Thread: My First Project: 52 Chevy Pickup

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Been waiting for years to get a vehicle like this, and finally have found one, a 52 Chevy. Wanting to put a 350 in place of the 6, but just thinking where to start right now, what do you guys think??

OK, sit down and figure out what you want the truck to be when finished. How do you want it to drive? Automatic or stick? All street or some drag race? What percentage? Power brakes or reasonable manual brakes? Armstrong steering or power steering? Stock suspension or different? If different, do you want to buy something ready to install and bolt in or weld in or do you want to do a clip swap yourself or a frame swap or whatever? How much of this work can you do yourself? Do you have a place to work on the truck? Do you have tools? Do you have time? Do you have money?

If you have time, place, money, knowledge and tools, start at the rear of the truck. Either buy a pre-engineered 4-link rear suspension or design and build your own using coilovers or coils and shocks. If you know nothing about designing a suspension, don't let that stop you. I, along with others on this site, can point you in the right direction. It ain't rocket surgery. It's just plain old hot rodding and a little geometry. Oftentimes it's just as simple as swapping in another rear clip, like maybe one from a '78-'86 GM G body (Malibu, Monte Carlo, El Camino, Olds Cutlass, Pontiac Grand Prix, Buick Regal). The track on these cars is very close to the track of the old truck, so it wouldn't look goofy like some swaps do. If this idea appeals to you, begin searching around your area for a derelict donor car. You may decide you'd like to use the front clip out of it also for the power steering and power disc brakes. Motor mounts would already be in place to accept the small block Chevy.

The rear that's in the truck now will not hold up very long with a modern V8 up front, so you'll have to change out the rear anyway. May as well get it over with first. If you lose interest in the old truck, it will be more saleable with the rear done and no motor than it would be with a hot rod motor and stock rear. Anyway, that's how I see it.

Here's an article I wrote for the Crankshaft Coalition Wiki. It was for the benefit of one of the members on this forum who was frame swapping an International pickup....Read through it and see if it sounds like something you would like to tackle...with help of course.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Frame_Swap

I'll only add to what Richard said, Plan your work, Work your plan!!! A build always goes best when you decide on a "theme" for the truck!!!! If you're artistically inclined or have a friend that is work through some sketches of the look you want when it's done.

As this is your first build of such a project, take a lot of pics before and during the dissassembly process--it's a great help when prepping things for paint and for assembly to know what parts you'll need.

Also, not meaning to put a stick in your spokes but just a couple things we've all found to be true through the course of a build:
1. It's going to take longer then you thought.
2. It's going to cost more then you thought.

Finally, remember the build isn't a race. Take your time and enjoy the process!!!!! The only things that separates a first rate build from just another truck is fit, finish, and detail!

Thanks a lot fellas. I know I will definitely be returning for Q&A's and ideas! I'm soon to be 21 years old, so I have plenty of time to turn this ole' metal heap into my masterpiece. My senior year should fly by, which will leave more time to work on her. But will make due for the summer while I'm home. Thanks again for direction and support, will keep ya fellas updated

Its great being 21, and having older wiser heads to keep you on track. And what the guys have written above is wisdom that I wish I had at 21.

From my many hot rodding failures I have learned the following:

Buying shine stuff makes your bedroom look cool, but doesnt get the hot rod finished any quicker
Borrowing money at 21 to build your hot rod isnt so wise
Having a 'mechanical mate" is a godsend
Start with the end in mind (and dont change the plan)
Making the hot rod nice and driveable is a good idea
Making a hot rod that looks way cool but is a dog to drive is not a good idea
Drag racing is great fun and very addictive
And addictive costs plenty

If I was 21 and building that truck, I would look doing a frame swap. And dont rule out the Jappa utes from the early 90s either.

Down here they are common, and often rusty and usually cheap. A few of them even have the 5 on 4 1/2 Ford stud pattern, disc brakes and a diff that okay for a mild sbc. If your truck needs floors anyhow, then its not a major to fabricate one to fit a new frame.

All the best with your project.

Todd

I have done 4 of these trucks and love them. I can help as well just ask

Thanks again for the advice fellas, its always welcome and greatly appreciated. will definitely be asking a lot of questions, about what fits what doesnt and what works and what doesnt. the less experimenting i have to do will allow my creativity to flourish with the guidance and direction of my "mentors". Thanks again guys, and happy hot roddin'

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Todd

Its great being 21, and having older wiser heads to keep you on track. And what the guys have written above is wisdom that I wish I had at 21.

From my many hot rodding failures I have learned the following:

Buying shine stuff makes your bedroom look cool, but doesnt get the hot rod finished any quicker
Borrowing money at 21 to build your hot rod isnt so wise
Having a 'mechanical mate" is a godsend
Start with the end in mind (and dont change the plan)
Making the hot rod nice and driveable is a good idea
Making a hot rod that looks way cool but is a dog to drive is not a good idea
Drag racing is great fun and very addictive
And addictive costs plenty

If I was 21 and building that truck, I would look doing a frame swap. And dont rule out the Jappa utes from the early 90s either.

Down here they are common, and often rusty and usually cheap. A few of them even have the 5 on 4 1/2 Ford stud pattern, disc brakes and a diff that okay for a mild sbc. If your truck needs floors anyhow, then its not a major to fabricate one to fit a new frame.

All the best with your project.

Todd

What is a Jappa utes?

Jappa Utes are vehicles from those little islands to the west of Hawaii that lost the second world war but got the last laugh when they started flooding the world with there little recircled tin can cars...
Utes are what you fellas call trucks,we and our Aussie mates refer to our light commercial vehicles as utilities and you folk call them either trucks or pickups.

Thanks Whiplash.

They are the Japanese 4 cylinder "minitrucks" that have taken over the world. well the do down here anyway. I think the Toyota Hilux has been the best selling commercial vehicle in New Zealand for over 15 years.

So a Jappa Ute is a Toyota Hilux, a Nissan Navara, a Mitsubishi L200, a Madza Bounty/Ford Ranger or an Isuzu/holden Rodeo.

Im guessing you would best recognise the old Chevvy Luv.

Their chassis fit well under old pickups. keeps the front wheels well under the guards and allows heaps of room at the back for big rubber.

I owned when I was a kid a 1953 chevy car.If the trucks are the same,there are two firewall supports that needs to be trimmed of removed if any V8 engine is put in there.The rear end was a torque tube style if memory serves me correctly.

Yeah that car was a learning curve first hot rod with training wheels still in place.I put in a Hemi 354 in it and the wt of 750 lbs engine made the stock front end drop like a rock.It was a chewing gum,baling wire mod that I did get running and drove it only acouple of times.The front wheels bowed out so bad from the wt of the engine it was hard to control.

Sold the old rust bucket to a guy who pulled the engine back out and put it into his Dodge station wagon the right way as a sleeper.

WhipLash & Hot Rod Todd, your from New Zealand? Im thinking about doing a study abroad program there this upcoming spring. May have to get together and do a little hot roddin'. haha

One of the first things you need to do is to "design" your ride by picking a style: low-rider, retro, custom, stock, etc. Find a photo of a truck you really like and emulate it with your build. That way you will have a visual goal in mind because building anything is a matter of making a lot of choices, and you should only make each choice one time. Otherwise, it gets expensive doing it a second time. Once you have your plan firmly in mind, you can start. These trucks are very cool when they are nicely done. A lot of people on this forum are more than willing to assist you. Ask away!

Originally Posted by TylerZ07

WhipLash & Hot Rod Todd, your from New Zealand? Im thinking about doing a study abroad program there this upcoming spring. May have to get together and do a little hot roddin'. haha

If you come down here, you can be sure that you will be looked after and that you will have a great time.

I may have to take you up on that offer. the country looks beautiful. Thanks for all the support fellas. now im just lookin around for a frame to slide under her. and tryin to think of a name for her. haha