Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Hey there good truck people. I picked up my latest project this weekend and will spend the next few months making "Nina" a happy girl. This old truck has a pretty good story.. A fellow in Missouri bought it new and used it for his plumbing business until he retired. Upon his death his daughter took ownership of the truck and stored her for the next 25 years (yes, a real barn find). That's when I purchased her from the original owners daughter and dragged her home. I will be leaving the exterior as is with cleaning only. New MII ifs with power rack in the front and 4 bar with coil overs in the rear. Motor will be sbc normally aspirated with an automatic trans. Ill change the steering column, seat, shifter, gauges, etc and will probably paint the inside of the cab to make it more comfortable. That's about it, she will be stereotypically low with 18's and ready to pile on some new stories.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

So the first thing I did was order all of the needed suspension parts so we could get started in a couple weeks.

Last night I decide Nina deserved a long overdo bath. I broke out the power washer and a spray bottle of CLR and here are the results, I cant believe how much color was hiding under all of the oxidation!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Sounds cool. I am in for the ride along....

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

And... Were off! started tare down today. No surprises lotsa dirt grease and broken bolts. Things are looking pretty solid though.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Looks like an amazing start!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

60 year old Missouri dirt up in there

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Your truck is in amazing condition considering how it was stored. Looking forward to seeing the transformation.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Great looking truck. How did it look after it dried out with the CLR bath? Before I finished reading your first post I though to myself, please Lord don't let there be another clear coated patina truck. Glad to see you're leaving it AS IS.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Ill post some pictures of the after when I start to reassemble. IT came out really good, brought out a lot of the color that you couldn't see and took all of the rusty "haze" off so it gives it a good contrast. I was worried about it looking wet sanded or scratched up so I didn't go crazy with the arm pressure and it looks pretty good. NO! No clear coat for me!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Rear frame is stripped an ready for four link.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Nice, Keep it up! Whose 4 link are you going with?

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Its a Speedway kit for 47-54
that comes with bolt/weld in brackets, bars and shock cross mount. Ill be adding some plating and small c-notches as well.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

I am debating on using that same kit. Be sure to post plenty of pics!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Nice Patina!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

So I had a couple days off and installed the rear Speedway four link and a c-notch. The kit installed pretty easy and as you would expect. The low bars bolt on for reference and then the others line off of those. Your supposed to drill for the other bar mounts and shock cross member, but I welded it all in. The only complaints I have are that the instructions are a little vague, but easy enough if you have any experience. Also all of the bolts are big 5/8 fine thread with nylocks and mine came with coarse thread nuts? not easy to find most places. I think in the end I will need to go with shorter shocks or rework the mounts to get it as low as im looking for but wont do either till I get all of the weight back on it.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Looks like a nice 4 link kit. Wheels look good too.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

What axle are you using and how do the bars attach to it?

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Its a 69 Camaro 10 bolt. The brackets upper and lower are welded on.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

So cool you basically bought it from the original owner. Are there any holes in the body at all?

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Yep, it has the guys name and town with aluminum plated letters on the drivers bed side, he used it for a plumbing business. One hole about the size of a 50 cent piece in the passengers cab corner, other than that very solid.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Not a clear photo but here's what I was referring to. Has his name and Higginsville Missouri and the zip, I plan to leave it there, originally had some orange lettering on the door for his business but only little spots remain, not legible at all.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Good looking truck ya got there..what brand tires are those?

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Front end is striped and ready to star mockup.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

CPP kit fits and installs well. Back on 4 wheels tomorrow!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

what a great start!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Nice looking truck! Did you order direct from CPP? And did it come with the tubing spacer for the full lower control arm like yours or was that purchased separately? Cant wait to see more. Good work.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Moving right along. Very nice!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

I actually bought it on sale from Ebay but it came directly as you see it from CPP with the tubing spacer, power rack, 2"dropped spindles, drilled and slotted rotors and swaybar for $1400.00. Pretty good deal now that I see how well it installs.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

So the front end is all installed. Overall im pretty happy with all of the components, the only issue being the springs. They are probably to long as everything is bottomed out and they were a ***** to get in there. I have not installed the steering ends or sway bar links yet as I cant with everything fully extended. Ill wait till I get all of the weight in there but right now.. they don't look good.

So, I installed the shift kit and started readying the trans and motor for merger and installation.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Before you cut your springs, you need to know what weight range they are,
they go from 250# up to 375#, if you don't know check where you purchased them. I would make up an adjustable piece to put in place of the spring, get your lower "A" arm level. Then you can install engine, trans, etc to set up the chassis, before doing anything with the springs

Here's a couple pics showing what I mean. Hope this helps...Jim

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Nice project. You work fast. Looking forward to seeing how it sits with some weight on it.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Thanks for the reply and photos Jim. Yeah ive been here a few times in the past and wouldn't cut the springs until the weight is on. The only problem ive had in the past with changing the spring rate is that it also changes the rebound. I should have gone with coilovers but am cutting costs where I can.

Thanks again,

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Motor and trans are in. The springs have some rebound now, but are still topped out. On to cab and floor repairs! then steering and breaks!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Nice work man, everything looks killer.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

looking great!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

here is to hoping your rust repair isnt a slippery slope!

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Thanks. front half of floors a couple patches on kick panel are all it really needs but im thinking I will do minor cab corner surgery because they are a bit punky. Everything else is solid and I don't plan to disturb the patina any more than what it takes to make it sound and sturdy.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

I just purchased the CPP front crossmember like yours. Well some of the parts anyways. On the boxing plates did you squeeze them inside the c channel frame rails or weld them to the outside of the c channel frame? Haven't had time to mock mine up yet just was hoping to save some time and see how you did it first. Thanks and can't wait to see more of your project.

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Actually I trimmed the bottom of the existing frame so it was flush with the top and then I trimmed and ground the boxing plate until it was flush mounted both top and bottom. then I ground a 45 degree angle on both pieces ( frame and plate) so there was a good area for the weld to burn in and be relatively smooth.

I hope this helps?

Re: Nina Patina 1953 3100 project.
 

Thank you for the reply. I think I do understand. I just wasn't sure if you were supposed to mount it to the side of the existing frame channel which would make the rail thicker or trim the frame/boxing plate to keep the rail the same width and squeeze it between the channel itself. Thanks!