The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1951 Chevy 3100 - "Project for my Wife"

Hi all, Joined up here when I bought a 1951 3100 locally in NJ (rare to find here!) back in 2002. She always wanted an old truck to drive (drove her Dad's mid 60s Dodge truck). I figure it is time to start a journal

So found a NJ titled truck (3 window, short bed, 3100), which is very important as NJ is strict on titles and Bill of sales are a real hassle to get processed. It was a basket case that the guy had disassembled, cut the rusted floors out and put some sheet metal down. He also put a Heidts Mustang II kit in the front and mid 70s rear leaf setup and disc brakes on 4 corners. We paid $3,000 and it included a bunch of new and old parts, re-chromed bumper and grill and "most" of the parts to put her back together.

He did an OK job with the frame welding (stick welder), boxing the frame in spots, but did a poor job at the chevy small block mounts. I have to clean up all the welds and put more "box" in as well and weld new motor and trans mounts.

Here is some as bought pics once I got it home and put it in my shed.

The plan for this truck is to make the body and interior stock looking. 400 SBC with EFI, Vintage Air, tremec 5-speed, power disc brakes and a 12 bolt rear. We would like to tow a small vintage trailer some day. Electrical will be custom made by me (I have a lot of experience in 70's GM electrical systems) based on a 76 Monte-Carlo. It will have 15x7 Monte rally rims too.

So with everything going on in my life, it took a bunch of time to get started on this project. Here is are pics from 2012 after I media blasted the cab and put some epoxy prime on it.

Fast forward to 2020. Was laid off after 38 years (it was mutual) and now I can get back to my projects.

I had amassed all the parts needed to replace the rusted floor and corners many years ago. After studying the posts and pics here I started on the drivers corner. It is pretty difficult to locate the best place to rebuild something that is no longer there.

Luckily the drivers side hinge panel was still attached to the rocker panel and the PO braced the rockers with angle iron.

Fitted and welded the drivers corner, front rocker part, floor braces and floor. Everything is butt-welded or plug welded, so lots of grinding!

Braced up the cab firewall a bit more and started working on the pass side which was rusted a lot more.

Had to replace 1/2 of the rocker, created a lower hinge patch panel. Then once that was done, installed the new corner and am now working on fitting the pass floor section. It took multiple measurements on door and opening as well as angle finders and braces to make sure cab was aligned.

Was finally able to remove the PO's angle iron brace. A big accomplishment in my eyes!

I have been working on the pass side floor. These repro panels need a lot of work to get them to fit and match up to the original floor parts. (cutting, re-welding, hammer and dolly) But it's finally wrestled it place and tack welded. But my back is aching enough, so time for a rest before rest of plug welds, grinding and finish welding.

Then it is time for filling the center gap and all the other small patches.

I thought my project journal was late to the game. You got me beat...lol... Looks like you're making good progress. At some point I need to patches like you're doing.

Project Journal: 1965 C20 "Crusty Biscuit"

thx. this truck is moving along nicely compared to the 69 Camaro basket case I have had since 1982 and not finished (long sad story). but I have to take a break from this now. hurt my right hand, 14 stiches and will be out of action for a couple of months

Looks great! I'm going to have to do much the same cab work. Who's patch panels are you using?

Brian

Brian, Thanks. I bought them from American classic and Bow Tie Bits many years ago. But the parts were mostly Taiwan made. I would look at all the catalogs to get the best price and got most of them on sale. Just have to do your homework on price. I hope to get back to grinding and welding soon.

Nice work. Will make a nice truck. Just picked up a 51 3100 also, so watching yours come together will be helpful.