1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread

[Flysocal]

Got the accessory drive situation figured out. All this discussion and contemplating when the solution is simple. Just move the radiator forward duh!!! My aluminum radiator mounts to the stock core support I grinded the aluminum mounting tabs off and will attempt to re weld them back to the radiator. I have a tig welder but have never welded aluminum. Got some alimunum scrap and filler rod and will practice before I make my attempt. That will give me a couple extra inches required to run the truck accessories. Got the mini Sanden bracket from ict billet thanks for the video Curt from TN! The truck alternator and power steering accessories fit without cutting into the frame. I'm pretty happy with how everything is looking so far and will be finishing the frame welding soon. My goal is to have frame and some other parts to powder coat by the end of the month. Mounted the wheels to check stance everything looks good. Drop down battery is going to be tight between the tank and roll pan. I will need some bed components before I mount since I want to tuck it up as high as possible.

[STOCKISH]

Very very nice!

[Flysocal]

Originally Posted by STOCKISH

Very very nice!

Thanks man it feels like progress with the wheels on. Now i need to start removing and boxing all the parts. Finish welding the frame and off to powdercoat. Got the battery box mounted behind the tank. Roll pan should cover most of it.

[donandal]

I just re-read this whole thread.

Very nice work!

I'm really impressed with the pace of this build.
It is quite a milestone getting it back on wheels.

[José Antonio]

Congratulations on your restoration, it's getting really good.
I have a chevy 3100 but I have difficult to construct the radiator support, in my country don't have parts to substitute, regards this I need construct.
I's possible this forum post the correct dimensions, height, width, anything to help me construct this parts.
Thanks so much

Sabadini

[mongocanfly]

Nice to see it on all 4s..looking good

[Flysocal]

Everything is torn apart again in preparation for powder coat. Frame is boxed and flipped over for final welding. Ran out of welding wire on a Saturday so I spent a few hours grinding down the welds on the boxing plates instead. I'm pumped that I'm almost done with the welding and grinding. Can't wait to deal with newly powder coated frame and start the final assembly of the rolling chassis. Been 1.5 years of rust, dirt, welding, grinding so I'm def ready to have a clean garage again, free of the damn grinding dust!

[Flysocal]

Frame and a ton of other stuff is off to powder coat. I've got my garage back for a while. Cab is back on the rolling cart. Just double checking everything such as wiper motor, a/c condenser, just making sure everything fits in harmony before I send cab off for paint. Not quite sure how I will juggle everything. I'm thinking of getting some parts painted now and others after installed. For example, the cab needs to get painted before it's installed on frame for the final time but the hood needs to be installed before paint I think. I'm afraid I will damage the paint on the front end sheet metal trying to line everything up. Anyway there isn't much to see since I mock things up then put them back in boxes. Waiting on my harness from PSI then I can find a place for everything. Here is a pic of how I mounted the wire harness to firewall. I think the PCM and Dakota digital brain will bolt to the top of my brake booster bracket. The PCM fuse block should fit on firewall with fuses accessible.

[youngrodder]

The frame looks great. Yes think of how much more fun it is to assemble clean painted parts....I feel the same about my project.

Marc

[Flysocal]

Got the frame and a bunch of other stuff back from powder coat today. I also got a box from psi which was the last thing I needed to finalize cab mock up. PCM fit nicely on top of my brake booster bracket and fuses on firewall. Since everything fits harmoniously the cab is basically fully mocked up and ready for bodywork. I'm going to farm out the bodywork and paint. I have someone coming by on Sunday to give me an estimate. Next plan of action is to seam seal the cab and spray rhino liner under the cab and on the interior floor. Then I will have taken the cab as far as I can before I need to hand it off to the body shop.

[Flysocal]

[Dan in Pasadena]

Your truck is looking great. Huge congrats!

What wheels and size are those? I'm having to make wheel & tire decisions now and I'm struggling a bit.

[oldman3]

Frame and parts look great...Jim

[Flysocal]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Your truck is looking great. Huge congrats!

What wheels and size are those? I'm having to make wheel & tire decisions now and I'm struggling a bit.

Yep paint and wheels consume a lot of thought. So many different options out there. My wheels are Boyd coddington JYD cast series wheels. 20x8.5 rear 18x7 front. Tires I believe are 245/40/20 and 215/45/18. I really wanted to have the rear wheel tuck up nicely in the rear fender without tubs so I went with a conservative width. I also want to be able to remove the rear wheel without dropping the housing.

I'm was torn betweeen billet and smoothies. I almost bought wheel vintiques which are also an American made local product. I recommend you take a look at hotrodsbyboyd.com Chris Coddington makes all his wheels here in the USA and they are really nice. You can get a set of wheels for 2K (cast series) and up. But for me knowing it's a local made product i can pick up feels better than mail order from a big box store.

[ptc]

Looking good.... final assembly is the best feeling !!!!

[Flysocal]

put the engine and tranny back where they belong. Maybe for the last time (ha yeah right!). I have reached critical mass in the garage with cab still on rolling cart. It's on 320'ft and maxed out! Really happy with the PC job the guy was fast and did a really good job.

[youngrodder]

The frame looks great. How fun is it bolting up freshly coated parts? I look forward to the final assembly process.

Thanks
Marc

[ChuckDriver]

Slick!

[Dan in Pasadena]

It all looks SO good.

Do you plan to have it done for the Brothers Show in the summer? I hope (fingers crossed) mine will be there.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Flysocal

Yep paint and wheels consume a lot of thought. So many different options out there. My wheels are Boyd coddington JYD cast series wheels. 20x8.5 rear 18x7 front. Tires I believe are 245/40/20 and 215/45/18. I really wanted to have the rear wheel tuck up nicely in the rear fender without tubs so I went with a conservative width. I also want to be able to remove the rear wheel without dropping the housing.

I'm was torn betweeen billet and smoothies. I almost bought wheel vintiques which are also an American made local product. I recommend you take a look at hotrodsbyboyd.com Chris Coddington makes all his wheels here in the USA and they are really nice. You can get a set of wheels for 2K (cast series) and up. But for me knowing it's a local made product i can pick up feels better than mail order from a big box store.

Thanks for the info, somehow I missed you posted this.

I like everything I see in your build but I am trying to hold the line on my tendency to spend more than I should (too late I suppose, lol).

[Flysocal]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. There is no way this truck will be done this summer. More like September or October. It depends on how long paint will take so it might be sooner but probably late fall. I ordered my bed from mar-k should arrive in 2 weeks or so. In the meantime it's chassis assembly time!!!

[mongocanfly]

That gloss black frame is slick...powder looks like its a inch deep

[Flysocal]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

That gloss black frame is slick...powder looks like its a inch deep

Thanks man, I'm very happy with the gloss black PC. Looks more "custom" than standard GM black.

It's nice to be wrenching again. Rear end has been installed. Motion gear 370 posi third member is in. Went with moser 31 spline axles which will be installed tomorrow. Going to order my driveshaft when I put weight on the rear wheels so I can properly measure. But looks somewhere in he neighborhood of 54". Think I will go with inland empire driveline 3" aluminum up to 500hp. I want to stay local whenever possible.

As for bodywork and paint I'm going to have the pros do it. But it's gonna be expensive! Had a guy come by and look my stuff over on Sunday. Very good body shop does some awesome paint jobs. As of now I'm leaning towards precision red.

[Flysocal]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

That gloss black frame is slick...powder looks like its a inch deep

Thanks man, I'm very happy with the gloss black PC. Looks more "custom" than standard GM black.

It's nice to be wrenching again. Rear end has been installed. Motion gear 370 posi third member is in. Went with moser 31 spline axles which will be installed tomorrow. Going to order my driveshaft when I put weight on the rear wheels so I can properly measure. But looks somewhere in he neighborhood of 54". Think I will go with inland empire driveline 3" aluminum up to 500hp. I want to stay local whenever possible.

As for bodywork and paint I'm going to have the pros do it. But it's gonna be expensive! Had a guy come by and look my stuff over on Sunday. Very good body shop does some awesome paint jobs. As of now I'm leaning towards precision red.

[joedoh]

love the red, looks like a cinnabar I had on a bmw years ago. hell I love anything red.