My 47/51/53 build

[etrone76]

This is my first big project so Im learning as I go....building a mixture of 47-53 Chevy 3100 as a gift to my mom. Updated front suspension with a Mustang II set up, rear 4-link with coil overs, moved fuel tank to under bed, repaired/replaced rust, vintage air, LS 5.3 and 4L60 trans.....I have been working on during the weekends for about 3 months.

[etrone76]

more pics....

[etrone76]

pics of cab work.....

[etrone76]

more cab pics...

[etrone76]

steering column and pedal fabrication....

[etrone76]

rear suspension work...

[dmack91]

Nice start. That is a lot of progress for a couple of months. Keep it up.

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by dmack91

Nice start. That is a lot of progress for a couple of months. Keep it up.

Thanks, its kind of addictive....start working and before I know it I have been in the garage for 8-10hrs.

[Midgets50]

good progress so far looking good. yes these projects are addicting. over the summer i would lose track of time and spend over 12 hours working on it

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by Midgets50

good progress so far looking good. yes these projects are addicting. over the summer i would lose track of time and spend over 12 hours working on it

Lol, I know what you mean....just one more thing....ok, one more. I work until Im so worn out I'm either tripping over stuff or dropping everything. Progress provides more motivation to keep going.

[ricott]

Great start to your project. Engine looks like it came out of a Trailblazer (front sump in the pan). What pan did you wind up using to get the engine in the truck?

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by ricott

Great start to your project. Engine looks like it came out of a Trailblazer (front sump in the pan). What pan did you wind up using to get the engine in the truck?

Thanks. The engine is an all aluminum 5.3 that came from a 2008 GMC Envoy Denali. When I got the eingine home I discovered that the short block was replaced with one that had a Mfg date of Jan 2012. I also have a an L92 6.2 LS from a 2010 Escalade that Im putting in a 67 Camaro and I used the pan from it. I think they are the same as the truck pans but I'm not 100% sure. The sump on stock pan from the Envoy went too far forward so the engine was really close to the firewall in the back and the front edge of the sump was almost touching the crossmember.

[Katrina/10]

Nice work, why did you have to slice the crossmember?

[L_Brown]

I am digging that rear suspension. Who makes it, would it work on a 56.

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by L_Brown

I am digging that rear suspension. Who makes it, would it work on a 56.

I ordered the kit from Paul Hortons Welders Series, its a standard Triangulated 4-link kit so I'm sure you can make it work in your application. It was actually fairly simple to install, just alot of planning and measuring.

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Nice work, why did you have to slice the crossmember?

Thanks, when I was installing the Mustang II crossmember there was a small gap between it and the inside of the frame rails so I decided to cut about a 1/4 out of the center of the crossmember to pull the frame rails in tight to the crossmember. Luckily all the front sheet metal and radiator support still fit good.

[etrone76]

Update: New complete bed from MAR-k is here, Gauges and rear QA1 coilovers from Summit and bench top bead roller from Eastwood. Hopefully I can get the coilovers and fuel tank mounted this weekend then test fit the bed............and tear it all back apart. Need to fab up a trans tunnel cover since I had to cut some out to get the 4L60 to fit adn fill the battery box cover in the floor. Then I will be ready to pull the cab off and finish cleaning up the frame to get it ready for paint.

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by etrone76

Thanks, when I was installing the Mustang II crossmember there was a small gap between it and the inside of the frame rails so I decided to cut about a 1/4 out of the center of the crossmember to pull the frame rails in tight to the crossmember. Luckily all the front sheet metal and radiator support still fit good.

There seems to be a lot of variation in those old truck frames and the crossmember kits out there. Since the sheet metal all sits on the center, it shouldn't cause too much a problem. Might have to bend the bumper brackets in a little bit.

[etrone76]

Made alittle more progress over the weekend. Got the coil overs installed and the gas tank mounted, also made the battery box cover (moving battery) and trans tunnel.

[etrone76]

a few more pics....

[69CST-V]

Nice progress. Subscribed.

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by 69CST-V

Nice progress. Subscribed.

Thank you, its been a great learning experience so far.

[oldman3]

Glad I happened on to your build, nice work, will continue to follow....Jim Oh yeah, welcome to the site.

[iowaboynca]

Hey E, nice build! Whose front end kit is that? Is it a Paul Horton's too?

[etrone76]

Originally Posted by iowaboynca

Hey E, nice build! Whose front end kit is that? Is it a Paul Horton's too?

Thanks, Paul Horton has a great kit for these trucks but I actually got this one on Ebay from a company called Rod Parts Dealer....the quality of the kit is great but it did take awhile to get in once I ordered it, 4+ weeks. They didnt have the best customer service and support either but I saved a couple hundred bucks....not sure if it was worth it in the end.