JJ's '51 experiment

[Low84]

Here we go. Notice, I didn't name this a project because I am well aware that the condition of this truck is anything but optimal. I have every intention of saving it, but if I can't it will at the very least, be a fun learning experience, which is what matters. I absouletly love old american iron, and much is contributed to THIS truck. Yes, it was parked and abandoned in a lot of land right next to my intermediate/elementary school. I was in the 5th grade and would see this truck every day on my way to the gym, same for my 6th grade year. I always was intrigued by its shape, and the fact that it was so different from modern trucks. Long story short, I purchased it my senior year in High School, now completley emerged in the automotive scene. I got tired of seeing it get progressively worse, and now attempt to get it back in shape.

Here it is as I found it when I arrived home from college for the weekend. I will be woking on this only on weekends and holidays, so this isn't going to be quick. It had to be towed to "my" house (yes, its been abandoned for years, we live next door) as an emergency during the week. The city want it to obtain it (for lack of a better word) from where it was previously located.



My brother and I removed the bed, which was hanging on to the chassis by just one bolt. But not before we removed all the junk in the bed, which was also towed with the truck because we had minutes left on the 48 hour notice.


And here is where we started experimenting with ways to preserve the chassis while I save up the funds to buy my compressor and air tools, sandblaster, welder, cherry picker, and engine stand (the last two is because I have an lt1 I purchased this summer lying in the middle of my garage and I need to move it so I can roll the fleeline inside and place the truck where the car currently is). What we did was sand the surface rust off the chassis cross brace to see how it would work, and then give it a coat of protection. This is temporary, I will later grind it down to bare metal and do it properly.