Finding The Right Parts For Your Vintage Truck Restoration

Any classic car restoration is a big undertaking, but restoring a vintage truck can present extra challenges since these vehicles were designed to be worked hard… and usually were. The good news is that it’s getting easier to restore older vehicles as more companies offer reproduction parts, and that is definitely the case with vintage truck parts. This vintage truck restoration guide will help you find the right parts for your build.

How To Find Vintage Truck Parts?

Thanks to online resources and social media, it’s easier than ever to find vintage truck parts for a restoration these days. That being said, you still want to be careful and do your research to avoid buying incorrect parts that you can’t return or, even worse, being scammed by an online seller.

Finding vintage truck spare parts is dependent on which truck you’re restoring and what parts you’re hunting. More popular trucks like the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet C/K have excellent parts availability due to the sheer production volume back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. When it comes to specific parts, mechanical components and body panels tend to be the easiest to find, while wiring harnesses, interior parts, and chassis components can prove to be more of a challenge.

Options For Buying Vintage Truck Parts

Depending on the truck you’re restoring and your budget, you have several options for the type of parts you’ll need: used, custom, reproduction, or NOS (new old stock). Each has unique advantages that could make a restoration easier, but there are disadvantages for each that you’ll want to keep in mind, too.

Custom Parts

To get the most out of your restoration, adding custom parts will certainly make your vintage truck stand out from the rest. These could be anything from small items like mirrors and hood hinges to full interior and chassis packages. Going with a custom option for parts does increase the restoration cost and could add time to the build.

Reproduction Parts

If you’re looking for the easiest way to restore a truck, tracking down reproduction parts will do the job. These parts are brand new, have similar fit and finish to the original truck, and the pricing is usually pretty reasonable. Numerous companies have put restoration parts for vintage trucks at your fingertips with reproduction components ranging from hinges and handles to sheet metal and glass.

The downside of reproduction parts is that, unlike genuine parts, you don’t always know where these parts come from. Many reproduction parts will tout that they are OEM-quality or OEM-spec, but there’s no real standard for using such labels.

Used Parts

Another good option for finding restoration parts for classic trucks is to look for used parts. There are still some good classic vehicle junkyards scattered across the U.S., but these days, it’s probably easier to look online for someone parting out their truck.

The obvious disadvantage of used parts is finding a part that is in good, restorable condition. More importantly, you need to make sure the part you’re buying actually fits your truck, as classic vehicles often change subtly from year to year.

New Old Stock (NOS)

Finding vintage truck spare parts (also called New Old Stock or NOS) is another option if you’re lucky enough to find such parts. These are original factory parts that were never sold and are still in the original packaging and tend to pop up at property auctions and estate sales - you’d be surprised how many people hoard classic car parts!

NOS parts are getting harder to find for classic trucks, and they are normally priced astronomically high, especially on rare vehicles. Unless you’re building a high-dollar restoration, NOS parts should probably be a last resort if you can’t find quality reproduction or restorable used parts.

5 Key Tips For Restoring An Old Truck

Plan Ahead

Before you start your restoration, devise a plan for what you want and a timeline for how long you expect it to take. Staying on budget and schedule are two of the most difficult aspects of classic car restoration, so having an easy-to-follow plan will make both much easier.

Be Realistic

Watching too many car auctions on television can create unrealistic expectations regarding the values and results of restored classic trucks. Know that surprises will likely pop up frequently, so knowing how to find vintage truck parts will help make the restoration flow more smoothly.

Start Strong

As with any potential restoration candidate, starting with a truck that is as solid and complete as possible will make your life much easier. Some rust is to be expected on older trucks, but try to avoid a project with structural rust on the frame or hard-to-find parts.

Stay Organized

During disassembly, stay extremely organized to avoid losing anything and delaying the restoration. You can use boxes, bags, or sheets of cardboard to keep track of nuts, bolts, retainers, etc, and take as many pictures and videos as you can to help with reassembly.

Don’t Skimp On Paint/Body Work

Along the way, you might be able to find some ways to cut restoration costs, but be sure not to take any shortcuts when it comes to body prep and paint work. There’s nothing worse than wavy body lines or a flawed paint job. Unless you have a paint booth, this is one area where you might want to leave it to the professionals.

5 Popular Vintage Trucks To Restore

There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a vintage truck to restore, but here’s a list of trucks that are popular for restorations due to their parts availability and timeless style.

Ford F-Series

When it comes to restoring classic trucks, you can’t go wrong with the Ford F-Series, from the first-generation F1 trucks to the more iconic designs of the ‘60s and ‘70s. These old trucks look great, whether original or customized, and the market for replacement parts is vast due to their popularity when new. Velocity builds two versions of the classic F-Series: the street-ready F-100 and the rugged F-250.

Chevrolet C10/K10

Chevrolet’s Advance Design truck (1947-1955) might be one of the most beautiful trucks ever made, but its eventual successor, the C10/K10, is popular among restorers. Like the F-Series, the C10 and K10 trucks from Chevy and GMC receive plenty of support regarding vintage truck parts. The Velocity Chevy C10 Street Series is an example of a high-quality C10 restoration build.

Dodge D-Series

The predecessor to the Dodge Ram, the D-Series is a great restoration option for those looking to stand out. The early designs of this truck are unique, while some of the iconic models—such as the Power Wagon and Li’l Red Express—are true collector vehicles.

Jeep Gladiator

If you’re looking for a more obscure classic truck with plenty of parts available, check out the Jeep Gladiator/J-Series. The Gladiator shared many basic components with the Jeep Wagoneer, making it easy to find spare parts today.

International Pickup

Lower-volume International models, including its pickup truck, continue to benefit as the International Scout becomes more popular for restorations. Like many other trucks of this era, the International Pickup had much in common with its SUV counterparts (the Scout and Travelall).

Discover Classic Excellence at Velocity Restorations

Ready to bring your vintage truck back to its former glory or find a fully restored classic? Velocity Restorations is your premier destination for top-quality parts and beautifully restored classic vehicles. Whether you’re tackling a DIY restoration with our wide selection of parts or in the market for a turn-key classic, we’ve got you covered. Explore our inventory and start your journey to owning or restoring your dream truck today!