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

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Ok just a couple 'stupid' questions from the peanut gallery over here ..... :lol:

TCI has been doing this pre-engineered thing a long time and with great results, you chose a very nice package deal with the LS conversion and all the matching components they already have figured out.

1. So with the TCI chassis and suspension all setup to go right together why didnt you just send it all out for powdercoat and paint and start final assembly? whats to mock up?

2. IF you got the cash... Why not just send that cab and all those body pieces out to blast and have them cleaned before you start the panel replacements?

It looks great no matter and you (and the wife) are pressing right along! ;)

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

PTC - thanks!

I guess I could have started with powder coat but I was pretty sure I would bugger up the frame while getting everything else in shape. I've also never used a chassis like this and wanted to trial fit everything to be sure it all fit and fit right. Plus I need to buy and mount a gas tank and will be drilling holes for that, I wanted to drill and tap holes for wiring at least for the rear section, and I expect I will be doing mini-tubs and wanted to sort that out as well.

Regarding the cab - I am leaving the outside as it is other than fixing rust holes. I honestly didn't think about blasting the bad areas first but it's a good idea and I probably should have. Oh well, I'm cutting a lot of the rust out anyway.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Cool build.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Very nice work. The chassis does look very good. And it looks like the brake lines are already done?

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Nice build... You will be happy with the TCI chassis. If you need anything regarding the chassis let me know. I can send you a pic of my gas tank i have "mocked up" haha just kidding. options are nice...

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Thanks! Yes - it came with SS brake lines installed.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

The chassis look good. Nice progress.

Marc

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Thanks Marc! Your frame looks great! I considered doing something similar but was afraid I would be taking on too much. This is my first truck and it's been a few years since I did serious resto work so I opted for the full chassis. I was also assuming I would have to do a lot of frame welding and I'm not sure about that until my skills improve. After seeing how straightforward yours is and how good it looks I may go the same route next time. Great work!

Love the Burb build and your truck is an inspiration! I have to get mine together so I can drive it!

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Fixing the cab now. Took out the passenger floor and opened the cowl on that side. All the usual rust I guess at the rocker, bottom of the hinge pillar, inner, outer, and middle cowl, and floor. I bought a small chunk of a parted out cab to get come of the parts and minimize using replacement panels.

I ended up replacing the bottom third of the middle cowl piece and patching a few areas of rust here and there. Also, dissected out a piece of the rocker with the bottom of the hinge pillar to patch back into the cab. Removed all the rusty stuff, welded the front under floor support to my new rocker section, then fitted and tacked to the cab. I cleaned and primed the middle cowl and need to get the outer cowl off, then get the floor in and work my way out.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Fixing the rocker and hinge pillar.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Rocker/hinge pillar patch tacked in. Also a couple pics of the repaired middle cowl piece.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Now getting the outer cowl out of the way. Got stuck until I realized there were three more spots welds down below the body seam!

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Waiting for a couple of sheet metal parts so moved to the rear floor. There's some rust holes, thin areas, and a bunch of cracks around the front corner of the drivers side seat support area.

I got my son to help and he drilled out the spot welds while I cut it out. I dropped it off at a local rod and custom shop and they are bending up a flat floor replacement section. They are also bending some 3/4" x 1" sheet metal angle to replace the under floor supports either side of the trans tunnel. I cleverly cut mine up taking out the floors...

In the meantime, I fabbed up a 1" x 1" crossmember to support the rear floor and back up the new sheet metal joint. I realized that I cut a little too close to the wide beads and they wouldn't let the floor sit flat on the cross member, so I sliced the ends open horizontally, hammered them flat, and then welded them up when I plug welded the floor down.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

When I was fitting the cross member I needed to cut a relief in the top side on either end so it would fit up under the rocker flange and sit flush with it on the topside. Maybe a little anal but I wanted the floor to sit flat against the support.

I used my cutoff wheel and made a horizontal slice just like on the floor bead, then hammered the gap closed and will weld it up. I plug welded the cross member in and then plug welded the back floor to it.

Re: Scott's '51 Build
 

Brief update - my priorities were temporarily reset by the boss so I am finishing the basement at the moment. Hopefully, I'll get that out of the way in the next month.

Before my redirect, I did get the floors and rocker patches all tacked in along with the DS lower cowl repairs. I'll try and get some pics up shortly. In the meantime, I can still accumulate parts!

I ordered the Hooker cast headers/manifold (p/n 8501) and they are nice parts which fit well. Sadly, Hookers' QA seems a little off and the finish on the two sets I've received so far isn't very good. Still working that with Summit (they've been great) and I expect to end up with two good looking manifolds.

I also picked up a used steering column from an early '80s Camaro which looks to be a good fit. It has tilt, column shift for the auto, turns signals, dimmer and seem to be in fine condition. Needs painted and a new wheel that fits the truck of course but it's a great start. In the pic it's clamped in place but is not fully seated on the firewall/toekick. I need to remove the original mounting plate and fab a new one plus figure out the mount to the dash.

My big score was a 1989 Chevy truck bench seat I grabbed from a local salvage yard last Friday. Great condition - could use a cleaning and a patch on the side but it will work great for now. Check out the pics. besides a nice seat you can see the replacement floor patches including a fabbed flat floor section to replace the original dished floor under the seat.

Back to the basement - rough plumbing inspection in the morning!