51' 3100 build in PA New to Site

[99 to Life]

Steering, Seat, brakes5-2-10

Well went to the junk yard this weekend, snagged some u-joints from a chevy conversion van, for my steering. My goal is to run the original column through the cab, connect a u-joint there slightly out of the cab. depending on my headers (should have next weekend) thread it through them, and use some of this D intermediate shaft (from a full size chevy) connected to the other u-joint which fits right onto the power steering. Oddly enough I snagged this original steering column from a guy that I am getting a 64' chevy truck off of.

Also got a seat from a full size chevy and it fits perfectly, I mean the door just fits snug up to the seat, I will have plenty of room behind the seat. I will be lifting this seat up about 3-4". ( I will post pics of my plan for that). Overall pretty happy with it, there is a tear on the drivers side but I will be doing some classic vinyl over it later on.

did up all new rear brakes in the rear this weekend, also started sanding behind the dash and priming, along with the front.

Lastly, last weekend I went over to cleveland to pick up my original engine out of a 48' gmc. right now I have this and my 55.1 cab sitting on the original frame, awaiting their turn, but I am not sure what I will be doing with this engine after we get it running.

[99 to Life]

May 8th and May 15th weekend

Well last weekend I didn't get much done because I helped my friend put in his engine. This weekend, I didn't get as far along as I hoped. The floor has become week from so much moving and getting in and out. So there is a lot of work going into welding new pieces in now. I sanded all behind dash and got it coated, what a drag that was.

Here is a pic of the current firewall situation. Not sure what route I am going with the brake booster. I don't want to mount it underneath the cab because
I fear of ever bottoming out running something over and on the firewall will just
clutter things. Any ideas???

On a good note, I picked up some 15" wide white bias tires and also going to get a set of 14" ones on rims. I think I might run the 14" first and see how I like em.

[99 to Life]

Some more photos, cab floor needs more work obviously. Can't mount the cab until I get it more secure first. Started moching up the interior. Here is pic of the bias tires.

[99 to Life]

5-23 weekend

Scored a set of rims and tires from a 58' biscayne. These are 14" g78 bias tires.
The backspacing wasn't too good so I had to run the spacers in the front. The
rear clears about .5" on each side, so I'll prolly get spacers for it too.

Got the bed all moched up with running boards

Got steering pretty much situated. Went with stock wheel and column. Used two U-joints from a chevy conversion van. The bottom bolts right onto the
steering box. The top one we had to weld in some pieces to make up for the
extra room. Then we ground down the original shaft to make it square instead of round. Got a sealed bearing from Fastenal, scored the original tubing and pounded the bearing it. It gives the shaft more support. Over all it works well. There is a little play up top. I think I will eventually get a bearing for it too, but it should work fine for now.

[JimmyFloyd]

Looks great

[Fat Mike]

Really nice build! What type of headers are those? I like the way the steering goes right threw it giving it that clean look.

[99 to Life]

Those are Headman headers. They actually have the ball and socket
reducers, which I think are pretty cool.

thanks

[99 to Life]

Bed, Bumper, Front Clip

Put the actual front clip on, still have to make rad support and bumper brackets etc. Got the bed mounts all done. I am doing a plywood bed (which I am customizing) I have it set up to grade down towards tail gate.
The bed itself is actually level from left to right and cab to back, doesn't look like it in the pics though.

I am going with no rear bumper and I put on this tow hitch for towing and it actually beefs up the rear for support and the bed lays on this as well. I think
I hit 3 birds with one stone. Plus I really like how it looks.

Got my s-10 brake pedal, I should be using. Hopefully I can tuck it up high in the firewall so it isn't an eyesore on the inside.

Lastly I started a thread about door locks for the drivers side 51'. I figured out that the door locks from the inside, using the handle. Better than not locking at all, but I will be changing that set up some time down the road.

[99 to Life]

June 14th weekend. Well didn't get as much done as usual. But I did manage
to drag home this 53' bel air from my friends. Not sure what will end up happening with this yet. Rear wheel almost came off during tow, luckily the spare in my truck fit 53-98' thanks chevy.

Got my front bumper moched up. I'll send pics of my fabrication when it is done, but my goal is to have this pretty sturdy incase something gets in my way!

Lastly got a 7" dual booster and MC from ebay,with proportioning valve and lines
for $210, best deal I have seen. The s-10 set up just looks big and ugly, so I think this will make it look good.

[99 to Life]

June 19th weekend.

Worked on running board mounts, got it pretty much all figured out. Just used
2x4" tubed steel.

Moched up rad support. Just took original support and cut it short and welded angle iron on the bottom. Rigged up a cross member that connects to each end of frame. The rad support will sit on that, picture on the right is before the cross member is in. Have a couple other adjustments to make.

[99 to Life]

Been working on finalizing the cab floors and all the other riff raff that started popping up to do in the cab. Got my tranny hump pretty much figured out. I did not have a break and or any specific metal. I used what I had with out buying any. So far it has worked out. My specific build has the drive shaft coming up in the floor just a little, so I had to rig up some ugly contraption that
I am not most proud of. But it will be covered up by the seat.

I am happy with the shape and structure of the tranny hump because I am building a nice custom console for it and I wanted it to be very square in shape.

Lastly, this 54' dump truck 6400 series will be arriving to my house as soon as I can get someone to deliver it. It runs and the dump works and the price was great. Needs some work but it will be farm truck for hauling wood and moving old vehicles etc. I think it will be a nice addition the the growing fleet.

[av8tr33337]

I'm loving this build. Just subscribed. I will be doing pretty much the same to my 51 3100, with an S10 chassis, Camaro 305, 700R4 and camaro rear end. Keep the pics comming

[99 to Life]

bartman,

thanks, also checked out your pics. Our trucks look alot alike. You gotta keep the original patina cause it looks so good on your truck. Good build

[99 to Life]

July 24th weekend

Went and picked up this 62' cab for a future project. Got a door and hood
as well.

Worked on the pedals and brake booster. Brake pedal is from and s-10, got the dual diaphragm booster off of Ebay. Clutch pedal is from a full size chevy truck.
I need the push rod for that and also have to modify the push rod for the brake
as well, since there is no eyelet on the end of the rod, like the s-10 booster had. Couldn't figure out how to get the rod out, tried twisting it forever and I didn't want to pull too hard. Doesn't anyone know how they come out?

Got a new water pump and powersteering pump on. Hopefully I can have this
running by next weekend or the one after. Just need to hook the brakes up and the clutch, also need to get the throttle cable. Once it is running, I can do the wiring, glass and final touch ups. Oh and put the front clip back on.

[99 to Life]

Aug_1st weekend.

Hooked up throttle cable. had to build a bracket for the firewall. Cable came with bracket for carb. Works good.

Have to make some reinforcement brackets for the clutch and brake pedal.

Got most all the engine buttoned up. Should possibly have it all fired back up
next weekend when I get to work on it.

[99 to Life]

Aug 7th - Worked on the brake lines saturday. Had to run to the parts store
a couple times. Just about ready to bench bleed the MC and bleed the brakes.

Got a new starter a little 3hp, will fire up engine next weekend.

I come all this way to find out my clutch fork came off of where it is suppose to be, so I have to now take the tranny out and or try and push it back some, so I can get in there and hook the fork back up. Wasn't planning on adding more work to the little time I have to work on it. But that is what these builds are all about right?

[99 to Life]

Aug 14th weekend.

Saturday was shot, I only worked on this sunday. Engine is up and running, with out some essentials being hooked up (radiator). Tried bleeding clutch and
it is a PITA, still haven't gotten any pressure in the pedal yet. Going to try it
again and if it doesn't seem to work, I have another MC I can hook up and try.

The photo of the tube steel is what I used to mount my seat to, I have a lot
of extra room underneath and behind seat, underneath will eventually have a pull out drawer on one side and possibly the radio under it.

Here is the link to the 1st start with engine mounted, on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Rg9nPX-Do

[masshole]

your build makes me HAPPY... I can't wait to be at this point.(starting it up) keep up the great work and PLEASE.. keep posting your progress because it helps me to push forward...so THANKS!
Greg

[shane o]

Very nice, hope to be doing that soon myself.
Thank you for the video.

[a5Ben]

What pulleys/belt system did you use on your motor, I really dig them!

[99 to Life]

Aug-22 weekend.

This weekend was pretty good. Finally got the clutch bled, wow took me hours. Got MC bled but need to bleed brake lines yet. I did a lot of finishing touch work to several things such as cab work, floor board work and bracing the clutch and brake better since it really flexes the firewall. So I built a brace that connects the clutch to brake and from the brake to the steering column. Really made a difference.

Got the floor (first have) done. Need more insulation and then some carpet.
Began moching up my EZ wiring harness. I think it will work out well, the fuse panel should mount on the drivers side kick panel. Just missing the stock Ebrake
release and pedal (yes I am using the original set up there) other than that should hit the wiring hard next weekend.

Also put in drivers side window - Yes vent has to come out and I hate those stock "clutch" head screws.

Finally got a matching set of gauges and I am very happy with them. I should be able to get them all to work, speedo will be last on the list. Who
cares how fast we go anyway. Got a slew of parts from classictrucks and they are by far the best IMO.

Lastly been tinkering with my 54' dump truck. I have the windshield I gotta put in yet.

[99 to Life]

Aug 28th weekend.

WIRING- Well I am new to wiring and thus far, all is going good.
I got everything moched up and ran where it needs to go and began
wrapping all the wires in plastic molding. I ran the rear wires down through
the floor and through the frame. The front wires went through and existing hole (though I made it bigger) right beside the brake booster. I used a 21 circuit harness from EZ wiring 185 to my door I think. There are some things I won't use such as power windows, lock antenna etc, but it is nice to have some extra circuits. I ran all them to about the middle of the dash, looped them and will tie them up.

Some things I am not sure of would be the aftermarket turn signal. My aftermarket ignition switch has no labeling or anything, so I am not sure on
that one yet. I am going email EZ wiring some pictures and hope they can help me out. I don't have my brake light indicator on my pedal, so I have to pick one of them up to get the tail lights to work.

I used a voltage reducer so I can run the original fuel gauge, actually not sure now if that will work because of the ohms. S**t, I'll have to find out about that. I hear s-10's run 90 ohms while the older gauges ran 30. Got a voltage reducer for the heater though. all the other switches are 12 volt that I will be using.

Lastly here is a keystone turn signal shell that I made. I will be finishing these up for tail and turn signals, mounted to the front and back. I have wanted to make these since before I started the build. These will be the finishing touches to my build.

[a5Ben]

Any chance that you have pictures of your running board mounts? I read where you used 2x4 tubing....

Thanks,
Ben

[99 to Life]

Ben,

Yeah I can get some pics, but it won't be for another couple weeks. I am leaving for vacation soon and then won't get to work on the truck until the following weekend. However I did use 2x4 inch steel and cut them almost
in long irregular triangles, welded a backing plate so I can drill holes through that and into the frame and bolt it on. There is one mount that I notched so far. Also I don't have these on yet, because that is more stuff to hit my shins off of (bumper has been claiming me). BUT, I set it up to where the three different mounting points that the running boards have, line up with my brackets I cut, so I am going to use the original mounting locations on the running boards. Now when I moched it up. I didn't have the final cab mounts on there. My cab mounts are really big and thick and I think one if not both on one side might interfere with my brackets, if that is the case, I might just relocate my the running board mounting points and relocate my brackets. Also there is stuff like driveshaft crossmember, tranny member
etc, that might get in the way of being able to bolt them on. So it just has to fall in the right places. I simply don't want to weld these on because my welder is only 110v and my frame is coated, so I have to bolt them on. Also I might actually have a pic of them[/CENTER][/CENTER]

, but not mounted. PM me your email.

[99 to Life]

Sept 12 - Well I missed a weekend of the build do to vacation, oh well. Almost missed another but I decided to take a day off work and made my usual 2 hr drive to work on the truck partially sunday and all day monday.

Kind of at a standpoint with the wiring. Found out that my "original" ignition switch won't be the best for the set up because it is basically an on off switch do to the "foot start" set ups. So I am getting a universal 3 way switch. Then from there I am told by Ez wiring, I can work on the turn signal and so forth.

Got the back window in, definitely nice to have two people do it.
Got the front window prepped and is about ready for install.

Did some miscellaneous sanding of the inner fenders and bottom of the running boards. Will be coating them up with bed liner material perhaps.

Lastly, to compliment the build I got my custom plate in.