My wife's new truck

[ofnaman]

It's a '54. She's been wanting one for a long time. This one came up locally with a clear title. No engine or trans, no rear fenders either, came with extra doors. I will be putting either a 4.3, 5.0, or 5.7 with a 700r4 in it. It will probably get fuel injected. My wife loves the way these look stock, so I am going to probably remove a spring or two and ad a sway bar. If it was mine I would probably do the s-10 swap and slam it. Color is going to be deep maroon outside with a dark tan interior and tan wheels with baby moons. That is all she has decided so far. I picked it up for $500, what do you think? Thanks

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks pretty nice ...but we need some more pics...

[ofnaman]

More pics

[ofnaman]

Oh yeah, check out the overloads on the rear. This truck was used. The front even has overload shocks on it.

[71swb4x4]

Wow!! Leaf springs, leaf spring helpers, coil cpring helpers, and coil over shocks!! What did they haul in that thing?

[ofnaman]

I have no idea, but the rear bumper is a 6" piece of c channel with a ball mount on it. The funny thing is the inside of the bed is not all beat up like you would expect.

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

Wow!! Leaf springs, leaf spring helpers, coil cpring helpers, and coil over shocks!! What did they haul in that thing?

[Daniel U]

Seem's to be a few more '54/55 1st series popping up lately on this board. Are you going to chrome out the grille and bumpers? EFI is the way to go IMO. Here's a shot of mine before paint and polish:

Since then I've had the aluminum polished and chrome plated. Keep us posted on the progress. Nice to hear you wife is into old Chevy's! Makes it easier on the whole family.

[ofnaman]

Tpi is a good setup, I ran that in my '84 k5 and in my '84 cutlass for a while. Did you do a front end swap, or are you still running the leafs?

Originally Posted by Daniel U

Seem's to be a few more '54/55 1st series popping up lately on this board. Are you going to chrome out the grille and bumpers? EFI is the way to go IMO. Here's a shot of mine before paint and polish:

Since then I've had the aluminum polished and chrome plated. Keep us posted on the progress. Nice to hear you wife is into old Chevy's! Makes it easier on the whole family.

[89 crew]

Personally I'm jealous of a bunch of you guys on here! My wife keeps wanting to go for newer cars. small little rice cookers are preferred. Here you all have wifes that search for years for an awesome old truck like that, just so you can play in the shop and make it like new. My question is, was she an old truck fan when you married her, or was it an acquired taste? If it was Acquired how did you help encourage it?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Im sure he will chime in but daniel had a very cool build thread on the board I dont have the link sorry but it is very detailed.

[49S10]

ofnaman-

Looks like a good project. I imagine she will add power steering to your list of things to do once she drives the beast.

[ofnaman]

Well, to be honest, she hates my '70. Doesn't even like to ride in it. When I had my lowrider blazer and my cutlass drag car she did not mind helping me work on them. She does drive an '04 subaru, but in her defense, she hates that too. Her dad had a '50 truck and she alway's liked that, that's why I think she wanted one of these. The deal we have is she could get one if she helps work on it. She has no problems with that.

Originally Posted by 89 crew

Personally I'm jealous of a bunch of you guys on here! My wife keeps wanting to go for newer cars. small little rice cookers are preferred. Here you all have wifes that search for years for an awesome old truck like that, just so you can play in the shop and make it like new. My question is, was she an old truck fan when you married her, or was it an acquired taste? If it was Acquired how did you help encourage it?

[89 crew]

I still feel you are a lucky man! My wife won't even tell me a body style she likes other than a small rice cooker, or a new burb!

[Daniel U]

My '54 has a MII front end with PS,PDB, drop springs. My wife likes her '99 Tahoe, but had to have 22's(which meant bigger brakes/suspension/gears) and shortly after a trans rebuild with shift kit and posi rear(my choice). Her dream truck is a red '73-'75 4X4 step with a roll bar. But her priority is a larger house with more garage space before we aquire more cars. For what it's worth, when we 1st got married, she didn't know a F@&$ from a bowtie, but with a little help and influence, she's learned to appreciate Chevrolet's and older rides in general.

[Hoser's Girl]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder......... your wife has some vision! Can't wait to see it come together!!! Lucky Girl!

[chevguy7]

That is going to be fun when its all done. I think I am going to do a 47-54 once I get my 70 done.

[Daniel U]

Originally Posted by chevguy7

That is going to be fun when its all done. I think I am going to do a 47-54 once I get my 70 done.

I want to do a 67-72 with my son when he's older.

[55dude]

i envy the guy who has a spouse/ole' lady that likes to "polish his ride!" cleaning and polishing is one of the things i dread/hate. my last ole' lady liked it and was good at it.

[72BlckButy]

Nice score!!!