Scott's '51 Build
 

I am working out the plan for my 1951 Chevy 3100. The truck was sitting in a farm field in Wyoming for many years, and was partially disassembled and is missing a lot of parts. The glass is all broken and the interior is nasty. It also has a GMC motor which is too long so someone took out the radiator and cut up the radiator mount.

The body has serious "patina" which means it's a rusty heap and has all the normal accumulated damage plus is missing the tailgate. Nevertheless, I like the look and plan to keep the body essentially as-is (both because I like it and also because the body and paint work is $$$). So here's the plan so far:

- I ordered a TCI IFS/4 link/coil-over chassis with a 9" rear w/posi, disc brakes, power rack, chassis mounted brake booster, etc.
- I'm in the hunt for an LSx motor, preferably an LQ9 with auto.
- Still thinking about wheels and tires but leaning toward Foose or Boss 18's.
- I get the chassis in early September so between now and then I will take all the sheet metal off and sell the complete original frame with motor, trans, and rear-end.
- I will need to replace the cab corners and floors, and maybe more once I look harder.
- Maybe clear coat the body with flat lacquer so I don't ruin my clothes every time I touch it.

I have tons of questions but I'm scouring the boards now to gather info and then will ask when I can't figure things out. Of course, advice and suggestions are welcomed!

Scott

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Keep us posted on the build and pics.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

A nice start with some quality parts planned. Looking forward to updates. Have fun!

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Looks like a good project in the making. I'll be watching it.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Nice truck, like the patina
Will be watching your build

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Welcome to the group, ready to watch you get started, nice plans, keep us posted and we love pics...Jim

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Nice project just wondering about those vent windows laying in the bed are they usable?

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Thank you all for the warm welcome and support. I have to tell you that without checking out all the great and truly impressive builds here I would feel a lot more overwhelmed by this project!

918722 - I have no idea if the vent windows work. Someone pulled all the window regulators loose and they're laying inside the doors and the vent windows were left in the bed. I haven't searched enough for all the various parts but there is a bucket of misc. parts with the truck. I'm not optimistic...

Scott

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Sounds like a great project, keep the pictures coming, Richard

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Watching.....and welcome.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

nice truck and most of all have FUN!

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

OK - finally got some of my "other" chores done and started taking the truck apart. My wife came out to help and we got the doors, bed, and front sheetmetal off and also pulled the seat and seat frame out. I had to leave the fenders attached to the bed and the running boards on the frame since I don't have the clutch head drivers or 8 point sockets. Both tools are now ordered.

As I noted before, the floors, can corners and maybe the front corners of the cab need replaced. This week the cab should come off and then I can try repairing the rust.

Scott

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

A couple more pics as we finished up today.

Scott

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Great patina on this one. Nice your wife is willing to help. Mine sorta "tolerates" my truck project :-)

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

DaenTX,

My wife is actually helping out and is a huge supporter but she's also making sure the truck is built so she can drive it. When we first got married I was finishing up a 1969 Camaro resto with a 525hp motor, Richmond 5 speed, and the pro-tour setup. Somehow the drivers seat accidentally got stuck all the way back and she couldn't reach the pedals.... Since then, there's adult supervision.

Scott

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

I think mine would be more supportive if I was not so messy.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Time for an update finally. I had a bunch of house stuff to take care of since we just moved to this house (and state) in June. I also needed to get the garage set up so I installed a new Speedaire 60 gal compressor, bought a Miller MIG and put a heater up on the ceiling.

While waiting for my chassis to get built and arrive we took the truck apart.

I found a good old boy nearby who needed the chassis, made him a great deal and he swapped me a couple of running boards I needed.

Now just waiting for the new chassis.

Scott

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

The chassis, suspension, rack and pinion, brakes, and rear end arrived from TCI!

Going to pick up the salvage yard motor next.

Scott

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

I was looking for an LQ9 but ended up finding an LQ4 out of a 2006 Silverado 3/4 ton with ~80k miles. I found a local salvage yard that specializes in trucks and also does swap packages. However, the motor was already pulled when I got there, the harness was cut (morons), the tranny was gone, and all the accessories were pulled off and the bolts were gone. Short version - lesson learned - next time I will just buy an entire wrecked truck and part out what I don't need.

I also found a 4L80e tranny from the same guys and they were really good about working with me to get all the missing pieces. I now have an extra complete harness, the computer, DBW gas pedal, O2 sensors in a piece of the exhaust, flex plate with spacer, the accessories, etc.

Bolted the motor trans together and dropped it into the chassis for a fit check.

Scott

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

More progress. I dropped the cab back on the chassis to ck engine clearance and I have to say the TCI guys nailed it! It fits great and no cutting is needed - assuming it fits with the radiator OK. (there is a metal piece of some kind back there that looks like a round slug just behind the DS fuel rail. Can't figure out what it does other than provide space for the rail from the firewall so it will come off and thats the only thing really close to the firewall)

BTW - I didn't comment on the chassis. It's awesome! It is a work of art, it's beefier than heck, the welds are beautiful, and it will be a great foundation for the truck.

And yes - it's getting surface rust on it, even here in bone dry Colorado. I called the TCI weenies to ask why they didn't put anything join the chassis and they just don't, but recommended I clean, grind/sand and prime it. I called three local sandblasters and talked with them. They all said leave it alone - it's easier to blast surface rust off than primer.

I also started assembling the suspension. Everything fits great!

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

More suspension

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Stripped all the junk floor out of the bed and set it on the chassis as well so I can see how it all lines up. The cab was just sitting on the chassis so I rebuilt the stock rear cab mounts and reinstalled those, then used a new front mount kit to bolt the cab down in the right place. Mounts match and everything lines up nicely so far.

Scott

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Looks really good 👍👍
Looking forward to your next progress

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Looks great...Keep up the good work.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Before I start the body work I decided to install Altman latches so when I'm ready to fit the doors back they'll actually latch. These were pretty straightforward except that the template they provided for the cut away area seemed too small. I went to their website and downloaded the template, printed it out and sure enough, it was a bit larger. Their copier must have shrunk the one they sent. Anyway, pretty straightforward and both doors are done.

I've also been trying to rebuild the door hinges, emphasis on trying, not doing. It's been impossible to remove the hinge pins on mine so far. I heated them with a small torch, lubed them with everything I could find, pounded on them, and even tried to use my vise as a press which ended semi-tragically when the back jaw broke off (I've had that vise for about 40 years...). I am now going to try and just cut the pins between the parts of the hinge and then will go find a shop with a bigass torch and manly press and try that.

I did discover one hinge is cracked but found another used one nearby. Maybe that one will be easier to rebuild. :lol:

I also fabbed up a support structure (copied from others on the site - thank you!) for the cab and got that it place so everything will stay set when I cut out and replace the floors and cowl pieces. After reading all the posts I can find I'm pretty sure this means carefully preserving the original crappy fit of the doors! ;)

Scott