Thread: 53 Is back from the Body Shop

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If I didn't have to fight this thing together, it wouldn't seem right. I never took the mounts off the frame so they should be where they need to be. I will see what I can bend around this week.

Well.. I can't see why it's putting up a fight. It's certainly not the mounts if they've not been removed ... has the body/box been apart? Could it have twisted?

I'm not sure, I haven't looked at it much yet, the passenger side fits ok. It has new box sides and fenders, Its either aftermarket stuff sucks as usual or at some time it the pickups life the brackets got bent up, which could easy be.

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I'm not sure, I haven't looked at it much yet, the passenger side fits ok. It has new box sides and fenders, Its either aftermarket stuff sucks as usual or at some time it the pickups life the brackets got bent up, which could easy be.

It could be that aftermarket stuff is not perfect. A long time ago we did 3 trucks like yours in a body shop I worked at. We had so many parts we had to return because they didn't fit or were just junk, it was pathetic. When I started doing my 72 I thought the aftermarket stuff would be better but no, not really.

Today I declare major combat operations over. Rest assured there of course will be insurgents to be dealt with but as of tonight, all body panels aside from the tailgate are bolted on with acceptable tolerances. I'm not 100% sure what the deal was with the running boards but tonight we I got everything bolted on with a little bending and moderate taping. I am pretty happy with the way it's all fitting, that sure is a good feeling. On a side note we are catching the edge of that ice storm and good grief is is slippery out there going back and forth to the shed.

That's good news. At least you're able to assemble it and start the real work.. fitment!

Must be scary trying to install those part with a freshly painted body "right there"..??..??

We definitely had to be careful. We had it covered in tape and my wife was watching and helping so it all went well. I definitely learned some tricks on what should go on first an how to bolt it up nice. I'm glad nothing back there was painted because it would have been ugly.

We used to fit everything before painting because they always needed some sort of work to get put together. Just like yours did. It is looking very nice. Watch those wet spots and puddles. Dumb ice is hiding under the water waiting for you to slip and get a painful bath.

Yeah, that is what I'm having trouble getting my head around, why wasn't the pickup bed, rear fenders and running boards all pre fitted before paint and are you now going to have to dismantle it all again to have them painted ? Does your painter have enough of that mixture in stock so that it will perfectly match the cab and front fenders ? I sure you have a simple explanation as I may of missed something.

Valid question, this is why. I talked to to body shop about this pickup in early summer and I was very happy that they will do this kind of work because most will not. They were going to start on it when they slowed down a bit. The problem was that they never slowed down and just kept getting busier so they just opened a slot and scheduled it in. But from the very beginning thier plan was to do the front, send it back to me so I could put things together and then do the back during a slow time again.They were so busy i didn't dare throw the box at them too. I asked them about matching the paint and they said it was no problem. They have a computer eye that scans the paint and then matches it perfectly, he really reassured me of that. I've had these guys do work for me before and have never been disappointed. They hold a high bar for the other shops and I know them pretty well and trust them.

Looks nice and tidy with that filler panel in there!

I don't know if you're on Facebook or not but Custom Classic Trucks Magazine is doing a quick build of a '52 Chevy pickup for Speedway Motors. They're doing daily live feeds of what they're accomplishing. You might find some ideas for yours if you're interested.

I seen that on my latest Speedway catalog, kinda cool but I wish they wouldn't chop up a restored one. I think they should have chose one to save instead.

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I seen that on my latest Speedway catalog, kinda cool but I wish they wouldn't chop up a restored one. I think they should have chose one to save instead.

In what I've observed on facebook, it doesn't look like they've cut up anything. Looks like they built a new chassis with Speedway parts and dropping the restored body on it with a few modern conveniences.

Saw the first video segment yesterday. Pretty nice truck to start with.