Project Pancho Villa - 1978 SWB

[BruthaMan]

Thanks guys and another thanks for all the encouragement from everyone.

I would be remiss, though, if I didn't thank my friend Kent. Kent did a lot of work on this truck and has worked for me and along side me for about eight months. All told, we did the restore in about 9 months or so. Kent took off for about three months. If it were not for him, this would have taken years to do.

If anyone ever wants to hire someone that *really* knows these trucks inside and out for pretty reasonable, I know a guy that will work his butt off!

Dennis, it was surreal driving, yet somehow a bit anti-climatic. It's hard to explain, but somewhat felt like we still had to keep working, do more, tweak this, make that better, etc. As if I was a bit hesitant that the moment had finally arrived. I look at the truck now and think back to what it was like when I first got it and it's hard to imagine that in less than a year, we pulled this thing off.

We started off this morning. Took it around the block nice and slow to see it how it would handle. Came back and made a few adjustments, then went for a few more blocks.

Came back and decided we could make it across town to get the exhaust system in. It was very gratifying seeing it up on the lift, getting the crossover pipe, then mufflers, then the exhaust tips.

It was loud as hell, without the exhaust! Heads were turning everywhere! I stopped and put $20 worth of gas in. We put five gallons in the day before in preparation, but figured I'd get 5-8mpg so better stop and add some more go juice!

It was disappointing about the seal, but we can replace it in the morning.

The hard part is going to be not driving it much, until after the Make-A-Wish Car Show here in March. I'm really not into the car show thing...used to do it years ago and it's a ton of work for little reward, but there is something special about this truck and I'd like to share it with others this one time.

After that, it will be my daily driver. Albeit, I'll be taking better care of this than any car or truck I've ever owned. It's new, built from the ground up, with new parts, blood, sweat and tears (yes, literally a few times!)

[Jonboy]

Wade, you really have built something to be proud of. I would think that the truck is quite a monument to your friend, and you get to enjoy it. Nice job.

[JohnC]

Man congratulations. It has been a great journey as a follower as well. You have really turned out a great truck, and one to be really proud of! Enjoy it, and again CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[menace121978]

^^^ yep x2 buddy!!


but we're still waiting patiently for a video! wish i was close so i could take a look at it in person man. i'd probably need a bib to keep the drool off myself... i LOVE that interior!!

[BruthaMan]

Thanks everyone, really honored to have such great friends here.

I'll probably get photos and a video first week in December. I take the truck back to the painter after Thanksgiving for wet sand and final buff/polish. After that, it will be ready for Zaino and then some final pics.

[JohnC]

You may want to start exercising your face muscles now. Because once you start driving that thing you will be smiling non stop!

[butternut1972]

congrats!!!!!! the first drive is the best. i couldn't help noticing the x-mas lights. i thought i was the only one who started in early november hanging x-mas lights.

[v502]

Very nice project i dont know how did i miss it and congrats for getting it done.

[shenk10]

I was wondering where the kick panel speaker holders came from, dont really know what to call them since they arent really the kick panels. Thanks

Jordan

[shenk10]

oh and i was wondering about the one piece windows, was that hard to do? And around how much did it cost, sorry if i missed it in the build. Thanks

[BruthaMan]

The kick panel speaker mounts I picked up form Captain Kaos, a forum vendor.

One piece windows from Captain Kaos as well. The driver side door was hell (for us). Something isn't quite right with that door because we had hell with it on other things as well. The driver side went in relatively easily. Took a few hours, but the driver side took a couple of days of throwing every curse word in the book at it, before it yielded to our mighty grasp of southern speak, so to speak!

Guys, just wanted to give an update. The truck is currently at a specialty shop, getting looked over by some very skilled classic car builders. Specifically, there were a couple of leaks that they are addressing, followed by fine tuning the motor, check geometry on the tranny cable, getting the AC system checked and filled with R134a, etc. Just some specialty things that I really wanted "professionals" to handle.

Hoping it will be finished by late this week, but still waiting for the call for the estimate.

I did get it tagged and inspection sticker! Got a cool custom plate: "Oldies"

From there, it will head back to the paint shop for wet sanding and final polishing. A few touch-up "nicks" that liked to have broke my heart! Fixable though!

Probably two weeks, maybe in time for Christmas.

Once I get it back in perfect form, I plan to take it out for some photo shoots and will post up some final pics. One thing this project has taught me is PATIENCE, though I admit, at this point in the game, it's awful hard to "hurry up and wait," but it's for the best. Too much time, money, blood, sweat, tears and emotion have been expended to take any shortcuts now.

I'm going to be posting some "left over" parts over in the 73-87 parts section. Have some pretty cool things you might be interested in, so check 'em out!

Edit: Here's the link for some extra parts I have:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=3660846

[JohnC]

Man I'm glad your getting close. That's a good idea to have it all double checked. Better safe than sorry.

Can't wait to see the pics.

[Capcity82]

truck is looking good

[lyrikz]

Awesome build so far.

Id be pissed if i was your neighbor and you were just outside shootin your epoxy. ahaha..
Wear a mask to. You got a little boy that likes his daddy. That stuffs not good for you.

I posted that before i finished, Man your fast. Truck looks AWESOME!!!




wear a mask.

[BIG10]

Great thread, beautiful truck.

[JohnC]

OK man it's been a month, and no updates!!

We need updates!!!!

[BruthaMan]

Waiting patiently to get it back. I sent it over to a specialty tuner shop about a month ago. They are going over everything for me, fixing a few things we didn't have the skill set/tools to do and dialing it in for performance.

Hoping to have it back in the next week, then she goes over to the paint shop for wet sanding, a few "nicks" to be taken care of, and final polish.

It's a never ending lesson in patience! I did order some custom Lloyd's Matts that came in, and finally found an NOS 78-80 Silverado dash insert. Man, those are hard to find!

I'm just ready to get it back, fully dialed in and ready to stomp!

[menace121978]

we're gonna need a video of the stomping!!!

[JohnC]

Holy cow man I thought you took that thing on a cruise and haven't came back home yet! Glad to see an update!

Keep us updated, and tell them to HURRY UP! We are waiting!

[dieselarmy13]

Can't wait to see it!

[big10ratrod77]

the truck is turning out awsome man!

[JohnC]

Come on Brutha it's been forever since an update, and even longer since pics!

[BruthaMan]

It has been a while, John. Spent some time in the shop getting some tweaks that were beyond my capability.

I sent her back to my painter a few days ago, to add some silver metallic rally stripes down the hood. I went back and forth on whether to do it, but it's something I always thought made the old muscle cars and trucks stand out.

So, hopefully by the end of the month, I will have it back and put half a dozen coats of Zaino on her, then time for final pics!

Been a long journey!

[smokedat]

looking good. I like this proprtion valve were did you get it and how much?

[BruthaMan]

All of the brake parts, including the proportioning valve, came from Performance Online.

Here's a direct link to it:

http://www.performanceonline.com/sto...at=1085&page=2