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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 21 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 21 | OK,
So i have decided on a direction for my '47. I determined the year based on information about the fuel tank and the shifter locations. I am planning a mild custom frame off restoration. I am going to go with a 350 csb and th350 trans. I am chomping at the bit to get started but do not want to cause myself more grief in the future. I plan to start out by removing the body and sandblasting the chasis. While I have it in this dismembered condition what things should I do to make assembly easier later on. I am VERY new to this. My first project. Any input and recomendations for parts and good deals would be greatly appreciated. Also I notice a lot of guys putting MII suspension in. Is this something that is recomended for my engine/tranny combo or a personnal preference. I am thinking about leaving the stock suspension and going with a mono leaf system front and rear.
Thanks | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | Boy, your gonna get a thousand suggestions. Best thing you can do is read all you can here on the bolt. Go into the archive searches and see what others have done and what worked for them before you decide just what you want to do. Removing all the sheetmetal is a chore but probably the first thing to do if you want to do a frame off. It will take a while to get it all off and in the meantime you can be educating yourself on what else you want to do.
Welcome to the bolt, you're in the right place for what you want to do.
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 198 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 198 | Be SURE to read Tom Brownell's gudie to restoring Chevrolet pickups, AND one or two other similar more generic guides (like "Hot Rodder's Bible" by Burger and Hendrickson - EXCELLENT).
This will save ytou a lot of grief, and also provide good ideas.
Jim G | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Do whatever modifications you are going to do engine/drivetrain wise before you dismantle the body. It is much easier to get everything right with clearances and such with all in place. When you are satisfied with the modifications then remove the sheetmetal. This will keep you from boogering up a new paint job or some time consuming body work. Just my opinion!
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
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| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 21 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 21 | any suggestions on changing out the six lug to a five lug setup?
| | | | | | Dave Giorgi Unregistered | | Dave Giorgi Unregistered | AWELCHEL,
Welcome to the site.
Why would you want to change the 6 to 5 lugs? There are alot of aftermaket wheels that will fit your application. You could use adapters to the exsisting 6 lugs to get them to 5 lugs (least cost effictive way).
I like the modern or original straight axel.
The suggestion someone made on here about fitting the engine and trans before removing the cab is an excellent idea...thats a good first start.
good luck and keep us posted.
Dave
Dave | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | One way to change lug count is to upgrade to a Mustang II IFS or a newer clip. There are several choices in rear end swaps that will give you a 5 lug wheel.
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 21 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 21 | ant suggestions on where to find the adapters? I mainly want to change them out because I have a new set of 5 lug polished aluminum wheels that I would like to put on. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 649 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 649 | AWELCHEL, Welcome to the bolt. You know what happens to plans? They seem to change along the way. Weather, time, money and life in general can have an affect on those plans. As you've probably geathered from previous posts that these projects can take years, so allow for long range planning. You say your going to go with "custom" approach, so you don't need to save every nut, bolt, clips ect, but if you do get see through bags/containers to keep small hardware and parts togeather, keep a journal and take photos for reference. From what you've told us, I can tell you that putting a V8 in can be a project. The original steering and brake/clutch pedals, and cooling come into play. I know this is getting to long so I'll add more later. I'm V8ng two trucks 53 & 54 3100's. The 53 has a Nova subframe and plans for the 54 is Must II. Just keep everything in perspective and sometimes its just the fact that you've made something better that makes these old trucks enjoyable to work on. | | | | | | Dave Giorgi Unregistered | | Dave Giorgi Unregistered | Awelchel,
You can find adapters on e-bay. You can also go to a NAPA parts store or any other quality parts store and order these as they probably will not have them in stock, however the conversion is fairly common.
Dave | | |
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