pictures would help a lot on this issue.

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

...
For a little perspective. I have a friend that co-owns a shop that builds custom cars and trucks. A couple years ago his shop built a '66 C10 for a local guy. It is a nice truck, but is by no means over the top nice. I believe the total cost ended up being $80K.

Yep, the last two cars I built costs $60K in parts alone.

[Emily]

Well darn. Maybe I should just look for a boyfriend instead who will do the work lol.

[Clyde65]

If you don't have the time, knowledge or space, it makes it difficult to take these projects on.
I agree with the other guys, spend your $ wisely, do the suspension/brakes, running and driving things so you can enjoy the truck and then make a new plan for the pretty stuff.

[cg285]

buy a finished truck and switch the id plate. that will be the one original piece you referred to.

[Emily]

Lol

[oliver63]

Check this guy out...

http://www.nsanehotrodz.com/builds-by-nsane-hotrodz/

['63GENIII]

One of the biggest tools in your arsenal is going to be persistence. Determination and patience - right up there as well. Unless you're loaded, this may take a while so try to enjoy the process of keeping the family rig running.

Take on the smaller mechanical and safety projects and complete them one at a time. Even if its something as simple as getting a set of decent tires on it. Then brakes. Safety first. Be proud of your work and the knowledge you gain.

Get used to being dirty, greasy and sometimes frustrated but also start small and complete what you start. Step away when needed and when your done with a project. Take it in. Before and after. Its all too easy and common to blow a truck completely apart in a couple of days and make it un drivable. Driving it is the reward and you must reward yourself along the way to keep motivated.

There is nothing worse than walking past your sentimental dream sitting in an overwhelming pile of parts in the driveway while on your way to your busy day. At this point, most give up and either sell the dream or let it rot. Both options suck.

Keep asking questions. Many here are troubleshooting wizards. Maybe the engine and trans just need servicing or a tune up and not a full replacement. There's little better news than finding that a tune up was needed when you think that a new engine needs to be built / bought. There's a wealth of knowledge, advice, parts and just plain old common sense here. Bunch of ornery old bats too but we still try and help. LOL

Be ready for your neighbors to think your nuts. Be ready for your closest friends to KNOW you've lost your mind. Don't worry, they both usually come around. After all, it's a bit of an acquired sickness we have.

Driving something that you resurrected with your own hands will give you the confidence to tackle the shiny stuff. The thumbs up you'll get every time you drive it will help with the motivation.

[PGSigns]

The place to start is a good evaluation of what you have and vision of what you want it to be. Then comes what you realistically can spend on it. The comes the plan based on both the first two. At this point you may find that the budget and plan are not on the same planet. There are some folks here from Texas and with you being in the DFW area you may be able to get some help with a good going over of the truck and the plan to fix it. Trouble with projects like this is they can spiral out of control if the plan changes. I have been guilty of this more than once in the more than 40 years I have been building cars. So take your time, do a lot of reading here and ask away to get the answers you need. Don't be afraid to jump in and get your hands dirty. It can be rewarding in the end knowing that it is your work that made your truck.
Jimmy

[Victweezy]

Patina is were it is at. Paint and body work is for old retired guys with to much time and money. As long as there isn't a major safety issue, just weld up the bigger holes, and go.

Buy a crate 350 or 383 small block, a rebuilt 700r4 and a drive shaft then drive the thing. Shouldn't cost more than 7 or 8 grand for a really good set up, then do the little things like brakes and suspension. It's easier to stay active on a drivable project.

After it's on the road and smoking tires is the only time to start worrying about minor details like cosmetic rust repairs.

O and of course you need to do it yourself, otherwise what is the point? Start hanging around some local car meet ups and cruise ins and you will find plenty of friends willing to come around and turn a wrench, lend a welder for the weekend, or stuff and engine.

[Emily]

Brace yourselves

[Emily]

More

[Emily]

And more...

[Emily]

Last one
Try not to totally poopoo this lol

[oem4me]

Not bad at all. In fact, it's better than a lot of projects I see here.

['63GENIII]

Lets start with what it has..

Patina - Its all the rage right now. Not my thing personally but that truck has tons of it. Embrace it for now. The worst rust that I can see is in the outer floor boards, lower fenders and front door corners. I think everyone here would agree that there have been many much worse examples of the brown cancer that couldn't pass for "patina" ever.

The interior - Looks pretty clean to me. Not cut up. Needs a real good washing and a little attention to the rust on the floor to keep it from getting worse.

Glass - Looks to be in good condition. Especially that BIG back window! Nuff said on that.

The bed.. A sheet of plywood will do for now. Remember #1? Patina? Goes great with the plywood.

Whats in the bed is of more interest to me.

I spy 4 hubcaps, West Coast mirrors, a core for a transmission exchange, gas tank and a propane tank. Id say get rid of the propane tank and try to salvage the rest. Get a exchange transmission. Use the one you have for a core. The radiator may still be good. Have it checked at a radiator shop.

I also see the cool aluminum trim on the sides along with the aluminum grill. More cool factor.

No rust around the rain gutters - another win.

All in all, Id rock that rig in a hot second!

[ls60apache]

hey that's a nice looking truck looks like a good project worst I see is the left bed side but nothing to keep it off the road. need to take a peak under the rubber floor mat to check for rust....a engine and a lil tlc and you be on the road.