55 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100
 

It came from my Uncle who bought it in a surplus sale at Edwards AFB in 1964. He passed in 67 and I got it that year. I wound up in the Air Force soon after and it again spent considerable time on bases for a while. Some records show its been shipped around the world as needed. I've had it all this time and attempted various revivals this last half century, It was a 235/6 with a hydromatic tranny, then a 3 speed, then a 4. Needed four wheel drive and did a chassis swap with a 84 GMC k10 (350/700R4). I regret that, but had to. Now its up for its final (for me) restoration and I need advice on replacing the blown motor and such. Goal is a daily driver that i want to be somewhat a USAF tribute truck with the AF emblem on the doors and the names of all the aircrews we lost from the 430 TFS in thailand circa 1972. Advice on stuff like a crate engine and other mods to make a safe, long lasting driver /heirloom is appreciated by this old man.

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

Looks like a pretty solid body..unless it s still on the stock frame your going to need a complete donor chassis...if you want to make it dependable your best bet will be the s10 frame swap..unless your looking for v8 power you can even use the 4.3 engine and trans from the s10..joedoh has done several of these..check out his builds.. and thank you sir for your service..

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

You're from Oregon? Keep it 4WD, it will be highly admired in the logging culture.

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

What do you regret about on your chassis swap to the k10?
Just curious makes an awesome looking truck you see a lot of lowered ones on s10 fames but you don't see a lot of them on 4x4 setup.

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

It was in the dry desert in Las Vegas for many years then in the dry foothills near Placerville till 4 months ago. Now in OR the rust potential scares me

Sadly Its on a 84 gmc k10 frame 4x4 with a worn out 350. I needed a 4x4 for the ranch and the 84 frame was basically a gift. The old frame/engine/trans are long gone. Looking at a GM 350/290hp crate but need to pick a good carb. The 4175 holley has been a problem from day one. The Offy intake and M/t covers are neat but very old.

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

Being not a true 54 does make me sad, I fought the 50's technology into the dirt and badly needed a 4x4 for ranch work on steep grades The crappy torque tube drive line, poor oil pressure and brakes about killed me more than once. I still have flightline/ air force related paperwork i found under/behind the gas tank. Apparently they shipped these wherever needed so think its been to asia.

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

Are you wanting to keep it 4x4? Thats no problem...I thought you were looking to do a frame swap..my bad..my ad body is sitting on a 69 4x4 chassis now for the past 35yrs..but will be coming off to go on my custom built tube chassis.. I've got 4x4s running out my ears around here and want to take mine back a 2wd hotrod cruiser

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

Agreed. It's cool and different in it's own right. It will stand out (literally!) from the crowd.

And yeah, don't leave it outside in Brookings. 78 inches of rainfall annually - seriously? Even on sunny days, that salt air rolls in off the ocean so thick you can taste it.

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

Yep sticking with 4x4. We retired to a beach community and the weather/terrain here are unfriendly to non 4x4s/awd. Just the wet winter leaves and unpaved roads will stop a 2 wheeler. Its gone to restorer (yesterday) and need to pick a replacement 350 and running gear asap. Think I lost all my mechanic smarts when 65 blew past.

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

Me too. Projects that used to seem simple are now overwhelming.

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

You are right about rain and salt. Built a special garage with full 10' doors to accommodate it. We are on the beach about 40 miles North of Brookings. IT rains harder here than during the Monsoons in N. Thailand. The latter helped kill my CO. His name along with 8 others will be painted on the truck along with the old army air corp winged star on the doors. Plan to have it in the Brookings Memorial day parade next year Google "wild bill coltman - F111" if interested. He went down in late 72 and remains found in 2005(?)

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

It would be easier if my eyes could see what my hands are doing.

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

Have you given any thought to a LS swap? For about the same money as a crate you can do a swap..of course the 350 is simpler.but the ls has fuel injection ..ill never go back to carbs..I've got a 6.0 in my 81 and am doing the same for my 55.1 ad..on your running gear since you already have it setup for the solid axles just go back with the same setup..is something wrong with your running gear? How much stuff are you looking at replacing..we know your doing the engine so what else do you need to replace

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

Pretty cool that your doing a memorial truck..

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

love the truck, love it even more that you have had it 50 years. good luck!

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

We did lose the smarts we just realized we can hang a $50 bill in front of a 20 year old and get him to do a $200 job.

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

should have said we didn't lose the smarts

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

I like the 4x4. Great truck.

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

Check out these links.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=710984

http://www.throttleworks.com/projects/65

They're in Garden City, Idaho. Might be worth a day trip for you.

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

Curious about this LS you speak of. The running gear is fine. The 700-r4 was rebuilt to heavy duty standards and has less than 1000 miles on it (if that).
My engine tech is limited to old school due to lack of use. Heck i don't even know what "ad" means.

Thanks to all for the kind words and the links. Rather partial to the old Army Air corp symbol for the doors

https://www.google.com/search?q=army...ksovEQSuG0M%3A

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

How about hanging $15K in front of them? Still say i lost my smarts but can make up for it in $.

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

The LS swap is becoming the norm when upgrading engines now.these are the late model gm engines starting around 1999..also referred to as 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.2.. they can have a ton of miles on them with very little maintenance..not uncommon to have 300000 miles on on...you can buy a used ls engine with 150000 miles on it, stick it in your truck and not worry about it.around here i can pick up a 5.3 with 150000 miles on it for around $800-1000...i wouldnt use a small block with 150000 without a rebuild...nothing against a smallblock but with a LS your getting a more modern engine,more power, fuel injection, ,and better fuel economy.. there's tons of information on here about doing the swap..I'm just throwing that out there as a option..oh and ad stands for advance design..which are trucks built between 47 and 55.1 the next gen trucks are called tf or task force.

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

Golly I would have been 8yrs old when you got that truck
Do with it you want It's not an investment.!
Build it to suit your needs weather a parade vehicle a DD
or as a long distant driver,weekend car/show car, stump puller, paint it purple

it's your choice
.
again not an investment.!
Let your money by you happiness
Don't let it sit in the bank for a rainy day it may never rain
and you may never have a chance to drive you dream truck
around if you do
Does pw steering power brakes Leather seat make you feel good
or just the smiles on peoples faces as the see that truck on the road
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
..
.

.
I just lost my brother 4 weeks before his 60th birthday every bodys favorite Best brother ever.!
He died broke but had many many friend he lived life to the fullest
he lived his dream's
.
R.I.P. mark 07-23-56 ...06-10-16
.
http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshqawchsv.jpg
.
.

.
.
.
.


.
Me :Saving for a rainy day one penny at a time without a lick of sense
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

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

sorry thought this was another what should I do with my truck thread..

.
LS3 swap. for the win.!
Get the running gear out of an avalanche 99-04
cheep eazy build 4x4 Fuel injection overdrive thats why every ones doing it
make great power sound cool
.
back in the day we did the crate motor swaps because thats all there was
cheep ezy to get now... Forget about it.... LS3 super simple
and they will go 300,000 miles

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

Truck is cool as a 4x4. Like the story behind it also. get a gm crate replacement 350 and trans 700r4? then use one of the new self contained throttle body fuel injection units and I think you would have a nice reliable driver for not too much.
LS and 4l60e would be nice reliable just a bit more of a swap I think.

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

This is exactly the advice/suggestions i was looking for. Heres another new gadget i didn't know existed until you mentioned it. I like the idea of the 350/290 crate plus TBI. Looked it up and seems a good combo if not too many extra parts are required. Do these give better performance/mileage than a 4 barrel carb? In a no smog required area BTW. I see kits include a new distributor (which i would need anyway). Wondering if the edelbrock intake that comes with the crate is compatible? Also wondering if anyone/anything now exists to make the 700r4 kickdown and go into overdrive rather than the old dash switch it has now.

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

Anyone know about the stuff in previous post. Need to make some serious decisions pretty soon.

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

Vin,, you get get more specific answers if you posted your engine questions in the engine section on here..lots of knowledge on this site. I think this is what mikes referring to but those aren't cheap..its basically a carb replacement..but the beauty of it is its fuel injection.http://www.jegs.com/i/FITech+Fuel+In...KT-RoCQe3w_wcB

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

Well the engine has arrived at the shop ok but they tell me BOTH the existing 84 GMC auto/tilt steering column AND the replacement are too loose. Was thinking of rebuilding it myself but hands and eyesight is shot, Was thinking of a shop rebuild but no one does it for 2-300 miles around brookings, or. Now thinking of an after market one like a street rod. Don't need the key on column as the starter button is on the dash as well as the ignition key in their factory positions. Any recommendations?.

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

.
if i can do it anybody can
.
this is the hardest part
.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EO...w1434-h1075-no
.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N...w1434-h1075-no
.

.
.
and the money shot 9 time out of ten the bearing fall out make it loose
.
.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/es...=w807-h1075-no
.
.
you can do this it's just not that hard to get a part
Here's a link hope this is ok with the mods here.....Sp
.
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=263218
.

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

The build continues. I wish i could still do all my own work but health forces me to have heavy stuff done. I still get to make choices (and mistakes) but here it is so far:

The fire wall was too shiny but ok. Main color will be matt Air Force blue. Interior will retain most of the original partw with the exception of a new tilt steering wheel.

Its a old school 350/300HP with and Edelbrock carb and dress up kit.

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

more pics:

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

great progress! probably runs a little better now:metal:

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

Thanks. Actually happy its a "resto-modification" and can use all new up to date running gear. After decades of dealing with obsolete tech a purist restoration would not provide the reliability i need nowadays. I had all new fuel system put in (Tank, sender, lines and pump). The original system would frequently clog with rust. All the rubber, and interior parts are stacked up ready for install after paint. I chose to have the unseen portions of the cab like floor, jams, running boards, lower cab etc. covered in bed liner. Still debating inside bed walls. Leaning toward synthetic decking for bed due to high rust in this salt air. If anyone has spare bench seat parts would like to hear from them. Goal of being in 2017 Brookings Memorial day parade with my 92 year old AF vet neighbor is still on

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

Some progress pics:

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

More pics. Windows now in, bed is on. Coming home soon. I am broke.

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

Very nice...Awesome stance on that 4x4...love it. Color looks sweet!!

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

One more, Bed floor will have to wait for pension check replenishment. May need to find sponsors.

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

when looking for synthetic decking material check out trex. it is sold plastic all the way through with a wood grain embossed in. it cuts fine,like wood, and you can easily router it as well. my deck is going on year 10 in Calgary's hot/cold/chinook weather and it is still going strong. wouldn't break the bank either for how much you need. comes in 20ft length, at least it used to.

nice looking unit. have fun and do it your way. like said earlier, don't look at it like an investment, if you do you won't drive it in case it gets scratched. all that money tied up and you don't drive it.

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

Thanks. I agree and decided on synthetic with SS rails long before i started. The bed you see is 20 years old and is made of marine grade plywood. I can push a finger thru the front where leaves and water collected. Thats after 2 decades in a dry climate. Only synthetic would survive here in OR on the beach. Heck even cedar doesn't last.