My Father left me his 1979 Chevy Custom Deluxe. He was the only owner, and took incredibly great care of it. It hasn't been driven in over 5 years. It will turn on and drive. I am the farthest thing from a car guy!! The most I've done is one or two oil changes on other vehicles (with the supervision of my Pops, of course!).

I am really interested in bringing this Truck "back to life," in order to preserve my Father's memory!!

Here's what I've planned so far...

-Get a complete diagnostic, in order to repair or replace any major components in the drive train that may need it...

-Take care of all the cosmetic stuff (interior & exterior)...

-Not interested in getting it lifted or "pimping" it out!

-I'm actually trying to keep it as stock as possible (appearance wise).

So, basically, I want my Father's Truck to look nice and run great, without spending a fortune!!

I would TRULY appreciate ANY advice you guys can provide!! (Please keep in mind I am NOT a car guy, so the more you dumb it down, the better!)

*Also, I don't have the time to even attempt doing any of the work myself!! I'll be relying on local mechanics and auto body shops!! I know I can save tons by doing some of the work myself, but I truly don't have the time!!

Thanks alot, guys!!!

 

sound's like you have a good plan laid out already ! just find a trust worthy shop to do a safety check ,do all the mechanical work first and go to the body . good luck ,if you get in a hurry it will cost you money though !

 

Congratulations, it sounds like a great truck:

1)Ask people you know for a "word-of-mouth" recommendation for reliable shops. Nothing is harder than finding decent help you can trust, and many times your Aunt or a co-worker can save you a ton of grief.

2)Get an oil change, with the filter. Have your mechanic set an oil change interval that fits your driving habits with the truck, and stick to it.

3)The less you want to do, the more you should know. Get a repair manual from a parts store, they're about 12$. Especially now that you won't be doing any work yourself. There may already be one lying around. Familiarize yourself with the mechanics of the truck. Make sure that spare tire and jack are still stowed properly. Preparation for me is a lot like insurance, and I find it's the emergency I'm least prepared to face which generally crops up first. Having a small toolkit stashed in the truck pays two dividends, a.-it's great in the event of breakdowns, -b.-you look like a hero if you get someplace distant and you're the only one with tools, when needed.

4)Annual state inspections will point out most mechanical deficiencies which aren't obvious. Visual cues will tip you off to Body and Interior problems. Avoid handing it over to someone and saying "Just fix everything." or it will turn into the 6,000,000$ truck. Just like regular doctors, a second opinion won't kill you.

5)If you're happy with the tires and rims you have now, don't let anybody talk you into any changes you'll regret. Take good care of that baby, and you'll always have a faithful,hardworking companion that'll never get fleas or a headache. Best of luck.

 

Igot an 1981 chevy custom deluxe that i wanna do the same thing to and im like you, i know a little bit about cars and trucks but not enough to disassemble one and throw it back together. Good luck with your project.

 

Thanks for all the advice, guys!! I'll try and post some before and after pics when it's all said and done!! Should start the process in the next few months!! Again, thanks for everything!!