The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk New here with a lot of questions

Finally working with my pickup. My Father in law gave me his 1/2 ton 54 chevy pickup back on April. I brought it from Mexico. The truck is in good shape, no rust at all, some wearing inside the cab, and some mechanic parts,as well as old paint.
I couldn't work with it before, because my wife assigned me a carpentery project to complete before to start my truck. But i'm ready!!!
I have started with a deep inventory of possible things to do with it. I have made a lot of research and study
It does have the 235 engine which i'm assuming is the original, no white or black smoke at all, spark plugs not wet. It is a 4 speed at floor transmision. I thought was the original, but i found the rear axle is not. It was changed when they removed the torque tube. I think the rear axle is from a Chevy 3/4 ton 68. I don't know if they had to change the transmision when changed the driveline system.
Front axle is in good conditions, the only bad thing i found was king ping is welded to the wheel, so whenever requires to be changed i guess will have to replace the whole axle. My father in law told me he got rebuilt the king pin this last January.
The electrical system is 12 volt, but the battery is on the hood instead inside the cab.

A lot of questions are in my mind. How to start? what to do?

Thanks for let me be part of this knowledge source.

FracFSM,

Welcome, I don't think I have been able to help anybody as of yet but I can say this is a good place for info.

Ed

show us some pics also glad to see an old chevy

Welcome to the 'bolt

You might want to pick up or order a copy of, "How to Restore you Chevrolet Pickup", by Tom Bownell.

Next, read through the "Tech Tips" here at the 'bolt & see what might apply to your truck.

Then, order up a bunch of free catalogs from the links sections (it's fun to leaf throught them).

A Chevrolet Truck Operator's Manual is also nice to have (and not too expensive).

A Chevrolet Restoration Packet can be had for free

It's nice to have another '54 here (even though mine doesn't look like one at first glance) that has something to do with Mexico

I had to have other people do most of the work on my truck but have serious plans of restoring the big 'bolt here at home with Alberto once he is back home on the ranch.

Congratulations on your 'new' truck.

Sabrina

Hey Great truck to work on and "the price is right"

Welcome to the StoveBolt Page.

Cliff59

Sounds like you are doing exactly what you need to do - take inventory and see what's what. Then you need to decide what you want to do with the thing. We range from show trucks that are far better restored than anything GM ever created, to hot rod trucks that have performance greater than the designers could have imagined, to good orginal trucks just keepin on keepin on, to rusted up rattle traps that could hide in any junque yard that no one would ever suspect that they still ran.

With my truck I went for a rebuilt to my own specification. I.e. I fixed and painted what I felt like I needed to fix and paint.

These old trucks are models of simplicity and reliability. I would continue your inventory and check out how the truck drives (steering, engine, tranny, clutch), how well the brakes work, and how good the electrics are. If all that is acceptable, then do some periodic maintenance and enjoy it.

You can partially fix it up, one thing at a time, and you'll always have a truck to drive. Or if you have space in the garage for 2.5 vehicles pull it apart and go for it. I have a 72 c10 in the driveway I am doing right now.

Everyone's got opinions here, but its your truck, you need only decide what road your headin down.

If your truck is a 1/2-ton with a 3/4-ton rear axle you will have 6 lug wheels on front and 8 lug wheels on rear.

Howdy from Texas FracFSM.
Lots of good old boy's and gals here. They have answered most of my stupid questions so far. And I would like to think that I have answered a few myself.
A tip, Ues the differant forum places for the differant questions. Like "How do I replace a u-joint? should be in the drive line forum. and "my headlamps don't work" in the electrical forum. You will be surprised how much better that works. James

Welcome! It is always nice to "see" a new face on the site. Sounds like a great truck, can't wait to see it in the gallery. Is the 235 the factory motor for that truck?? I am always excited when someone new shows up, this page is so incredibly useful. Good luck, and welcome.

Kyle

I just called the Chevy Customer Assistance number to try to get a restoration package for my 58 Fleetside Apache Truck, and the girl said that they didn't have one for that particular vehicle. I think I might try again and just say that it is a 58 Chevy truck or 1/2 Ton pickup next time, 'cause I gotta' believe they would have the package for a 58 Chevy and that there must have been some miscommunication. I do agree that the shop manual is an invaluable tool.

Lumbergh- Probably a good idea. Make sure to stress truck . We did but they first sent one for a car anyway :rolleyes:

Thanks for your comments. I have some questions regarding your comments.

To post some pictures i guess i need to upload them to some other site first (like webshots) and then just paste a link (I think i read this in someone's else comment). Is this right or is there any other way to do it?

How can we put this nice truck in the gallery?

To get the chevrolet restoration packet i understand need to supply the VIN, but the number i have is a mexican number (MX is part of the number), do you think that will be enough?

MexicoSab, Do you have a mexican truck too? if that's the case, how did you get license plates and insurance?

Cletis, I thought the same, but they (part store guys) still saying it's a 3/4 ton but the number of lugs is 6. I just went to get the bearings for the rear axle and they got them using 68 3/4 ton chevy truck as a reference. I guess 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton used almost the same pieces!

FortKnox, I don't know if it is the factory motor. It is a 235 (I think it is) and you can see in the top block left side: 8995918 GM17, Right side: B37 913 241 570 10 GM

My truck was brought to my dad from a friend in California. It was imported (1971) and is registered here. The opposite of your situation.

I am not sure if Chevrolet/GMC produced these pick ups in Mexico but the plant opened in 1936 so it is definitely possible.

I bet my truck is Mexican... because is starts acting up when i cuss in spanish...

This is the site with some pictures

http://community.webshots.com/mypho...mp;albumID=552370643&security=mImxpF

Nice looking truck. It don't look like it will take much till You'll be going to the local cruise in.

man you cant beat that deal, nice ride, and your wife can't tell ya to get rid of it because it was her dads.... sweet

to put your truck in the Gallery click here