Hello all I have a 1941 3/4 ton Chevy truck that me and the kids are fixing to start tearing down. It needs a few things…okay a lot of stuff but we’re going to give it a go. I want to make it my daily driver. So I’m undecided on a frame swap or adding IFS and changing out the rear axle. Also trying to decide on how we want to go with the motor and tranny. So many decisions! Lol I’ve read a ton of posts on here and now I’m more undecided on what I want to do! Lol Thanks for the add, Mike
Moderator - The Electrical Bay and Rocky Mountain Bolters
Hello Mike, welcome to the 'bolt. It looks like you have some challenges in front of you. It might be more fun to try to get the truck running and driving before tearing it apart, even if its just around your lot. Of course, that must be done safely. You don't want old wiring shorting out and starting a fire. You don't want to drive away and find that the brakes dont work... stuff like that. I ran my truck around with a pressure weed sprayer for a gas tank just to see how things sounded.
Definitely search through the various forums about how to start an engine that has been sitting for a while, (oil changes, water in the cooling system, ect). There are also suggestions on how to not lose parts ect. Most important is to have fun, be safe and keep the kids interested.
Grease Monkey, Moderator General Truck Talk & Greasy Spoon
Welcome to the Stovebolt madness. There is no cure!
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne 4dr 230 I-6 one owner (I’m #2) “Emily” ‘39 Dodge Businessmans 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)
Welcome to the Stovebolt brotherhood. Glad to have you. Do you know if you have a 3/4-ton Light-duty or Heavy duty? Here's a good Tech Tip to help identify Art Deco trucks. https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/art%20deco/index.html Also, this is a tech tip on swapping a later 1/2-ton differential into a 41 light-duty 3/4-ton that you might find interesting. https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/tranny/bonds/index.html Good luck with your truck, and I'm glad you are getting the family involved.
You da man. What a great family project. It takas time but well worth the effort and time with kids. A life's lesson learned that will last them a life time!
......remember, just 15 minutes every day will accomplish a lot. As you take it apart clean, fix, paint that piece so you will always have some motivation to look at.....and when you get down to the last piece just think, all the parts are now ready to reassemble. Good luck, see you around the garage.
Moderator - The Electrical Bay and Rocky Mountain Bolters
Also. As you take things apart, put the hardware and small parts in plastic baggies marked with what they go to. I also mark the back of parts with a sharpie. I had baggies of parts strewn all around my garage, so I bought a small shelf unit and some clear plastic storage boxes. I marked the box with the major area and put the baggies and small parts in the box.
Take LOTS of pictures too... of you and the kids working together. Maybe have them start writing a blog on their adventures in 'bolting.
Keep us informed on your progress.
