The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 1950 3600 RESTO JOB

HELLO GENTLEMEN, I AM NEW AROUND HERE AND WISH TO ASK THE ADVICE OF SOME WISE MEN. I HAVE A 50 3/4 TON PICKUP THAT I HAVE TAKEN APART AND WOULD LIKE TO RESTORE. THE TRUCKS CAB NEEDS MOST ALL PATCH PANELS AVAILABLE, INCLUDING A TOEBOARD. IT IS DEFINITELY A GOOD'OLE IOWA TRUCK. I INTEND TO STAY AS CLOSE TO STOCK AS POSSIBLE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A 235 I HAVE REBUILT FOR IT. THE COST OF ABOUT 90% OF THE RESTORATIONS PARTS IS CLOSE TO $2000 NOT INCLUDING WHAT I HAVE DONE ALREADY. I GUESS WHAT I AM WONDERING IS IF I SHOULD BE DOING A FULL RESTO ON A HALF TON AND NOT A 3/4????? AM I WASTING MY MONEY ON A 3/4???? I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP ANYONE CAN OFFER.

SINCERELY
JIM

I, too am rebuilding (my Term) a 50 3600. A restoration would require a lot of NOS parts, but a re-building to me is makeing it sturdy, safe while keeping the original character of the vehicle. The 1/2 tons are more common, but for my use , a 3/4 ton is what I want. It is really up to you. If you watch prices on frame-off's on E-bay, 1/2 tons do better, but I'm not re-doing my to sell at a profit, it's what I want to do. Mine will need floor, toeboard and kick pannels and 1 left rear fender(I'm looking in the spring for the fender)$2000 for just patch pannels sounds awful high. You might want to look for a donor cab or another truck that does not need so much major work. I looked hard for 3 months, lost the no rust body that I was drooling over by $50.00, and this was my second choice. But I got a good 235 and a very mechanicaly sound truck with more body work to do. I've NEVER done body work, but I'm going to take my time and learn. I have done some mechanical, so this is a new challenge. Just take some time to decide what you want and then your choices will be clearer.

There are a lot of us around here that just prefer the 3/4 and one tons. I feel that 1/2 tons are about a dime a dozen (no offense to those of you with them) and the larger ones rank higher on the 'cool' scale. I love my one ton and would never trade it for a 1/2.

I think 3/4 tons are less drivable because of their extreme gearing. They do have an open driveline but I think there are no gears available so to change the gearing you would need to change the pumpkin at least. There goes originality.

Certain parts are less available as well.

I agree on the gearing, it's been discussed here and elsewhere many times. If you are interested, do a search of this site, but a pumpkin from a 69-72 3/4 ton chevy is a bolt in operation. I now have a 4:10 posi. Everything I've read says this swap will make a world of difference, I'll find out when I get it all put back together!

jims50,
it is really a matter of what you want. It is true that since the market for the 1/2 tons is much larger,you can buy just about everything for them. An example would be the brake drums. You can buy them for front and back new for the half ton but not for the larger trucks.

The cost of patch panels varies greatly among suppliers. You should get a pretty good idea from looking at two, say Jim Carter's and Chevy duty. Also, some are still selling the old repro version of the rocker panels which I don't believe have the correct shape at the front.

Cab stuff should be the same for 3/4 ton as for 1/2 ton. LMC and I believe Chevy Duty both list the longer box sides and splash aprons for the big guys. Either or, it's YOUR truck, so if you love it and think it's a worthwhile project, GO FOR IT!! As far as I'm concerned, the more old trucks (and cars) we save from the scrap heap, the better!

Regards,
Wannabe