first step

[handyhands]

I am still trying to make a deal on a 51 chevy truck. This will be my first build.
What was the first thing you did when you got your truck?

[Intimidator]

Took it apart

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Intimidator

Took it apart

me too

[FFredo]

Ordered a repair manual

[MrDude_1]

well.. unlike the first two people above, I thought ahead.

I sat in the seat, ignoring the odd smell, and enjoyed imagning what it would be like to drive it. I took a couple pics of it.

.... because I knew that would be the first/last time i would ever do that in the truck for atleast 3 years.


and then I took it apart.


edit:
ok, thats not entirely true.. I WENT to take it apart, and found out half the interior is held together with these special screws.. So I had to order the tools for it.
THEN I took it apart.

[rgunlock]

Took some pictures, and then took it apart.

[handyhands]

Well, I was thinking about pictures, pressure washing, more pictures. would the pressure washer be the wrong thing or would it be o.k?

[rgunlock]

I doubt anyone here would fault you for pressure washing to get some "after" pictures.

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

I doubt anyone here would fault you for pressure washing to get some "after" pictures.

BTW, if your pressure washer is strong enough to screw with the paint, you can just claim that the second thing you did with your truck is "improve the patina"

[Coupeguy2001]

got it running and drove it around the block fast before the air went out of the tires

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

I put in on a trailer and towed it from St. Louis to Dallas, then I stripped it down to the frame. That is two rails and 3 cross braces. Then to the blaster.

[Daze57]

bought it in 85 - after looking @ 11 other ones here in vegas - most were pretty beat up -found this good one - drove it for 12 years - it had a 350 backed by a 3 speed powerglide- cooked the motor goin to the mts. - got it turned around and limped home - next day started - to pull motor .......................pulled EVERYTHING -started to rebuild it compleatly .-sigh ..........years and many setbacks later - almost done - talk about a long haul now i look @ it as a quiet hibernation ----- now subframed - 383 backed by a vette built 700r4 ;backed by full 85 vette rear end
waitin for the day to drop the hammer and drive it like i should have been doin; a long time ago .

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

Originally Posted by Daze57

bought it in 85 - after looking @ 11 other ones here in vegas - most were pretty beat up -found this good one - drove it for 12 years - it had a 350 backed by a 3 speed powerglide- cooked the motor goin to the mts. - got it turned around and limped home - next day started - to pull motor .......................pulled EVERYTHING -started to rebuild it compleatly .-sigh ..........years and many setbacks later - almost done - talk about a long haul now i look @ it as a quiet hibernation ----- now subframed - 383 backed by a vette built 700r4 ;backed by full 85 vette rear end
waitin for the day to drop the hammer and drive it like i should have been doin; a long time ago .

Be proud of your hard work.
Send pictures...

Your post made me think about something. Most of the Stovebolt Gallery has
early pictures and a story about our trucks. I would like to see, as Paul Harvey use to say, "the rest of the story", of these old trucks. What did you do to improve yours, what does it look like now? If not just one picture of the truck how about a link to Photo-bucket or some other site?
Whose with me!!!

[hotrodrookie]

Learned how to drive a stick and drove it around my neighborhood. Pulled out the 327 that was in it to put into at 67 chevelle. Started to take it apart. Misplaced many fasteners in the process, lol. Started to strip the paint(which i really regret, wish i still had the patina) and ordered a bunch of patch panels from LMC.

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by handyhands

I am still trying to make a deal on a 51 chevy truck. This will be my first build.
What was the first thing you did when you got your truck?

Is this truck you are dealing on running and driveable? If it is I would clean it up and drive it some while I was tinkering with it. Decide what you want to do to it before ripping it apart. You might even start getting parts together while you can still haul them home in it, LOL. I think the worst mistake for someone who hasn't done a few builds is to rip it all apart too soon. It's easy to get overwhelmed and loose interest when it's in a thousand pieces and the effort and expenses start mounting up.

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

Is this truck you are dealing on running and driveable? If it is I would clean it up and drive it some while I was tinkering with it. Decide what you want to do to it before ripping it apart. You might even start getting parts together while you can still haul them home in it, LOL. I think the worst mistake for someone who hasn't done a few builds is to rip it all apart too soon. It's easy to get overwhelmed and loose interest when it's in a thousand pieces and the effort and expenses start mounting up.

My advantage was, I had owned a 51 3100 when I was much younger. I knew what I had and I knew what I wanted so there was no reason to hesitate. I do think it wise to "count the cost" before you start any project, do you have the room to work to store parts, the money to finish what you start, will this project disrupt the marriage, loose friends and neighbors...

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

Is this truck you are dealing on running and driveable? If it is I would clean it up and drive it some while I was tinkering with it. Decide what you want to do to it before ripping it apart. You might even start getting parts together while you can still haul them home in it, LOL. I think the worst mistake for someone who hasn't done a few builds is to rip it all apart too soon. It's easy to get overwhelmed and loose interest when it's in a thousand pieces and the effort and expenses start mounting up.

I totally agree with this statement. I will only add start going to car shows and cruise nights to see what you like and don't like. It will help give you direction as to what you want to build be it stock, modified, hotrod, traditional, etc. It may also allow you to meet some new helpful friends.

[Intimidator]

One thing I will say/suggest...

On a first build, especially if running.... (So you can iron out some mechanical such as brakes, drivetrain, and still enjoy for now)

A good thing to do is identify a parts list.
Gather these parts.
Put together a game plan, in order.

THEN start on it.

SO MUCH TIME is spent just gathering....

You can easily spend a ton of time screwing around getting things together for something that will only take 10 minutes once you have everything.

Having everything there when starting will really help progress.

Also, the right tools for the job will speed things tremendously and make your life a lot easier. So you can add that to an initial list.

[OrrieG]

And while it may be obvious photograph everything, from different angles, when you take it apart. Bag and clearly label every thing you take off, even the pieces you are going to probably toss (they become the answer to the question what kind of bolt goes here?). I did both and now 10 years into my build it is nice to open the coffee can and find all the misc. parts. My only faux pas was using a video camera for the early part of my tear down. The camera crapped out and I still have to tranfer it to something else. Luckily my kid had the same camera so I can at least look at it for reference. At the time I thought it was a good idea because I had a running narrative to go with the photos. I also made extensive hand notes (bed bolt layout, fire wall layout, etc.) when I thought I might need to remember. Buy a Factory Assembly Manual. It will show you all the pieces that have fallen off or are a mystery when you take it apart. Bribe your wife with what ever turns her crank, you never know when you will need a third hand or someone to fix your wounds. Good luck

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

And while it may be obvious photograph everything, from different angles, when you take it apart. Bag and clearly label every thing you take off, even the pieces you are going to probably toss (they become the answer to the question what kind of bolt goes here?). I did both and now 10 years into my build it is nice to open the coffee can and find all the misc. parts. My only faux pas was using a video camera for the early part of my tear down. The camera crapped out and I still have to tranfer it to something else. Luckily my kid had the same camera so I can at least look at it for reference. At the time I thought it was a good idea because I had a running narrative to go with the photos. I also made extensive hand notes (bed bolt layout, fire wall layout, etc.) when I thought I might need to remember. Buy a Factory Assembly Manual. It will show you all the pieces that have fallen off or are a mystery when you take it apart. Bribe your wife with what ever turns her crank, you never know when you will need a third hand or someone to fix your wounds. Good luck

DITTOS on the pictures! A minimum of 1,000 shots.

[justplainray]

which of course you will post here for all to see...

justplainray

[mr48chev]

In March of 1973 I bought mine from a guy in McGregor TX for 75.00 and promptly drive it to the local car wash and spent about five dollars washing it inside and out and under the hood. In the process I blew a lot of the spray bomb green paint off that had been sprayed over brushed on red primer that was actually pretty tough.

It came with a 194 Chevy II six cylinder and the stock three speed and closed driveshaft.

I drove it to work 14 miles each way every afternoon after working on it for about five hours that morning. I sanded it, changed the rear fenders and running boards along with installing a chromed stock seat frame all of which I bought from a guy for 25.00.

I picked up a pair of 54 wagon drums and backing plates from a wrecking yard foh the front and a 61 car rear end for the back from a coworker for 10.00 and taking it out. Another coworker sold me a full set of 67 Z28 ralley wheels with three caps and all trim rings for 25.00 (try that now) A set of used tires from the Firestone store and I was in business. My buddy painted it 72 Monte Carlo Gold the week before the 1973 Street rod Natonals in Tulsa Oklahoma and a club member redid the seat for 35.00 and made a Tonneau cover for 25.00 out of vinyl top material.
I had a bit over 400 in the truck when my wife and I set off from McGregor to Tulsa. I had to rebuild the three speed in a wrecking yard in Marietta OK on the way along with replacing the coil on the side of the road just across the Red River.
The trip back was without mishap though except for my wife getting the bottoms of her feet sunburned sticking them out the passenger window while we headed south for 370 miles.

[flatbed51]

LMFOA!!!!!!!!!! All kidding aside welcome to the forum and post your needs and questions, there are so many on here that can, and would love to help you out on your truck building journey.

[hopped up]

dont take it apart!!! esp if its your first truck! youll more than likely get overwhelmed with the work to get it back together. just get it running/driving safely and enjoy it for a while . you can modify what you dont like as you continue to drive. thats what i always do. then i never end up taking them completly apart!!
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[BIG CHEVY 3600]

Your wife's a keeper and you have an eye for cheap.