CCT GMC C10 shortbed project: Spend like a rich guy, or go low buck?

I want CCT readers to participate as much as possible on this build. I'm talking about the '68 Jimmy I haven't even hauled home yet. The truck hasn't run in years, and  I have to drag it out of an orange grove somewhere in Riverside. The one thing I know for sure is we will be chopping the ass end off the old girl. Not that big butts are bad, but a longbed won't fit in my driveway without hanging out into the sidewalk.

We can do this on the cheap, like 90 percent of the real world has to, or piss money like a rich guy. Using what us publishing types call "editor's money" and with the help of CCT reader's input here's a chance to use the best parts we all would choose if money were no object... Or not, let me know I'm submitting the project to my editorial director, and publisher later this week.  

With todays economy I'd vote for the ultra cheap to the point of swap meet, Ebay, Craigslist, wheeeling and dealing cheap! Get Oddo in on it and power it with an economical 6 and a T-5, then you can afford to drive it with a decent mpg return.  

Yeah, I know the economy really sucks and our guys need help stretching their bucks. But on the other hand it might be cool for us all to fantasize and escape from reality.

V6, inline 6? I can rebuild its 350 cheaper than anything, but it would be better off with fuel-injection and a T-5 to get the same mileage as 6-banger. How about a junkyard Duramax running donut oil? The sky's the limit.

Again jalopy45, thanks for the input, we'll see if anyone else jumps in.

Except for Homer Simpson, I don't want his help, he ran his brother out of business.  

Well you know you can do it on the cheap, but as soon as you mentioned doing it for the magazine all the high dollar companies are going to donate their time and product to the project thus giving them the chance to advertise for themselves. Which will not give the readers a real input into the build, considering most of them don't have the money to do such a build. There is no doubt the truck will be super nice, but it will be like every other show truck. Yeh, they would get a chance to see the final product but still be in the same position as if they had gone to a truck show to be teased yet again.
 As you can see by the forum, people are wanting to know just basic answers to problems.
 If the truck was put together on a budget it will give the readers and especially those on the forum a chance to see that it really can be done and how nice it can look with limited funds.  

Specialist,

Thanks for jumping in. Yeah let's see, what wins out: Ultimate fantasy build or low-buck reality? Don't be shy  you other guys, this your chance to directly shape future edit in the pages of Custom Classic Trucks.

Speak up now, or don't *** when this thing ends up with a Zebra skinned seat, and a metalflake pink paintjob.  

Hah! I haven't had a word censored in a long time. I wonder if *** fart, or *** is a bad word?  

No 'OLD' fart isn't a bad word.  

Now those were some bad words, and I don't want to catch any of you guys saying *** piss, or *** on here ever, OK?

That's it, talk to you all later  

You could do a complete homebuild with just home available tools  like my little brother is doing on what started as a '62 and is ending up a?? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=327242    

Yeh, this is kind of the idea I am talking about. Building the truck with almost no access to any high dollar professional tools.That means no waterjet C&C machines,tig welders,mills, lathes etc. Keep the tools, basic, you khow, hand tools,grinders,air tools,a mig,plasma/oxy and maybe some specialized tools that most people can readily buy. Actually it can be built out of the back of my truck which is equipped with most of the basic garage tools.The truck should not be sent to any professional businesses for fabrication especially to fit high dollar suspension.The final body and paint maybe acceptable,but do the metal rust repair extra basic metal fabrication in house.  

How about reasonable, not low rent but in the middle which is where we usually end up in the end? Maybe start out with high quality base parts and build on them using reputable, yet not so high dollar. I know no matter where I've started in the past builds, I've had to adjust my spending higher or lower and ended up in the middle. Thats my .27 cents worth.

KKB  

Yeah, that's kind of where I think I'll end up going with this. I know buying a brand-new crap $79 HEI from China, or going to the junkyard will bite me in the ass.

Stretching a buck, that's what its all about these days. I'm going to stick with the 350, but probably adapt a later TBI for as cheap as possible... again without buying crap.  

I thought the first job at hand was squeezing the ass end in the gate or is it still looking to the neighbors like a pimple on a rhino butt. Focus MAN, remember....PROJECT MANAGER......throw the pen away....get the tools out and get the act together. Leave the hard stuff of writing to the circus animals on the forum...............oppps..thats..me  tooooooooo  

It's gotta run before the tail gets whacked... Oh, did I mention it hasn't run in three or four years? I'm driving out there today to see if I can get it started.

Writing on here is easy, the hard part is cranking out the magazine on time.  

Well if you find you need help, I am in that area today, I have a full set of tools on board. But I guess a 350 shouldn't cause you too much problem.I have plenty of spares for it if you get a carby or dissy problem. Happy to help.
    Tony 949 3784645