The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 1954 3100 Panel Rescue (my insanity)

My new project. I posted this in DITY gallery:

http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh206/sfeldma/1954%20Chevrolet%203100%20Panel%20Truck/

Full story:

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=713048#Post713048

How hard is it to adapt PU rear fenders to panel? I was reading other posts and it seems the panel fender are different than the PU. I'd like to buy some new repro PU fenders and cut/weld them to work for panel. Has anyone done this and have templates?

Welcome to the bolt'

The curvature of the panel fenders and the truck fenders are quite different and in my opinion would look odd. Fiberglass fenders are available and with a little work, they look undetectable when painted and installed. Don't toss that fender, I have fixed one just about as bad as yours. If you don't want to fix it, it could always be used as a patch panel.

Do you have more pictures of the panel?

Thanks for the tips on the fender Gmoniz.

I'll get more pictures soon...going to give it a bath today and start digging through all the parts in back. I saw an extra set of turn signals sitting on the drivers seat.

uploaded more pictures

http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh206/sfeldma/1954%20Chevrolet%203100%20Panel%20Truck/

PM Sent.

Spent most of the day removing all the parts and junk from the panel and then sweeping it out. I uploaded new picture of the interior and the pile of stuff that was inside.

http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh206/sfeldma/1954%20Chevrolet%203100%20Panel%20Truck/

We made two piles actually. First pile was everything we recognized as parts from AD truck/panel. Second pile was everything else. It was about a 50/50 split between the piles, so I got some good parts to work with or trade. I not sure what to do with the other pile. Anyone need a drive shaft from a '69 olds 442? All kinds of random stuff was in there. The drive shaft was marked, but most is a mystery right now.

The floor was in really good shape and the inside walls look very good. A few dings on the inner rear fenders. The bucket seats are cool. Pretty much shot on the business side.

I would say the truck raised three inches with all that junk out. I peeked underneath and the rear springs have this funky overload spring that fits on top of the axle and under the frame at the high point. It's hard to describe; not sure if it's stock or aftermarket. The gas tank looks newer and my dad remembers the seller mentioning it was replaced. The front end is real tight. No play at all in the steering. The seller said he had new oversized king pins put in and they must have tightened up the other steering components.

I had those same helper springs that you describe. I took them out, not needed for what I will be doing with the panel.

sfeldma, welcome to the world of panels and burbs. As you can see there is quite a following here.....including me! In fact, your pictures take me back about 5 years ago

Like Alvin says, the pictures remind me also of when I brough my panel home. No moss such as you, but a heavy layer of dirt and stuff. Inside was tons of machine parts, but no spare parts to work or trade with. As far as fenders, I was not able to find any that were better than what I had, so I ended up going with fiberglass as well. Keep us posted on your progress.

Ned