my 53 five window
 

Here is the start of a second rebuild first was done in 97 when I was 16 so this time im trying to do things right. Its been sitting for about ten years so its about time. More pics will follow as progress goes on.

Re: my 53 five window
 

Getting the motor and the tranny back monday. 350 .30 over, mild motor, and 700r4 tranny built to last. I heard if you do the 700r4 put the money into the first time so I did. Cant wait , new pics comming soon

Re: my 53 five window
 

Looks like a solid truck. Good luck and get those pic coming.

Re: my 53 five window
 

the project has begun got the heads cleaned up. The front is all ready for the motor when ever i get it back. Were making progress

Re: my 53 five window
 

thats a very solid looking truck man!! can't wait to see more to come!

Re: my 53 five window
 

Nice truck, and nice project! What color are you going with this time?

Re: my 53 five window
 

Very nice and solid looking truck.

Re: my 53 five window
 

probably going the same neon blue, but toying around with orange and marron. Replacing the brake lines, fuel lines and hopefully putting in all the motor mount brackets and trans brakets this weekend. The motor is assembeled and tranny is built and ready so after this weekend hopefully wiring and then body work.

Re: my 53 five window
 

Looks like a nice solid truck. Leaving front end stock? Any brake upgrades?

Re: my 53 five window
 

Very nice looking truck! I'm watching for details on that 350/700r installation as I want to do the same to my 49.

Re: my 53 five window
 

not much in upgrades as far as front end just mono leaf springs, new king pins. The rear is out of a 76 blazer with 3:73 and limited slip but as far as everything else pretty much all 1950's, all body parts, dash, ect are original to the truck or off another 47-53. I guess im trying to do it as clean as possible but on a thight budget.

Re: my 53 five window
 

How does the blazer rear fit? I thought they measured good, but others think they are too wide.

Re: my 53 five window
 

The fit is not bad it was in the truck when I got it so we left it. It is alittle wider then I would like and its 6 lug. So as far as wheels and tires go you really have to get the right off set to make it tuck under if your going lower. Im probably going to run a 235-60-15 tire again, its what i ran the first time and it looked fine. If your doing a high power strip truck I probably would recomed something alittle more nerrow just to get some more width out of the tires. Im not building a 1/4 mile truck so traction is not a huge issue with me. If it wasnt already on the truck I probably would have went with something alittle narrower.

Re: my 53 five window
 

Some more pics of todays progress. Welded in some sheet meatal over the fire wall and just about got the motor ready to put in.

Re: my 53 five window
 

Do you have the sheet metal for the floor and tunnel?

Re: my 53 five window
 

The floor has been replaced so im going to just patch in anywhere else that needs it.

Re: my 53 five window
 

motor and tranny are hopefully going in this weekend see I'll be postin some more pics. All these nickels and dimes are starting to add up

Re: my 53 five window
 

well were making progress motor and tranny are in. Hopefully tomorrow we'll get all the details worked out, such as wiring, plugs, timming, ect. hope to have here fired up by mid week.

Re: my 53 five window
 

Nice job on the firewall!

Re: my 53 five window
 

here is the next step all wirring done just gettin ready to do the radiator and she should be ready to fire up. Im getting pretty excited.

Re: my 53 five window
 

I am enjoying your rebuild! When I get back from Afghanistan, I am going to start on my 52 5-window. Your pictures are answering so many questions that I had

Re: my 53 five window
 

thanks for checkin it out and stay safe over there. I spent 15 months in Iraq with 1st cav. Just keep up the good work. And keep watchin there should be plenty more pics

Re: my 53 five window
 

I have a B--chen floor and toe board that we did not use and thought maybe ....

Re: my 53 five window
 

I should be good on the floor but thanks for thinkin of me. Got my drive line today and workin on puttin a fuel tank in the frame. I ended up knowin a guy who had about 5 fuel tanks laying around all sealed up with sending units if you can imagine that. Finally something worked out that didnt cost an arm and a leg. Hopefully we can get it fired up this weekend. All were lacking is puttin the radiator in and fuel tank. Im gettin excited.

Re: my 53 five window
 

Well we started it up and broke in the motor this weekend. Ran like a champ, sounds really good, no leaks, and all for the most part went well. We rigged up a fuel tank just for temperory use. So hopefully this weekend finish the brakes and mount the fuel tank and it sould be drivable. Then just the pain staking body work and interior.

Re: my 53 five window
 

got my seats in and my gas tank. Doing the shock mounts tomorrow. I got to take drive it down the road for the fist time in almost 12 years. I was just as excited as the fist time I drove it at 15.

Re: my 53 five window
 

lookin good, whats the seat out of?

Re: my 53 five window
 

Thanks. The seat came out of a mazda mini van not sure what year but it fit in nice and has cup holders. I was pretty excited about the cup holders lol

Re: my 53 five window
 

That's pretty cool. Congrats!

Re: my 53 five window
 

getting excited drive train is solid. Runs like a champ. Gettin her all back together then some primer, maybe some carpet. I think im going to give the old bill fold a break and drive it around under construction for a while

Re: my 53 five window
 

hood went on today. Body filled the center strip and cleaned up my ten year old wheels. All in all not a bad day

Re: my 53 five window
 

awesome work! you can tell its a truck from out west because there's no rust like in the southeast! haha

Re: my 53 five window
 

thanks buddy. Ya there was very little rust makes it kind of nice. Did the grill this morning. Just lights, and some primer and she'll be ready for the road. Wont be done but good enough to cruse around while under construction.

Re: my 53 five window
 

Looks damn good from my house!!:metal:

Re: my 53 five window
 

Well the processes has slowed down due to body work. Wow body work sucks.

Re: my 53 five window
 

Truck looks great! Do you have any photos of the front suspension and steering components? Power steering? I'm curious how you set it up using the straight front axle. I have a 48 thriftmaster that I would like to do the same thing to.

Re: my 53 five window
 

went on my first test run all went well. Drove it to the local hang out with no issues, still under construction. 700r was money well spent.

Re: my 53 five window
 

I also picked up a electric fan out of a volvo for 5 bucks fits about as perfect as you can get for 5 bucks never got above 180 degrees wich is good, I live in AZ and it was 90 this weekend

Re: my 53 five window
 

primered it today still need to do some body work but at least its all one color time to start on the bed

Re: my 53 five window
 

Sweet truck. good to see another local boy...:devil: