Who Builds a Truck for their 3-Year-Old Grandson?? New project in progress!

[mom45]

As shared in some other threads, we replaced the engine in my '84 suburban last summer. Hubby then rebuilt the engine that came out of it once the machine shop had time to prep it for him. An engine with no place to go is just not okay so in April, we picked up a frame with a couple of cabs and lots of other parts (many that are not worth using), and the current project was born.

Cole (the three-year-old) grandson is quite excited about having his own truck soon. I think he is planning to drive his girlfriend to preschool or something. He and grandpa are working on this together (grandpa is also working on it when he isn't here as more progress happens that way), and Cole has been picking out colors and such. Here are some photos from mid-April when it arrived thru today. What three year old doesn't need a 1984 C10?





Cole helped Grandpa rob parts off of the junk cab to use on the better one. He loves using tools!









Cole is pretty excited. The cab got set on the frame yesterday. Today the wiring is getting hooked up. He really liked getting to hear the engine run. I wish I knew how to attach videos here.

 

[BigRed]

As shared in some other threads, we replaced the engine in my '84 suburban last summer. Hubby then rebuilt the engine that came out of it once the machine shop had time to prep it for him. An engine with no place to go is just not okay so in April, we picked up a frame with a couple of cabs and lots of other parts (many that are not worth using), and the current project was born.

Cole (the three-year-old) grandson is quite excited about having his own truck soon. I think he is planning to drive his girlfriend to preschool or something. He and grandpa are working on this together (grandpa is also working on it when he isn't here as more progress happens that way), and Cole has been picking out colors and such. Here are some photos from mid-April when it arrived thru today. What three year old doesn't need a 1984 C10?

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Cole helped Grandpa rob parts off of the junk cab to use on the better one. He loves using tools!

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Cole is pretty excited. The cab got set on the frame yesterday. Today the wiring is getting hooked up. He really liked getting to hear the engine run. I wish I knew how to attach videos here.

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That right there is great stuff!!!!

 

[skydelta34]

Very cool project. Thanks for sharing. I hope the truck is ready to drive by the time he is 16.

 

[mom45]

I finally had some free time to go through the photos and put them all into one folder. I will be making a photo book of the project for my grandson to have. My husband just turned 72 on Monday so his goal now is to live long enough to hand the keys to Cole on his 16th birthday. Cole says we can drive it until he is old enough, but he is picking out the colors and has helped me ordering parts. I love that they are doing this together and the little guy actually wants to know how EVERYTHING works and what the various parts are for. He was fascinated by the steering column yesterday and with no fenders, he could easily see how turning the steering wheel moved the front tires.

 

[mom45]

Very cool project. Thanks for sharing. I hope the truck is ready to drive by the time he is 16.

I was told we will be driving it by the 4th of July. Knowing my husband, I believe this to be true. Maybe not road worthy at that point, but he built his show truck in one year so I don't expect this one to take longer than that.

 

[patience0830]

As shared in some other threads, we replaced the engine in my '84 suburban last summer. Hubby then rebuilt the engine that came out of it once the machine shop had time to prep it for him. An engine with no place to go is just not okay so in April, we picked up a frame with a couple of cabs and lots of other parts (many that are not worth using), and the current project was born.

Cole (the three-year-old) grandson is quite excited about having his own truck soon. I think he is planning to drive his girlfriend to preschool or something. He and grandpa are working on this together (grandpa is also working on it when he isn't here as more progress happens that way), and Cole has been picking out colors and such. Here are some photos from mid-April when it arrived thru today. What three year old doesn't need a 1984 C10?

View attachment 280785
View attachment 280786
View attachment 280787

Cole helped Grandpa rob parts off of the junk cab to use on the better one. He loves using tools!

View attachment 280788

View attachment 280794
View attachment 280809
View attachment 280810
View attachment 280811
View attachment 280812

Cole is pretty excited. The cab got set on the frame yesterday. Today the wiring is getting hooked up. He really liked getting to hear the engine run. I wish I knew how to attach videos here.

View attachment 280813

Outstanding, Mom!

 

[Riflemen14]

To cool! Grandpa/grandson time together, building American steel. Don't get any better

 

[mom45]

Cole and Grandpa drove the truck down to the stop sign and back last night...shifting perfectly. Needs a windshield...Cole was complaining about it being too windy. A seat would be a nice upgrade as well. The milk crate Cole was sitting on was a bit uncomfortable. Pa just sat on the floor. The upholstery for the seat is arriving today.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Hiya mom! Is dad building me a truck too?

 

[mom45]

Hiya mom! Is dad building me a truck too?

Sure! We have a date tomorrow morning. Going to the junk yard to get some parts that he left behind when he was there today. I'm hoping we don't drag home another truck. There is another one that already followed this one....waiting in line. Want to meet us at Howard's??

 

[Lwright]

Awesome job teaching the next generation.

 

[BigRed]

Hiya mom! Is dad building me a truck too?

Ya know, as long as you're looking for projects to do with your grandson, I'll take one too. 4WD. No preference on color.

 

[JCSR]

Money can't buy what you see in those pictures.

 

[stocknup]

Very Cool ! ................What a lucky little guy to have such a Great Grandpa ! ( and I`m sure a Great Grandma too )
Don`t forget the gun rack for the back window

 

[BigRed]

Money can't buy what you see in those pictures.

Damn straight Truth right there!

 

[red_zr24x4]

Very Cool ! ................What a lucky little guy to have such a Great Grandpa ! ( and I`m sure a Great Grandma too )
Don`t forget the gun rack for the back window

Now come on, she's not old enough to be a great grandma

 

[Alamo]

After The Wall fell I met one of my former enemy counterparts in the East German Air Force. He told me that when his daughter was born he signed her up for a car in hopes that it would be built and ready by the time she was old enough to drive it. She was about three when I met him, so she was still on the waiting list when the kommiekrauts threw in the towel. I bet she’s driving a Mercedes today.

Gramps is way ahead of the people’s paradise of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik. God Bless America.

 

[mom45]

A few progress updates. Painted the cab today. Last Friday, we had a "date" at the junk yard and I learned how to take a windshield out of a truck. We are going back tomorrow I think after I get off work for more treasures.

 

[mom45]

Yesterday, Cole learned a bit about wet sanding.

 

[mom45]