47-55.1 *Before & After*

[Zippi]

Post up what your truck looked like before & after the build and a little history behind it. I did not build my 49 but the PO started the build in 2015 and had it almost completed before my wife and I purchased it a little over a year ago. Since buying the truck the whole front end has been rebuilt, new 2 1/2" dual exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers, the cab was gutted and fitted with leather bucket seats and console, made new door panels, installed radio and dome light. The steering shaft with the old rag joint was removed and replaced with a new Borgeson telescopic steering shaft. Made driving a whole lot better. Door seals were added to help with the noise inside the cab.

[my56chevytruck]

We all have experienced the "deal" that got away from us, so when I saw a GenVI 454 for sale, (the price was was so good people walked away from it), I had to jump. I bought the engine without any idea what I was going to do with it so the wife suggested, why not buy a truck!! So with her support we started a search and SHE found this beauty in Georgia. I called the owner (which I found out he was not the owner, but that's for another story) and we headed down from Indiana. This is the engine I bought, (less the radiator hose, air cleaner and carb) the truck before and after. To many pictures to post all that's been done.

[Dan in Pasadena]

As purchased in September, 2011 from 2nd owner who had only had it 6 months. He bought from original 1955 purchaser who had gotten too old to drive it. It hadn’t been registered from 1999 to 2010.

Original owner had had a “kid’ - 40 year old man - replace the 235 with a 283. Supposedly 3/4 race cam - whatever the hell that truly means - Camel hump heads but it ran like crap. One very low compression cylinder and a decade of sitting. I put in a dual plane manifold, rebuilt carb, adjusted valves, all new fluids, filters, Pertronix, re-cored radiator, some spray paint on engine and some Rustoleum satin Sage on exterior. Torq Thrust knock-offs from Craigslist and take off tires. This is how it looked in 2015 when I blew it apart.

Final pic is now. 6.0 LS (LQ4) running Holley Terminator engine management system with Delmo adapters to use SBC ave covers and coils relocated down on frame. It is mildly cammed, has a 4l85e trans, Ford 8.8 limited slip rearend, 4 wheel power discs, Flat Out Engineering’s IFS cross member for C4 Corvette calipers, Power R&P. Has not been dyno-tuned but I imagine it puts out somewhat more than 350hp.

[FarmerSid]

Awesome stories! Look forward to more. I've got a before but no where near an after. LOL!

[Zippi]

Nice trucks and stories guys.

[joedoh]

here are two of mine, there are more trucks in my gallery.

1500 original miles, he bought it new and drug it down a fence with like 100 miles. had it repaired and a couple months later forgot the parking brake and it rolled down a hill into a stand of trees, cracked the block and the drivers headlight was back about 10". I couldnt stand to see it crushed.



after 66 years and some work.




more recently, a grain truck gave the cab



and I found all the rest

[28TudorAZ]

Before and After. Took about 2 years to complete. The truck came from a guy that lives about a mile away from me. He had the truck since he was 15 and now is in his 40's. I took him for a ride in it after getting it driving.

[Zippi]

Originally Posted by 28TudorAZ

Before and After. Took about 2 years to complete. The truck came from a guy that lives about a mile away from me. He had the truck since he was 15 and now is in his 40's. I took him for a ride in it after getting it driving.

I've seen your build. One bad ass truck dude.

[gigamanx]

Here's a Worst to best haha...

Start


Worst


Best now with new engine, driveline, suspension, air bags and a bed! Amazing how it looks almost the same from the outside except for wheels but 2 years of adding power brakes, power steering, more horesepower, and working suspension.

[jweb]

I just used some of these photos for the Truck of the month contest. Thought I would share them here too. My parents bought the truck in '76. First pic is about 1980 with a few of my dad's changes.

The truck was torn apart soon after that. Second pic is 2005 when my dad passed away and I decided to rebuild the truck.

Last pic is current, taken by a photographer at a vintage trailer rally. You can also see our “53 Westerner behind the truck.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by jweb

Last pic is current, taken by a photographer at a vintage trailer rally. You can also see our “53 Westerner behind the truck.

Nice! More pictures?

[jweb]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Nice! More pictures?

Here’s a few more, I don’t take many photos.

[DPete]

[oldman3]

OK, here's mine, before, during, after...Jim

[DavidButler]

Before and after. 1952 235.
Took about 2 years from start to finish.
Based in UK so not too many spares available off the shelf.
Most of the technical problems were solved by you guys with questions here or reading this forum.
Love driving it, but, I think power steering would be a bonus when it comes to parking. Always turns heads when I'm out and about.

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by oldman3

OK, here's mine, before, during, after...Jim

Very cool oldman3. Never saw a coverttruck before.

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by DavidButler

Before and after. 1952 235.
Took about 2 years from start to finish.
Based in UK so not too many spares available off the shelf.
Most of the technical problems were solved by you guys with questions here or reading this forum.
Love driving it, but, I think power steering would be a bonus when it comes to parking. Always turns heads when I'm out and about.

Mr. Butler, I think I see the steering wheel on the left side, is that awkward for you to drive over there??

[Black93GT]

[65blackfleetside]

13 months and 20-30 hrs per week- I never thought i would finish this project! I could not have done this build without all of the help from everyone on this forum!!!

1951
Chevy S10 longbed Frame
5.3 LS

ATS Package--"ALL the sh*t"

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by my56chevytruck

Very cool oldman3. Never saw a coverttruck before.

Thank you...Jim

[DavidButler]

Originally Posted by my56chevytruck

Mr. Butler, I think I see the steering wheel on the left side, is that awkward for you to drive over there??

Not usually because I'm super alert when I get in the truck.
Problems usually occur when I get back in my car, at half concentration, and forget we're back to normal. Clipped the curb on more than one occasion doing that, good job I was driving the wife's car both times!
I think the biggest problem would be looking ahead to see if it's OK to pull out to overtake.
As I've never got it going fast enough to overtake anybody not been a problem.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by gigamanx

Here's a Worst to best haha...

It always surprises me how good these trucks look in white.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by oldman3

OK, here's mine, before, during, after...Jim

Jim, I don't see any handles or switches; do you have side windows in that roadster?

[MiraclePieCo]

My truck actually started as a collection of parts from disparate years and vehicles.

It's not easy to maneuver a panel truck body in a 2-car garage with an 8-foot ceiling.

[Tempest67]

very cool panel MPC......... looks great