My name is Mark from southern Minnesota. I'm in the process of getting my great uncles 1949 Chevy 3100 back on the road. This was my first vehicle when I obtained my drivers license way back in 77. I had sold the truck to my brother in law then I purchased it back in 1998. This is what I'm starting with: With a box full of parts. Complete with an extra set of front fenders and grill. My end goal is to have the truck dependable and being able to enjoy it. I do not want a rat rod, nor do I want a show truck. I want to make it into a daily driver, complete with rust, paint, bondo, dents and any other flaws. I will first make it mechanically road worthy. Then find a way to preserve the patenia. I want to keep it with the weathered look. Thank you, Mark
Thanks guys. Right now I'm looking for tires to replace so I can get it to the shop. Speaking of tires, I was a little shocked in prices for the old look bias ply. Tire shop said might be cheaper to go new rims and modern radials? Has anyone put new radials on original 16" rims for these trucks? If so what size? I've read 195/80r/16 are a close match in size to the 600 x 16's. What about after market wheels? 6 x 5.5 x 16's what could backspace be? What's your thoughts on my patenia ideas? I've seen pictures where the rust is cleaned up, and then a neutral base coat is applied followed by clear. Rather than spend big money on paint and paint prep, I'd rather enjoy it as is. Root, I'm west of Faribault Hope everyone doesn't mind me asking a bunch of questions?
Welcome Mark, and ask away. To preserve my patina, more like to keep it from rusting away, I used phosphoric acid to neutralize the rust, smoothed the surface with scotch brite pads and rattle cans of clear satin finish rustoleum...there are other ways to achieve your results. Use the "search" tab at the top of the page.
Welcome aboard ! Looks like you have a barn find there ? I am glad you have it back in your ownership with the thought having it back on the road again. Good luck with the nice truck and thank you fore sharing the photos . Martinius.
I have some radials on my stock rims. I got some used (free) 195/85/r16s from my uncle. They are a little too tall but work for the time being. If you go that route here are my tips. 1)buy good quality radial tubes 2) get every last speck of rust out of the inside of the rim other wise your new tube will get a hole. Ask me how I know..... And yeah, you're a little south. My cousin lived there for a few years... in the prison....
Welcome to the forums! Great truck, cool story. Looking forward to following your progress on here. Damon
Old Rig , New Rims Yes , Radial LT tires go right onto the one piece typ of old rims , NOT the split typ . In either case , Brand 'F' " Econoline Vans from the 70's & 80's are plentiful in junkyards and have the 6 or 8 lugs you're looking for as well as the correct back spacing . They won't hold the original GM hub caps though but for $10 / each on average , they're the way to go for the DIY'er on a budget . Nate
Thank you everyone. Local tire shop found me some original styled black walls that will be in on Wednesday. I can get them mounted and the truck pulled out of storage, and trailered to the shop very soon. Besides wanting to keep the current patenia look, I've wanted the old style painted door signage that most every business had painted years ago. A local sign company sent me some samples, and they look great. That will be one of the last things completed after mechanics. Question. What is the story behind the front turn signals and location? Were these just an later option that were added? My truck came with a dual lenses, front and back fender mounted turn signals.
" Lollipop " Turn Signals Those were added on , if they say " GUIDE " on the lenses , they may well be a rare Dealer add on kit.... Most folks don't like them and remove 'em amd weld up the holes etc. but they're easy to fix and work really well at keeping goof balls from ramming your precious truck . Besides , who else still has them ? . if you like ' patina ' , they oughta please you muchly .
I do believe the truck had the arrow turn signals first, then replaced with the more modern full lens style in the 70's?
Lollipops It always depened on who did the install and what was in stock at the time..... I vastly prefer the arroed lenses and have a small collection of arrowed signals in pairs I need to dig out , clean up and sell off . One pair is chomed and oval shaped , I was going to put them on the bumper splash pan but never quite got a ' roundtuit ' .
