Greetings - I am new to the forum. Actually, I just registered but have been reading it for quite some time. Anyhow, by way of introduction, I have a newly aquired 1953 1/2 ton 5 window. Mostly original, including engine and owned by one family since it was new. To make a long introduction, longer, when I was 16, in 1978, my Dad had a 1953 5 window and I drove it for two years. I always loved that truck and I have always wanted another one. Twenty nine years have passed but last week I bought another one and I am one happy guy. Now the fun really starts. My first question of many - the dome light was not working but I can't figure out how to get the cover off. I took the two screws out but nothing seems loose. I don't want to pry on it for fear of scratching it. Am I missing something? Looking forward to talking with you all. Thanks. Jeff
Welcome to the group Jeff. Nice looking truck. The lense can just be stuck with age I would recommend a plastic bone like trim tool just apply some even pressure on both side of the lense housing. Slight outwards pressure should free it up. You will most likely find the switch is gooked up from age that is common. Again Welcome feel free to post all & any questions to the group.
Dome light info Welcome to the forum, it's great to have new people on here that love old trucks. I, myself have been kinda quite lately, but thougth I'd be the first to welcome you. so welcome. Now for the light. I don't know how many light choices were available on these old trucks but mine had a on/off switch on the riight, two screws close to the outside on the left and right and part of a gasket behind the lense. After the initial two screws were off the lense and lense holder came right off. Your gasket may be stuck. Behind that there were two other screws holding the assymbly to the cab. Again, you may have a different kind but this was how mine assymbled. Great to have you, keep postin questions. I've completed my daughters truck which was a 53 3100, but I'm by far not the most knowledgable on this site. TB'sD
54Chev beat me Well the 54 was faster than the 53, but at least we responed to you pronto ,,, and imagine this... we both thought the same thing. TB'sD
Thanks to both of you. My dome light is just as you described Boopster. I am off to my garage to further investigate!
Success. I used a plastic shim and applied pressure to both sides. It did not pop off but kind of peeled off. The gasket is toast. I don't think it had ever been taken apart. Thanks again.
Clean up the switch build-up then replace the gasket. CP has them. I just used standard glass cleaner on my lense. Is actually a cool light with the old lense and all. I was surprised how heavy the glass lense was. Good luck with the truck Keep us posted. By the way Boopster is the man just look back on his previous post's. Had a long road traveled but the truck came out Great !! Was sort of this group's project for a while.
Welcome to the group Jeff. Lebanon eh? I'm over in Smyrna so we're pretty darn close. I'm more of a custom guy myself so if you're gonna go back original I'm not much help, but I'd definately like to come out and see it some time. Just wanted to welcome you to the circus, we have a great time here.
Thanks Nate. It's got the original 216 in it. I know it is the original engine because, incredibly, the gentleman still had the dealer paperwork from the day it was purchased in June 1953 -the numbers all match. Only issues I have with the engine are that it has an aftermarket air cleaner on it and, it was painted chevy orange when it was overhauled in 1980.
Hey Jeff Nothing wrong with orange! Especially if you live in Tennessee! Am I wrong? I'm a little remiss in welcoming you to our looney farm, but glad you're here! Went to HS and college in the great state of TN. Terrorized Columbia, Smyrna and Lebanon back in '74! (All in one weekend). Most of the guys here are cool (Zig is the exception). Have fun and let's draw on one another!
Ken Forgot... I'm also slow and aparently a snob since it's taken me this long to say WELCOME! Great looking truck! The engine color's no big deal as long as it starts and runs good. And it's a 6! (no heater though, huh?) Now all you need to do is paint a KC arrowhead on each door! After what you've done with your dome light, does it work now? I reworked mine, but something is still up with it... won't work. That was the tag end of my first push to get my truck nice looking and running. I replaced the wire and tied it into my headlight switch, but it's a no go. I'm sure it's something simple- I know it could just tie into a hot since it has it's own switch, so no big deal compaired to all that lies ahead for me... Anyway- welcome to the best site around! (No matter how much I muddy the water...)
Chevrolet ORANGE ?! OH NOOooooooooooooo Well , at least it's still a Babbit Pounder that's good and most of all , a 6 BANGER ! (that should be in Chevy truck grey) It is entirely do-able to re-paint the engine the proper colour in situ , if that is , you care . Me , I'm just a constant complainer who sort of hates Chevrolet Orange unless , of course , it's on a romping , stomping V-ate mill Just remember : it's the world's most popular truck so don't hide it , DRIVE IT son ! .
Dome Light Circuitry Paul ; I'm sure you know the wire leading to the switch should be live.... I find the switch's internal contacts often get corroded and so stop working ~ the re-pop dome light in my '49 died so I got a nasty looking original one from a swap meet for $5.00 , took it all apaert and cleaned up the better quality original lens and de-rusted the correct original screws etc. , now my spiffy chrome dome light works well . -Nate (BTW : NO ONE who knows you will ever think you're a ' snob ' for an instant)
216 Service Note : OBTW : I am sure you know the mighty 216 " Dipper 6 " engine doesn't like thick oil ! so NO 20W-50 crap in it ! ditto for non-detergent crap , NEVER use that in ANY engine you ever own ! . nice , thin synthetic is what it'll like best , will prolly seep a bit more but these engines are 1930's tech and were never designed to be oil tight so buy a drip pan and some kitty litter or absorbent mat from New Pig and be happy
If memory serves me, I think the biggest problem was the corroded switch. I looked for one I could replace the original one with- It was just not high on my list at the time... but one day it will be. As far as leaking goes, I CAN'T WAIT for my truck to relieve itself on my dad's pristine driveway!!! Knowing me- if it didn't leak, I may not keep up with the maintenance thing like I should.
Thanks Thanks to all for the welcome. After spending last weekend and almost every night this week in the garage, I do have some more specific quesitons which I will post in a new thread. BTW - issue was probably too strong a word for the chevy orange - I wish it was chevy gray but it does start and it does run fine so changing engine color is not a huge priority at this time. No, the dome light still does not work but I think it may be part of a larger wiring mystery - or not. Yes, I plan to drive it - no fun leaving it sit in the garage - and yes, it does leak a little oil and the kitty litter is already in place. Thanks for the advice on oil type though!
