Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,191 Posts1,057,362 Members48,469 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | Ok guys, I just got done with a body off on my 53 3100. I was asked by a person the other day what was the toughest part of the restoration.
The only thing I did not do was grind the camshaft. So with that said, it came down to two things for me:
1) Installing the side glass in the window channel (wing windows). That was a giant PITA
2) Installing the wind lace around the door openings. Another giant PITA.
How about you guys ? what was your biggest challenge?
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 693 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 693 | My truck was put together from the parts of several other trucks. after sandblasting a lot of parts looked like swiss cheese. so I had to make a cab, doors, and front fenders from three different trucks fit with my original hood (the 4th different truck) with good gaps/operation. that was my giant PITA... | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 934 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 934 | | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,441 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,441 | Not having indoor work space so work is seasonal.ðŸ›
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | The side window rebuild was challenging for me as well.
Block sanding...ugh.
I'm finding wiring to be very tedious as well.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,217 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,217 | Getting the fuel gauge to work. It still don't work, I write the mileage on the dash beside the gauge. I know it goes 200 miles between fill ups. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,054 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,054 |
i drove my 53 3100 from 1980 to 1989 with the odometer gas gauge method.I also used the 200 mile formula. Seems to me the tape measure down the fill tube was about 10 miles to the inch. Now I'm starting frame off restoration and I have Dakota gauges in the box. Going to miss the old days I think. Also used the under dash tach for speedometer. I still have the old gauges, think I'll keep them.
Old enough to know better, too young to resist.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 583 | The amount of money involved. The work itself is a labor of love, skinned knuckles and all. Can't come even close to describing the feelings of a job well done.
Rick
1939 Chevrolet Stake Truck
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Removing 3rd. member and installing a higher two speed in my GMC 630 on a gravel driveway.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,310 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,310 | Trying to find that stupid part which is holding up the build, and I have laid my eyes on it a million times prior to that day which I absolutely needed it.
This seems to happen every other day as the end of the build grows nearer.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Not having indoor work space so work is seasonal.🛠Ditto that. 120 degrees. Finding laces to store everything. Move heavy stuff around. Can't take Aleve or Ibuprofen. I do hate and avoid body work. I like to patch weld but that's it.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,124 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,124 | I think for me, it would be having to sometimes use reproduction parts that too often don’t fit, or are poorly made, then on top of that having to pay shipping and handling charges that cost more than the part and seem more like a nice addition to the vendor profit margin. | | |
|
|
