The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre 1954 3100 -- Am I crazy?? (Texas)

Hello everyone. I've been looking at the site for a while but have never posted. I have a 1954 3100 that I drove in high school. Got stupid one day in 1997 and sold it. Bought it back a few years ago but the previous owner stripped it to the frame and lost interest. Good chance to start a frame off I guess. My question to all of you is am I crazy to make this my commuter truck? I drive 430 miles a week and I don't want to waste money on another little car. Figured I could take that cash and make my 54 a reliable driver. Any comments or opinions?

So what if you are crazy, who cares?

Build your truck, drive it and enjoy!




Jake

Crazy, for doing the smart thing? I don't think so! Build you a daily driver and move on. Looks like your doing a 40 mile one way trip and thats OK. I drove a '50 about 35 each way for a looong time before the old 216 gave up the ghost. I put a 235 in it and it could take the speeds.

Since your 54 should be a 235 full oil pressure engine I would say do it!! Plus, if its speed, or MPG you want you can change the rear end gear to accomodate you.

....and, if Tx is anything like S.C. you can put an antique tag on it, like I did my '37, and not have to pay county taxes on it any more. In S.C. we also do not paid the yearly Road Use Tax of $25 on a vehicle with antique tags AND we do not have to ever purchase another tag.

And once its on the road no truck payments ever and your always in style!..........crazy, I don't think so

Now, after all that, Welcome to the Stovebolt. Lots of knowledge and good folks here to help you accomplish what you want to do and your also part of the Texas Connection. They'll show up soon.

No.

I would rather drive a classic than a new car anyday. GO FOR IT!

If you are crazy you can join my club, dd only vehicle. I have the truck listed below and can achieve 18.7 mpg going 60-75 highway speeds. I have the original Huck brakes that work great. You have Bendix brakes which have more surface area and a more efficient braking mechanism (IMHO). So if you are serious go for an overdrive transmission, spend a grand on one of those made-to-fit a/c systems and then look in the mirror and admire yourself while others pay their monthy rental of rapidly depreciating vehicles.

Regards,

Cosmo

You should do it!! I would sure like to, but really can't at this time. I would need new tires first and they cost a lot. That being said, I am working on a few things on my '55 to use it more...even this Winter, but mostly around town. This is something I've always wanted to do. I did so for almost a year back in '91-'92 with a 1947 Chevy Fleetmaster.
I've become disappointed in new cars. There is less to maintain on them, but when the scheduled maintenance comes up it is way too costly and I can't do it myself. My only concern (for me) would be gas mileage.
I know it's the wrong breed, but check out www.365daysofa.com Very interesting reading! Good Luck...........and have fun!!

We've put a little under 150,000 on my 1960 GMC in the last 19+ years. It was my semi-daily commuter for 9 years, 72 miles a day. Before that our 1946 Ford sedan street rod covered 300,000 miles in 8 years. I had a friend with a new Toyota wagon. After seeing all the miles I put on the 46, he got rid of the Toyota payments and bought a 54 Chevy pickup for his daily driver. He lived close to work, so he just restored it to stock with a few rust repairs and fresh paint.

IMHO there's nothing crazy about it at all. Just build it to be practical. Another benefit of an old truck is if anything gets banged up, you can just take off the part and replace it. Not very easy or practical with a new vehicle.

Thanks for all the advice fellas! It'll be a few years till I can get started (gonna run the wheels off my 08 Pontiac G6) and I can't wait! The gas milage thing is all I'm really worried about, but I think it'll be more than worth it. Happy building and driving y'all!

Got any pictures of your ride there Cosmo?

hey chevy54 welcome to the TEXAS CONNECTION! your not crazy at all! I am doing the same thing with my 53. I have it totally torn apart and off the frame, currently I am repairing the cab and preping it for a v-8. I want to drive the wheels off this truck when it is done. I am seriously considedring a 4.8L vortec v8 instead of the typical 350 swap due to the improved gas mileage still utilizing v8 power. im going disk brake all around with a helix mustang II setup in front and a monoleaf rear with a mildly geared rearend out of a 72 chevy c-10. All I do is drive from airport to airport all over dfw fixing airplanes and that amounts to about 100-200 miles a day....you area not crazy. take your time dont stress out, see it though and drive the crap out of it.

also, where in texas are you? I am in Mansfield

'56 235, Fentons, Edelbrock...

rear view...

front...

I made my '55 1st 3/4 ton a daily driver and puller! It pulls a 7000 lb trailer every day. The main problem I have with it is I only have 2 hands. When shifting, I need a third one to wave back at all the Thumbs Up I get on the road!!!

Hey there Silverado! I live outside of Tyler. I thought about doing the same thing your doing with the newer engine and for sure four wheel disc. I remember driving it in high school and stopping it was always an adventure! Keep in touch and send pics if you've got'em!

That old gal's got a lot of character! I love it!! Thanks for sharing Cosmo.