54 Chevy Truck.... left to die

[sparks54]

I just was able to start on something I have been wanting to do for many years. I start to rebuild a 54 Chevy truck that was removed from the deep woods a little while back. I have loved these old trucks for years and now was my chance. It is a big job and one that will not be easy and one that will be slow but I so want to try. It might not be a show truck when I am done but I will try my best to give this truck a new life.

[sparks54]

[sparks54]

I end up getting a 1990 Sonoma for the chassis.

[sparks54]

I have been spending most of my free time trying to clean up the frame and work on the suspension.

[sparks54]

[Trekster]

Wow, you have been busy. Good Job!

[Daze57]

Good lookin project -good luck.
Love the story that you pulled it out of the deep woods

[Denee007]

Welcome, and my you work quickly!!
Dne'
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[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by sparks54

.... It is a big job and one that will not be easy and one that will be slow but I so want to try. It might not be a show truck when I am done but I will try my best to give this truck a new life. Attachment 1120320

"This is my truck. There are many like it but this one is mine..."

Ha ha, something about the cadence of how you wrote your post really reminded me of the Rifleman's Code.

Welcome and glad to hear you're so dedicated to its resurrection. Keep the photos coming!
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[Truck Guy99]

That's sweet? What's the plan for it?
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[wood1]

That's a pretty rare factory clock... Looks like a nice start.

[Leroy-B1]

I want the clock....looking forward to it I have a 55 first series that I need to do build thread on
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[sparks54]

Thanks everbody for your comments. Had a couple things show up yesterday that UPS had dropped off. Ball Joints, Tie Rod ends, Control Arms, also already have drop spindles and drop blocks for the back springs. I am going to try to keep track of everything I do on this project. More pictures to come soon.....
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[booger1949]

love the project an yes i want the clock as well, wonder where u could find one of those at, an good luck on your truck an have fun

[sparks54]

Yes I like the clock also. You do not see alot of trucks that have them, it was a add-on feature in 1954. The old clock still worked when I pulled it out of the housing.

[sparks54]

2 inch drop spindles and drop blocks....







Just got the blocks installed

[sparks54]

Drop spindles all installed. While the front suspension was all apart I end up putting new ball joints, tie rod ends, and a new idler arm. I also removed one coil from the coil springs... I am planning on bagging the truck at a later time.

[chevyboy73]

looks like you mean business! 54 and 55.1 chevys are slowly become my favorite AD truck! keep on truckin!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Excellent work so far! What's the story on the frame paint? Did YOU spray it, have it done by a shop, rattle can? If so, what brand, etc. Enquiring minds (nosy people!) want to know.

[Clay54]

Originally Posted by sparks54

Attachment 1120333

Attachment 1120334

Attachment 1120335

Good start - I will be watching. I have a clockless 54 that I will be starting shortly. Help me understand the configuration of the front cab mounts in the above pic. Most are on the outside of the frame. Thanks, Clay

[sparks54]

Clay54...... I made the cab mounts to fit on the outside of the frame at first. I end up moving the front mounts to the inside cause I believe that it would have been a much tighter fit if I would have left them on the outside of the frame when I try to mount the cab down. I am replacing all the floor in the cab with new sheet metal not the replacement pans and I am making a support frame under the floor. My floor support frame and cab mounts will hopefully work the way I plan for them to. ( fingers crossed)
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[sparks54]

Sorry Dan I did not see your post about the paint. I took the frame down to raw metal and putting primer and a basic PPG silver that I am spraying with a small paint gun.
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[av8tr33337]

Great start. I'll be following this one!

[pvienneau]

Looks sweet so far.

[sparks54]