I originally documented my restoration with many pictures but have never put much text or detail to each picture or how I arrived at my process/decisions. Here is the first picture when I began my restoration. I drove it home after purchasing it and took the picture here. I should have taken it outside in the full sun.
I researched far and wide before deciding how I wanted to proceed with this restoration. That took a long time weighing the many options. Everyone had an opinion.
I finally decided to do a complete frame off restoration putting it back like it was in 1953 except add a good paint job and nice rims and tires.
I disassembled the truck one piece at a time and bagged and marked all the smaller parts, nuts and bolts and where they went. I did not try to salvage any wiring but did keep all the switches, lights, etc.
I was working on this project at my shop. As I removed the bed, cab and front clip, I loaded those big items on individual pallets and placed them in storage racks in my shop to help save space. I boxed up all the bags of bolts, nuts, small parts, etc. to consolidate them. I placed those on top of my office space in my building, out of the way until I needed them.
The engine ran fine so I decided that I would not have to do much to it except paint it. Once I pulled it off the frame, I mounted it on an engine stand so I could have easy access.
I pulled the front axle and rear end and loaded them on pallets, too.
Once got to this point, I realized that someone before me had hacked off four of the running board mounts that were riveted on from the factory. I bought new running board mounts to fix three of the four and repaired the last one. I purchased 3/8 solid steel rivets from McMaster Carr and after cutting the original rivets loose and removing the hacked off mounts, I installed the new mounts and heated up the new rivets so they could be peened on like they originally were.
After checking the frame to make sure it was square, level and repairing any other issues, it was ready to be stripped and powder coated. I did not have to worry about the paint or lack there of since it was all coming off anyway. I took the frame to Jackson MS to get that done. Once I picked it up it looked like the second picture below.
