The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1952 Chevy 3100 (Gallery updates)

Recently (August 2009) my cousin decided to move from a large house with a nice shop and land in to a smaller house with a carport in a subdivision. He asked me if I would be interrested in some of the tools and other items he would not have room for in his new digs. Being a non-recovering packrat with a 60'x80' shop I jumped at the offer. While looking through his 'junque' we went into his shop where I saw this old '52. I was in love.
He has had the truck for about 20 years and never done much restoration on it. Light rust in the usual places. He used to drive it once in a while, but it had been sitting up for a few years. 'It ran when he parked it'. We struck a deal and I took her home ASAP.
I waited a few months before putting a wrench on her to do some research and decide just how to go. Complete frameup rebuild, just fix what was needed to get her on the road, upgrade her (suspension, brakes, engine, etc.), or build a street rod (my son's preferance). We spent a LOT of time on Stovebolt.com reading posts and asking questions. Wow, what a resource this site is. The ideas and knowlege base here is just mind boggling. There are too many options. We decided to just fix what's broke for now and get her on the road. We can always choose another route later.
My son and I started working on her 2 weeks ago. So far we have rebuilt/ repaired the complete brake system. Pulled and cleaned the gas tank, replaced the fuel lines, and rebuilt the carb. Changed the oil/ filter and replaced dry rotted hoses on the bypass oil filter.
Tried to crank her up for the first time last night. No fire. Will start troubleshooting the ignition system today.
Wish us luck.

That looks like a really good project. Wish some of my trucks were in that good of condition. Love the truck. Keep us posted with your progress

That's a great looking truck!!! Should be tons of fun.

Great news.... Got her running and stopping (thanks to the brake overhaul).
We've taken everyone in the family and neighborhood for a ride. Wow, I've never had so much fun at 35 mph.
Found that the kingpins need work. There's some shimmy in the steering.
Will need to completely rewire the electrical system. Tranny leaks into the drive shaft. All minor problems.
Here are a couple of new pictures of her on the road.

Looks great Rojo,

I could almost see the smiles from waaay over here!

Of coarse it´s funny to ride it!!
Your story is the dream of much other to find one in that shape. Go ahead enjoin the process.
alfonso

Great news.... Got her running and stopping (thanks to the brake overhaul).
We've taken everyone in the family and neighborhood for a ride. Wow, I've never had so much fun at 35 mph.
Found that the kingpins need work. There's some shimmy in the steering.
Will need to completely rewire the electrical system. Tranny leaks into the drive shaft. All minor problems.
Got to get the truck registered so I can be LEGAL.
Here are a couple of new pictures of her on the road

Wow! It really looks like she's coming together good for you. I saw in your pictures of your truck that there were what looked like splotches of gray paint on each door. I was wondering if maybe there was some type of door art on your truck that the previous owner might have painted over. I was also wondering if the turn signals on the two front fenders were stock on that truck for '52.
Thanks.

I agree with 1959ChevyApache. Your truck, Rojo's52, looks good. A lot of these old trucks LOOK GOOD because they LOOK OLD. I have a true appreciation for the shiny renovations, but I don't think anything can beat a used, seasoned antique. And, door art is a part of that look. Keep on keeping on.

Roll on RoJo. Looking good.