PROJECT: 1950 Chevy 3/4T 4x4... new member

[N2BOOST]

First of all I wanted to say hi to everyone and though I have not posted yet, I have read alot on here and viewed alot of very nice projects.

On to my truck... I have heard about this truck for over 20 years and had never seen it even though I live in a small town (2500-3000 people). A guy well known around here to make cool stuff then put everything in storage had it and I just so happen to see him one day and asked if he had anything for sale. He responded to come out and take a look at 12 or so of his creations and when I came across the 50' I couldn't pass it up.

Few Details:
1950 3/4T body with 1.5T hood and fenders
1971 HD 3/4T chassis
Dana 44 up front 4:10
NP 205 T-CASE
Eaton HO52 huge rearend
Mild built BBC 454
TH350 trans
Custom coolant reservoir below the radiator to keep it cool

I will keep this thread up to date, however I work out of town alot so time is scarce. Next thing I want to do is all new rotors, bearings, etc. Then paint after I decide what color as you will see in the pics below I have done a few samples.

As I bought it


After the GM 9.75x16.5's with 33's


Interior (BTW he has a temp gauge for everything involving fluids including trans)


Right Side - Really dont like the red but the blue is what I really like


I like this picture it looks like a pulling truck LOL


Left Side - Not sure if I like the darker blue or lighter blue


Now the color everyone wants me to paint it. I like it but I rather use the Chevy red/orange color so it's not so bright


Thanks for looking,

Jason

[Bishops Trucks]

Welcome to the site. I love that project. Keep us posted on your progress and remember, we do love pictures.

[N2BOOST]

Thank you Jim!!! I will post plenty pics as I go.

[71blksuper4x4]

Very cool, and welcome! I just went through Louisburg twice today to trade my jeep doors. It appears that your truck is sitting on a 1970-1972 3/4 ton chassis. I say that from the pics of the transfer case shifter, your tilt column, your blue lockout hubs, and your eaton rear end. Trevor

[N2BOOST]

Thanks Trevor! He said it was a 70 but when I priced brakes, calipers, etc today NAPA said they didn't have front disc brakes in 70. I actually think its a 72 and will post more when I fine out for sure.

Jason

[71blksuper4x4]

It would either be a 71 or 72 w/ discs, unless he swapped the axles at some point. Trevor

[N2BOOST]

Hey Trevor found out tonight it is a 71!

Not too much progress but I got quite a bit done tonight. The bed, rear bumper, front and rear fenders are off and at the sand blasters. Since the cab is on a 4" homemade body lift Im not going to pull the cab off BUT I will be blasting the underneath and outside of it.

The bed is in near perfect condition and isnt going to require much work.

[Chevymaniac]

Did you get a good deal on the truck? I'am keeping my eyes glued to this project. Wish i had time and money to have a project like this, but my wife would kill me if i came home with another truck.

[N2BOOST]

Ha ha my wife is keeping track of every penny!!! Got everything back from the blaster today and tonight coated the underside of the bed, couple brackets and back of bumper. I will post more pics tomorrow after I primer everything and get started on the dings! As far as a deal... probably not to good of a deal but I "had" to have it.

Thanks,
Jason

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice and very cool project!

[silver7]

Absolutely love what you are doing N2Boost. I've always been in awe at the older chevy 4x4s. Just like my taste for Elvis and the man in black, I think I inherited that from my old man. A lot of guys like to drop them but I think a modest lift with some big tires do them more justice.

Keep up the good work brother!

[N2BOOST]

Diesel and Shawn, thank you so much! I have decided on a somewhat dark metallic blue like what's on 2004 dodge caravans. This is the 1st time I've done all the bodywork myself but its turning out very well. The beds primered and waiting for some minor work. I will be doin a bedliner coating on the floor and up the sides that way I can lean wood, etc on it without scrathing it. The truck will not be a show truck but I usually do not give myself enough credit due to my OCD lol.

Hoping to have both front fenders in primer tomorrow so I can work on the bed a little. The rear fenders are pretty much done just need another coat of primer.

[N2BOOST]

Made a little headway, but not as much as I planned.

Bed Before


Bed After Sandblasting (Hillbilly way of primering/coating)


Bed with some really good Epoxy Enamel Coating in Semi-Gloss


Bumper with the Epoxy Enamel Coating


D.S. Front fender metal repair (this was my 1st time ever and after the primer today I almost had the entire fender straight the first try, I have 10 hrs of hand blocking in it so far)



Just the few red areas to fix, block and reprimer, then off to the P.S. Front fender

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice work! It is looking very nice!

[propanemudtruck]

Your truck is definately lookin' good, I just want to know where in that neighborhood are you storing your crane and dump truck? Way to use what ya got to get the job done with that heavy equipment!

[N2BOOST]

^^^ Ha Ha ha!!! Yeah I actually live in a pretty clean area and this is the first time I've built something outside in the driveway. My garage is heated and cooled but the trucks too tall to go in it. I've built several cars in my garage so my neighbors are use to it, but I do my best to keep the driveway clean on this build.

Thank you for the kind words!

[N2BOOST]

Well I ad 15 hrs in hand sanding the plastic work and finally had enough! So I called a good friend and asked if I could bring it over and use his air sanders. We spent 2 more evenings and a total of 20 hrs and I'm finally happy with the outcome.

Sorry forgot camera so I used my cell phone...

My buddy Brett's nephew Colton helpin me :-)


Brett taking over for a bit


Ready for a final 400 grit wet sand

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice!

[Yukon Jack]

What a cool project - looks like one solid truck!

[1985-GMC]

Very cool truck!

[N2BOOST]

Thank you guys!

A little update, I got the other front fender ready for a coat of primer and ready to block over last weekend. Throughout this week I've been TRYING my best to get the bed sides as straight as possible. I can't believe Chevy used a single layered bedside! Thats as terrible of a design as the dual tanks one on each side :-/

I'll load some more pics this weekend!

Thanks again for your support!

[1985-GMC]

I like a tank on each side, it keeps it balanced!

[N2BOOST]

Finally got it ready for a few coats of primer and believe it or not, the sides are perfect on the first try! I have a few small pits around the tailgate that need attention. The pics are horrible due to dust/lighting. I put more coats on the exposed areas is why you will notice primer lines in the fender area. I will put at least one more coat on after fixing the few flaws! This bed was a HUGE accomplishment this week since I'm scheduled to be out of town for a month working 4x10's.




Put down a few heavy coats of paint before putting in the new angle iron. I'm going to linex the inside and the rails



Notice the rear side area, it represents the smoothness of the side since the picture is horrible.

[N2BOOST]

Sorry, when I resized the pics they became pixelated, but you get the point I guess.

[ChaseDale3and8]

Great looking project! The bed really does look good. You did a great job getting it that straight! GM sure didn't worry about the trucks keeping their looks back then since they were just work horses. The beds took the brunt of the abuse, and are a real pain to straighten. No double wall steel sure makes it a pain to get straight but it looks like you're getting it there! Keep it up and keep the pictures coming! ...Joe