The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Got my Pickup home

I finally got the Chevy home and it is parked out front now. We left Alamogordo NM Friday the 1st of Sep, bout 7 p.m. and headed north to Idaho. 1170 miles later, we pulled into Dads house, Payette Idaho about 2:30 Sat. afternoon. Dad was out back, getting it ready. It has been parked since Feb 2001. We got it pulled out of the back 40 and on some level ground. Changed the wheels and tires, dropped the drive shaft and put new oil in the rear end and loaded it up.

It made the trip home smoothly and without any problems. We left my dads house and started home, stopped at a gas station for a fill up and the wife told me someone would see the truck and ask about it. Sure enough, someone did, this guy walked out of the gas station and asked if Harry finally sold his old truck? We told him it wasn’t sold, just relocated.

Got it home, and started to clean. Found it to be in a little worse shape than I remember, but isn’t that how it always is? Cab corners gone, lower steps and front fenders have some rust. Dash has been cut for the radio, but I have the origal plug, so will fix that panel soon. I have all the original shift linkage from the column, and a box of goodies dad sent with it. Wood in the bed is still very solid, must be from the camper shell he had on it? I think it had been off only twice in the last 50 years, and then only for a month or two.

The plan will be to put the body on the 1982 Suburban chassis. That has been our plan for many years. So we are making the bolt a four wheel drive. Keeping the body and interior stock, short of maybe a comfortable seat, wife needs some comfort for sure.

My son and I are rebuilding his 86 Toyota 4X4 and as soon as it is done, I start on the Chevy, should be in just a week or two. I’ll take many pics along the way. I just wanted to drop a note, and the link to show it off some. I’m the long haired guy in the pictures, after 21 years in the Air Force, I’m rebelling.

Scott




http://good-times.webshots.com/album/553915964KJcCGS

It's neat that it has been in your family this long!

After reading the story, there's a part of me that thinks it's sad that it will be put on the other chassis, because that will sort of take away the character specific to this particular truck.

On the other hand, you know what you want to do to enjoy it, so whatever you've decided will probably work out fine. Cool that you got it home--it's nice to have another family member in the house!

Scott, that's one cool looking truck. Wish my dad was around to see that my brother and I resurrected his old 54... Cherish that stuff brother, it can all end so soon! When I was but a high schooler a buddy of mine had 57 1/2 ton LB like yours and HOLY JESUS did we terrorize the black Hills of SoDak in that thing. It was a chick MAGNET! Welllll, ok, maybe it never had a chick look at it, ride in it or even touch it, but WE thought it was cool. Have fun with that thing! randy

Thanks Guys, it is a cool old truck. I've wanted it since the first time I can remember riding in it. It has been through a few teenage years while I was growing up too. I plan on giving dad a ride in it next spring when he comes to visit. It was a plan for the last 25 years to do the 4X4 thing. Was a 57 NAPCO down the road from us, we were so jealous. Things didn't work out for us to do it together, so my sons and I will do it, keeping dad in the loop with pictures. Scott

That is where I'm from, Payette, ID. I graduated in '84, what's the last name?

Originally from Ontario, I left the area in 1980, would have graduated 82, Dad moved to Fruitland about 79, then to Payette in 94. Last name is Janssen. Dad drove the Chevy up until late Feb 2001. I went to school in Ontario, then Fruitland my JR. year. Cool to see someone from the same area. Scott

I didn't know you could use a tow dolly on a bolt. Was it a standard one?

It is a Kar Kady, not sure how standard it is. It has the auto steering axle and the tilt bed frame. It pulled fine, 1170 miles without a problem.