The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Need Opinions

Hello, I'm new to this board and being new, of course I have a few questions. I have not been able to read all of the topics yet so this may have been asked before. I want to buy a truck to rebuild/customize. I have redone cars in the past and just recently sold my custom motorcycle "chopper" that I built to get back into 4 wheels. Now my question, What is the best year(s) truck to consider when looking to customize. Right now I just started my research and I'm looking into the 1930's or 1949-1955 range and I'm starting to look more at the 1949-1955 era and was wondering if there is one year better than the others for what I want to do. I know that I want to use a smallblock Chevy engine with a 4-speed and since I'm just getting started, I haven't decided on the rest. Any help will be appreciated and I look forward to learning alot more on this forum. Thanks, Eric

Welcome to the best site for these old trucks, Eric.

I think the 49-55.1 trucks are the best of all, but that's just a personal preference. Further, I like the 54 or 55 (1st Series) most because of the windshield being one piece ... again, just personal preference.

I've got a 350/350 setup in my truck, with a Mustang II IFS, headers, mild cam, etc., etc. -- you can check out everything I've done to it ,since I bought it a year and a half ago, via the link below.

Get one while you can!

Eric...A lot of what your looking for is based on your taste and what you want accomplish...the 47-55 Chevy 1/2 ton truck in it's many variations is well established, there's plenty of good trucks available and there are literally hundreds of parts suppliers and manufacturers focused on those trucks. The performance aftermarket is also quite large and just about any mod or upgrade you might be interested in is available in the correct configuration.
The flip-side of this argument is the same...if your looking for unique or one of a kind, forget it...lots of AD trucks out there and just about anything/mod/conversion you can think of has already been done to an AD truck. Welcome & good luck.

Second series '47 to first series '55's have the most abundant parts supply of any other era I think. There's also many vendors with the resto or rodsto conversion parts that makes building an AD truck easy and affordable. The hardest years to build are the '60 to '66 trucks. Sheetmetal especially is hard to find for these.
Good luck on your quest to become a stovebolter,
Scott

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help for a beginner. I'm glad to hear that there are plenty of part suppliers out there since that was one of my concerns. Well I guess I'll continue my search for a truck. Eric

Eric-

I'm partial to the Advanced Design (AD) era (1947-54) and the '54 also had a better stock 235 engine as well as other mechanical advances. But, you go with what ya got, so i am restoring/rodding a '51. Lots of folks here with experience to share and insight into suppliers that can help with parts. Let us know what you find.

I too am partial to the Advance Design trucks. There are some models that you don't see very often, so it is possible to build something, if not unique, at least unusual. For instance I've never seen a canopy express except in pictures. They seem rare.

I have a 55 1st GMC Suburban. They are not common, but I know other people who have exactly the same thing.

I think it really comes down to what you care about. Build one that you are interested enough in that it can sustain your interest long enough to finish it.

Everyone here has an opinion, but I think we'd mostly agree that your truck should be your truck.

The 47-55 first series trucks are great and I am currently building a 51 as well. I am kind of a purist and I hate to see these trucks chopped, clipped, and molested. I know this the HiPo page but I just wanted to throw in and idea for you. In my truck I am going to maintain the original straight axle and build a 235 with some 50's style hop ups. I guess basically what I am building is a "resto-rod" where the goal is to save originality where ever possible, but make certain upgrades to make it fun to drive and safe as possible. For me that includes discs brakes, gas tank relocation, power steering, rearend upgrade, possibe trans upgrade, and the aformentioned engine upgrades. I used to want to build a full on rod but as I have gotten older(23), I just look at these trucks as pieces of history. Do what you want, just my input.

I spent a looong time finding some things for my 37 that has a 350 combo. I know parts are much eaiser to find for an advanced design truck but go for what catches you eye. Get a book listing all the models (library?) and see which ones catch you eye. I would not recommend going any further back than a 37 since wood was used in them up until then. I leave those for the pros!