1949 Chevy 3100
 

Hi all,

Started my project a 1949 Chevy 3100. Found this truck for 1000 bucks, it will require some body work, will need to do cab corners, lower cowl, and finesse the fenders some.

Found a used LS1 with a claimed 70k on it, compression checked out good. Planning to use a Scott's Hotrods SuperSlam IFS along with their 4 link/bar kit for the rear. Found an explorer rear end at a local junkyard with 3.73 gears and limited slip.

Still trying to figure out what air suspension controller/valve I want to use, let me know of any recommendations. I am still debating between manual valves and solenoid valves.

I'll post pictures as I make progress outlining all the component installs and fabrication.

-Ryan

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

I like the plans you have for it. Cant wait to see it progress more, Welcome to the forum.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Welcome to the forum, looking forward to updates...Jim

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Been slacking posting pictures, I'll try and post some more tomorrow. Got the rear suspension pulled out along with the steering box. Ordered steel to box the frame. Getting close to ordering my suspension and have been looking at what wheels/tires I want to run. I am running a stock ford explorer rear end and a scott's ifs. I was looking at 15x7 steel wheels on chevsofthe40's but wasn't sure what offset would work without mocking everything up to see fender clearance. Anyone have any wheel suggestions? Would like to go as wide as possible on the rear with out any bed modifications and still allowing to lay frame.

-Ryan

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Here are a couple more progress photos. Been doing a lot of research which led to me ordering my scott's hot rods superslam ifs and also their air bag 4 link setup. Have my steel on order to box my frame and also ordered my patch panels for the cowl, cab corners and floor.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

You'll be happy with the Scott's products, very high quality pieces. I used also used the super slam front end and their triangulated 4 link. As far as air management you can't beat the simplicity and function of the accuair e-level.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Have been making some progress with patch panels. So far I have got the drivers side floor, inner and outer cowl, rocker and inner cab corner done. I am going to try and take some more pics when I work on the passenger side. The rocker and inner cab corner fit really nicely. The outer cowl fit pretty well also but the inner and inner to outer cowl pieces had to be modified. I ended up cutting the bottom of the inner cowl off since it wouldn't match up with the rocker and pie cutting the inner to outer rocker until i could get it to line up with the outer cowl. I would be very happy if I never saw another spot weld in the life though...

Trying to figure out what seats I want to use before I cut out the original seat frame. Having a rough time finding a good astro/safari 2nd row seat. I am now kind of digging the Dodge Dakota seats. Any other ideas/suggestions for seats?

-Ryan

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Finished one side of the cowl. On to the next side, got my motivation to finish the body work. All my pieces of artwork showed up from Scott's Hot Rods yesterday. Can't wait to start installing all the parts. Also picked up 2 bucket seats and a center console out of a dodge dakota that should fit just about perfectly.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Nice pile of parts for the front end there. Can't wait to see it come together.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Nice job! So did you have any problems lining up the door gaps and fender curvature with the outer cowl?

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

No real problems, I set the door gaps as good as I could before starting then bracked the firewall and the door pillar to keep it in place. Seems pretty good so far.

-Ryan

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Been slacking in updating but here are some pictures of my progress. Have most of my Scott's Hotrods components installed. I'll take some closer up pics once i get everything fully welded.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Looks good...Jim

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Looking good!!

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Nice! The inner front boxing plate looks really cool too.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Been making some progress. Finished all the welding, wire brushed and threw a quick coat of paint on everything. Started some assembly. Going to work on a driveshaft tunnel and seat bracket on the cab. Going to clean all the body panels up as well as I can and shoot them with a coat of primer just so I can get a few miles on the truck before winter hits.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

A sneak peek of the ls1.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Looks real good...Jim

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Nice! I wish I could find an LS1 that wasn't priced like it was gold.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Guys are asking lots of guestions about your build on the post a pic thread maybe you could up date the build thread.Loking nice.

Jake

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Here are some more pics. I'll take some more as I get more miles on her. Need to put door latches in, should be here today, new power steering pump and get an alignment.

Going to try and make a couple car shows this weekend, the season is winding down here in northern Illinois pretty quickly.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Didn't realize this was the same truck I had been watching you build, until the pic showed in the other post. Very nice job on everything...Jim

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Any pictures of the bed?? Would like to see how much the bed is raised(I purchased the same set-up from Scott's). Thanks

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

Would love to see some pics of your bed build. I'm going to have to rebuild most of mine too. Truck looks awesome! Very well done!!

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100
 

looking good =0)