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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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 47 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2010 Posts: 47 | Hey guys, brand spanking new to the forum and excited to be here. Assuming all goes well I will be trailering home my '53 chevy 3100 five window. It's in great cosmetic shape in and out but has some hidden problems. I have really no clue where to start at all. This will be a third vehicle for me which I plan to use partially as advertising for my contracting biz and partially to just cruise around in beautiful piece of the past. I was reading through the site and saw the how to restore book, does anyone have any time with using that book? I assume it does if they promote it on the site. Thanks guys and can't wait to get in to her!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,750 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,750 | Hi HandyGuy, welcome from Scotland and the best site for old Chevy trucks!
How far do you plan to go? This will obviously determine what you have to do.
Is it to remain stock or do you plan to upgrade any parts?
First and foremost Brakes,steering and suspension.
No point in having a cool old truck if it doesn't stop and steer!
If a 'nut and bolt resto' is on the cards then make a plan and stick to it!
Anything you remove, bag and tag it,you will regularly see questions from folks who didn't..where does this go?.. etc,etc.(Me included!)
Personally I would start with the chassis and associated components and go from there.
Use the relative forums for your questions and the info will be forthcoming.
Oh.... Some pics would be nice too!
Good luck on your new 'journey'.
Jock
1950 Chevy Advance Design 3100 in ScotlandIn the Stovebolt GalleryMore pix on Flickr. I've definately got this truck thing in my blood ... my DNA sequence has torque settings"Of all the small nations of this earth,perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind" Winston Churchill.
| | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 47 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2010 Posts: 47 | I want to keep it stock as much as possible. The classic passion that designed and built these cars is what keeps me in awe. I'm not looking for a show car, but I don't want "just an old car" either. So once it get my hands on her i will have to assess everything first hand and report back. But it sounds like figuring out how to get the tires from fighting each other when driving and turning.. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 738 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 738 | Can't wait to see it! I love driving kind of stock trucks but safe for our highways. Give it time and keep at it! Welcome to Stovebolt! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,217 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,217 | Welcome HandyGuy, I too, drug home a 53 and wondered where to start. I took it all apart and redid the chassis, had the engine rebuilt and just about everything is getting done from scratch. When you don't know what is good and what is bad, just assume it's all bad, that's what I did.
Good luck. Leo | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Welcome to the Bolt Handyman. Glad to have another AD guya round. Some good advice already given and I re-emphize to take plenty of pictures of everything you take loose or take apart. Believe me...and all the others...it will come in handy. A good picture is worth a thousand words!! Keep us posted and good luck....now where are the pics  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 461 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 461 | Welcome Handyman, You are right about the time factor. My theory so far is it takes only time and money to work on these old trucks and get them back up to speed again. It is a unique blend of fun and frustration all rolled into one | | |
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