My 50 roadster pickup build
 

First thing is my truck has been done for about 7 years, and has about 16,000 miles (I know that's not much, but I have my reasons). About 25 yrs ago my son and I were going to do a father/son project building a roadster pickup. We bought a truck, but it never got going, and he sold the truck. So after I retired and moved to Missouri, I decided to build a pickup, he talked me into doing the roadster, because of old times, and I'm glad I did. I'm 65 years old and have a few builds under my belt. Many of the builds on here make me look like a beginner. I still work on cars and trucks, and my son (moved here a few years ago) and I are starting a 52 AD for him, I'll let him post that. I joined the site in March 2011, and posted a few pics on threads that members were asking about how to's. I have been asked by a couple of members to show my build. All my pictures were taken with an old 35MM and I have had to scan them to my computor. I will post 5 to 15 pics a day with what I did. Will answer any questions anyone may have (if there are any). Hope you enjoy the build.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

This is the 32 Chevy I had for over 20 years, I sold it so I could afford to build the pickup. These are the two I started with.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Before I could start building the pickup I had to build a shop. I started the shop in 1998 and had it inclosed before winter. Because of cold weather I didn't start working on the pickup till 1999. Picture of the shop and the two pickups.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Another shot of the two pickups, the rusty one is a 51 5 window and the primer one is a 50 standard cab. This is the body I will use to cut off the top.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

A few months after getting the shop done I found another pickup. This one was a 52 5 window, had an excellent grill and had a 54 bed just sitting on the frame, not attached. I had already decided I wanted a 54 bed, so I bought this one and added it to the collection.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

First thing I did was take the bed off the frame, and disassemble, the passenger side of bed had been in a wreck, and would have to have a lot of work to straighten out. More on that later.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I'm jealous you started off with better trucks than I'm trying to work with!! Love that 32

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Hay, Younger than me 3!!!

Like you, we all have started many projects over the years some we keep and some we sell to fund the next project.
Well, I am at the stage of the next build, only my second , and LAST I need a garage and I need some info on yours.
Can you send me a PM and I will pick your grey matter on a few ways to cut cost, just like a car project.

Thanks
Bob

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

cool, looking forward to following along and seeing the end result :chevy:

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Looks like a nice 32 you got rid of to do the truck.
Do keep the pics coming as the build should be very interesting.
Kim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Well here's todays pictures. I had ordered this spring kit from a company called Lunatic, I think they were in Washington state, I believe they are out of business now. I was very satisfied with their products. Everything bolted in place (I also welded) after removing old brackets (rusty stuff).

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 I checked all the frames and the 52 frame was the best one, here I'm removing the old rear axle, and will start on the brackets, etc.

Pic 2 Setting up the Nova rear axle, with spring kit.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Welding in 2" angle iron to the frame, so I can cut off the hump, this will allow me to mount the 54 bed on the 52 frame. Running boards will mount in the same locations.

Pic 2 This is a little better shot.

Pic 3 Here I've cut off the hump, bent the short edges down and welded to the angle. I will box this section later. You can also see the 2" lowering block under the axle.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I bought new wood and runners from Classis Parts (was Chevy Duty) installed and put bed back together for checking fit to frame, etc.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Removed front doghouse or front end.

Pic 2 Set aside for later.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1, 2 & 3 Old engine, etc. Same as most of you have seen many times, front end removed, ready for mockup of new front suspension. Well that's you fix for today, have to start lining up stuff for tomorrow.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Well I would love to have that shop. It looks to have a lot of room, but I guess just when you think you have enough room it gets used up pretty quick. -

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

this will be a cool build, good progress every day :D

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Shop is 30 X 40, these pics are when it was new, you should see it now, tools, cabinets, shelves, but still have room to work.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Here I'm marking up the frame to remove extra material for boxing frame.
Pic 2 Checking again for fit.
Pic 3 Boxing plate welded in place, the red on inside of frame is were it was painted with Eastwood encapsulator paint.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

This is my crossmember for a MII system. Crossmember is from Lunatic, I added the angled brackets (from Michael Thomas). Crossmember only had straight holes through the unit.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Here the crossmember is installed in the frame, also cut a notch in bottom of frame for rack unit. Power rack from JPL. Still need to trim notch pieces.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Here I've installed the upper mounts.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Sorry forgot the pic.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I purchased Heidt's Economy upper and lower A arms. They are nice and strong and cheaper that tubular. I purchased the brakes from ECI with 11" rotor and big calipers. This set up moves the tire outward 3/4" per side to help widen the MII front end. I also had this setup on my 32 Chevy.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

After getting the front end on the ground, I decided to purchase 2" dropped spindles, wasn't low enough for me.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

With the front and rear set up it was time to check out the 50 body.
Pic 1 is the firewall, still on it's frame.
Pic 2 is the inside floor (typical for these trucks).

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 starting to cut out the innercowl panels
Pic 2 New panels from Classic Parts (Chevy Duty)

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic1 Floor and cowl panels removed, this is the outside view.
Pc 2 The inside view.

Tomorrow will start installing the new stuff.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Hey Old man I guess I missed your first post, My folks are from Mt View Mo I have been to that area a lot,I have several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins round them parts. I'll be watching your build looks good
Joe

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks Joe, yeah Mt. View is only 19 miles up the road from my place, I live on US 160 and take MO17 to Mt. View.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Hey guys, posting early today, have stuff to do later.

Got the new cowl panels welded in place.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Started installing "*****in" floor kit. Kit came with new braces, body mounts, etc. Passenger side view.
Pic 2 Drivers side view.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I guess site would not show company name because of the langauge, it starts with a B and rhymes with witch. Anyhow here is the center hump installed, it was a two piece deal, made for easy alignment.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 shows the outside before removing set up screws.
Pic 2 shows seam sealer applied at all joints.
Pic 3 Not a good picture, no flash, but floor painted with Eastwood encapsulator paint.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 both outside lower cowl corners were removed, inside was blasted and painted with encapsulator paint.
Pic 2 New panels installed

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 both left and right rear cab corners needed replacing (typical)
Pic 2 both inner cab corners needed repaired, cleaned and painted.
Pic 3 Drivers side installed, then on to passenger side.

Good news, tomorrow off comes the top. This should be a little more interesting than what has been going on.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

That's a ton of work you've done. Looks real nice.
Kim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Keep those pictures coming! You do some nice work.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks guys, appreciate the thoughts.