Welcome to Stovebolt! Another guy in Florida. Sounds like you will be having some fun. I watched the show TRUCKS this morning and they were starting a new project with a stock 1949 3100 Chevy pickup. It was drivable but they are going to update the front axle, trans, and rearend. They were keeping a straight 6 in it. I hope I have time to watch the next shows. You may enjoy it too.
