The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk If You Had $2500......

Ok, just a theoretical question. My truck (1953 3600 5-window cab) is in the "beginning" stages. I've got a motor that is pretty good and can probably be fixed and ready to put in with very little additional cost (since I bought a 1955 235). The starter and radiator are good, I want to put an alternator on it and it needs the smaller water pump kit(?). The transmission (as far as I know) was working fine when it last ran. The hood, cab and front fenders are sound needing only to be stripped and painted (the grill is sound too - but I'd like to have it stripped and chromed). The frame needs to be torn down and all steering components fixed as does any truck that old (everything works, just old and rusty). All brakes except the lines/hoses are new parts my dad had ready when I got it. The interior is shot except for the dash/guages. The box is mostly sound except the fenders have some dents from posts the farmer obviously got to know very well! The tailgate has a dent in the top "round" part and the front of the box is rusted through where the box boards sat on the lip at the bottom.

Now I know about making a budget, figuring out how much everything is going to cost and going through everything systematically. I basically want to put it back pretty much together as it was except for the motor and adding an O.D. or regearing the rear-end for a little more mph. However - Knowing all this about the truck, if you had $2500 to start playing with, where would you start? I realize its not much in the grand scheme of theings, but give me your honest opinion, have fun - I just want to see what others think.

Do the mechanicals first. Especially any brake work or anything else that makes it safe. Then work on getting engine compartment all cleaned up and put that engine in and get it to purring so that when you shut the hood it does not have to go up and down like a sea-saw. Then start working on the cosmetics.
I take it this is not an off frame restoration?

Make it stop, turn , go, pretty, then comfortable, as taught to me by an elder when I was young.

With your description, I think I could have the truck done or close with $2500 to spend, but I can do everything myself.

Devin

get it road worthy first. i drove mine for 20 years as a beater and fell more in love with it. it was in decent shape and could have driven it the rest of my life as is. i am a reverse snob. but i was bitten by the while you are at syndrome and now have twice what is worth in it but i love to drive it more. i hope this helps. drive it safely. ron this the way i bought it. yes i know the pix got reversed.

I would make sure that the motor runs good enough that you would be confident to drive the truck. Then I'd make sure the clutch works and the truck will move under power. Then I would do a complete brake system rebuild. Once the truck, runs, moves and will stop then you need to check the lights, wiring systems. If you have money left at this point, buy some gas and put some miles on it.
Good Luck
Don
ps...cleaning the gas tank out should be part of getting it running good.