The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre 1954 Chevy in BC, Canada

So it's been 9 years since I was last on this site and since I last owned a stovebolt. I sold my '50 3/4T Chevy back when I was 17 and have regretted it ever since. The chance to finally build another classic truck has come up and I'm hoping to have my truck built in the next month or so. Lots of work to do but I got lots of time of my hands and little money to buy nice stuff, which is motivation lol. So here's the run down of my '54 Chevy 1/2

Bought the body of the truck for $200. I needed a frame, engine, tranny and rearend so a buddy of mine is giving me a '95 S10 long box. The S10 has a 2.2L/5spd combo, so I'll be taking that out and putting a 4.3L V6/5spd combo on the S10 chassis. The '54 will of course be placed on the chassis and I'll be using the S10 floorpan instead of the '54 floor pan as mine is rusted a fair amount. The entire truck will be in bare metal and clear coated. There is no body work being done to fix any dings or dents. Only rust and holes will be fixed otherwise this will be a Rat Rod truck. I haven't decided yet if I want to chop the top but I will most likely give in and chop the top 2-3" so not too much. The 4.3L will have a mild build to it and will be switched over to carbed. Interior will be plain steel and '50s style. Nothing special. It will have a nice stereo and some nice new guages, otherwise there wont be anything new on this truck.

I'm looking to build this truck for around $2000 and no more hopefully. The goal is to get this thing built from the ground up and running/driving for Nov 1st. I have about 4 weeks of time to do this so hopefully I'll get it all done before the cold winter weather comes. I'll be uploading all my progress pics to photobucket to keep track of everything. Once I have it up and on here, then I have to finish it lol

Nate

PS: My oh my this site has grown. Last time I was on here I was member 1431 and now I'm 22972...darn!!!

Welcome back to Stovebolt! Sounds like you have lots to do but hopefully you have some help with your project. The more wrenching the better. This will be interesting to see your progress and I hope you have time to post pictures. I think it is good to set your goal high and see what happenes. Good luck and looking forward to it!

dubds10, welcome to the bolt. Best truck site on the web. You also have lots of company up around your area. I'm sure some of the B.C.Bolters will show up soon. Nice bunch of guys up there.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Welcome Nate, sounds like you have a plan. Don't have to rush it, you know. Do you have a garage to work in?

Good luck, Leo

Hey Nate, welcome back. I will be following your progress so keep the posts coming. Maybe we will run into each other at some meets in the new year. Will your truck be a daily driver? What are your plans for a bed?

Red

I got a buddy's shop to work in with everything I need. I've got a pics album started, its in my signature below. I'll try to keep updating it as I go along with everything. It's more of a "rush" project just because I have the time to do it now vs. this winter when I may be working lots, so I'm just hoping to have it done by Nov. 1st.

As far as the bed goes, I have the original bed but there's a fair amount of rust on it. I'm thinking I may just bend up a new bed and then take a bat and hammer to it lol It has to match the rest of my trucks style and there's no finishing body work being done. I love the look of the sheet metal with its 50+ years of dings and dents. I may use the original bed and just patch it but there's a lot to patch so we'll see. I just want the cab, front end and frame/engine perfect for Nov 1st and the bed is the last thing to do. Wont take long once I decide. Maybe a day or two to get it all done up.

It's a character truck which will be a daily driver and used to move cars, car parts etc around, as well as trips down to Oregon and so on. The one thing I can't decide if I want to actually finish grinding my welds down to a flush surface so you can't tell where the patches are or if I want to grind the weld just above surface so you can see every patch I make. I just like the old Rat trashed style...and the frontend will be welded together to make one piece which opens suicide, along with suicide doors. I think that's it for now

Hi dubds. There are a few of us " bolters " locally if you need any moral support. I ( britcon )am in Cloverdale, (BC52 ) Boyd is in Langley, (37chevtruckguy) Trev is in Surrey, plus more in Richmond, and across the river.
Sounds like a cool project you have there !

Sounds good Brit'. Once I get everything together I'll have to make it out to some meets if there are any in the Lower Mainland. I suppose winter meets would depend on who actually drives their 'bolt daily lol

*L*....spoken like a rat rodder ! Keep in touch

Hi Nate, welcome to the 'bolt.

Judging by the amount of B.C. Bolters here,you guys could have the coolest traffic jam in the world!

Keep us posted on your progress,that's if you've got any time left to come here and chat!
Sounds like you'll be busy.......

Don't even kid about our traffic jam lol The Vancouver area and surrounding cities are under complete construction right now on almost all major road ways lol It's a constant traffic jam

I'm just glad I don't have to travel often to Vancouver and if I do I get paid for travel time

If you want to meet some of the BC 'Bolters....

we are going to the VCCC Swap meet in Maple Ridge at the \haney fairgrounds off Lougheed hwy near the Albion ferry....

we are going Mission Springs Brew Pub for sunday brunch afterwards...Oct 3rd.....

it would be nice to meet you...Dave

Ya, if I get some time I might take a gander over there and see what's there. I'm looking for a '54 grill and maybe a bumper too unless I chop up a bumper from an old caddy or similar car.

What time does the swap meet start at? 9am? I'm just in Walnut Grove, so it a short drive for me.

Hey fellow BC Bolter...

You picked the right place to be, that's for sure... we have one of the best groups of guys around up here... As Dave said hopefully we see you at the VCC this weekend and can meet you... should be lots of parts available out there for you so hopefully see you then!

I believe it's 8:00 start.....

12:30 or 1:00 for Brunch....

See you there around 10:30 I hope... I believe 3B and Roger will be there around the same time...

If any of you local guys happen to know of anybody with a '54 grill and windshield or have one yourself and you don't need let me know. It can be in the worst shape possible for all I care. I don't want a nice expensive grill Windshield doesn't have to be perfect either. I'm not picky, just looking for cheap beat up parts

You should talk to a guy called 3B who will be at the VCC show... he has a ton of old GM stuff and if he has the parts you need I'm sure he'll make you a great deal... another good reason to make an appearance!

try KMS Tools/car parts out in Coquitlam as well for new/ used parts....

I've checked out KMS's stuff before but usually stayed away due to their prices. Something's were ok, other's a little high. I'll have to talk to 3B and see if he's got anything interesting kicking around. I rather buy from guy's who are into these old trucks to help them out and further along their projects. I'm a small business guy so anything to help the smaller guys out in our hobby the better.

But I'm pretty cheap and rather buy junk and build it how I want it than taking somebody's nice parts and chopping them up lol I'd rather leave all the original nice parts for guys who like to restore AD's to their original condition. Next project will be either an AD on a lifted newer Chevy 4x4 chassis for camping fun or a large AD for hauling vehicles. Might do the hauler first though so I have something to haul my AD's back on