The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Seeking comments

After spending 2 days pressure washing my truck I ended up with about 55 lbs of chicken manure, spider webs, etc. Should do great in the winter garden

Still have not found VIN on frame rail but will continue searching
Motor # A228277605. More I look at it I believe a frame off restoration is best bet - your thoughts are welcome.

Pls tell me what parts you see missing. I see only the radiator shroud (top portion) near hood latch.

Thanks!

Link to pics (sorry for reverse sequence)
http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y175/ShepFL/Vintage%2049/

Looks like its pretty complete. You are missing some bed wood though!

I prefer to get it running first, you get to know the truck and get some instant gratification. A frame off takes determination and vision, driving it before disassembly gives you something to strive for while it's shredded to pieces in your garage.

Sorry if im pointing out the obvious; I see the vin plate screws on the driver side door pilar but can't tell if the plate is there. I assume you checked and it has been removed?

Side note: I thought the modern tube shocks weren't installed until 50? Could be a 50, or they could have been installed later, or it could be an end of the year 49 that got some of the 50 updates.

Looks good though, good find! Good luck whatever you do!

Grins on the wood comment. Yes, I will get it running but first I need brakes. Then I will drive it around. Originally I was going to just do cosmetics but after looking at once clean I think better route is to take it back to stock and do it once and for all.

It looks like you have a chev temp gauge. I'm jealous of you Americans with your fancy GMC engines, up here everything was 216s, unless you had the big Maple Leaf.

Amazing that the cardboard is still in the glove box. I have yet to own a truck that doesn't need new cardboard.

Those helper springs sure got squashed didn't they?

Well Shep, I just looked thru your 120 page album and I think you got what I would call a
restoration dream boat. It looks to be all there and mostly original and dang near rust free
other than some surface rust. I didn’t see any rusted thru spots or badly dinged up sheet
metal. The hood looks to fit real nice, the running boards , bed skirts, bed itself, fenders
all look like their in good shape. Agree with the comment on the glove box, taint many
around with the original panel board still in good shape, might be a repro though because
I see evidence of some previous restoration work. Looks like a restoration was started and
then it got shelved where it sat in the barn for a decade or more. That’s why I would
caution you against starting out with a total off frame restoration, most never get finished,
it’s a BIG undertaking in time and money. All in all I think you got a real good one, five
windows also. Unless you are well into restoration work and are aware of the amount of
work in front of you, I wouldn’t start with a off-frame project.
A good pressure wash like you mentioned would be in order then get the engine and drive
line cleaned up and in good functioning order. Next the suspension and brakes after
which I would drive it for a while. Once you have her on the road then you can start on
some cosmetics starting with cleaning up the interior one project at a time while you’re
still driving it around. Gauges, steering wheel, floor board clean up with a new mat and
peddle pads, get the windows sealed up and working smooth, door latches and hinges
correct, some new door panels and maybe some rattle can paint till you get to the point
when you do really want to pull the cab for a complete restoration. I see you have the
original heater and it to looks to be in nice shape.

All in all, from the pictures in it’s present condition I’d give it about a 3 on the 1-6 scale
but it could be a 4 with very little work and a 6 in a few years. A lot depends on how much
time and money you have to throw at it.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Sep:
It is beutiful!!
You are only missing a few things, other than that it looks to be in great shape. I would say on most of the vehicles of this age no matter what a frame off restoration is always needed but yours looks like it is in wonderful shape. If my 53 was in this shape I would be driving it!!
Great pics always good to see. The age? Shocks look to be original frame brackets those did not come about until 52 or 53 if I am not mistaken

OK Y'all -
You have convinced me not to do frame off restoration. How can ensure integrity of the frame and limit the rusting.

What if I get drive train working well, refresh the brake system then spray frame with rust inhibitor? I have some rust converter here that I use on my antique tractors.

If this is a fair approach then I can do the cosmetics untill I have TIME & $$ to do full restoration.

I say go for the full resto now. The longer you wait the more corrosion builds up. But I also understand why someone would want to just get 'er on the road and enjoy! For me, I would always be thinking about the rust and fraying wires to enjoy it that way.

Glad to hear you have decided to get the truck in good running condition and getting right into the fun of driving your truck. I drive my truck almost every day and meet many people with unfinished projects they have torn apart and never finished. Don't skimp on the brake overhaul. Rebuild or replace all wheel and master cylinders and rubber brake lines. Installing a fusable link in the main power line is an inexpensive precaution against any major electrical calamities. You should be able to find a spare tire carrier in the used parts wanted forum. While you are doing the mechanical restoration work, you can prepare an outline of where, when and how much money will be required to do a frame off restoration so you can avoid an uncompleted or unbearably long tear down.

I like your thinking. Watch for updates SOON.

Thanks!!

At this time I am going to postpone frame off until this coming new yr. This way I can get it on the road and find out what other things are needed. Most likely gonna keep this one BONE STOCK.

I think that is a great plan. Get it running, safe and presentable and enjoy it a while. Then if you decide the full bore restoration is warranted and you are up to the task, make it happen. On a scale of 1-10, I'd rather drive a 5 or 6 today than 'dream' of a 10 that I never got to drive, years down the road.

Very cool truck by the way!!!

You can stop hunting for a VIN on the frame, it's not there. It was on the door pillar plate, and if that's missing, register it with the engine number.

I drove my 54/3100 for 20 years as a safe as i could make it beater and enjoyed it as is. i was lucky that it came from southern Indiana with less road salt used. so get it safe and enjoy.

I drove my 54/3100 for 20 years as a safe as i could make it beater and enjoyed it as is

did you mean beater or better

I have been driving my '51 suburban as a safe, mechanically functional beater since 1973. At this point I don't know if I could bear to paint it.

Pics:

Front view

Interior

Engine

Rear view

Kurt

Don't change a thing. That sub is perfect!

Drove my '50 for 30 years fixing as needed. Frame off, took 3.5 years. I enjoy the memories, but I also enjoy basically a brand new truck experience when driving it now. (That is to say, not worrying about anything when I drive it, other than the other idiots out there.) Also as stated, no stamped numbers on frame in this era and '50 was the first year for tube shocks and the last year for Huck Brakes.

Only on the 1/2 ton that is, kept the Huck brakes on the heavier trucks for a few more years.
DG

Ditto!!