1969 D100 383 Automatic - Project

[petee33333]

When Grandpa Passed away, he left this old truck behind. My brother-in-law and I have been staring at it for 4 years now and finally decided it was time to get it running again!

It has a 383 in it, it has the original air conditioner in it. It has not been registered since 1992. The last time we know the engine was started was 2005, and that was very briefly when gas was poured directly into the carb. supposedly it had been parked since 1992.

This promises to be a long and slow project because we are low on time and money, but we have resolved to make steady progress along the way.

The body is in surprisingly good shape, very few dings. It is a New Mexico truck so it has no rust issues on the body nor frame. The gas tank is another story, but I can deal with that.

So far I have removed the gas tank and dumped out the "gas" that was in it, it was dark red and smelled like turpentine. It was about the consistency of a really thick cup of coffee.

Here is my plan of attack...
1. clean out gas tank.
2. clean out gas line
3. replace gas line hoses
4. drain and change oil,
5. flush and replace coolant.
6. new plugs and wires
7. clean out carb (possibly have it rebuilt?)
8. replace air filter and pcv
9 change transmission fluid
10 New battery.
11... fire it up!!!?!?

eventually look into:
Tires?
Brakes?
Buff the paint?







This is what was in the gas tank...

I will post more as we make progress! any suggestions are appreciated!
I know just enough to be dangerous, and my bro-in-law is no mechanic!!

[wally426ci]

Cool project! we love pictures! ask any questions, there is alot of knowledge on this site.

[Oxdodge]

don't forget to at least check the cap & rotor. Good luck. I wish mine was in that good shape.

[surfnuke9]

Check out the old mechanical tach.

looks to be a very nice truck. The body lines match up very well on the cab/doors/bed also.

[backwoods]

Great looking project. Have fun with it. Wish mine started out in that kind of condition........WOW

[WAWII]

Very Nice!

Tim I don't think that's a mechanical tach, it looks more like a 40's spedo.

[BrowneBlue]

WOW!! That is in great shape! Have fun!!

[petee33333]

don't forget to at least check the cap & rotor. Good luck. I wish mine was in that good shape.

Good idea. I will add that to the list for sure.

Any other suggestions are welcome and appreciated!

I am getting more excited about this project already.

[petee33333]

Rare?

Would anyone classify this truck as rare? My Aunt has mentioned on several occasions that grandpa used to tell everyone that this truck was very rare, in fact it was told to me that only 60-100 were made like this. I don't see how, but does anyone know what that might be about?

Perhaps the combination of the 383 - auto - air in 1969 was rare? color? I don't think she really knows what she is talking about, and alas, Grandpa passed away with his secrets about this old truck. He was the orginal owner.

Is there anywhere that I can find information on VIN number decoding on this one? Perhaps that might give me a clue?

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[petee33333]

Very Nice!

Tim I don't think that's a mechanical tach, it looks more like a 40's spedo.

It is an old Speedo, looks like the one on the dash broke, and Grandpa just hooked up another.

[slick]

cool truck, looks like a solid start..

[WAWII]

It is an old Speedo, looks like the one on the dash broke, and Grandpa just hooked up another.

If you are interested in getting rid of the old Spedo when you get the factory one working let me know, I need one like that for another truck.

[Hobcobble]

Welcome to the site. Your truck looks to be a '69 Adventurer model(?)
It has some nice trim on it as well as the turn signal indicators on the hood. I wouldn't
say it is "rare".... I think the production numbers you were told of are incorrect but
that doesn't matter..... you've got a real nice truck to refurbish and enjoy!
John

[surfnuke9]

I stand corrected....now that I have more than 2 cups of coffee in me, I can see that its not a tach also...

[petee33333]

Welcome to the site. Your truck looks to be a '69 Adventurer model(?)
It has some nice trim on it as well as the turn signal indicators on the hood. I wouldn't
say it is "rare".... I think the production numbers you were told of are incorrect but
that doesn't matter..... you've got a real nice truck to refurbish and enjoy!
John

Thanks for the input! I was thinking that was going to be the case. I can't wait to drive this thing!

WAWII - When/if I get the in-dash speedo working, the bolt on one is yours!

[DocsTruck]

What a great truck, looks like you will have it going in no time!!!!
Welcome to the forum,

[WAWII]

Thanks for the input! I was thinking that was going to be the case. I can't wait to drive this thing!

WAWII - When/if I get the in-dash speedo working, the bolt on one is yours!

I have a spedo out of a 68 W200 Sweptline if it's the same as your 69 (and someone can tell me how to test it properly) we'll just swap?

[petee33333]

Thanks for the input! I was thinking that was going to be the case. I can't wait to drive this thing!

WAWII - When/if I get the in-dash speedo working, the bolt on one is yours!

I have a spedo out of a 68 W200 Sweptline if it's the same as your 69 (and someone can tell me how to test it properly) we'll just swap?

I like the sound of that. I hope we can make it happen. Can you send a picture of your speedometer so I can see if it is close to what I have?

(I chose to use the whole word, "speedometer" because I don't want any jokester sending me pictures of people in speedos...)

[64TRUK]

Nice two tone, if its been off the road for awhile make sure to give the brakes there needed attention, stopping is a good thing.

Also I dig those hub caps

Dave

[petee33333]

Nice two tone, if its been off the road for awhile make sure to give the brakes there needed attention, stopping is a good thing.

Also I dig those hub caps

Dave

Stop-schmop! Who needs to stop?!?!? lol.. good point.. I will give them the attention they need. But I want to hear the engine rev first!

I like the hub caps too, but I am missing one! 3 out of four ain't bad I suppose... I will eventually be looking for the 4th, or perhaps a new set of wheels... hmmm. decisions, decisions.. I will decide later... after I get it started!

Thanks!