The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre New Mexico Brian's 1950 truck

Getting it
Hello stove bolters. I found my gem through my brother in Kalispell MT, where the owner lives. She inherited it from her father who had a small place along the border of NM and AZ. The brakes gave way in 1998 and it had been sitting there ever since. I purchased it from my brother’s friend and drove the 250 miles out to see it. I changed the tires, put in a 12 volt and figured out what the breaks needed. It started fine and the lights worked. I also added oil to the rear end. If you think it went that smoothly or that it was done in a day I would be misleading you. The brakes were the easiest part; the hoses and drums came off easily; the master cylinder was straight forward and it went together well. The battery was a reject and one rim was leaking air. The place was along a dirt road that was bumps for 8 miles with another 8 to the nearest town. I made that trip many times but finally in the truck to get the tank filled with good gas. I managed to drive it about 100 miles to where I could grt the VIN numbers checked and registered, when I found that it was not charging. I had the battery recharged and continued slowly on home. Now all I needed to do was to find a way out there and pick up my car. There is something to be said for towing but, after all, it ran when they parked it.
The Truck
The truck itself is a 1950 ½ ton, three window, short-bed that was redone in the 70’s. That is, it has a 292 engine a 1955, 17 spline rear-end, some bondo and a green patina along with rust and primer. The transmission seems original and the gauges and lights were all converted to 12 volt. I have installed directional signals and did a quick repair on the rear-end seal--it needs a new pinion yoke. The brake pedal spring was very difficult for a guy who is the same age as the truck--I used a clothes hanger and twisted it to bring the hole in the plunger a little closer. I put in a single pipe exhaust that exits under the running-board. The radio that was welded into the dash was removed. I will also remove the spare gas tank. The bed is slightly corroded in one corner and has an old piece of plywood for a floor. It charges now but it discharges also. The resident mice did a number on the upholstery. I think one of them is still in there. So a great buy.
Next up is to grease the front-end and find the electric leak.
Me
I worked as a mechanic on Checker cabs for a few years but then moved to the mailroom of Skidmore College for twenty years. I left there to teach social studies but I am too old for most schools to consider so I substitute here in Albuquerque There is a great need for special ed. teachers so I usually work with the disabled three to five days a week. There is no Mrs. Heyler to upset with my work on the truck but I still try to step away for a few days at a time. My son and his wife should enjoy seeing the project when they visit in a couple of weeks. My passion are history, baseball and government. Today is significant for the loss of Gore Vidal one of my favoritest writers.
Greetings to all, Brian

Brian, welcome to the Stovebolt. Had a 50 back in the 70's. They're nice trucks to keep around. Post us up a pic when you can and tell us a little about it.