Here we go. I've started to disassemble "Old Blue". I'm hoping to get it stripped down and sandblasted so I can get the body work and paint finished by the end of summer. It will be a slow project but I'm pretty excited about it. More so than when I did my Superbee. I've had the truck for almost 15 years and my Grandfather bought it brand new. I figured I'd share it with you guys for motivation. So if I don't keep up on this, please drop a post to get my butt in gear.

Old Trucks Rule!!!

Mike

And another pic.

Are you going with the same shade of blue?I think it's cool that you hung onto your Grandfather's truck.I'd love to have one of my Grandpa's trucks to restore to keep in the family.I'll keep an eye on your progress!

I will be the first.... GIT ER DONE !!!!

Looks like a great project, keep us updated.

Small block or big block? What tranny? Are you putting it back stock or planning upgrades?

If you ever want motivation, all you need to do is watch 77440se's build thread.

yes, i'm very excited to see the new paint. love color scheme.

Very cool. What dealer did he buy it from? Any original paperwork?

Can't wait looks like a good truck to start with.

It's a 360-2 with a 727. Factory air, rallye wheels, and a side tool box. I wish it was a 440 or even a 400 but I'm going as original as I can make it all the way down to the smog pump. The only things I'll be changing is the interior to black and a few years ago I switched the 8 1/4 rear to a 8 3/4. It was a light blue interior but I can't find any good replacements. I'm keeping the original paint sceme. I love the factory medium metallic with the light blue two tone. I've never seen another like it. My grandfather bought it at Carl Burger's Dodge in the San Diego area. When I turned 16 he gave it to me. My friends think I'm crazy spending money on a truck worth a couple hundred bucks but it's a love thing, not value. Besides, I have a value car and it's not fun worring about something happening to it and the truck guys are normal car guys. All the muscle car guys are stuck up and to worried about numbers matching and how rare their cars are. Glad to be part of the truck scene.

Mike

Here is a little progress with Old Blue. I was able to remove the entire A/C system complete through the heater box opening. I didn't want to lose the R-12. I fought the heater box bolts but was able to sawzall the bolts off after the fenders were removed.

Also was able to remove the interior. Don't hate my floors and the lack of rust.

I'd love to keep the blue. Since everything is bad and needs to be replaced, should I look for a certain color plastic to dye or will black panels dye light blue. I've been thinking of taking my door panels and covering them with a vinyl. I'm not looking for a custom look but it could be nice. I've seen alot of cars with the plastic paint and I tried painting a set with the black to see if I liked. I'm not to sure I like it and it seemed to scratch easy. I have kids and things get scratched fast. It was also a little to shinny. A long time ago I had a spray in bedliner buisness and I shot a set of panels and some dash pieces to see what they would look like. Needless to say, I'm still looking. The picture is of the bedliner interior. I'm hoping that someone on this site would chime in and say they have a set of light blues

A little progress.

One more.

Looks like some good progress.

Over the last week I did all my interior plastic (dash, door pannels, glove boxdoor and kick pannels) with SEM paint.

It's supposed to be pretty good for plastic, but a bit pricey at $10 bucks a can (took about 1 can per door pannel). I did like the way it sprayed on and it's pretty much a satin fnish. One of those things though...I'll tell you how good it is in 5 years or so.

that's not progress, that's deconstruction. i watch Overhaulin, i know.


love the rust free

A small bit of progress for old blue. To many summer project to deal with to make any head way on it. This cost me a 30pack of BL and 15 bags of sand. I'm hoping he will do the body panels for the same price.

#2

Nice.

I just found this thread, and am surprised we've never crossed paths. I'm also a Dodge truck/musclecar guy. A friend of mine back east found the NOS blue plaid seat upholstery last year. Send me a pm and I'll get you in contact with him.

Looks like some nice progress. Having a floor is definately putting you at an advantage.

With a huge set back of trying to build another car for my cousin, Old Blue finally gets some love. I wanted to get some paint on the frame before it gets cold. Don't laugh but I used Rustoleum Satin finish by the quart and reduced it enough to spray with my HVLP gun. 3 quarts later and I'm very happy with the finish. I was planning to go with POR15 but after seeing how much it is, I'll stick with simple. Besides if I need a little repair, I'm sure a rattle can will match. Talk to you guys later

Mike

looking good.

Nice when you're done with that you can come do mine.

A little more progress. I have added the fuel tank and some of the lines along with the rear axle.

Mike

Ready in time for HOT AUGUST NITES??

Added a few more pieces. The steel lines are a huge pain. Steel wool, a scotch brite pad, and a lot of elbow grease. Now its time to start on the engine and trans. I ordered the suspension rebuid kit, just waiting it's arrival.

Mike

another angle...

That's looking great .

Why are the cops always at your house? Making too much noise?

Good question!!! I always wondered why nobody speeds down my street.

Great looking work! I have one kinda crazy question, what is the distance from frame rail flange to frame rail flange above the spare tire? I am looking to put a fuelsafe fuel cell under my 1972 D100. Also would you happen to know the spacing between spring perches?

Looking good!

This may help

and this one

Thanks, I just saw those on another post AFTER I posted this request. Thanks for posting them here!

A little eye candy. Est. 170 Hp of stump pulling 2bbl power.

That looks great, your doing a real nice job on it. Sure makes it real easy with the body off it.

Geezzz!!!! The progress seems so slow. I swear I'm doing alot but it doesn't show. I'm working on the front end today. I painted the sway bar and I think it is too bright. I'll bolt it on to see how it looks. Also have an extra sway bar if anyones needs one. Had one from the junk yard and found one even nicer. Note to all. Be extra careful with the a-arms. They like to bend while removing the bushings.

Heres how to clean a D-150 front spring.

It's looking good.

Yes progress does seem slow at times, believe me , theres more more to it and oh the little things....
lookin good..

So I started painting the sway bar silver (aluminum) and it looked to shinny. More like cheap chrome in a can. Tried charcoal and it gives it that cast iron look. I think this is the winner. Did the springs the same way. I'm trying to break up the colors a little.

That looks really nice!!! Its nice looking at others projects and seeing how they have come! Keep them comming! Looks like theres a few of us around the same stage!

Well, this will put a damper on the project. Maybe when the weather warms up, my back won't be so sore. Someone had a little to much... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beer.gif" alt="" />

http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200902101059/NEWS18/90210014

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flame.gif" alt="" />
Mike

Dang - hope you are alright physically and can get back to work soon.

I clicked on your link and the girl under the picture of your car scared the heck out of me . Your trucks looking great and I hope you heal up quick and get back to working on it soon . Have you been driving your ramcharger at all?

You can get the cast iron look in a can. It's called cast coat and looks great when sprayed.

Damn that sucks, hope your ok man! Im usually the one running into cop cars. I was sober when i did this though! Im held up too waiting for the bodyman to finish the paint!

Certainly glad to hear you are alright. That story stirred up some bad memories of what happened to board member Unlawfl. My hat is off to you guys in uniform. I think we all forget the chances you often take and the situations you are placed in at times. Hang in there and good luck, the truck isn't going anywhere.

Saw it on the tube first they showed
your car then they showed the person
that hit you, (same mug shot)
I about blew milk out my nose!

Truck looks way cool!

Ok, some what back up to speed. I have been working on the front end. Here is some of the progress.

Mike

And the other side...

About 75 days (nights) to Hot August Nights?
Cruise

Yeah I never get those days off. Maybe stopping some old chevies and citing them for no gloves in the glove box will cheer me up.

Any updates?

I've been away from the project. I did manage to get the A arms on and the spindles. I blasted the spindles and sprayed them with clear coat. I was shocked to find clear coat in semi gloss and flat now. Waiting for $$$ so I can finish the front brakes and some steering parts. I post pics soon.

It looks great!

I haven't done anything with Old Blue for a long time. I was planning to do a complete stock restoration but I'm thinking of upgrading so I can tow my Bee on 400-500 mile trips. I'm thinking about pulling the 360-2 and going to a 440-4. I'm going to keep it stock appearing if I switch. What do you think?

it's all about what you want.....it would be cool with a 440 in it though...

Geez, almost 2 years and I haven't touched it. Sorry Old Blue.

In fear of loosing this topic, I'm posting to keep it current.

Mike

Looking back...you have done some real nice work

yep, some really nice work!

Look to me for encouragement- it has been about 8 years since I have turned a wrench on my project. About all I have done is pile stuff on it.Maybe someday.
My 74 W200 (bought it new) had a 360, the very best thing I ever did for it was toss the stock carb,(2 bbl) merely replaced it with a Carter from a 68 Chrysler 383 also 2bbl. Ran great, plenty power, decent mileage. Of course it had 4.10s, tall tires. Towed great.
Point is, I think the 360 will have plenty of towing power, with maybe something like 3.73s.
Short wheelbase and lighter weight will have more of an effect.
Very nice truck to start with, and nice job so far on the resto.

WOW.....some progress

$1300 later, Old Blue is Naked. I'm a little disappointed with the company that did the work but this is better than nothing. There are a few places that they could have payed a little more attention too. They said the factory primer on the cab was a lot of work to get off and they said they under charged since they did the bottom too.

Wow, very nice!

Looking good.. Same thing I'm fixing to do to my Lil Red Express. As for as the 440, I was going to put one in my Lil Red and make it look stock and original like it came from the factory but I changed my mind and going back with the 360.. I think it would be nice to go with the stock look of a 440 or the other option would be to build up the 360 and put some steeper gears in the truck to pull with.. Don't stop now keep going..

$1300 to blast the box and cab. thats all they blasted?

as a media blaster i can pick apart their job from the pics they made HUGE money on that job. allways nice to start fresh though. i see guys hand sanding to bare metal now and wonder why we ever did it that way.

good luck,. looks solid

$1300 was pretty high but it was more than the cab and bed, they did all the sheet metal (doors, fenders, hood inner fenders etc) Still, they did a pretty crappy job, but its one of those things where I wasn't going to leave it again and drive all the way back out to pick it up on another day.

Geezz...I really should get some work done on this. I still have Old Blue and it's still sitting in the garage.

I'm looking for NOS blue interior parts, or pieces that look new. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

Update....


Last January I road tripped to Tuscon with the Bee for the Roadkill Zip Tie Drags. It was 1800 miles round trip and was an absolute blast. I decide I wanted to get this truck done for the 2021 event. Now that Covid has canceled that event, I made a goal to have this truck on the road by Presidents Weekend so I can road trip it to see my Dad in Bullhead City, Arizona. This trip will be about 1100 miles round trip. I'm not planning to have the paint finished by but at least it will be on the road.

I began working on the body over the weekend. I'm going to spray it myself and hope for the best. Still planning to go with the factory medium blue over light blue two tone. I purchased all of the product to get the body done and boy was I shocked on how much this stuff cost. The base coat was over $300 a gallon.

I am close to finished with the drive line and chassis and it sure looks good with a 440 sitting there. I rebuilt the 440 using a 75' motor out of a W300 that had 53k original miles. After porting the heads, I added a larger camshaft (.466/.488 @ 224/234 with 114 * - advanced 4 degrees) and edelbrock performer intake. I'm going to use the stock exhaust manifolds for now. The 727 is rebuilt and ready to go. I bolted the 440/727 in about a week ago so I'm makiing pretty good progress at this point. Still looking for nice blue door panels if anyone has a set.

Two more pics

Finally have some paint on the cab.

Excellent!

Make sure to write down notes on the sparying- ie gun inlet pressure, pattern width, distance of gun from sheet metal, etc. They can all make a difference in how the metallic lays down. It is easy to forget those things if there is much of a time in between painting different panels. Notes on thinners used and air temp in the shop would also help.

Great Advice...Thank You

I spent the weekend finishing up the cab. With the help of my son in law, we were able to get it back on the chassis. I'm hoping to get things like the dash, steering column, and brakes completed while I smooth out the doors and front fenders. After setting the cab on the chassis, it seemed unbelievable that its going back together. I was just about to give up hope on it. I've done a lot of research regarding appling paint and I think I'm getting the hang of it. I'm hoping by the time I spray out the other panels, I'll have it dialed in perfect. Stay tuned....

That looks great, nice color combo, and looks like excellent quality work. I've got a '79 Macho coming along at about the same state of completion:

4x4Roundup

Your truck is looking good...well done!

Thanks! A member on here is the one actually doing the work.

lookin good guys!

Made some progress.....Built the core support, painted the doors and inner fenders....

Looks great, I love to see the old gals restored to their former glory.

Another update......The bed and some trim are all that are left. It's been so long since this truck was together, it seems like a dream having it this far.

I love it

Beautiful!

Truck is looking great. Color combo looks cool. Keep up the great work

Today is the day I get my old friend back. I finished it up just in time. Welcome back Old Blue!!!!

You've been busy. Truck looks great Congrats on getting it back on the road

That looks good! I like that particular 2-tone blue scheme. The light blue is like a "Haint blue". Saw a 72-73 crew cab with that, once.

Looks great...a job well done. The dog may enjoy it as much as you do.

Made the trip for the family reunion this past weekend and all went well. I waited to drive it until my Dad was with me and we lit up cigars in honor of my grandpa, then drove over to the reunion. My Grandpa always had a cigar while driving Old Blue around way back when. Truck ran perfectly and drove like a dream. We had the whole family wait outside as we pulled up. My family absolutley loved seeing Old Blue again. It was pretty emotional since we lost my Grandfather almost 20 years ago. I'm hoping for many more years with Old Blue and more "Adventurer"s await..........

we stopped on the way back and grabbed this pic. US395 near Mammoth, Ca.

That is super cool.I hope you do get to enjoy old blue for many more years

Wow what a beautiful truck and what great memories you have now!!!!

Update with photos....

We used Old Blue to tow the Super Bee to Thunder Hill Raceway on Memorial Day. Truck did awesome on the 400 mile round trip. Managed 7-8 mpg's pulling over the Sierra's.

More pics from Memorial Weekend. Stopped at Chico Rice Farm (Harvest Hosts) for the night and got these photos near the silos.....

What a great Mopar sight! Beautiful!

Went to a little show at the Air Guard Base here in Reno, Nevada. Here’s some pics from the event.