49/54 LS driver

[chev3600]

I figured after several years of lurking and learning, it may be time to at least start a thread on where my truck is NOW> So, there is a huge separation between what you "plan to do" and what you actually do.
My truck is a mutt. It was assembled by me using whatever I thought was cool or was handy at the time. Ive had to back track a few times and learned that the cheap or easy way isn't always an option.
For starters, its a 1949 3100 with a 54 cab and bed. Ive always preferred the one piece windshield. This is the day I dragged it home. The PO installed a camaro clip and rear end.
I initially started building it with a TBI 305 and 700r4 with a fuel cell mounted in the rear. It was all but drivable, It just couldnt seem to go all the way around the block on its own. Fed up, yanked it out and decided that I needed clarity. And a much newer fuel injection setup. Bought a 5.3 LS out of an 02 silverado and 4l60e trans.

[chev3600]

Alot of this is out of order, sorry. I used the original engine harness and rewired it myself. Wow, what a daunting task! The rear end was swapped out for an explorer 8.8 because I liked the idea of limited slip and disc brakes in a strong and inexpensive package. Unfortunately, the rear of the frame wasn't in great shape and the PO had done some shoddy fab work on the spring mounts. So I bolted a set of s10 hangers under the frame and welded the rear shackle mounts onto the existing frame. The s10 frame was taller, so I had to section the frame stub.

[chev3600]

The body needed some attention too of course. someone had installed a new floor pan and done a great job. But the PO didnt follow the same level of craftmanship and botched the cab corners and the lower hinge pillars. I found out that he also welded the toeboard in and the Pillar between the door hinges about 3/4 of an inch too short. End result is that I had to split the firewall and raise the body 3/4" higher off the floor. Sounds terrible right? I hate body work, but i hate paying others to do it more. So new cab corners, new kick panels, new rockers, new lower door skins inner and outer, and we have something that you can actually assemble.

[chev3600]

This build was as much for my enjoyment as my two boys. The wife doesn't seem interested, but puts up with us. With the kids in mind, safety was key. I added three point seat belts from a 99 dakota and a second row seat from a durango. Very comfy and nice fit.



As long as we're inside the truck, I put autometer quad gauges into the factory gauge buckets and installed a new wiring harness.

Ive found the majority of a vintage air A/c and heater and am trying to get that assembled here soon. I attempted power windows but the motors were junk and couldnt lift the glass. So the manual stuff is fine for me. I did install a set of bear claw latches and AVS shaved handle kit. I am leaving the outer door handles because I like the look, but they are currently non functional.

Ive almost finished the windshield wiper setup using a surplus boat wiper motor found online (Thanks mknittle)

[chev3600]

I lost a bunch of pics but there are still some in the photobucket link in my sig. More are being put in as time allows. Here's the bed. Polished stainless strips and wood I got from home depot and cut, routed, sanded, stained and finished in the driveway.

I ended up using a Jeep wrangler gas tank out back with a modified BMW fuel pump mounted internally. I love the power and smoothness of the LS. So far I've got almost 500 miles on the truck since road worthy and havent had a major hiccup. The exhaust guy bent the tailpipes too close to the axle, and I still have so many parts to get it closer to done, but getting it on the road was the turning point for this dream of driving an AD truck. Ive been working toward this for 15 years with 3 different heaps of truck parts and rust. It will be painted some day but I have several other distractions.

[chev3600]

Today it looks like this.

[4544speed]

Great looking build you got going. I really like the seat choice and the seat belts.

AND the engine choice !!

[xpickup]

chev3600, Nice looking truck.

Shannon

[chev3600]

Thanks, I wish I would have just gone LS from the start. Would have been driving a long time ago.

XPickup, I really like the look of your panel. Been trying to find a suburban for a while, it's the only thing that would talk me out of this truck.
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[oldman3]

Great story and the truck looks great, enjoy....Jim

[BlueJeep]

Looks great! Enjoy driving it with your kids!

What did you use for a thermostat housing, did you use the original or did you get a straight one? How did you plumb the steam fitting coming from the throttle body? Where did you source the intake fittings from?

[chev3600]

Bluejeep- for the thermostat housing I used a 90 degree swiveling one for a regular small block chevy. It had an o-ring seal so I trimmed down a camaro thermostat just a little to fit the inner dimension. Slotted the holes ever so slightly and made offset bushing to go in the mounting holes.
The steam port I drilled and tapped the top of the water pump.
The air intake was a kit from ebay for a tahoe. 50 bucks worth of pieces to make something better later. Pics tommorrow if I don't forget.
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[chev3600]

Thermostat was just like this one- http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-Swivel-T...-/400291038466
Intake like this- http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-Suburb...d64320&vxp=mtr
and thermostat pics with steam port

[72ArizonaBurb]

Looking good!

[STOCKISH]

I cant believe I didnt see this build earlier. Truck looks killer Matt.

[oldman3]

Matt, what's the latest with your build, any updates...Jim

[chev3600]

Wish I had real updates. I've been assembling various parts to attempt air conditioning. Really just been enjoying it, I've put about 1200 miles thus far. Also put some cool buttons in the door handle to actuate the poppers. I hated having to push a button on a key fob everytime to open the door.
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[69CST-V]

Great project. Would like to see more of the build that has already taken place.

[panelrodder81]

Originally Posted by chev3600

Wish I had real updates. I've been assembling various parts to attempt air conditioning. Really just been enjoying it, I've put about 1200 miles thus far. Also put some cool buttons in the door handle to actuate the poppers. I hated having to push a button on a key fob everytime to open the door.
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Are these buttons water tight??! I LOVE this idea if they are!

-Panelrodder

[Bubba54]

Trucks looking nice.

[chev3600]

I'm working on getting a photo album together with more pics. I've got another project or two in the works, so... Slow going.
I appreciate the comments. It's a blast to play with these old trucks.

Panel- supposedly the buttons are waterproof/resistant. It doesn't say in the ebay ad, but I asked them and they said they were. I'm still skeptical but this truck doesn't get very wet.
Seller is "11linjian123". But lots of sellers have them (hong kong). I even have a pair as inside openers too.
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[av8tr33337]

Love this build thread. Very nice work!

[STOCKISH]

Any progress on the AC install bro?

[chev3600]

I think I'm having truck withdrawal symptoms. It's been up on stands for two months now.
Well, I managed to mount the compressor, add a recirculating heater valve, got all the a/c lines run (need them crimped now), and biggest headache was getting the interior box fitted and all the associated parts.

On a side note till I can get pics up of that stuff, I did buy one of those "old navy" display trucks and pillaged the grill and bumpers! Anybody want to buy a blue truck?!
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[chev3600]

72supercheyenne: thanks for the help the other weekend, I needed a kick in the ass jump start to get going again.
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