1953 Chevrolet 6100 dump truck
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This is my 1953 model 6100 dump truck. I got it in 2019 from my son. He had an auto repair shop (add a location if possible) and someone brought it in for him to get it running. The owner found a newer truck and my son ended up with this one in trade for the work done on it and another rig. I had an old U-Haul truck I wasn't using, so we made a trade.
At some point in its life, someone installed a 250 six cylinder from the late '70s. They did a pretty horrible job but it was in there and it ran, so I went ahead and started using it. I hauled gravel, trash, scrap metal, and compost.
I banged out the bigger dents and gave it a brush paint job. As horrible as it was, people loved it and I got a lot of compliments.
I was able to score an old 3 speed Brownlipe transmission and all the linkages and mounts, so I installed that. That gave me a little more top speed and versatility. (Can you expand on some of the issues you had installing the new tranny and maybe include some pictures)
In 2021, I was able to find a nice little Detroit 3-53 diesel engine. I tore down the truck and started the process of installing it. (Please expand this section on the issues and successes you encountered installing this engine. Our readers would be very interested on how it was done, and of course include pictures)
(Make this a separate paragraph)The last time I drove the truck in its old state was to take the dump bed to the scrap yard. It was just too far gone to use, with the floor rusted away and the body beat to crap. (What did you replace it with and where did you get it from?)
I was able to find a really nice rust free fenders and hood on the Marketplace. The wife and I drove to Bremerton, WA (486 miles!) to pick it up. (Is that why they are white? Do you plan on painting them?. Whats your plan on future bodywork?) It wasn't so bad since we took the camp trailer and came home down the coast, making a vacation of the affair. (Please expand a little on your trip. Did you take the truck? If you did, what was people’s reaction to your truck and some of the things you encountered along the way. )
After nearly a year of doing pretty much nothing, I finally made my adapters and mounts and set the engine in. Everything fell right into place and within a couple weeks I was on the road again. (What stopped you from working on the truck and when the new engine was installed, what was your first drive like and your first impressions.)
The truck runs and drives great, although I'll need to change the rear gearing since the diesel operates at a lower rpm. (What rear do you plan on using, what do you plan on doing with your truck and what other plans do you have for future upgrades?)[
Lee Hartman
Payette, ID
