Don't know which way to go

Dollarbill · Post by **Dollarbill** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:19 pm

I inherited my grandfathers 67 bump a few months back. I was told not to sell it so that has my mind workin all the time about it. I have been readin up on a lot of info on this wonderful site. The truck was bought new by him and I still have the window sticker and owners manual with his name adress typed on the backside of the cover page. It is a long bed,3spd on the column, no radio, manual brakes,manual steering, with a 352. I love the tan color the truck is, I don't see many around here that color. He had it repainted about 12 years ago and it still looks good but the trim was never put back on. The rust is bubblin back up on the fenders and the bottom of the doors. He bumped a tree checkin cows a couple years before he passed away and got the corner of the hood,fender headlight bezel, and bumper.

I have just had my way with a 73 truck that I got to haul home from the scrapyard! Haha. I got everything for the p/s p/b swap along with the front axles for the disc brakes. I also bought a 68 with a 390/auto just for spare body parts. I hope I am pretty much covered now on parts to restore this old truck.
I want to keep her original as I can but it am gonna have fits with the steering column mod with the 3spd-p/s. I would like for some of you guys to give me some advice/opinions on this project.

Would you....
Go ahead and do a frame off restore?

Put the auto out of the 68 parts truck into the 67 since I have all the parts to swap and not modify the 3spd column?

Find a short bed and shorten the rails? ( I never have cared much for the long bed trucks)

It's like I have lil devil on one shoulder sayin to shorten, and put the auto in it, and the angel on the other saying to leave it be and fix it back like it is supposed to be since it was his old truck. This is probably the biggest task that I have ever tackled on a vehicle but I know that I can do it. This is also the first ford vehicle that I have owned. That 2 post lift that dad bought and never installed may be put in the shop if my mind don't change. This will be a weekend cruiser truck and not a dd. Sorry if I have rambled but just had to ask. Thanks

Dollarbill · Post by **Dollarbill** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:39 pm

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r60 ... 0a8ac5.jpg
http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r60 ... 005d3b.jpg

SevNT2Bump · Post by **SevNT2Bump** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:50 pm

If it was me, for sentimental purposes, I'd fix it back to the way it was originally.

72BahamaBlue · Post by **72BahamaBlue** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:04 am

I'm partial to power steering, power disc brakes and auto transmissions. Makes these trucks so nice to drive, but I do live in a high traffic area. With power steering, there's the benefit of a quicker turning ratio as well. Plus, you've got the parts. Keep the old peices if you ever want to change it back .I like the long bed...

Nice to keep it in the family!

67mann · Post by **67mann** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:39 am

If ya want a shortbox....buy another truck. For the damage and what you want to do(ps/pb)to it.....you can get away with just taking the front clip off. A frame off restoration is a very committed action and opens up "pandora's box" so to speak. I would get the work you want and need done first ......drive it,enjoy it and use it for your errands truck.....garbage,materials,etc.....that's what your grandfather did by the sounds of it

basketcase0302 · Post by **basketcase0302** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 5:34 am

Maybe looking at the cab mounting area might help you make a decision. Yours should be ok, (where the trucks spent it's entire life) but when they start to deteriorate they do lead to issues with the steering column and linkages.
I'm with 72bahama, (but I've also had 2 back surgeries and my back just don't do clutch) I throw the auto in it.

Dollarbill · Post by **Dollarbill** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:09 am

Ok, i will morethan likely keep the long bed on it. Since i have already got the parts for the disc brake and power steering. That only cost me 150$ I guess i am stillup in the air on the auto. Doin the total restoration is still eating at me. I guess i need to quit watching these shows that show them do it i a week. Haha

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:09 am

Good morning DollarBill,

Of course it's your truck now, so it ought to be turned in to what you personally want. Yet how sentimental do you and other members of your family feel about it?

My wild guess--not knowing much about the situation at all--is that the best long-term happiness would be achieved by restoring this truck to factory specs, just as it was when your grandfather bought it new. You can always pick up another truck for modifying--one that doesn't have any memories attached to it, and perhaps one that's already a little closer to what you're looking for (short-bed, automatic, power steering, etc).

Robroy

Dollarbill · Post by **Dollarbill** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:05 pm

Well, the truck was actually gave to my uncle first. He had a big hand in the restore 12 years ago. He works alot and didnt have anywhere to put it. I made sure he was ok with me gettin the truck. I have other cousins that may have bad feelings over it but no one has said anything yet. I see what you are sayin Robroy. I dont think anyone would care what i did with as long as i kept it simple. Shortening the bed and paintin it a wild color might get my house burnt.

hazelnut · Post by **hazelnut** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:20 pm

If the truck was restored 12 years ago then everything should still be fresh. I would drive it and enjoy it like it is and do a little fixing up as you feel. Those TV shows always try to make it look so easy, But i guess thats part of the angle of selling parts for car/trucks to the public. If it was hard work nobody would want to restore them.
I see a black one in the first picture, Is that one yours to ?

Dollarbill · Post by **Dollarbill** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 12:11 am

Yea, love those high polished floors, mechanics that are not dirty, a bakers dozen car lifts, a guy that does all the talkin who looks like he is ten and combs his hair with a cold greasy pork chop, and the biggest baddest toolbox known to man! Thats the other "parts" truck, a 68 390 auto. Floor pans are non existent carb needs built. Been tryin to sell the motor and trans on craigslist just to recoup some of my money back out of it but no bites yet. Gotta great grill but mine is steel and, i think i am gonna keep itin there if it will pull back out. I am gonna (try to) "graft" the corner of the black hood and replace the corner of the 67 hood. The trim is decent on the 68 but all i will need is the narrow trim. I am not a big fan of the trim but it came on his truck so i am putting it back on.
The restore was mostly just paint work. They did replace the front and rear bumpers. It has a big FEY step bumper on the back that looks awful. I am pretty sure that all weatherstripping, window felts, rubber mat has been replaced. The metal vent window frames are about gone, and the driver side regulator needs replaced. Rust is bubblin up at the bottom of the doors and fenders. I have rebuilt the 2 barrel carb (my first and it runs!) replaced manifold gaskets (after breakin 3 top bolts on the left side) i did get them out tho! I did have some flowmaster type mufflers put on the truck (had to hear it a little better! Haha!

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