Checklist for restoring your classic Chevy Truck

After searching high and low you finally found that perfect classic 1967 Chevy Truck. It runs, but it is not in the best shape. However, the next several months of restoration will be worth it, and so will the final product. Here is a quick check list of the things you need to do to restore your Classic Chevy Truck.

Locate the Owner's Manual

The owner's manual is one of the most important tools to have when restoring your Chevy Truck. It helps you understand what comes with the truck and how it operates, both inside and out. Most of the time you can locate one with a simple Google search using the make and model of your truck, or you can buy one through a Chevrolet website.

Look Over and Make Notes of the Interior Damage

Grab your notebook and pen. Make a detailed list of the damages you find. This is so you have a checklist of what you need to do to make your ride stand out. Also, make sure you check for broken, missing, and rusted parts.

Strip the Interior of the Truck

Now it is time to do some hard labor work. Take off the front seat, driver seat and remove the dashboard and steering wheel. If you have found rust, make sure you sand that down. When replacing broken or missing parts, I recommend you check out Facebook Marketplace or Offer Up. These channels make it easier to find the parts you need at an affordable price. If you are not sure about buying from one of these sites, then simply purchase new parts from an accredited online store.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD3Kug76sUI

Add New Intellitronix Gauges to your Chevy Truck

Your Chevy Truck interior is not complete without a nice set of digital gauges. I prefer the look of the LED digital gauges over analog gauges, because they contrast the classic feel of the truck giving it a modern-day look. If you prefer analog gauges, check out Intellitronix to see if they manufacture analog gauges for your year, make and model of Chevy Truck.

https://intellitronixgauges.com/1967-1972-chevy-truck-led-digital-gauge-panel/

Take it Down to the Frame

Now it is time to check over the exterior of your Chevy Truck. Nine times out of ten you need to strip the exterior to the frame. I recommend using a sandblaster to get rid of any rust. Hand sanding could take days or even weeks depending on the amount of rust.

What's Under Your Hood?

If you have access to an engine hoist, begin by removing the engine. Your Chevy Truck User Manual can help identify missing parts. Next repair all broken parts and then clean the engine. I used the brand Gunk for my 1967 Chevy Truck, and it worked perfectly. Here is a link to help you clean your engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrLEOeSV3aY

Paint Job

My favorite part of restoring a classic car is the paint job. For this you have two options. You could stay with its original color or you could paint it the color you prefer. You could buy paint from any online marketplace that sells car parts or go to the manufacturer, if you want to go with the original paint color. I love to paint, so painting the Chevy Truck body comes easy for me. However, if you prefer you may want to get it professionally painted. Below is a link to get an idea of what you'll be getting into when painting your Chevy Truck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dKDQGGym9E

Now that your Truck is in top shape it’s time to Sit back, have a Drink, and Admire your Work!

Photo courtesy of Al Stacko.