Don't get carried away and start tearing things apart it is not necessary, if that truck is in good shape the stock suspension etc is fine, I had a 1970 that was basically the same truck and it worked great after a little work. Electrical system is 12V negative ground. If some nimrod put the battery in backwards that could louse things up. You may need to polarize the generator, if it was run with the battery backwards, if it has an alternator you are good to go. If the ammeter shows a charge you don't need to worry about the gen or alt. To find the current draw disconnect one battery cable and connect a 12v test light in series with it. The bulb will light up if there is a current draw. Pull the fuses one at a time and see which one makes the light go out. That is the circuit with the problem. Now you can go through just that circuit testing each part until you find the short. Be sure to turn off the interior light when you do this and all the other lights, radio, etc. This shouldn't take long as they have a very simple electrical system. But, a wiring diagram is a big help. The engine is no speed demon but it will get you around. If it was mine I would keep it, unless it was shot, then I would probably swap in a later V8. Brakes and suspension are fine. It helps to recondition the springs, clean out the rust and dirt, polish the leaves with a grinder and paint them and replace the sliders. If the sliders are gone the tip of each leaf can wear a notch in the next leaf and this stops the spring flexing with a bang when you go over a big bump. Take a disc grinder and smooth out the notch. Go over the front end and replace king pins, tie rod ends etc as necessary. Parts are available and not expensive. Finish up with a front end alignment and new shock absorbers and you will be impressed with how nice it drives handles and rides. For easier steering you can have the front end set up with little or no caster but if you do that you need to add a steering damper. The only drawback I found with mine was, it rode well on paved roads but was rougher than an IFS on rough roads. This is something you can live with it is not a big deal. It is possible to lower it by reworking the springs, and take out a few leaves to soften the ride if you do not carry heavy loads. I noticed mine rode way better when loaded, the suspension is set up to carry a load, if you don't you can soften it up quite a bit. Or you could soften the suspension and add air shocks or air bags to the back. Brakes are large and powerful, parts are available, fix them right and they will do you as well as discs. They are a good truck and will serve you well if you give it a little TLC. They have a rugged frame, body and suspension and everything else can be repaired or rebuilt indefinitely.
I sure hope he got it straightened out and running right. It was posted ten years ago. Maybe he is still around and can update. I like those trucks a bunch.
The Jalopy Journal
