Project Pigpen 1951 5 window 3100

[pigpin]

So here is an introduction to my current project. 1951 Chevy 3100 5 window. The truck is from Kansas and the plate on it expired in 1982. Pretty solid and complete truck. typical broken glass, rusty floors and cab corners but pretty much all there. Plan is Mustang II front, 4 link rear, LS motor, and air ride. I don't plan on painting it. And the due date is early June, I really started on it August of last year so that's not as bad as it sounds.

[pigpin]

Disassembly went quick. I didn't break a single bolt taking it apart.

[Katrina/10]

Nice progress so far.

[joedoh]

nice progress, is that crew cab long bed SRW a factory truck? gotta be a unicorn (one of one)

I see the SG on the tag, did it come from around wichita?

[pigpin]

Originally Posted by joedoh

nice progress, is that crew cab long bed SRW a factory truck? gotta be a unicorn (one of one)
I see the SG on the tag, did it come from around wichita?

Yup, 2000 C3500 crew cab long bed SRW. I've had it 15 years been a great truck but currently chasing one of those evil C/K truck electrical gremlins.

Yes the truck is from somewhere east of Wichita.

[Sim6]

Looking good pigpen.

[pigpin]

1999 4.8LS off of Craigslist, fingers crossed.




The start of rust repair.

[pigpin]

And a cab corner.

[69CST-V]

Looks good....following

[pigpin]

Mustang II front crossmember, boxing plates, tubular arms, 2" drop spindles, 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern rotors, 2500# Firestone bags. Ford 8.8 rear end out of an Explorer, generic four link kit, C-notch, 2600# Firestone bags. It's just tacked together in this pic to make sure everything fits right.


Other cab corner.

[DeanTX]

Nice start to the chassis. Can't beat the Ford 8.8 out of an Explorer. Very strong rear end.

[pigpin]

I tore the rear end down for new seals and gaskets.


Made motor mounts and checked motor and cab clearance. I ended up modifying the headers to clear the frame.


I'm using a steering column from a square body S10, pedal assembly from a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The start on modifications to the firewall for all that.

1955 Bel Air wheel, S10 bench seat.


This is as far as I went with mockup before taking all back apart to sandblast and paint the frame.

[pigpin]

One more with hood just set on.

[pigpin]

Satisfied everything was going to fit, I took back apart to finish weld everything.


Sandblasted, Por15, and top coated the frame.


and reassembly started.

[pigpin]

I sectioned my deep truck oil pan about 1.25" and tig welded it back together. It doesn't leak but it was a real pain.


Engine and trans in the frame for the final time.


My DIY harness.

[oldman3]

Like how you are doing this, will tag along for the build...Jim

[RockinKees]

Just read this.
You take it seriously
Very nice work so far!!

[fisherman420]

I like where your headed with this, nice work!

[pigpin]

Work done on the cab.

[pigpin]

And the first start before I put the cab on.
https://youtu.be/unPKwqiN0cs

[cotsi95]

Looks great. What radiator are you using?

[pigpin]

I'm using Speedway Motors Part # 9175159 for the radiator. I had to modify the top of the radiator support to get the radiator as far forward as I wanted it. I didn't want to use an electric fan or a shallow oil pan so I ended up mounting the motor higher and farther back in the chassis than most. the down side of that was that I had to add clearance in the fire wall for the back of the valve covers and my transmission tunnel is bigger.

[pigpin]

Primed and painted inner fenders and core support.


started wiring using my DIY engine harness and a Speedway Motors kit



gauges are from dolphin

[pigpin]

A quick look at the rear suspension setup.

[Cuttin up]

Lookin good