Getting started - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wallykat · 09-03-2009, 10:03 PM

Hey all, new to this board, lots of info on here!

After collecting parts for a couple of years I'm finally gonna get going on my '51 5-window. I originally planned on doing an S-10 swap with it, but then decided to go a different route and build a stock frame. Haven't decided if this is a good plan or not, but I'm gonna have fun trying. Since the frame under the '51 was no good I picked up a '48 3-window for a donor. Also grabbed a '76 GMC Camper Special to donate a 454 and Turbo 400. So the plan so far is, Mustang II front suspension, 4-link in the rear with a 10 bolt rear end out of a 70ish Camaro. I also have a 10 bolt out of a mid 70s Olds that I may use. Box the frame, build the motor to approx 500HP, go through the trans and install a shift kit. If I get that far this winter I'll be happy, if I have time I'll get started on the body.

So if anyone has any hints, tips, tricks, or ideas, let me know. The search feature isn't working right now so it's hard to look around and see if anyone else has this kind of build on the go, if you do any help you can give me would be much appreciated. I've built on vehicles before but never to this extent, any experience that you can pass on would be great.

Thanks guys, later

britnjc · 09-03-2009, 10:19 PM

welcome and good luck this is a great board

nickp51chevy · 09-04-2009, 12:25 AM

Man, I love those '51's.

Of coarse I might be bias, but they were the best year. But

Looking forward to your build.

solidaxel · 09-04-2009, 10:30 AM

Welcome from the desert Southwest Arizona.
Well it sounds like you have your ducks in a roe.
I few suggestions and I am sure you have thought about them.
If the Olds rear you have is a decent gear ratio and 1" wider than Camaro you are on the right track.
The major problem I see with design is 500hp and a 10 bolt rear end, make sure you have a back up!!!!

mr48chev · 09-04-2009, 12:03 PM

Welcome, now about those photos.

You can finds the answers to a lot of questions just by searching the forum. A lot of subjects have been covered several times and even when someone answers a question they post the link to a previous thread.

Otherwise, ask away we have some great folks here with lots of experience with these trucks.

But we still want to see the photos of your project.

OrrieG · 09-04-2009, 12:57 PM

Welcome, your project sounds similar to many that are underway here. Like Mr48 said there is a wealth of knowledge. I lurked here for almost 6 months going through all the build threads getting ideas and finding shortcuts. There are many threads discussing the merits of different approachs to rebuilding these old trucks. Do a search for "FAQ thread" it will turn up a thread that has pages of links to frequently asked topics most of which will save you time and aggrevation. When all else fails ask a question and you will get answers and opinions.

wallykat · 09-04-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solidaxel

The major problem I see with design is 500hp and a 10 bolt rear end, make sure you have a back up!!!!

I hear ya, currently trying to find a 12 bolt but I'm not having much luck so far.

As for pics guys, I'll post what I have, but it ain't much, cause everything is in pieces.

solidaxel · 09-04-2009, 02:16 PM

Just make sure you have all the Plans, Parts,Perserverence, and lots of CASH !!

wallykat · 09-04-2009, 06:34 PM

Cash is always the problem.

Here's about the only 2 pics I have right now.

What's left of the donor '48

The 5 window

09-03-2009, 10:03 PM	#1
wallykat Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 3	Getting started Hey all, new to this board, lots of info on here! After collecting parts for a couple of years I'm finally gonna get going on my '51 5-window. I originally planned on doing an S-10 swap with it, but then decided to go a different route and build a stock frame. Haven't decided if this is a good plan or not, but I'm gonna have fun trying. Since the frame under the '51 was no good I picked up a '48 3-window for a donor. Also grabbed a '76 GMC Camper Special to donate a 454 and Turbo 400. So the plan so far is, Mustang II front suspension, 4-link in the rear with a 10 bolt rear end out of a 70ish Camaro. I also have a 10 bolt out of a mid 70s Olds that I may use. Box the frame, build the motor to approx 500HP, go through the trans and install a shift kit. If I get that far this winter I'll be happy, if I have time I'll get started on the body. So if anyone has any hints, tips, tricks, or ideas, let me know. The search feature isn't working right now so it's hard to look around and see if anyone else has this kind of build on the go, if you do any help you can give me would be much appreciated. I've built on vehicles before but never to this extent, any experience that you can pass on would be great. Thanks guys, later

09-03-2009, 10:19 PM	#2
britnjc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Helena, Alabama Posts: 453	Re: Getting started welcome and good luck this is a great board

09-04-2009, 12:25 AM	#3
nickp51chevy Registered Chevy Owner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Snohomish, wa Posts: 1,557	Re: Getting started Man, I love those '51's. Of coarse I might be bias, but they were the best year. But Looking forward to your build. __________________ Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350

09-04-2009, 10:30 AM	#4
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Getting started Welcome from the desert Southwest Arizona. Well it sounds like you have your ducks in a roe. I few suggestions and I am sure you have thought about them. If the Olds rear you have is a decent gear ratio and 1" wider than Camaro you are on the right track. The major problem I see with design is 500hp and a 10 bolt rear end, make sure you have a back up!!!! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

09-04-2009, 12:03 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,402	Re: Getting started Welcome, now about those photos. You can finds the answers to a lot of questions just by searching the forum. A lot of subjects have been covered several times and even when someone answers a question they post the link to a previous thread. Otherwise, ask away we have some great folks here with lots of experience with these trucks. But we still want to see the photos of your project.

09-04-2009, 12:57 PM	#6
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Getting started Welcome, your project sounds similar to many that are underway here. Like Mr48 said there is a wealth of knowledge. I lurked here for almost 6 months going through all the build threads getting ideas and finding shortcuts. There are many threads discussing the merits of different approachs to rebuilding these old trucks. Do a search for "FAQ thread" it will turn up a thread that has pages of links to frequently asked topics most of which will save you time and aggrevation. When all else fails ask a question and you will get answers and opinions. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

09-04-2009, 02:16 PM	#8
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Getting started Just make sure you have all the Plans, Parts,Perserverence, and lots of CASH !! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

09-04-2009, 06:34 PM	#9
wallykat Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 3	Re: Getting started Cash is always the problem. Here's about the only 2 pics I have right now. What's left of the donor '48 The 5 window



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