Grandpas 1950 Chevy

[dante81_98]

So I think this may be the first time I am posting about my truck. We have been working on it for a lot time. And by we I mean mostly Todd over at Lowboy Motorsports in Mesa, Az. I just went in to help with some of the grunt work. Long story short, I got the truck from my grandpa, got it down to a more respectable height, put in an LS engine and am now going to drive the piss out of it. And now to to make the long story long.

A little back story. My grandpa purchased and did a little mini restoration on this truck in the early 90s. He never finished it. He did get it running and driving with the original running gear but really only drove it around the block and into the barn where I picked it up. I bugged him for the better part of 10 years to let me come get it. Finally I got the call from him to come by with a trailer.

I did end up getting it running again, but I knew that I wouldn't be using that drive train at all. I did however get it to the shop, strip it down and make a handsome profit on the original parts. I took it to the shop knowing that it was going to be a slow and steady build. I was very pleased to see how things progressed. Todd was able to work on something and take his time to tinker with it and make it even better until the payoff this last weekend.

The original idea was to take the original truck and lay it out on the running boards with a more modern engine and trans. We knew right away that we were going to use the original frame. No S10 swap here. The front suspension is all custom built using the spindle and breaks from a 95 Chevy 1/2 ton truck. The rear is a 12 bolt out of an early 70s truck with a custom 4 link to keep it in order. The frame was boxed then the frame and suspension got powdercoated before final assembly. It rides on a full air ride setup using the latest offerings from Accuair. All of this was built and installed by Todd at Lowboy Motorsports.

For the engine we were originally going to just go 350/700r4 but when there were issues with the engine I had I through him a curve ball and we went with a 4.8 LS with a 4l60e from a 2004 Silverado. Todd build a fuel cell for it and Diego from Desert Auto Works also in Mesa, AZ did the wiring and pumbing of the engine. He did the chassis harness as well. Some notable parts for the LS swap are the Hooker LS Swap manifolds that worked out great, the dirty dingo accessory brackets, GM Performance muscle car oil pan and American Eagle aluminum 3 core radiator.

Once we got it all put back together, wired and plumbed we were able to start driving it. We took the truck to the Severed in the Southwest show last year as a shell and our goal was to drive it into the show this year. We made that goal. I was able to drive it into the show and even ended up putting some freeway miles on it as well. It was a very successful payoff and we got a very good response on the truck at the show.

I want to say that I couldn't be happier with the work that Todd at Lowboy Motorsports put in on this truck. He has put up with curve balls from me and some rather crazy mood swings as we were getting close to deadlines. In the end though he pulled off exactly what I was looking for. If you end up reading this. Thank you again Todd. I also want to say thank you to Diego from Desert Auto Works for all the hard work on the wiring and plumbing of the entire truck. We took him a shell and a pile of wireing and were able to drive the truck away. They both killed it and I can't wait for us to build something else.

Now onto the pictures. Enjoy

Thanks,
Chad

[dante81_98]

Few more pictures.

[Liddy71]

Nice looking truck keep up the good work

[MIKESAD50]

Nice looks great

[jratz1966]

nice work,I dig it

[mr48chev]

That is turning into a really nice truck that should be able to go anywhere any time.

[dante81_98]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated.

And yeah, its definitely been built as a driver. Got some freeway time on it after the show. Wouldn't hesitate to jump in and drive it to Cali or Vegas or anywhere.

[Lokin4AReason]

nice looking ride =0)

[dante81_98]

Thanks man, I appreciate it.

[rocks23]

This is awesome! I bought a one owner truck that looks identical to yours and plans are just about the same as you done! Keep up the good work. Oh, the truck looks great!!

[dante81_98]

Originally Posted by rocks23

This is awesome! I bought a one owner truck that looks identical to yours and plans are just about the same as you done! Keep up the good work. Oh, the truck looks great!!

Thanks bud. Good luck on your project. There is a lot of good information on this site. And if your looking to do the LS as well there is the LS Swap section with a ton of information as well.

[ratty 46]

Nice back story & it pays to be persistent with you Grandfather.

Truck turned out well. Intentions on the bed wood?

[dante81_98]

Originally Posted by ratty 46

Nice back story & it pays to be persistent with you Grandfather.

Truck turned out well. Intentions on the bed wood?

Thanks. We will probably do a 3 panel wood floor in it with 2 of the panels that hinge up so things can be serviced.

[ratty 46]

OK ... I'll be watching ...

Again - nice finish on the truck. U have to be happy with that.

R46

[dante81_98]

Yeah, definitely stoked on the finish. It polished up nice, but still has that look of an old paint job.

[dante81_98]

Got to show my Grandparents the results of our labor. Took my Grandpa for spin in the truck. Was the first time he has seen it move under its own power since the day he parked it in the barn. Was a great day.

[ratty 46]

You know that brought back some memories!

Nicely done.

[MIKESAD50]

I like the story behind the truck.

[lower50's]

Great story!! Great looking truck!! They where made to be driven

[alaska gasser]

Originally Posted by dante81_98

Got to show my Grandparents the results of our labor. Took my Grandpa for spin in the truck. Was the first time he has seen it move under its own power since the day he parked it in the barn. Was a great day.

That is very cool and I'll bet he was proud!

[dante81_98]

Haven't updated this since I got some of the final touches done on the outside. Got the rest of the panels on it and a bumper. Got the bed floor put in too. Starting to get some of the panels aligned and getting the interior done is next.

[Advanced Design]

Looks really good Dante! You have a nice truck.

[Sean714]

What a great story behind the truck, you have really came along with restoring it. I just got my 52' truck from grampa a few months ago after he passed, so this story just made my day. Thanks for sharing, and good luck with the rest of it.

[dante81_98]

Thanks guys. Its a great truck and I couldn't be happier with how its turning out.

[FamilyBowTie]

Nice!

Great back story, glad to see your grandfather got to see it.