Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

you could also look into purpleheart wood, peltogyne, but it is pricey from what I hear. tough as nails though and guys use it for docks and the like so probably would be good decking.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Down to last $ so Lowes choicedeck in future is looking good. Went 30% over-budget due to "unforeseen site conditions" in engineer speak. Means rust and dents in "old truck speak". Fortunately the American dollar is only worth a dime nowadays. Waiting till tomorrow to bring it home as cab is not completely sealed up and still raining like Hades.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

yup, always how it goes. unforeseen site conditions. mine was so bad I had to bring my own site with me, haha. floor, front and rear cab mounts, firewall, door hinge lowers, rear lower door posts, cab steps, cowl inners, rear cab wall inner and outer, roof around the front upper windshield area. heck, might as well jacked up the gas cap and thrown a new cab under it, mighta been cheaper in the long run. but hey, couldn't have practiced all that welding technique....
it's a slow process but it will be awesome when it's done.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

looks awesome, and looks like you will make your may (almost june really) deadline

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Truck looks great! Keeping the same wheels and tires on it?

I love these trucks on some old steelies with some tall skinny tires!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attac...54chev9-vi.jpg

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Thanks for the encouragement. My timings been off and shoulda done this right back in 96. Poor old truck has had more lives than Dr Who. Now that i can see again i wish i had done more myself.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

The $$ issue means same wheels and tires.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Joy turned to disappointment this morning when i went to shop and pick it up. Drove it for first time since new engine and found the power brake unit took a dump. Booster and master cylinder sat for 17 years and didn't trust em anyway. Rest of system in new or refurbed already. Oh well maybe tomorrow (and another couple 100 $$$).

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

well, not good news but better to find out now than to find out on the freeway or part way down the big hill.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Well the brakes are fixed but the brand new GM performance 350 crate engine started leaking oil from around the harmonic balancer. Not sure whats next.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Well the brakes wern't fixed by the new (and probably unnecessary) replacement power brake unit. The leak was due to the crappy chrome timing cover provided from GM performance parts ( they will hear about it soon). Now no leak.
The front brakes needed complete replacement with new calipers and ceramic pads. The poor thing sat for years and the caliper pistons were stuck.

Shop is still struggling with the new Edelbrock 4 barrel from Summit that makes engine run rough.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Didn't get to pick it up last friday but Progress was made. My brand new Edelbrock 1406 Carb (from Summit) not only refused to be adjusted it caused a backfire so severe it blew the seals out of the new Edelbrock manifold and caused a big oil leak. No, it was not an ignition problem. The shop guys busted their butts, pulled and reinstalled the manifold and got a another new 1406 carb and put it in. This time it adjusted fine. Summit agreed to take it back, sent a call tag and did say they would consider some of the extra labor it cost me. Will report on that later. No sooner than it was running right the Alternator took a dump. Sheesh. Seems like all the replacement parts tody suffer from poor workmanship and qa/qc regardless of how much you pay. Defective parts have been a trend of late for us so heads up. Will be buying local from now on so returning defective S__T is quick and easy Maybe home soon.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Moderator please move this entire thread to build area were it belongs-- THANKS!!

Update:
Truck is finally home. Had it towed as still incomplete and not registered. Boxes of parts piled high awaiting installation. First step is to rip out the old cab shackle mounts i incorrectly installed back before the turn of the century. CAb was 3/4" too low on Pass side and 1" out of square. Was in a hurry and working in a sloped pasture laden with cow pies did not help. Going with a direct cab to frame mount with solid 3 point seat belt anchor points.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Well been busy. I replaced the jerry rigged cab shackles (see pic) Raised and leveled the cab using 3 4"x4" squares of 1" thick synthetic decking between frame and cab. Used a 3/8" grade 8 thru bolt and 2" washers to spread force on cab floor. The material will never rot, rust, swell or wear down at the heel. I also squared the cab to the frame to 1/4" front to back and side to side. It was off 1 1/2". Added all new lights. Halogen headlights, amber turn and park lights, LED taillights. I like the back up lights. Added some seriously loud horns under the grill. Tomorrow work on inside begins with new instrument and gauges. Again this is NOT a show truck and am pushing 70.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Oops you'll need to stand on your head to see the last two. Sorry (unless a mod can fix)

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

A bit more

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Well work has gone sloooow. Its been as low as 28F in an unheated garage and tough for these old hands. So far Grab Handles, bullet fog lights, electric wipers in, Horns, some gauges, a giant heater and now a defroster. Had to add a 2" aluminum billet type air filter riser to clear distributor. Told plastic ones may melt. The after market heater required new holes in the firewall. FWIW Finding firewall heater hose grommets not easy around here so used valve cover inlet grommets with the baffle cut off. I found my fancy aftermarket defroster kit Would NOT WORK. The defroster vent interferes with the wiper arms . Used original vents. 2" hose an 1.5" abs/pvc fittings and zip ties as shown. Not pretty but very military utilitarian looking and works. Heater fan will blow you out of cab on high. Need to put instruments in add turn indicators. May either hire someone to paint emblem on or buy a decal.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Sorry some pics ar upside down. Not sure why.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Nice Truck Beginnings :
I had to Increase Springs in My Door so the Cab Lights on Roof
will Clear .

I don't know why the Gus say -Must Remove Chassis and all that .
I have Original Brakes and they Stop very Well .
Yes I have to get on them , but what the Hey it's an Old Truck .
It's Not like I'm Going fore the Best 70 Mph to Zero of 142ft

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

PS: what did You do these Rain Wipers are - Cheap One 's
There must be something Better .. 12 Volts

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

I used the common 12 volt conversion from one of the big vendors. Cost about $150 with all the discounts and still needs work. They don't tell you that you need to drill the old rubber grommets out completely to install. I do not like the way it sounds and the fit of the motor to the wiper arms seems sloppy. May add extra washers or double up on the spring retainers (have an extra). BTW the one that came with broke immediately.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

I Traded an Ingersoll Garden Tractor , Mower Deck - HD with Timkin Bearings 54"

Wheel Weights -Coated Kind

Extra Set of Rear Tires which are getting hard to Find or find them
at 800 miles away . ( Big and Heavy )

Set of Chains . .

That Said : Even Thou these Tractor are Workers _ I did work the Tractor
7 yrs. I Plowed all My Area's Driveways & Library - entire Parking Lot .

During Massive Storms : I was Out an about in 5 Degree weather ..
in 1 yr. I did -- 144 Driveways I actually wore out a Snowblower that is
10 Ga. HD Snowblower - made to last 18 yrs.
( Wore It the F&^($% OUT ) $$$ . Tractor Paid for itself and another Newer Blower all the way from NJ .
I Than used that Snow Caster - 2 yrs. doing about 70 driveways a yr.
PLUS My Driveway during all of this . . During all the Turns Down ,
* Layoff's .*
Cut-backs , Stock Market Crashes , Economy Tanked ** ..

I reconditioned Tractor 5 yrs. ago 365 Hrs on Motor , so I got a Pretty Penny for it ! ( 2003 )

Tractor cost New about $9995.00 - $11000.00
NEW . This Tractor I traded was Far from New - and - Worked Harder
then Anyone has worked one of these Tractors .

ps: USAF 42 Yrs. ago ..had a 49 Chevy Couple back then
Ps: I Guess You could say it's taking Me a Long time to get a Truck .

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Been really busy. Tearing out bed and redoing the cab interior. Just installed a new headliner. On the 54 new flexible windshield and cab windlace rubber is extremly important in installing headliner. My windshield and cab windlace in brand new. Was able to install the headliner under both but it was a pain. The windlace rubber flexibilty is way more important and i would think it easier to install headline first. Not mentioned anywhere is the trick i found by accident. Use the metal center headliner bow as a guide to trim the cardboard edges to correct side to side length. Yes, you do need to trim it and its a hairy scary one try deal. Even more important is to wait till AFTER the headliner is completely installed to cut the holes for the Passenger side visor. Go slow. Use the supplied pattern to find the approximate hole locations with a small sharp awl and the visor bracket to get correct locations.. Another one shot deal with disaster a half mm away at all times. Lastly the rear headliner section usually needs to be trimmed to fit as well. Ignore what the experts say. Take the excess off the front edge and not the rear with the screw cutouts. IMHO the repop liners are all poorly made and shipped. My first one broke in half after a week of gentile flexing. Being tightly rolled saves shipping but renders the product very difficult to work with. Even side panels require careful trimming. FWIW i rethraded the new door cranks and handles. The asian threads and phillis head screws are garbage. 1/4x28 TPI allens work great and won't slip.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Finally got courage up to rip out the bed. I still remember installing it back in 1995 and the "marine grade plywood" touted to last forever was long rotted away. I had sealed it, painted it and did it all so it lasted maybe 15 years before giving up. New bed will be Choicedek synthetic with all stainless runners, angle covers and all stainless hardware. This one better last as its the last one i will install. What a mess. Had to grind most of the rusted bolts and tear out the runners with a crowbar.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Headliner turned out great..

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Thanks Mongo. Was worth the second try and all the swearing, sweating, pain and all that goes with it. One bad move and it would have been ruined Twice. This is not a easy job. This is Last time for me. Hands, neck and eyes are shot. I need someone to rebuild me.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

The link to this thread has been shared with some of those who may have seen this truck back when and hopefully some of the families whose loss is being remember by our humble efforts. That said we are merging all of the threads into this one. Hopefully the mods will move every thing to a build thread.


The last permanently installed sound system in this 54 was an aftermarket tube radio. Had a portable 4 track in it briefly until it was stolen 1n 1970. Yep someone actually stole a 4 track back then. Today we installed a new am fm, sd, usb you name it radio. The technological advances in 47 years is amazing to this old man. More amazing is that i just discovered that SD technology has apparently rendered Cassettes, CDs and about every previous recording mediums obsolescent. With a 32 GB SD you can record up to 4000 songs. I have 3910 to go. It went into the glove box as shown leaving room for a phone to charge. Only down side is remote will not work with glovebox door closed. Originally Posted by mr48chev View Post
Once you have it set up it shouldn't be much of a hassle as most of us set the volume where we want it and if you have a long play list on the SD card you are good for days.

4000 songs x 3 minutes each is 12,000 minutes or 200 hours single play. Would be nice to adjust volume and song selection with remote (or change inputs) think its an Ir remote so just leave box open. Don't miss the 4 track altho still have the craftsman tool sets the idiots left behind when i came out of house to see what the noise was about.

I put some 200 watt multi-range marine grade speakers behind seat. Sounds OK but who can hear anymore?

I might use the bluetooth from the future dash tablet for a remote as well.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Been down for months but got two brand new rebuilt eyeballs and picking up speed. Pushing 70 (not MPH) not easy. Added ooga horn , flux capacitor (fuse/relay panel) dash switch array, synthetic bed and all stainless hardware. Power running boards hung, Lots of wiring and tens of other things. Posting pics as i can. The boards make everything easier and they arnt even wired up yet.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

How did you get that to hang on the ceiling like that?

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Sorry even trying to post them in evey way possible (for me) they still come out upside down. If anyone can help please do so.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Fixed it by rotating 360 and re saving weird, Sideview with power retractable running board hung on fabbed swinging bar. Rear mount thru adjustable bracket. no more climbing. and can reach bed area easy. May add cover for bar to conceal mechanism. Remind me of wings on F-111 its dedicated to. Will have both automatic and on demand deployment.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

"Flux capacitor" actually a 10 fuse block/6 relay set up to service all the powered options. Goes with an 8 switch panel shown. The brace is mounted to the dash connecting rods with quick release nuts for easy servicing. The original 84 GMC fuseblock is ok but confusting and limited. Again wish this could be moved to the "build" area.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Power Running Boards and electronics.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Mine is 95% complete. After 58 years of bearing California plates and registration i finally got mine registered in Oregon. My automotive ties with that god forsaken state are finally completely severed. Poor thing was built in LA (Nov 1953) and spent at least half of its military career there. All have to do now is formally and legally report that its no longer in the state. Failure to do so allows the CA DMV Gestapo to put a lien on you for failure to renew registration there. (yes, they happily do that now so heads up). The whole deal (with USAF Veterans Plates) was under $200 for 2 years. FWIW New higher CA fees, Fuel taxes and other new laws kick in 10 days from now.
Attached Images

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

o u t s t a n d i n g


really nice follow through. nothing like setting a goal and meeting it. I really like everything, from the color to the details in the interior. super super great

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Thanks for your kind words. Its been a dream for a decade. Will never be perfect or detail exact but never wanted that. The grab handles and power running boards are a necessary "reasonable accommodation" as too old and crippled up to haul butt up into cab. Grab handles may keep me from ruining another tilt wheel.

Next step is to add the doors emblems and the polished Myrtle wood side boards engraved with the names of those who died in F-111a's in SEA from 1972 to 1973.

Using the old emblem but open to other suggestions. Again current USAF symbol "ist verboten" by them

also thinking of adding "no step" , "beware of blast" labels, interior ejection handles and "remove before flight" flagging. The dash instructions and tire pressures may be too much to add back.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Good work on eluding the CA DMV Gestapo!!

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Drove it for first time in 16 years!!! Good news and bad. The good news is Shop found vacuum leak was due to warped base on both brand new carb and intake. They added an additional spacer and thicker gaskets to fix, Timing was off by one tooth as well. The Rear fender filler worked well and filled without a hitch, burp or spill. Really bad news is the 700r4 tranny that was brand new in 1999 and hardly driven is slipping from sitting all those years. Looks like another 2k+ rebuild in near future. Two steps forward and one back as usual.

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Wow those are some expensive problems. That sucks! I can't believe the edelbrock carb would be warped, those things are already expensive enough without needing problems.

Might be worth finding a used 700r4. I ended up getting one for $250.

Good news is you got to drive! I bet that felt good

Re: 50 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

Was nice to drive after all these years. Like i said i was 18 the first time and that was a long time ago.

If the drop Pittman arm solves the hard steering i will be really happy. The arm was not changed when the frame was lifted 4" and may be the reason former owner lost control, flipped it and rode upside down a steep hillside shearing off the original k10 cab. Luckily he survived and I got the complete chassis cheap.

Being too old and living remote narrow my repair choices to almost none. Cost may be over double that in 1999. Luckily the dollar is worth less than 1 tenth of what it was then.