49 Chevy 3600 S10 Swap Short Bed Conversion

[SalvagedSouls]

This will be my first documented build that will be built along side my 55.1 3100.
I will be bouncing back and forth between the two trucks and will document them both on separate threads.

I purchased this running driving truck off of a local guy earlier this year as shown in the picture below. I haven't touched the truck other than to drive it up and down the road a few times for the fun of it.

I am currently in the process of building a pole barn shop and will begin work once completed.

The 55.1 was purchased in bare metal as shown in the picture below. No work has been done to this truck yet either.

[SalvagedSouls]

A few more pictures of the 49' 3600 as was when I purchased it.

[SalvagedSouls]

A little progress update on the shop. Doors and perimeter trim and I'll be ready for insulation & electricity. Cannot wait to start work on the 55.1 & the 49. Hoping to be able to start working on the two trucks sometime in March.

[SalvagedSouls]

Progress picture. Started working on a little insulation and still have lower door track to install. It's all taking a little longer to complete than I had anticipated.

[Marte_Mcfly]

Keep it up! I'm subscribing!

[SalvagedSouls]

Progress has unfortunately stalled due to a very small house fire that started in the crawl space and burned roughly a 16" x 16" hole through the floor damaging 2 floor joists and filling the house with smoke. This occurred on April 16th and we are still not back in the house due smoke smell removal that crazy enough just started a little over a week ago. Why they let it sit for two months untouched is beyond me. They claim we will be able to move back in in a couple of weeks. I can not wait to get back to normal. Kids in an upstairs apartment above a grouchy old lady is no fun.

[SalvagedSouls]

I haven't made any posts for quite awhile, however I do check in on my subscribed threads about every other day or so.

A couple progress pictures of the shop. I suppose I kind of got ahead of myself starting a build thread on the truck so early without having the shop built, but I guess I thought I might make more progress than I have to date at my dads shop. Kids and family responsibilities have limited my time to work on projects at my dads shop despite only being 15 min away. The hope is to be able to devote a little more time to projects with them being in my own back yard this year.

I'm making slow progress on the shop as it's been to cold to do much without power and heat. Passed my electrical inspection earlier this week and now waiting of the electrical company to directional bore power from the road to the barn.

[SalvagedSouls]

It's been a little while since my last post so I thought I'd make a small update. I've been working on the barn/shop a little insulating the walls, running permanent power to the lights. Installed a Titan lift and began removing the paint and in places thick bondo form the P/O.

Slowly we're getting there.

[Black93GT]

Damn.... I wish I had that kind of space. You're not helping me get over the idea of moving out of town.

[SalvagedSouls]

Originally Posted by Black93GT

Damn.... I wish I had that kind of space. You're not helping me get over the idea of moving out of town.

Thanks. It's been about a year and a half in the making. My dad and I have done all the work on the structure. I had a friend of mine pour the floor. It's nearing completion but I have a hard time dividing what little time I do have right now between working on the barn and working on the truck. A few more late nights and I could have the insulation wrapped up.

[dug224]

Along for the ride. Keep the photos coming.

[99 to Life]

nice setup, I know how the projects get divided. Need one to make the other easier. Its a never ending cycle. You got a great start. I still work in dingy leaky small garages.

[SalvagedSouls]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

nice setup, I know how the projects get divided. Need one to make the other easier. Its a never ending cycle. You got a great start. I still work in dingy leaky small garages.

Thanks 99. The shop project has been a dream for many years and has been a work in progress for a year and a half. I get a little frustrated at times with how little time I have to spend on my hobbies, but then I take a step back and know that they aren't going anywhere and now is the time to spend the free time with the family and kids. They are only young for a little while.

Keep up the good work - I've read through all your builds.

[Desert1957]

Nice garage, Tell me more about the Lift.

[SalvagedSouls]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

Nice garage, Tell me more about the Lift.

It is a 9,000 pound capacity lift manufactured under the name Titan Lifts. They are based out of Greenwood, Indiana not to far away from where I work. They do not sell direct but there is a distributor/partner in the same parking lot. I picked the lift up in my 2500 long bed and installed it in a few house with the help of my dad. It is heavy and well built. It has not made very many trips up and down yet as even with the truck adapters that comes with it it does not lift the AD trucks very level. AD truck frames are tucked up pretty high in comparison to the bottom of the running boards. I plan to make an adapter to for the rear arms in order to lift the truck evenly.

Here is a link to the manufactures website which I have no association with.

https://titanlifts.com/2-post/titan-...ear-floor-lift

[SalvagedSouls]

Hopefully sooner than later I'll be able to post more updates of the truck rather than misc. pictures of progress made on the shop. It's all part of the journey I guess.

Still working on what seems to be the never ending battle of attaching insulation to the ceiling. Took a couple pictures from the top of the scaffolding. I love the curves of the AD trucks. Night and day difference compared to the plastic covered vehicles of today. There really isn't a new car out there today that excites me like to ones from the 50's 60's and early 70's.

[SalvagedSouls]

Slowly starting to move in a few tools. The mill was purchased by my employer at an equipment auction extremely cheap and was passed on to me. It runs great and just needs a little cleaning up. The plan is to build portable bases for most everything to better utilize the available space. You can never seem to have enough floor space.

[99 to Life]

NEVER enough space!! 1st world problems. Yeah the AD is such an awesome design. when I look at my truck parked and all the other new stuff around it, the truck really stands out. I love everything on the AD trucks, even the interior is so cool to me. Nice Mill, be nice to have.

[SalvagedSouls]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

NEVER enough space!! 1st world problems. Yeah the AD is such an awesome design. when I look at my truck parked and all the other new stuff around it, the truck really stands out. I love everything on the AD trucks, even the interior is so cool to me. Nice Mill, be nice to have.

99 - Yeah the mill was to good to pass up. My employer bought a couple of them at an equipment auction in Ohio it for $250 - $350 each depending on the model. They were located on the 2nd floor of an old foundry with a broken down freight elevator. They went cheap since not just anyone had the ability to get them down. He trailered a forklift over and along with chains, a winch and several sheets of OSB was able to slide them down a flight of stairs and load them on the trailer. He let me have the smaller one at cost.

The barn is a dream come true and probably looks larger in the pictures than it actually is. It measures 24' wide x 45' long. With storing 3 across the back it reduces the inside working area to roughly 24' x 27' - maybe slightly larger than the average 2 car garage.

[99 to Life]

nice deal on the mill. yeah storing is a pain. I have the land just not enough buildings. I'm thinking about getting storage containers slowly but surely. I'v worked out of a 18x24' garage for a while. My home garage is 16x24. It can be done but gets frustrating at times. Looks like you will have heat and good lighting. More than I can say for myself!! I'm in the process of buying an old service station in town. It again is small but should be nice to have. one part does have a lift but its a tight squeeze. there is some room to add on, so eventually might look into making an addition.

[Flysocal]

Killer shop man! I would be dangerous with that kind of space. Mine is 19x17 I agree, the AD design it's a work of art inside and out. My favorite part: No plastic anywhere!

[SalvagedSouls]

Originally Posted by Flysocal

Killer shop man! I would be dangerous with that kind of space. Mine is 19x17 I agree, the AD design it's a work of art inside and out. My favorite part: No plastic anywhere!

Thanks! I'm thinking of building a loft/shelf across the back to store parts etc. The 49 came with a new in the box headboard for the bed and (2) brand new rear fenders still in the box. The guy I bought the truck off of was in his early 20's and had just earned himself a DUI. He was selling the truck to help cover attorney fees. I had to winch it up onto the trailer but with a fresh battery I was able to drive it off of the trailer the same day. I actually drove it from my dads place where it has been stored inside to my place about 15 min. away. I look forward to the day I am able to just hop in it and go.

[SalvagedSouls]

My youngest has basically claimed the truck as his own. Who knows maybe it will be his someday. It will only be 82 years old when he's 16.

[mongocanfly]

Love the kids enjoying the "old" truck..i was just thinking the other day if the good Lord's willing I may see my truck turn 100

[joedoh]

nice! good memories for the kid