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Getting started on my 53

3100powerglide you didn't burst my bubble. I bought this truck fully knowing that there were rust issues. and just so you know $75 for sheet metal for the floor and another $200 in patch panels and I still won't have $700 in this project. I bought this truck because it was a 1 owner truck with a title I don't expect to drive this year it is a project that I will totally enjoy building and it is a blank canvas that I can say I did all my self from dismantle through paint with no out side help. just remember we buy these trucks as a labor of love
 
That is about average around here. The floors may be a bit worse, but a full floor panel, all 4 inner and outer corners, kick panels, both side full cowl panels and you should be in shape. Getting the whole cab media stripped and spot sandblasted would be money well spent, so you can see what you have and need. Take it to a hot rod/ restoration shop where they are familiar with blasting delicate sheetmetal.

You west coast boys don't realize how good you have it. The 53 I restored was in great drivable shape, but the floors were still paper thin. The leaky cowl vent rubber, windsheild rubber, and the lack of windows in some of the trucks, leads to standing water in the floors and rust out. All of us this side of the deserts have to deal with frequent rain and moisture, which doesn't get along with old metal. Even my truck needs all of these panels( except floors).
 
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The Right Attitude !

HotRod53 said:
3100powerglide you didn't burst my bubble. I bought this truck fully knowing that there were rust issues. and just so you know $75 for sheet metal for the floor and another $200 in patch panels and I still won't have $700 in this project. I bought this truck because it was a 1 owner truck with a title I don't expect to drive this year it is a project that I will totally enjoy building and it is a blank canvas that I can say I did all my self from dismantle through paint with no out side help. just remember we buy these trucks as a labor of love
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Good on ya ! .

Keep us posted please .

Russ , some of us Western Boys did in fact grow up in the rust belt and are *very* aware of how lucky we have it ~ that's why I hate the B.S. " patina " jerkoffs , they destroy everything they touch by deliberately causing rust , then they move on to whatever the media tells them is hip now .
 
thanks Russ and Nate. I know some people have no mechanical skills. they go out and buy one all ready done and brag about how great their ride is they have no clue what it looked like before they got it or how much was replaced. I an totally satisfied with my baby and I will know every inch of it when it's done.
 
Satisfaction!

I gotta' say, There's much to be said about the satisfaction of doing it ALL Yourself.:) I have had a lot of people compliment me on my truck... Then when someone tells them I did it all, they perk up considerably and show a lot more interest. Just my 2cents. I have no ill feelings toward those who "get it done" my another skilled professional, (Russ Petty, Coilover, et al.) I'm glad to see these old artifacts brought back to life, whoever does it.
 
thanks bilbo don't get me wrong I love to see these old trucks brought back to life any way they can' but it seems the first ones to criticize someones ride is the ones that bought theirs already built or almost done for them. I agree with you people really perk up and seem to listen more when the find out you did all the work yourself. The first car I built was a 55 210 did it all myself. I joined this site because of the collective knowledge of all the members and I have read a lot of posts and saw lots of encouragement from all here. I look forward to getting any advice on things I am not sure about in the future. the car guys around here aren't very helpful they all say bring your parts books and they will show me what I need to order and they have never seen my truck.
 
HotRod53 said:
thanks bilbo don't get me wrong I love to see these old trucks brought back to life any way they can' but it seems the first ones to criticize someones ride is the ones that bought theirs already built or almost done for them. I agree with you people really perk up and seem to listen more when the find out you did all the work yourself. The first car I built was a 55 210 did it all myself. I joined this site because of the collective knowledge of all the members and I have read a lot of posts and saw lots of encouragement from all here. I look forward to getting any advice on things I am not sure about in the future. the car guys around here aren't very helpful they all say bring your parts books and they will show me what I need to order and they have never seen my truck.
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Well, It IsArkansas, where "A picture's worth a Hunnert words". ;) Man, I tried, but couldn't resist pokin' a little fun at Arkansas.:)
 
Bilbo it's all good I might be offended if I was born in Arkansas but I'm a Texas boy. moved here many years ago to get away from the hustle ans bustle of big city life. well I had to go to our little town this morning and saw a garage sale and had to stop and glad i did I found this for $40 thought it was a good deal so I had to buy it.
 

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Hey, That looks like a pretty good deal! Remember to set the floats with it idling, on level ground :D
Where in Texas? We could have been neighbors or something, after all, Texas aint that big a place! :rolleyes:
 
Bilbo said:
Hey, That looks like a pretty good deal! Remember to set the floats with it idling, on level ground :D
Where in Texas? We could have been neighbors or something, after all, Texas aint that big a place! :rolleyes:
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Bilbo I grew up in Ft Worth used to hang out at green valley raceway till they tore it down to build a housing development. my 55 spent many a weekend running down that quarter mile. those were good times.
 
You Are

Correct Sir ! .

My ignorant mouth got ahead of my alleged mind again and I apologize for that .
 
I can tell it's almost hay season got a bunch of calls last week to go and check out a bunch of equipment to make sure it's all ready to start cutting hay. got to spend a few hours doing some paint stripping on the 53 to see where I'm at. will post some pics of my progress in a day or two
 
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