'54 step-side replacement rear bumper

[Richard8971]

I'm back! I thought that sence my other build thread on here was for my '67 I would honor the memory of my old stepper in this new build thread.

I sold the '67 last year as I wanted something older. This wasn't 100% what I wanted but close enough. I picked up a AZ (RUST FREE BABY!!!!) 1954 Chevrolet 3800 1 ton long bed.

I am in the planning stages now, but I can tell you, I learned a ton from my first build and I will not be making some of the same mistakes again.

I will keep everyone posted, good to be back!

D

[mechanixman]

Welcome back!
We're glad to see ya on the forum.
What are your plans for the truck?

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by mechanixman

Welcome back!
We're glad to see ya on the forum.
What are your plans for the truck?

Thanks!

Well, I am not sure if I plan on keeping it a 1 ton or not. The bed on this thing is trashed so I thought about making it a flat bed. BUT, flat beds scream dually and this one is not a dual rear wheel truck...

One way or another, I will not use the old running gear/engine. I will find a modern (1990-2000) frame and engine combo and put this cab on it. If I can find a nice short bed I might turn this into a 1/2 ton truck BUT if I keep it a 1 ton, I will try and find a modern 454 dually long bed frame to put it on.

I learned my lesson with my 1967 stepper. Old brakes and running gear suck. I am going with modern running gear, period. Now to scower Craigslist and make some calls to the local junk yards and see what I can find!

D

[mechanixman]

Aww man, if only I lived near you!
My 1 ton came to me without a bed, and i'm trying to build one for it now.
I know if you ask me (or some of the other board members) I'll suggest keeping the long bed. Everyone has a short bed pick up. It's rare to find a long bed in decent shape. (especially with a souped up 454 under the hood )

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by mechanixman

Aww man, if only I lived near you!
My 1 ton came to me without a bed, and i'm trying to build one for it now.
I know if you ask me (or some of the other board members) I'll suggest keeping the long bed. Everyone has a short bed pick up. It's rare to find a long bed in decent shape. (especially with a souped up 454 under the hood )

The problem is, the bed is in really so-so shape. It needs a LOT of work, not to mention the tailgate needs replacing. I have not decided on anything yet, I am in gathering mode for now.

[rickerwill]

I'll bet you will do all the metal work necessary before paint this time around, eh? I know that resurfacing rust was inspiring you to bail and "re-do" much of Tangerine Dream. I'll certainly subscribe to this one and follow along. I hope to harvest some good ideas for the current project in my garage (a '50 with modernized chassis). Go get 'em!

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by rickerwill

I'll bet you will do all the metal work necessary before paint this time around, eh? I know that resurfacing rust was inspiring you to bail and "re-do" much of Tangerine Dream. I'll certainly subscribe to this one and follow along. I hope to harvest some good ideas for the current project in my garage (a '50 with modernized chassis). Go get 'em!

I knew the '67 stepper was going to be trouble when I decided to build it. I knew covering over the rust was going to bite me in the butt someday.

But, in the end, I knew I really wanted a much older truck and I believe I found it. I have decided to keep it a 1 ton but I am going to make her a dually flat bed. No diamond plate, just a good ole wooden bed. Old trucks that sport a long bed sream dually.

The plan is coming together and I will do this one chrome yellow. Gotta love bright colors on the classics!

D

[65Ch3v3LL3]

Too bad you aren't closer. I've got a 1 ton flat bed and dually rear axle on mine and want to swap it to the 9 foot bed and single wheel axle.

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by 65Ch3v3LL3

Too bad you aren't closer. I've got a 1 ton flat bed and dually rear axle on mine and want to swap it to the 9 foot bed and single wheel axle.

No kidding! Damn...

D

[Richard8971]

I will be towing (need's a starter) her to my house this weekend. I will keep you guys posted with construction pics and I start tearing her down.

D

[rickerwill]

Originally Posted by 65Ch3v3LL3

Too bad you aren't closer. . . .

Whoa! That sounds like an offer! Heck, 3,600 miles (round trip) is just a weekend drive, right? Load up and head to Georgia.

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by rickerwill

Whoa! That sounds like an offer! Heck, 3,600 miles (round trip) is just a weekend drive, right? Load up and head to Georgia.

Sure I am on my way...

D

[Richard8971]

I thought I would post some before pictures. The bed on this thing was trashed and besdes that I don't care for the look of stock long beds.

The motor is not original. It is a 292 out of a newer "whatever" but seems right at home. So far, it looks like it only needs a starter. I will pick one up soon and see if she will fire.

So, here I am with what I have to work with. It seems all here, just needs a ton of TLC.

[Richard8971]

Quick update. I will pick up a starter and new battery this weekend and try and get it fired up. I may have to run some wires to make this happen but I plan on building a new wiring harness for her anyway.

Until I get the stock tank out and cleaned I will just buy a few feet of fuel hose and run it into a gas can and see if it will fire up. Wish me luck!

D

[Richard8971]

I figure if I can get her started I will use the stock frame/running gear until I can find a newer Chevy dually chassis to put it on. I have looked and so far, nada on anything short of buying an actual truck to use as a frame/engine swap. Damn...

D

[Richard8971]

Bought a starter and battery over the weekend and got that all installed and wired up. I couldn't get fuel to the carb but with a spray of starting fluid, it wants to run. Good enough for me.

Gonna look into what a rebuild kit costs for a 292 and now to start planning the build. I should start taking her apart by this weekend.

D

[Richard8971]

Updated news I found out that the fuel pump on the 292 is not the correct one for that engine so I went to Auto Zone and purchased the correct pump and installed it this evening. Shot a sqirt of ether into the carb and WHOOM! she started right up. She held a smooth idle and throttled nicely. I let her run for a few minutes and shut her off and then tried starting her again, instant fire.

Now on to step two... time for the body and paint to begin.

D

[Richard8971]

I took a trip over to Desert Muscle Cars over on Stone Ave. to see what they had for my year of truck. After a bit of looking around I bought a decal pack for my gauges. I took them out tonight and discovered that one of the hold-down tabs had fallen off and the PO had screwed it in in the wrong location meaning that he had to mangle the rest of the tabs to get it to fit. I am going to take these apart, clean and paint what is needed and then install the new decals. I am also going to weld the tab back into it's correct spot and straighten the other tabs to where they are supposted to be.

D

[Richard8971]

Hello. Been busy with house projects and got a little more done on the '54.

I finished the guages and I know it's a small thing but in the end, all the little things add up. Here are a couple of photos of the finished product.

D

[Richard8971]

I had a 1967 Arizona plate on my '67 stepper so of course I wanted to pick up a 1954 plate for 'Ella.

A couple of calls to some friends and even a peek on eBay left me shocked. Most "install" ready plates ranged from $175-$250 depending on the condition of the plate, ouch! My plate for my '67 stepper was only 20 bucks!

So I thought, "Wait a minute, I can do paint and body work, why can't I restore a plate?" So I changed directions and started looking for a plate needing attention... My search led me to a plate on eBay. Before I bid, I checked with the Arizona department for plates and found that the number was clean and that I could register it.

I won the auction at the grand total of ten bucks and that included shipping. I included a couple of photos so far and I should be done with the final painting tomorrow and I will post more pics then. Hope you enjoy.

D

[chevyboy73]

thats cool! i love that white and black, i say keep the long bed! anyways good luck!

[Richard8971]

Sold "Ella" to a friend who was looking for a pre-tri-5 truck to do a chop top on. He has made it into a 1/2 ton shortbed truck and is almost done with the chop. I bought a 1949 GMC 1 1/2 ton and work has started.

D