The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Completed Journals 1939 Chevrolet “RestoMod Pickup”

I previously built a 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton and have always loved the pre-war trucks.

Well as luck would have it, I stumbled onto a 1939 barn find. I bought it from the son of the original owner and even got an original title with it! I brought it home and now the fun starts.

Here's the plan:

• Leave the exterior as is (replacing the rear fenders and tailgate)
• Restore the cab interior to it's original glory in factory styling
• Lower stance
• Detroit Steel wheels
• 5.3L LS Motor from early 2000's Silverado
• 4L60e Transmission
• 1975 K10 Rear End

Here are some pics:

Greetings. Your truck is very similar to the 39 I had some years ago. I used a mid 70's rear end as well, along with the brake system components. The rear end was a touch wider than I would have liked. I used a Heidts weld in kit for the front. Have fun!

Thanks for your reply! Backing plate to backing plate it looks like I’ll have an extra inch on each side (that I hope to hide with special offset wheels).

Great score.

John

Nice find, I’m jealous!

You may have a challenge squeezing a 5.3 in there but I’m sure it’s doable.

Here’s my 38 I did back in 03. 350/350 and pro street rear (what was I thinking?) from a 75 Camaro.

Look forward to seeing your progress.

Cool truck, Mark.

I see where all that cash went now, hey Mr. DB Cooper!
😉😎

Good looking little pickup.

I've been pretty busy accumulating the parts needed for this build and starting to mock some things up over the past few weeks.

I've collected my S10 chassis, LS motor from a 2001 Silverado (LM7) complete with harness and computer, 4L60e Transmission, original and salvageable rear fenders, tailgate and front bumper.

I've also reworked and thinned the stock LS harness (info found on LT1Swap.com) and am having the computer programmed with all unnecessary items (like emissions, neutral safety switch, etc,) removed as well as as a base tune applied).

I'm in the process now of mocking in the LS motor to the S10 chassis including motor mounts, exhaust configuration, fuel lines, etc. I figure it's much easier to do all this when there is no sheet metal in the way and the frame and components have not yet been powder coated/cleaned up.

Below are several pics of my progress over the past few weeks with more to come soon!

Hey Markiemark9,

Sounds like you’ve been busy. I’m interested in your project and your progress but I’m not a FB subscriber. Hard for me to view your pictures. Can you post the pictures on this site?

What plans do you have for the LS with regard to freshening up or O/H?

I fixed that - just took some figuring out on my end - thanks for calling out!

As for the motor, I'm simply freshening up. Rear main seal, oil pan gasket, etc. - nothing too major.

The last few weeks have continued to be a flurry of activity. I fully welded in the engine mounts and mounted the motor, got it running with the new thinned down harness and after degreasing, pulled the front clip and pulled the bed. I'm 2 front cab bolts from the cab being removed and then it's time to start mocking everything up on the S10 chassis. I plan to mount the body above the chassis given the width issue at the firewall that we all know about. The S10 chassis is on lowered spindles and blocks on the rear so it should all sit pretty low as is, even with the sheetmetal mounted 3 3/14" above the frame.

Some more pics!

Nice progress on your build. Sounds like you have the finished idea all worked out, should be sweet.

Thanks! I'll certainly be looking to this group as I start restoring the body/cab, etc.

We did a 1940 restomod (maybe leaning toward full custom) using the factory frame, MII ifs, and Explorer rear end. This was done to do away with any body, bed, front sheet metal mounting woes. Have also done several S10 conversions which are fine also. The Explorer rear is 59.75" wide and a good fit or the Trailblazer also fits good but the 6 bolt lug bolt pattern is metric so either a re-drill or metric wheels are needed. You scored a WAY better find that the 1940 pictured but it come out decent.

Thanks for the pictures, it’s coming along nicely.

Looks like you'll have a good place to work on it during our lovely Nebraska winter that’s just ahead.

Keep us posted.

I got the cab removed last night! Tonight some fellas are gonna help me get it situated on the S10 chassis so I can start fabricating my body mounts.
I just gotta pull the running boards and I’m about done with the original chassis and drivetrain.

I'm still marching along! With some muscle provided by a few buddies - we got this mocked up tonight!!!
Lots of work to get the body panels all sitting right on the S10 chassis but it’s a motivating step!

Now I'll start working on getting everything in exactly the right spot, trimming and fabricating so that I can get to making the chassis pretty!

I'm excited to share that I got the front sheetmetal all hung around the LS motor! I still need to set the motor back a few more inches to allow for the radiator to have the room it needs but happy with how this is all progressing!

I also got my body mounts tacked together and mocked up so now I can finish welding them up and the cab will be fully mounted!

Great progress!

Will you need to recess the firewall to get that LS in there?

Keep up the good work.

I was able to get the engine fully installed without any firewall modifications though i did have to set it back about 6" further towards the firewall than the "off the shelf" S10 LS Conversion motor mounts allowed.

In other news, I started on the boiled linseed oil/mineral spirits application (70%/30%) for the front clip and cab. I still need to figure out my bed mounting situation but we're moving right along on getting everything re-situated on the S10 chassis!

Waiting on the shortened driveshaft to come back also.

UPDATE:

Body is back off and I'm going to start restoring the cab interior as well as the chassis now that everything is mocked up. Engine and trans are bolted in (finishing touches being made to trans cross-member design), fuel lines all ran, exhaust is tacked in place (will remove to fully weld, grind, & coat, etc.), Driveline needs to be shortened and then it can be reinstalled, brake-lines are all run.

Since the truck was originally boatswain blue, I'll be using this Rustolum textured spray paint for the interior (https://www.menards.com/main/storeitem.html?iid=1444452926916).

This truck was my inspiration on the color: https://www.hotrod.com/articles/0707ct-1937-chevy-pickup/

UPDATE:

Got the bed cleaned up and set roughly in place while I wait for the shortened driveline to be finished. I also got a few interior panels cleaned up and painted (they are more of a saddle brown than the pics suggest).

That all looks great, really like the interior panels. That saddle color is a nice touch.

You’re moving right along!

While the driveline is being shortened and balanced I finished up the exhaust and started putting body panels back on.

I also decided to hit the Chevrolet script in the tailgate with a bit of dry brushed white to match the doors.

Here is the latest!

UPDATE:

Much more progress lately. Both running boards mounted up to the S10 chassis, gauges rebuilt and restored, and now working on building the pedal assembly.

Wow those gauges turned out great, very cool. How’s that oil pressure gauge going to play with your LS?

Really like the stance of the truck.

You’ll be cruising come spring.

Markie, just as FYI
......the oil pressure gauge will probably stay pegged out all the time but that is ok.
.... on my 37 I left the face original but had D&M Restorations regulate the gauge so that the pressure is actually double what the hand indicates on the original face. Been doing good for over 20 years.

At idle it's essentially pegged out


Great idea! I need to find a way to match the speedo mechanical drive to the electronic transmissions's Vehicle Speed Output... Any ideas there?

As for other updates, I've finished up the brakes, reupholstered the seat, fabricated the steering shaft (with u-joints and heim joints and even gotten the door glass installed (with rebuilt regulators) and door trim installed. I did the back glass last night and have started on body wiring (lights and such). We've been marching along. I drove the truck a few feet under it's own power which was a delight!

Barnfind49 has a solution for a 4L60E to original speedo, search his posts for the details.

Looking good, you are really making progress!

Thanks! I found the post HERE but have found better prices another manufacturer's website Speedbox GPS/VSS to Cable Speedometer Converter.

Last night I got my taillights and brake lights wired up as well as the bumpers set in place on jack stands.

More updates!

Bumper brackets built and installed bumpers and have been fine tuning things like the speedometer converter, and a few other small tweaks. Rubber flooring arrives this week and it’s time to stain and finish the bed wood.

After this, a few tweaks on the motor and steering and we’re about done!

MarkieMark9

Things are looking really good, I am suffering some project completion envy for sure!
Keep up the hard work!

Steve

You’ve done an amazing amount of work in less than 4 months! Great lookin’ truck and congrats.

Thanks for all the complements and love everyone! I am motivated by progress, so progress I must make!

Today, I attempted a little shi sugi ban method on aging the bed wood I cut. It'll of course get a bit of a stain after I brush it down a touch but I am pleased with it.

I also put down a deposit on a 1955 1/2 ton today! Came across it and got it for a good price with plenty of parts included so that will be the next one to be built!

Looking at your last pic...

Just to be fair, the Pink power wheels in the background should probably be the next set of wheels to receive a “treatment”

No?

Haha absolutely!

It’s been a fair bit since I last updated this thread but I’ve nearly completed this project!

I pulled this all original 1939 Chevy pickup out of the original owner’s family farm back in the fall. It now sits on an S10 chassis, has the 5.3L and 4L60e out of a 2001 Silverado and has a period restored interior (including restored and working original gauges). All new glass, and new bedwood. New OEM style wiring (upgraded to 12v of course), and it even has a modern Oooga horn. A few little tweaks here and there but this Haner Haus original is about buttoned up!

It looks great, man. Gonna be a blast to drive.

Nice job! I agree with polarbeard, it’s gonna be a blast!

Already has it listed for sale!

You better do at least one burnout in it, Mark. It’s too unique to just flip. Put some miles on it and work out the bugs, fella! It might just stay!