need tips for building my first truck

[MIKE52]

Im 15 and im about to start building a 52 chevy 1/2 ton truck. This is the first time i've built a truck and i was just wondering if anyone had a few basic tips for the construction. We have all of the original parts for the truck, but im looking to modify several things like a sweet sound system, power steering, heating and cooling, automatic windows, etc. So if anyone has built a 47-54 chevy before, a few pointers would be very helpful.

[Kim57]

I would say be patient and ask for help when you run into problems. The people on this board are more than happy to help when ever they can.
Try to be specific with your questions.
Oh and we need to see pics.
Kim

[MrTucker]

just use the basic rules:

-measure 3 times, cut once
-never cheap out - you'll regret it and will end up redoing it
-keep track of all fasteners, bolts, nuts, washer and what they go to (ziplock baggies are the best thing you'll invest in)
-do plenty of research on what mod you want to do. Chances are more than one person has done it, and told about it.
-finally, do what mods YOU want, not what other people think you should do.

then drive the wheels off of it, and fix what you break!

[MrTucker]

Also - take plenty of before and after pics. Not for us, but they'll really help you put things back together.


(sorry for the double post)

[GRIMSS]

Your starting off right this site has tons of info.

Use the site search.

Most of the time someone has build pics of the mods you want to do. That way you can see some of the little twists you may run into and also the right and wrong parts to use. Also read on the other years of trucks you can get alot of info from them too.

Have fun.

[MIKE52]

Hey thanks guys! Ill keep you updated as much as possible on the truck. Im only a freshman in highschool so progress probibly wont be very fast until summer, but ill get some pics up for sure! Ill probibly start on the front axle and the chassis sometime this week. Quick question, would a factory assembly manual be a good investment for building my 52?

Mike

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

1.Get a factory assembly manual (eBay has them all the time for 25/30$.
2. Take at least 500 pictures of your truck before you start. Your plan today may be minor restoration but in the end you may do a frame off job and those before pictures will be a time saver for you.
3. Like was said earlier, bag parts and label them and don't throw away anything no matter how certain you are you won't need it.
4. Take at least 500 pictures as you break things down and remove parts. That to will save you time and worry.

A thousand pictures? You won't regret it...

[jjjmm56]

No matter how you do it Just have fun doing it!

[Lextech]

My dad bought my twin brother and me a 51 Chevy 5 window short bed when we were 14. We are now 45 and still have it. This is from experience--So take it for what its worth--Don't start too many projects at once. Try to start and finish 1 project at a time. Try to think ahead as to how 1 project affects another. Try to keep the truck assembled as much as possible. If you can't afford something you want---Wait until you can---Don't cheap out--You will be sorry if you do.

Jeff

[dwcsr]

Don't ever buy the parts before your ready to put them on the truck. Don't disasemble the truck til your ready to buy the parts. Building trucks is like sending a spoiled child to college. It will always require money when you have little to give. It will take far more time than you would like it to and interest will fade as soon as the money gets tight. There will always be a suprise you didn't expect to shell out cash for so build what you can in weekend intervals so you get to drive it while you make your changes.

Nothing is worse than paying thousand and ending up with nothing to show for it but a pile of parts you sell have half the cost.

[Houston54]

Projects are easy to start but very difficult to finish. I hop eyou have lots of room to spread things out as these trucks get very large when you disassemble them.

My advise on how to do your truck is simple - MAKE A PLAN.

Decide what you want to wind up with and what you want to have in it and plan around that.

The basics of a plan should be in the following order:

1. Make it Whoa (Chassis, suspension, brake system)
2. Make it Go (engine, transmission, fuel system, electrical)
3. Make it Show (Fix body rust/dents, replace glass, interior, primer/paint)

If you do things out of order you will find you have to either redo something or it will be in the way while you are working on something else.

If you do not have one already - get a digital camera. It will be the most useful tool you have and will let you share your project with us.

[Kid]

lots of good advise already given, I'll just add, go to shows / rod runs & take a good look at the details of others with the same type of truck. You'll quickly learn what YOU like & don't like. Talk to the owner and ask questions about the detail(s) you are intrested in. Remember what you like & forget what you don't. Above all, enjoy wrenching on your truck!