Slowly rising from the dead.

[57Suburb]

Well, over the last 10 months, I've been slowly getting this old girl back on the road. 1979 was the last time it had seen highway, and it's amazing how much stuff goes to s__t from sitting. She's mobile now, and I'm trying to work out all the little gremlins to make it safe to drive. Just like yesterday, I hadn't tried the turn signals yet. So turned on the right turn and blink, blink, blink. What do you know, something actually worked the first time I tried it. Now feeling lucky, I tried the left turn, blink, blink, blink, but as it was blinking, my guage lights were dimming as it was blinking, and smoke started coming out of the column at the turn signal lever. Just a little excerpt from everything I've been going through getting this thing road worthy. LOL

[tdangle]

I know the feeling. When I parked my 70 for almost 8 years, everything worked and drove OK. Then when I started driving it again apparently I must have disturbed it, oil leaks everywhere lights that didn't work, etc. Finally have worked thru all the issues and starting to concentrate on body and paint now. Good luck.

[Shinysideup]

Wow that left turn must've been sketchy. Good lookin truck man!

[hugger6933]

I'm hoping to work on one of mine next week. It drove to where I parked it like 5 years ago.

[57Suburb]

Originally Posted by tdangle

I know the feeling. When I parked my 70 for almost 8 years, everything worked and drove OK. Then when I started driving it again apparently I must have disturbed it, oil leaks everywhere lights that didn't work, etc. Finally have worked thru all the issues and starting to concentrate on body and paint now. Good luck.

Yeah, I'm real close to driving it without worrying. Most of the drive train is new, at least new to the truck. As soon as the electrical is fixed (new turn signal switch now, LOL), I'm going to start driving it pretty regular. It's going to be my shop truck.

[hewittca]

On the bright side, you've gone one fine looking truck. Do you have any big plans for it other than getting it mechanically sound?

[NGN]

Nice looking truck, did you check all the wire in, fifteen years is plenty time for a mouse to maybe chew the wire insulation in some hidden spot.

[57Suburb]

Originally Posted by hewittca

On the bright side, you've gone one fine looking truck. Do you have any big plans for it other than getting it mechanically sound?

Gonna lower it, not sure what amount yet. This will be my "everyday driver truck". I have plans to find a swb truck to do all the fun stuff. I'll start looking for one pretty serious in a couple months. I've gotten struck with the C10 bug pretty bad. You just can't have one or two.

[57Suburb]

Originally Posted by NGN

Nice looking truck, did you check all the wire in, fifteen years is plenty time for a mouse to maybe chew the wire insulation in some hidden spot.

I think that is why the turn signal switch burnt. I'm guessing the left turn hot is bare somewhere and resting on metal.

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by 57Suburb

Gonna lower it, not sure what amount yet. This will be my "everyday driver truck". I have plans to find a swb truck to do all the fun stuff. I'll start looking for one pretty serious in a couple months. I've gotten struck with the C10 bug pretty bad. You just can't have one or two.

Sounds like a good plan. I feel the same way. I have my lowered '68 shortbed with big wheels, but I'm really itching to add a second one. I've convinced myself I need an original style 4x4 longbed.

[toolboxchev]

I have gone through a lot of what you are doing now. Yep, your right sitting non moving is the worst thing for these vehicles. Mine is not worth much, dents, dings, rust holes, scrapes, wobbles yet is now and has been driving for more than 10 years mostly non-stop.

A new set of tires coming soon, that will be over 100 k in the last 10 years. It has been a fight at times, some help from people on this sight has been a blessing. The knowledge here is the best, just run a filter through it!!!!