Decisions, Decisions . . ....

[SCOTI]

The dilemma: What’s the consensus on using a clean original LWB truck & basically taking it apart to use as the foundation for assembling a SWB truck?

I’m currently rebuilding my 68 SWB that was totaled in a 'not @ fault' accident mid ‘04. I’ve got the front clip & bed off as they were trashed in the accident. Other damage in the wreck included the pass corner of the hood, pass door, pass rear cab corner, & the rear of the cab on both sides from the impact of the bed.

The outstanding items to repair/replace are the hood & pass door, plus any repair work necessary for the cab (rockers, cab-corners, foot-well rust repairs, & damage to the top of the rear cab seam on the exterior of the cab). These repairs are costly in two ways: time & money. The monetary costs are a wash (it costs $ to get stuff done). The time is more difficult to put a price on (I work a lot of hours…. often times, unpredictable hours).

Basically, what I have is a ‘new’ short-fleet bed that is about ready for assembly. OE bedsides have been acquired, body-worked, & are ready for final blocking + color. I also have a new Mar-K front bed panel & was doing a steel floor swap. OE front fenders have also been acquired & are in the same stages as the bedsides. The remaining truck now sits as a rolling chassis w/a partially assembled cab. The front & rear frame rails have been stripped & re-painted chassis black. A Porterbuilt Dropmember is installed in the front & the rear trailing arm stuff has been redesigned & is complete.

A buddy recently informed me of a local truck that was for sale. An extremely clean 1/2 ton LWB 67 Custom that’s seen very limited ownership & outdoor exposure. Meaning….. no rot, no damage. It also has better options vs. my truck (big back window 67, a/c, pwr steering). Both are sbc/auto trucks. Mine is 350/700R4, the truck in consideration has a 327/Powerglide.

Our thought was buy the LWB & swap the cab + front clip onto my ready to rock SWB frame & then paint the short-fleet bed I have to match. I would prob spend about 1K more for the LWB truck vs. doing the needed repairs to my parts, but it could be done relatively quickly. I could then take my old cab & swap it to the LWB frame & piece together a decent running truck for re-sale to offset the cost….. Possibly spending less than doing the repairs to my current stuff (I’m sure many of you are familiar w/projects that tend to snowball) while getting to enjoy it during the 'show' season.

Tic, tock….. A decision must be made.