Wife's 48
 

We have a '48 5 window pickup I picked up for my wife. We have been going to car shows for years and she decided that between a '69 Chevelle and a 5 window truck, she was a truck girl. I bought the '48 in pieces. The PO had started the rebuild, got sick and sold it. I bought from the second guy who wanted to do it, but got sidetracked with his other project. It appears to have most of the parts, including a new tailgate, bed front, bed support rails, and other new sheet metal repair parts. The frame was cut and the front clip from a '79 Firebird was fabbed onto the back part of the frame. I don't like the look of that work, and was very excited to see the article on using an S10 frame.

So tomorrow I'm going to look at an S10 frame that has been "stripped" (or so says the mechanic who has it) for a 54 truck conversion. The guy has a restoration shop and he started this for a client who decided to just quit the project, and now the shop owner is getting rid of it.

I'm going to have a LOT of questions as this goes on, but the first question is "are the body parts interchangeable" between the '48 and the '54. He will sell me the S10 frame with the cab, inner and outer front fenders, bed sides and some "in bad shape rear fenders" all for cheaper than I can find an S10.

He has removed the S10 cab supports, and that is ok and even if he gouged the frame or something it can still be repaired - right?

I like the doors from the '48 since they don't have the vent window to rebuild. Will they fit the '54 cab (if it is in better shape than the '48).

I know this was a long read for a first post, but I just found this site yesterday (9/18/17) and just arranged to go look at the S10 frame and pieces tomorrow (9/20/17). So any help is appreciated.

I promise pictures will be posted as I move forward, as well as more questions.

Thanks,
Robert

Re: Wife's 48
 

first off welcome...
now for your body parts...

front fenders and grill for a 47-53 are different from the 54-55.1 (5bar grill vs bullnose grill)..

obviously the 47-53 windshield is different than 54-55.1 ( 2 piece windshield vs 1 piece windshield)...

the cabs 47-53 and 54-55.1 are different....(because of windshield)

and the bedsides are different 47-53 and 54-55.1 ( flat top vs angled bedsides)..

doors should interchange. ..

your 48 front sheetmetal as well as the 48 doors will fit the 54 cab..

there's lots of good reading here on the s10 swap..joedoh as well as skymangs and others have layed out the build process very well

Re: Wife's 48
 

Mongocanfly, thanks for the quick reply, and I'm really glad to have found this site. I have already read the Skymangs and Joedoh threads. They both did excellent jobs, and I'll be going back to them again and again.

Now for my more detailed questions after looking at your response.

I like the 54 cab with the one piece windshield, but she likes the grill on the on the 48. So if I got this right, I can use the 48 grill on the 54 fenders, or I can put the 48 front fenders and grill on the 54 cab. Either way it works for what we want.

The doors interchange, and that means I can use whichever of the 2 sets of doors are in the best shape. So maybe I can get by with minimal sheet metal work.

I like the 54 bed, and may go with that if the front bed piece, tailgate, tailgate hinges, and bed frame supports will work with the 54 bed, because they are all new in the box and the 54 bed has none.

Now I hope the frame is as good as presented.

Re: Wife's 48
 

48 grill won't fit the 54 fenders...youll need to stick with the 48 fenders for the 48 grill...bed parts should all interchange

Re: Wife's 48
 

"she decided that between a '69 Chevelle and a 5 window truck, she was a truck girl."

Sounds like she's a keeper, LOL. Keep us posted on your build, you know we love pics.

Re: Wife's 48
 

Yeah, after 37 years I think she's a keeper too. I have headers on my current project because she saw some on a car at a show and said "you need some of those shiny things".

Pictures will start this weekend. Picking up parts from the 48 and going to look at and probably buy the S10 frame with the 54 cab.

Re: Wife's 48
 

You have been given good info above. Hussey also has a good build thread, I used mounts similar to his and used his measurements for setting my cab in place.

Mine isn't as detailed, but also on an S10 frame with an LS engine.

Re: Wife's 48
 

doors wont interchange without an adapter striker for the door jamb.

you are from texas so I will say this, get your REGISTRATION DONE BEFORE STARTING WORK. you will be in for a very unpleasant surprise if you wait till the truck is done.

Re: Wife's 48
 

[QUOTE=8man;8043317]I like the 54 bed, and may go with that if the front bed piece, tailgate, tailgate hinges, and bed frame supports will work with the 54 bed, because they are all new in the box and the 54 bed has none./QUOTE]

54 and 55 lst series beds, are completly different that the 47-53 beds, nothing will exchange. Rear fenders can be used. Here are a couple pics for visual difference. Hope this helps...Jim

Pic 1 Here's a 54 bed mounted on a stock 50 frame (mine) which required some modifications.
Pic 2 Tailgate and how it mounts to the uprights, with flat top on bed sides.
Pic 3 Old rusty bed, but you can see the shorter front panel and the sloped bed sides.
Pic 4 Different mounting style for the tailgate on the 47-53.

Another note the splash arpron between the bed and running boards are also different. 54-55 short height and 47-53 taller height.

Re: Wife's 48
 

I'm interested in your build. I'm working with a parts combination of similar years.

Re: Wife's 48
 

joedoh thanks...I forgot about the door strikers being different. ..

jim thanks. ..for straightening me out on the bed....I was thinking front panel was same..I knew the sides were different...but I also thought tailgate was the same..

Re: Wife's 48
 

Thanks guys. After looking at the truck yesterday, I'm going to go get it Friday. It has doors, bed sides, p

Since I have a 48 with a 79 Firebird front end and a 54 sitting on a S10, I think I'm going to do 2 builds. The 54 is going to be for Laura. She's already named it "Farm Truck", ok she likes trucks, so give her a break if she's not so original on names. The 48 I think I'll take it to a point and then see if I can find someone to buy it. I'm not going to work on both at once, I'll do the 54 first.

Turned out the guy who has the 54 actually builds these trucks and was working on 4 others when I got there yesterday. He doesn't do paint or finish out, just the frame, cab and bed combination. He mounts the engine and transmission so the body sits right for your use. Anyway, he's going to check out the 48 frame and make sure it's good before I start on it.

Pics of the 54 this weekend I hope.

Another of many "not so inspired questions" - What does it mean when you refer to these trucks as AD?

Re: Wife's 48
 

Advanced Design. Name given by GM to the platform. Next round was TF, Task Force.

Re: Wife's 48
 

Well, I picked up the S10 frame with the 54 cab (it has some bondo on the back under the two windows, and will probably need a lower cab corner on the driver's side) the bed sides (they are in excellent condition), as well as the front fenders, inner fenders, doors, rear fenders (which are in excellent shape except for some rust through on the tails) and S10 brake unit. Here are some pictures.

These two are of the frame. S10 standard cab, long bed. The shop owner has cut off the frame supports on the frame.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/...90048858_b.jpgIMG_1735 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4444/...87541505_b.jpgIMG_1731 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

It has two good AD fenders and inner fenders.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4497/...66a3616a_b.jpgIMG_1730 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The inside was customized by a PO, see the 4 gauge holes in the dash and the floor shifter. George said the gauges were a saleable commodity if I didn't want them.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4491/...472e08cb_b.jpgIMG_1732 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The doors are rough

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4477/...350ea400_b.jpgIMG_1733 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The shop owner uses 4x4 by 3/8" tubing to make his body/frame supports.
They are definitely strong enough.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4333/...c73c43cb_b.jpgIMG_1734 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Ok, you can see this truck was licensed in Texas through 1/31/17.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/...90048858_b.jpgIMG_1735 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Now to get the 48 and all it's stuff in the same place to see what I've got to work with.

Laura likes the custom dash and the floor shifter, and she wants an "old school" motor. That means a carb with points and condenser. Oh well. Also, she says forest green with black fenders and the dark oak bed rails and floor. I kinda like that color scheme too.

Re: Wife's 48
 

that door has a drop handle, its probably a 51 at the latest.

abandoned projects make great starting points, usually haha

Re: Wife's 48
 

Joe, that's funny because I didn't even look at the doors except for the vent windows. In George's defense, he didn't say they were 54 doors, he said "they were the doors for that truck".

They are so rusted out, I'm just using them for the parts. I may practice on them before I do the other doors.

Re: Wife's 48
 

Had some time to check out the 54 cab yesterday. I wanted to see what kind of "pig" I bought. Well the floor seemed good from the bottom and the top.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4498/...8e3eab1b_b.jpgIMG_1764 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

But then I found the fiberglass.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4438/...0aae6c72_b.jpgIMG_1763 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

That tell tale crosshatch pattern just did not make my day. I checked it from the engine bay side and it's not visible there, just steel, so I need to get the fiberglass gone to see what problem I have there. I also found fiberglass inside the cab, below the floor level at the back two cab corners. On the outside rear cab corners I found rust and some bondo.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4382/...50484eec_b.jpgIMG_1760 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I knew about this bondo from when I picked it up.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4397/...b0a97103_b.jpgIMG_1758 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Then I found a couple more things to make it interesting.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4382/...45fbd57b_b.jpgIMG_1759 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4476/...53d1cbe2_b.jpgIMG_1761 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I definitely have a "pig", just don't know if I can make a silk purse out of it.

I started looking at sheet metal parts today. I'm looking at LMC, CMW Trucks, Classic Parts and GMCPauls Truck Parts.

Since I'm new here, any direction to the better quality, price, etc. would be appreciated.

I think I can get rid of the bondo with a cupped wire brush, but HOW do you clean out the fiberglass? Media blast it? I know I've got to get it down to bare metal to figure out what I really have and whether or not it is worth trying to rebuild, given my NOOBIE skill level.

Re: Wife's 48
 

well your dealing with the same thing everybody else is...most of the suppliers sell the parts made by the same people...so really no advantage..one is definitely better for bed parts though...mar-k all the way for bed parts..
on the fiberglass sand blast would be best. .it can be removed with a sanding disc on a angle grider but its very very messy. ..and harmful to breath..
no matter what you do you've got a lot of work ahead of you..

Re: Wife's 48
 

with the look of the rot in the window area, have you looked at swapping the rear cab wall, completely? may be less work than you think compared to the time to fix the existing.
how is the roof panel in the gutter areas?
the custom dash looks like it is stock. seems like a metal man must have been around at some point.

Re: Wife's 48
 

you can also buy a complete floor assembly I believe
price it all out and compare to a new cab. maybe gonna be less expense and time. it is what I would do for my truck next time around. especially when you start to count the extras like shop time with lights and compressor running, tools required, supplies like zip discs, grinding discs, steel replacement parts, welding supplies and the cost to your health doing the stuff, if not fully protected, which most of us are inadequate at doing.

Re: Wife's 48
 

Yeah, the dash is solid and done well. I even kind of like it. The guy did good work on that.

I am looking at replacing the rear panel instead of just trying to fix "spots". I know that my metal working skill will be put to the test either way I go.

I think I should get the body media blasted and epoxy primed so I can see what I have to work with. That will get rid of the bondo and fiberglass. I think I'll have that done by others while I'm working on updating the front end.

I think the sequence will be get the front end of the frame "re-built" so I can set the body on it and adjust for height. Then I can start on the body.

Re: Wife's 48
 

I wish I could be that decisive on colors haha. I think I change my mind every couple of months. I have the Gennie floor shifter, so I'll let you know how that goes when its all installed and driving. I thought about the B&M which it looks like is in your picture, but the shift knob looked like a weird height for a truck. Good luck on the build!

Re: Wife's 48
 

oog

rust repair is my white whale. I wish I could find a way to do it without complaining about it non stop.

Re: Wife's 48
 

I wish I had more experience at it, but after 35 years of sitting at a desk I started the Jeep and found it to be very interesting. Although I had no rust problems on it like I have on this truck. I'll find out what I've learned and probably continue getting my doctorate in sheet metal repair. Maybe I can retire and spend days on it instead of just hours stolen here and there.

Re: Wife's 48
 

Gigamanx, I'm interested in how your floor shifter works. You are right on the BM shifter that came in the truck. Laura kind of likes it, but just said she was thinking about a column shift. I have so much to do before that decision.

May have found some used parts close enough to drive up and look at. I'm looking forward to that road trip.

Re: Wife's 48
 

Got the 48 home today.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4482/...26979f31_b.jpgIMG_1781 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
That's it in front. It is in better shape than the 54, but since it has the split windshield, I think I'm going to practice on the body work on it first.

It has the Firebird front end mated to the rear frame of the 48, with an S10 rear axle. After looking at it, I know why I got a spare dash, someone hacked the old dash up at the radio. I did get all the body panel parts to repair it, so starting on it and getting it to something either for me to keep or sell will give me some experience and should be ok. I need the practice with the mig.

Oh, and two gratuitous pictures of the current project,
https://live.staticflickr.com/4293/3...229fc8c7_c.jpgIMG_1670 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/4302/3...f4f2b3e5_c.jpgIMG_1671 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I promise, last pic of the 79 on this board.

I didn't realize how much bondo the 54 had on it until I got the 48 near it. There is no "roll" between the rear windows and the lower body panel. So before I start anything on it I'll get it media blasted and primed, but I doubt that it will be soon.

Re: Wife's 48
 

nice looking jeep ya got there...
just for future reference.."the roll"...your talking about is called the beltline on these trucks...and wow...that's a lot if bondo

Re: Wife's 48
 

Thanks, I hope to have it out and about in a week or two.

Yes, that is a lot of bondo and I just realized it. I hate bondo. I do like the belt (thanks for the terminology) and that bondo has to go.

Re: Wife's 48
 

https://www.autobodyspecialt.com/cgi...&category=0120


http://www.brotherstrucks.com/Roof-R...products/1227/


lower panel also available here

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/dept/S.../cat/Cab+.html


prolly quicker to replace and have fresh stuff

Re: Wife's 48
 

Raven, thanks for the links. Once I have the media blast done to see what I have those will probably be the way I go.

I have some cab corners and other pieces that came with the 48 that I will use to try and eliminate the rust from it before I tackle the 54.

Re: Wife's 48
 

Ok, got a little time today in the shop to compare the 48 and the 54. There are some subtle differences, more than just the windshield.

So here is what I have.
The fire wall of the 54
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4459/...64c4bd0e_z.jpgIMG_1791 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
Firewall will clean up nicely, but notice the rust in the lower cab.

Now the 48 firewall
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4479/...8a4d411b_z.jpgIMG_1790 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
Kinda hacked up, won't clean up as easily.

From inside the 48 cab, looking down at the body right front bolt.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4488/...072ee091_z.jpgIMG_1789 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
Yes that is a "see through" kick panel seam. Also, I think the "washer" for the body bolt has been replaced since it sits above the floor.

And now the 54 front body bolt
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4457/...0a4a589a_z.jpgIMG_1783 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
I think that is the way it is supposed to sit, but I doubt it is supposed to be that rusty! I'll know more about what I have when I get the fiberglass removed.

Again, the 54

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4498/...2a5d452c_z.jpgIMG_1784 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
Yes, that is fiberglass on top of rust. I hope I can replace it with new metal and make it look good.

I thought the 48 was in better shape, but not by much. I'm going to have to do cab corners, some supports and the firewall on both. I still think I'll do both trucks, and I think I'll start on the 48, since I have the parts and I want to practice.

What do you sit the truck on to work on the body steel?

I'm going to try to get a body dolly built next weekend. Is that what you would use? Do you cut panels off while sitting on the dolly or is a rotisserie a better plan?

Re: Wife's 48
 

Also, the 48 has some rear inner cab corners, but the 54 has none. Is that normal?

Re: Wife's 48
 

my buddies 54 had inners, yours probably just got rusty enough to fall out. they are available I think. I would install them just to keep the dirt and water out, be sure to leave a drain hole though.

Re: Wife's 48
 

Well, I started the body work on the 48 this afternoon. I started on the RH front corner. I cut out the rusty parts, thinking I had all of the parts I needed to repair it.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4538/...4327c7f8_z.jpgIMG_1835 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The rust that is left is just dust and the metal is solid.

From the inside.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4540/...617aa363_z.jpgIMG_1836 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Then I was test fitting the lower cowl repair panel.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4597/...be1d7d0b_z.jpgIMG_1837 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

The gap is less than a nickel, so I think it will weld up pretty well.

I tried to order the lower front pillar patch, as I've had to cut out the lower portion to get rid of rust. I'm not sure the order went through until I contact them tomorrow to find out.

I test fit all the other patches, and as soon as I have the pillar patch, I can start welding on this corner.

This is the worst of it on the 48. The 54 is a different story! I've got it up where I can send it out for media blast and prime. Then I can see how bad it really is. However, with Christmas coming, family time will once again eat into shop time. Oh well, lucky I like Christmas and most of my family. :lol:

Re: Wife's 48
 

Nice project and glad to see your diving in right away that will help it get done. I like your Jeep, Wagoner or Grand Cherokee? I have a '67 CJ5 I've had on the road for 23 years.

Re: Wife's 48
 

The Jeep started life as a 79 Cherokee Chief. It has a few modern touches now.

Re: Wife's 48
 

Got the 54 blasted and primed with weld through primer. It is in worse shape than I had hoped. I don't have it home yet, so no pics.

However, I got the 1947-54 Chevy Truck Assembly Manual and started looking at parts, and trying to find the correct name for some of them.

I am going to have to replace the body outer lower rear panel, the body outer upper rear panel and apparently the roof skin panel, IF I can find one.

Does anyone have a lead on a 54 roof skin panel?

Looking at the manual, it appears that the panels go on in order of the lower, upper and roof. Is that correct?

I'm going to have to retire to get these two done! Work is taking way too much time away from the shop!

Re: Wife's 48
 

Does anybody have a lead for the roof skin and the rear upper window outer panel?

Re: Wife's 48
 

I dont think anyone ever has been encouraged by blasting :lol: good luck though!

Re: Wife's 48
 

Well I have really started, time is still in short supply, but things are moving in the right direction.

I have 3 of the 4 cab corners welded up on the 48. No filler yet, just a little primer to keep the rust away.

These are my first attempt at body panel welding, so be kind, but constructive criticism is appreciated.

In the first picture the bottom is a new front lower pillar, in black, it gets lost, the lower cowl panel and the lower front cowl piece were replaced as well. You can see daylight from this angle. There is a big drain hole in the outer panel, and I have not finished welding the two pieces when this was taken.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/883/4...0b8b9234_b.jpgIMG_1919 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/896/2...df6591fe_b.jpgIMG_1918 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/815/4...4442c34f_b.jpgIMG_1896 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
I got the last corner started. I was going to start treating for rust, weld through primer on the inside and weld it up. I turned on the gas to the MIG and no surprise, NO GAS! So I had to stop at this point. I did go ahead and treat the rust and then prime the inside. The inner cab corner was cut to fit, but I think I need to weld it in prior to starting the outer panel, since the outer panel fits up against the inner corner.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/2...b27fb7c9_b.jpgIMG_1917 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

So the only thing I could do then was do some more fitting. I showed the dash in an earlier post. It was really hacked up. I got an unmolested dash with the truck.
So out with the ugly hacked up dash.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/873/2...2db36337_b.jpgIMG_1920 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
And then I removed the old "cab" from the "new" dash with a grinding wheel, cutting the welds from the outside to remove the dash from that cowl metal, and then test fit it.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/794/4...f21b778d_b.jpgIMG_1921 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I called it "new" not "pretty". I removed it again until I can get it blasted and primed. I don't think it will rust anymore if it takes a few weeks to get around to that.

Fortunately, the 48 does not have the channel around the door openings for the weatherstrip, so I didn't have to hack that up to get the dash out. I need to do the 54 too, as that cab has dash issues too. However, one good thing about the 54 cab is that the westherstrip channel is all in tact and in good shape.

So HOW in the world do you get the dash out with that channel in place? If that is not an option, how/where do you remove the channel? If you have to remove it, where do you get some more, and do you spot weld it in?