My 1953 chevy 5 window

[53chevy~17~]

Got my 1953 chev last week. It needs alot of cosmetic work but its in pretty good mechanical shape. Got all the wiring done in the last 2 days. I have a few Qs. im trying to find 16in rims that will fit the front so let me know what u guys have been using? Also want to throw a 350 chev in it next yr but need to know what would be a good trans to go with it? Also the drivers side floor is all rusted threw and was wondering if i would be better off just to buy the after market floor and weld it in or if i should make my own (im still in high school and the school has all the stuff to do it)? there will be alot more Qs to come. Theres also a short video of it on youtube called 1953 chevy pickup its like a 30 sec clip user name sofa274.

[53chevy~17~]

sorry pics are on the way just really slow loading.

[53chevy~17~]

pics

[wigadore]

I noticed that your truck has flat bed rails. Now I could be wrong, but was that not a feature changed in 1954 model? Are you sure that the whole truck is 1953?

Honestly you have the sweet beginning of a sweet ride. I am looking forward to keeping an eye on what your going to do with this truck!

[53chevy~17~]

Im not sure this is a 3/4 ton truck and I've seen some that have the flat bed rails. Im the 3rd owner of this truck so it could have been changed along the way but from what i know every thing on this truck is original. Still had the original hub caps and hopefully i can find a 16in rim that i can put them on.

[53chevy~17~]

Thought of some more Qs. The passenger door lower hinge is screwed up just wondering if any one else has had a problem with that before i start to tear into it? It needs a new exhaust system and i figure while im doing it i might as well do something good so open for suggestions on that. The guy i bought it from was backing up one day with the door open and caught a light poll and it creased right in front of the door wondering what the best thing to do there is?

[wigadore]

I have seen that door crease damage on many trucks in the past. Anything from what you mentioned to the door whipping open. I replaced the entire panel due to the rot in the bottom of the panel. I have seen some that can pull the dent out and repair the damage, but that is beyond my ability.

How is the hinge screwed up? Can you show us a picture?

[53chevy~17~]

The hinge is disconnected from the round piece probably an easy fix.

[wigadore]

If you can pull them apart and there is no real twist or damage you can easily clean them up and rebuild them with a kit that you can get from tuckersparts.com that includes new pins and springs. That's what I did and they are like new now.

[53chevy~17~]

ya ill have to get it pulled off and check it out hopefully thats all it is.

[chev3600]

Two of my hinge pins were sheared off like that. One was determined to be permanently stuck in the arm. My 20 ton press and some heat didnt even touch it, so I had to drill it out. Hopefully you get luckier.

[54 jimmy]

i think i have a extra pass lower laying around if you need it let me know it's yours.

[MrTucker]

Originally Posted by wigadore

I noticed that your truck has flat bed rails. Now I could be wrong, but was that not a feature changed in 1954 model? Are you sure that the whole truck is 1953?

It's a 54-55 bed, but the cab is a 53 (notice the 2 piece windshield and grill)

[Atomsplitter]

With 8 lug wheels and a long bed that would be a 3/4 ton right?
If you have the serial number you can determine what it was originally.

[MrTucker]

if originally equiped, then it's a 3/4 ton. half ton's had 6 lugs, but were available in long beds as well. But the 8 lugs is a give away.

[BlueJeep]

Only GMC 1/2 tons were available with the long bed, Chevy was short bed only.

We need more pics of the bed floor to determine how this truck has been modified. That bed won't fit on an earlier frame without raising the floor because of the hump in the frame that the 54-55's didn't have.

[53chevy~17~]

Ill see if i cant get more pics on tomorrow. I know that it no longer has a wood bed someone just got a sheet of metal and welded it under there.

[53chevy~17~]

So ive been doing some checking and the 3/4 ton trucks since 51 had that style of bed.

[Atomsplitter]

The easiest way to know for sure what it originally was, before any changes, is to check the serial mumber as that tells the year and model of truck!

[Pssst]

Truck looks good. Great start!

[70C10Toejam]

Nice looking truck. Your floor looks way better than the one in my '52. Mine also has the pass. door crease, but no noticeable hinge problems.

[53chevy~17~]

Well I got the hinge fixed. Also got the drivers window fixed but broke the wing window so now i gotta get that fixed. also got the drivers floor cut out and should have it rebuilt and put back in next week. Ill get some more pics on tomorrow!

[tantrumpipeline]

cool build you planning on keeping it a lwb, what are youre major plans

[53chevy~17~]

Right now plans are to get it going down the road. Hopefully next year I will be putting a 350 in it upgrading handling,suspension. Also probably going to upgrade the rear end and trans probably a few other little things like sound etc.