just bought a 55 chevy 3100 ( first series)

[my55chevy3100]

hello all, im new to this...let me first start by telling you a little about myslef....my name is Luciano ( luke) im 26 years old and im currently a student at universal technical institute....i am double phasing which means class from 630am til 830pm monday to friday, its alot to put on one's plate but coming in July i will become a father so it is all worth the trouble to graduate early...so now, enough about me....lets get to the juicy subject lol....i just picked up a 55 first series 3100...its in rough shape no boubt but none the less i believe it was an offer i could not let go by. i bought this truck for 300 dollars and a motor lift ( total value of maybe 450)...i have a couple pictures of what im working with and im wondering what some of the more experienced guys on here have to offer me for advice... any help will be greatly appreciated...now, the nose is all there, but it is in the bed...i have no clue how to put this thing back together or if i even should yet...there is alot of rust, the floor in the cab is practically gone but the original motor, transmission, driveline and radiator came with the purchase. where should i start????

[drivea55]

Start by posting pics!!!!

Welcome! !! Nice to see another ma guy on the forum.

Looking forward to seeing some pics for sure.

Brian
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[my55chevy3100]

lol thats the problem...i loaded a profile picture, so that should be available if you go directly into my profile but when i enter user CP there is no PICTURES AND ALBUMS to click on...would you happen to know of any website i can visit for step by step instructions on how to put thie nose back together??

[G&R's57GMC]

Get a factory assembly manual. You can get one from http://www.fillingstation.com or other classic truck parts suppliers.

All the sheet metal is available if you want to spend a bundle on rust restoration or you could get a used cab from the southwest or a brand new cab with new doors hung for about $7 grand.

BTW to load pictures here first resize (fewer pixels) them for the internet then upload them.
Click on Go Advanced and a upload box will appear use it to chose your pic's from your desktop.

I just looked at your profile Pic and you have a 55 first series Advanced Design, you might want to make your pic your avatar so people don't think you have a second series Task Force.

Have fun with your build !

[my55chevy3100]

thank you...the picture advice wont help because i dont have an option to even have pictures, thats what i was trying to say before...i can even create an album. as far as the service manual advice...now that was helpful but since this truck is basically a 54 should i buy the 47 - 54 or just go with the 55 - 59 service book

[my55chevy3100]

also...while looking deeper into the fillinf station website...the manual covers i found, 55 to 59 have a second series model on the cover and 47 to 54 looks exactly like my frame

[OrrieG]

1955 was a transition year. Early 55 are AD (Advanced Design) trucks. Late 55 are TF (Task Force) trucks. Both are usually titled as 1955 year model.

[G&R's57GMC]

Order the 47-53 assembly manuel and if your building it close to stock get the shop manuel also.

BTW they might even have an owners manuel also.

[av8tr33337]

Hey quit teasing us, where are the pics????

[my55chevy3100]

haha...well i now have a profile picture of the 6 cylinder and my avatar is the truck with fenders and hood on it before i bought it...im working on setting up a photobucket account since i was told that is the only way to create an album

[Richard H.]

Here is a site that is helpful.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/

[oldcouple]

I was just gonna say that, http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/

[_Ogre]

Welcome to this site. Photobucket is your best choice for photos. I use it for posting to multiple sites.
Use the [img] link to post here. You can use other links for emailing pics.
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[jocko]

Yes, that is correct, and that is the easiest way to include pics at the bottom of your post. Note you must select "Post Reply" or select "Go Advanced" at the bottom of the "Post Quick Reply" box at the bottom of this page to get to where you will be able to post pics. But I agree that is the easiest, most convenient method.

[my55chevy3100]

yes that would be true if i had the original bed...the bed i have is actually from a 70's chevy

[Hot Rod Todd]

Luke, you ask "where should I start?"

To be really brutally honest, given you are double shifting on the study and have a baby due shorty, I would focus on your studies and keeping your wife/partner happy and start on the truck after graduation.

She will be much happier once you have graduated, and then you can avoid some of the hassles that those of us who learned the above stuff from experience got into.

Cheers
Todd

[Rods57]

Luke, I will second that last comment. If mama ain't happy...nobody is happy!

[my55chevy3100]

she actually doesnt mind...she would rather me stay home on the weekends and fix this up than go out and blow my money on stupid things like a bar or something...during the week i focus on school and on the weekends is where i plan on putting a good 2-3 hours into the truck...and when that starts to piss me off ill just grab my gun and head to the woods to blow off some rounds

[drivea55]

weather is looking good!

progress is going to happen on my end too for sure!

keep chippin away

[my55chevy3100]

oh i plan on it...and im coming out of the double phasing and going back to just morning classes...damb government wanted to take 2500 dollars from my loans for trying to graduate early...low blow if you ask me, you would think they would be happy to see someone using government money the right way and applying themselves...so i should have plenty of progress now...also, anyone know how i can go about replacing the floor in the cab? its rotted pretty bad...i see people on here using the bottom half of s-10

[my55chevy3100]

so i finally have the nose done...slowly getting there...but as any great project, it may take a year to finish since ill be putting it together slowly...

[my55chevy3100]

here i have the nose all buttoned up looking better already lol now i have to the nose back off again and the cab as well and begin all the prep on the frame

[drivea55]

lookin good man!!!

what are you using for rust inhibitor?

Brian

[my55chevy3100]

Since money is tight I've just been buying rustolean spray cans it's the rust restorer...I was told it would do, I'm not going to make the truck pop in a flawless original way...I'm going to stay flat black, white wall the wheels and Paint the rims red to me that's a perfect hot rod...i want her to have her own soul and story if you can imagine what i mean...one day I'll build a nice v8 to throw in it with a good rear end. I was told ford9 inch...what would you suggest?
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[drivea55]

I heard of a product called extense in a can that goes on clear but as it eats it turns black and dries.

I need to find something due to some start rust wanting to come thru primer.

Loooking good. My build is also gonna be a driver and nothing for best of show. Just remember, once a driver you can always pick at it to make it better as you go!.

Keep up the good work.

Brian
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