Update...

[68Timber]

The 15x10 Wheel Vintique rally's have been powdercoated the correct color and shod with BFG Radial TA 275/60's. Much thanks to jdurant - I have a set of new Astro van beauty rings that fit MUCH better. And there's a bunch of parts laying around - Western Chassis 2" drop shackles, Belltech 3" drop front spindles, Belltech shocks, Husky OEM replacement front coil springs, and other misc stuff.

Then I came to a stop. The truck lived much of it's life in rural Alabama and did many of its miles on gravel roads - the underside of the truck looks partially sandblasted and gravel chipped. So I did some searching and found a place that sells OEM colors in rattle can. That'll be good enough for the bottom of the tub and the wheel wells. The frame, rear axle, front suspension components will get a shot of semi-gloss black then I'll do the bottom of the tub in 1965 Corvette Nassau Blue - the color the truck will eventually will be sprayed.

After the bottom is painted, I'll get on the suspension. Like most projects, the scope grows exponentially once you get started. I'm not sure if I'll remove the rear overload spring yet, I'll have to see how it looks with the shackle drop and spacers removed.

Right now I'm trying to find someone to at least pressure wash but preferably steam clean the under carriage before I paint. No mud there, just the typical greasemud buildup on the rear pumpkin and front suspension.

I'm on it...

[jdurant]

Did you decide to use the drop shackles after all? Or am I thinking of someone else who didn't want to use them? Keep us posted. And your welcome. Did you find your trim rings on the vans?

[68Timber]

I've got Western Chassis 2" drop shackles awaiting install. There's a spacer under the springs that needs to come out, I think it's around 3/4". That part is happening for sure. If it needs more, I can take the overload spring out and net a total of 4.25" rear drop. But I don't want to remove the spring if I don't have to.

The front is sagging, probably at least 1.5". So new OEM replacement springs + 3" drop spindles isn't going to give me 3 inches of front drop. I'm counting on 1.5" or so. Springs are relatively cheap, I can always get 1" drop springs or 2" drop springs, etc - whatever it needs to look right.

So I've got wiggle room front and rear to get it level and close the fender/tire gap to something more acceptable. Right now it's pretty funny looking.

On the trim rings, I didn't bother with the bone yard or dealership. When I saw how good yours fit I got a new set off ebay for $50. The don't fit quite as perfectly as yours do (which are pure perfection, by the way) but they are plenty good enough and much, much better than those I got from a restoration catalog. Those were awful.

I found a place to pressure wash the undercarriage. Once that's done I'm going to take a few days off and detail and paint the bottom side. Then we'll see how it looks with the new suspension goodies and go from there.

[jdurant]

Thanks
I have a junkyard pretty near me that is great for squarebodies and that era fords also. Sometimes they are stupid high on just little crap, but sometimes you get such a good deal, you feel guilty. Lately it's worked out for me. It's because they really don't know what they are doing.
Oh-my point is I paid $5 for 3 of them.

[68Timber]

I used to go to the bone yards for fun and look all the square body trucks over for anything I might want. I just don't have the time anymore, wish I did - it's part of the fun. Right now ebay is my friend...

The tires aren't quite as wide as I wanted, but that's more a factor of the wheel backspacing. They have 4.5" backspacing and I'm used to 4" - they're not quite flush with the body where I wanted them. But close enough. It just needs to come down a few inches F & R.

I'm happy with the progress so far and looking forward to the altitude adjustment.