1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Been looking for a AD truck for several months. Some had title issues, no vin, missing too many parts etc. Came across this 1949 on Craigslist. No engine or transmission but fairly complete minus engine and tranny and a good VIN. Exactly what I wanted since the plan is to run a modern LS engine 4L60 combo. Picked it up for 2500.
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3u8mfved.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Love the look of these old trucks. This Art Morrison farm truck is kinda my inspiration. Mine won't be as low and will be wet black but you get the idea subject to change...
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psazli5p16.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Got her home and started dismantling. The bodywork looks OK. The cab is starting to scare me. Definitely needs new rear lower 1/4 panels and floor pan. The blue isn't the original color looks like it was red. Gonna have the frame and cab blasted and go from there. Hopefully I get the cab off today.
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnc739cmr.jpg
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psa9ouqvjs.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

It was between Art Morrison or Scotts Hotrods suspension. Chose Scotts because they are local, made in USA and willing to work with forum members. Ordered IFS with LS mounts and 11" rotors wildwood 4 piston. 4 bar rear with coil overs 9" ford axle. Enough to keep me busy for a while.http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmkevdyzn.jpg
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psxhipvwcl.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Question: is classic industries a good source for parts? They are local I think in Huntington beach
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Nice, I bought a Scott's front end for my truck. Looking forward to watching your installation.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Welcome to the group, nice looking truck, and nice looking parts...Jim

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Welcome Flysocal! Nice truck...AD's are my favorite. Scotts IFS looks really good. I have ordered from Classic however they weren't AD parts.

Good luck with your build. I will be tagging along.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Spent some time in the garage today taking things apart. Removing the steering wheel was a bear until I made my own puller. 1/4 scrap metal bar drilled a couple holes 5/16 coarse bolts and wheel came off easy. Lifted the cab off the frame. Getting closer to bare frame. Think I'm gonna work with frame as is and have it blasted after I do all the welding. It's pretty obvious the frame has only surface rust it's pretty solid. The cab unfortunately is a little more work than I would like. Needs new floor, rear lower corners, rear window, firewall, and blasting might reveal even more since it was repainted and has some bondo. I'm gonna look for a new cab and sell mine. Bed parts are pretty bad also. Hood, fenders, doors, grill, frame is good so although I could have done a better job selecting a truck it's not a all bad. Heading out to Scotts hotrods tomorrow to iron out the details on my suspension etc.
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0hic31fc.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Got the frame almost cleaned up. Ground down the rivets on the leaf suspension mounts. Having a hard time getting mounts off. Tried a big hammer. Tried driving a wedge (chisel). Maybe time for heat? Any suggestions how to get these off?
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http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3giykxxk.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Picked up an LS1/4L60 out of a 99 Camaro SS supposedly it had been sitting in storage for 15years got a great deal on it.
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psibgagjfd.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

I did everything you did but then used my punch and chisel on my air hammer. That did the job. If the rivet didn't want to move I'd do the x-pattern in the head on the backside and punch it out or take the chisel to the bracket to try to pry it off. Whatever i could get leverage on. Wasn't the easiest thing but I got them off.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Nice build. Grind your rivets down flush. You should be able to see the outline of the rivet. Centre punch and drill a 1/8" or a little larger hole about the thickness of the frame deep or a little deeper. Then take a punch and pound the rivets out. This relieves the stress on the rivets. Try it and see if it works for you.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Nice score on the engine!

This worked thanks
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Already picking out wheels. Really like the foose F099 but they are only available in 17 and 18. 18x8 is perfect for front but no 20 available for rear. Just a 18x9.5 which might be fine if I run a little more meat.
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psyvu8a4k7.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Inc project, looks like you're moving right along.

I just removed a bunch of rivets on my '55.2 about a month ago. Ground them flush and used a big flat faced 1/4" punch and a 3 lb single jack. Took a few hits and was at times hard to see the outline of the rivet with the head ground smooth but I got them all off. Stick with it.

Looking forward to watching your progress. I'm relatively nearby in Pasadena. If you need an extra sets if hands drop me a PM and we can exchange contact information, maybe give each other a hand here and there.

Thanks buddy might hold you to it.

Frame is almost cleaned up. Took a wire wheel to the top and sides then flipped it over to get better leverage on some stubborn rivets. Will get the engine cross member and remaining rivets pounded out tomorrow. Then it will be ready for Scott's ifs and 4 bar. Should be ready in a couple weeks! Looks like I will need 1 running board bracket or maybe I can weld it. Not going with the foose wheels because I want a 20" rear. Thinking about Boyd's junkyard dog in chrome. They come in 18x7 or 8 front and 20x9 rear. Does anybody have any advise for my vin? It's worn out and has yellow paint all over it. Is there repops available?
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Nice...looks like you're getting all the goodies for this ride.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Threw in the towl on my cab. It needed a ton of work. Found a rust free 54 cab on Craigslist. That's right, rust free and no bondo! I really like the 54,55 cabs. One piece window and smooth roof. No left cowl vent. Cleaner setup IMO. I also prefer the dash over the earlier models. Built a cart so I can move it around easier, slips over the frame.
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqqrnamn5.jpg
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psjloc4yl3.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Nice looking cab...Jim

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Nice score on the cab. Rust free is really hard to find around here.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Got a bunch of parts from Scott's hotrods. Front ifs with power rack stock spindles. 12" wilwood rotors with 4 piston calipers. moser 9" rear end. Scott's 4 bar with 11" wilwood rotor/built in parking brake. Lots of good stuff. My first impression is the stuff from Scott's is really nice. Excellent welding. Minor trimming to make the front crossmember fit. I'm mounting it at 20.6" from the front of frame to center of wheel. Burned in the supplied boxing plates then realized I need more trimming to make the steering rack fit. Doesn't look like the frame needs notched but I'm not sure yet. Gonna get back to it tomorrow.
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psuu8ruqst.jpg
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvz2n8w3d.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

More pics
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...pseyemz3d1.jpg4314-AA96-2468D64AA2A6_zpsmjgniwyx.jpg.html]http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmjgniwyx.jpg[/URL]
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...pspxummabt.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

awesome man ill follow along for this one

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Any updates??

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Subscribed, Looking good! nice cab.
I've ordered several items from Classic and found they ship quickly and have good prices. Matter of fact I should be getting a windshield gasket today from them!

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Did u trash the original blue cab... man a pressure wash and green scrubby followe'd by a coat of penetrol and that blue paint would look great... hole in the floor = ventilation. Nice ride.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Been busy collecting parts, waiting on media blasting, reading threads on this forum.

Decided on 54 front clip in addition to the 54 cab. Crap I didn't realize all that was involved. Basically all new (used) parts cab forward. So it's turned into a 49/54 hybrid. 49 frame and bed.

Been working on cab. Filled in fuel filler hole and cowl vent. Fixed a couple of tears/ fractures in cab floor. A little hammer and dolley work. Waiting on a couple patch panels from classic parts.

Ordered a seat from wise guys

Jerry from Dr Js rebuild 3 of my door hinges. One was good. Should have them back in a couple days.

The plan for the next month or so is to get the cab and doors all straightened out. Space is limited in my garage so frame is in dry storage for now.
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psty81yutx.jpg
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps04yhxhgb.jpg

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

This is the only surprise from media blast. Overall the cab is really solid. So nice that I felt bad cutting out the seat riser in preparation for my wise guys seat. I was going to buy a smooth firewall, floor, inner fenders from absolute sheet metal but no point fixing what ain't broke. This week I'm gonna buy some 18 gauge and fill holes. From what I've read, an LS1 should fit (tightly) without any modifications to the firewall, floor or inner fenders. So I'm going to run oem sheet metal for now and hope for the best. http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psszk7jnch.jpg

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Your original cab looks like one of those used in the Old Navy stores, they were painted the same and with no engines or trans in them either. My first purchase was a 49 Chevy cab and replaced it with a 54 GMC. Will follow your build with interest.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Patch panels arrived from classic parts. Tackled the fenders. Good quality panels but needed a little massaging
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1hxpfuy8.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqdcf5vqr.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Looks good...Jim

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Nice repair job!

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Nice progress its funny my driver side cowl looks just like yours minus that mine is dented in about a inch haha.
Btw noticed your in Glendale, Pomona swap meet is this Sunday if you don't know already!

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Thanks for the reminder! I'm gonna try and make it

Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Cab is coming along. Got most of the sheet metal repaired and hung a door. Halfway done smoothing the firewall. Almost time to get the frame back in the garage.
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psrvw25457.jpg
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psonxtjyfz.jpg
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqj8apdxg.jpg
I guess I didn't need to buy the patch panel
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Re: 1949 Chevy 3100 Build Thread
 

Once the cab is cleaned up I will carry on with the chassis. Got it sandblasted so I can get clean welds. I understand the stock rear track width is 60". My moser custom rear end is 58 and I think that's gonna be a problem. I don't want to tub the bed. I would like to run 18 or 20s in the rear 9" wide. Fender is 11.5" deep so it will be a tight fit but doable with the pan hard. I'm going to replace my 58" with either a 60 or 62" not sure yet but 58 is def too short. Bed is 50" wide plus 11.5 for the fender. So I would need a spacer for the wheels or Custom make a 9" wide wheel with a 3" backspace. Best thing to do is get a wider axle I think....