New Member ... 1953 Truck

[Chiefrocka]

Hey Guys !

 

Just thought I'd intorduce myself.

 

Name is John, and I own a 1953 Dodge Truck

 

 

Here is my story:

 

 

Along with my buddy, I run a Custom Shop here in town.

 

One day, a nice man came by my shop and inquired about finishing a 1953 Dodge.

 

We said, well we need to see it, in order to give you an estimate. He says its right next door in the mini storage.

 

We head over there, and all of it was in the storage unit, all in pieces. It was stored for 5 years...while he maintaned the Reg and Ins. (wow!)

 

We gave him a ball park, and he decides that he doesnt want to proceed and asks if we were interested.

 

I said no because I had to money, then he says "well, its FREE"

 

"OK..ILL TAKE IT !!"

 

So about a year later, I'm finally tearing into it !!

[Brent B3B]

Welcome, what are your plans for it? Any photos?

[buds truck]

Welcome! Although I am not on here much right now, I have a 53 that I have chopped and put on a first Gen Dakota frame.

Edited November 20, 2015 by buds truck

[ggdad1951]

welcome!  sounds like the price was right!  PICTURES!

[Chiefrocka]

Thanks guys ...

 

 

Looks like this forum doesnt like picture tags from tinypic or photobucket ...

[Merle Coggins]

I use Photobucket all of the time, as do may others. Just copy and paste the IMG link.

[John-T-53]

Highway 25 is one of my favorite back roads to drive my truck. Hollister to San Miguel, don't get much better!

 

Welcome!

Edited November 23, 2015 by John-T-53

[Chiefrocka]

I use Photobucket all of the time, as do may others. Just copy and paste the IMG link.

 

I tried ... but nothing happened.

 

I will give it another try

[Chiefrocka]

On to some pics ...

 

Here we are loading it up from my backyard:

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Edited December 1, 2015 by Chiefrocka

[Chiefrocka]

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[Chiefrocka]

Despite the looks of the truck, the gentleman kept all the parts in boxes and well labeled.

 

The only thing I dislike is someone along the line installed a temp gauge in the dash. At least they used a hole saw !!

[Chiefrocka]

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[Chiefrocka]

These pictures were taken a few weeks ago.

 

We have made some progress so far. We have gone thru all the boxes, and organized our findings.

 

My girlfriend is eager to learn, and a hard worker ... point her in the right direction, and she goes.

 

Big help, as I have a business to run with others vehicles ... and have no time for my stuff.....

[Chiefrocka]

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[Chiefrocka]

The Plans for this truck is simple.

 

Keep it cheap .... Clear Coat the Patina .... put it back together .... and RUN IT !!!

[Chiefrocka]

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ORIGINAL GREEN SHOWING THRU !

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I had her pressure wash everything to remove the dust and dirt from my windy back yard ....

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[Chiefrocka]

The previous owner had used some sort of rust convertor/neutralizer on most of the body ... I wish he would of left it alone...Cant complain for the price !!!

 

He seemed to be an extremely honest man, with a great heart. He claimed the Flathead was rebuilt, and running great when park 5 years ago...

 

With that being said, I have no reason NOT to believe him !!

Edited December 1, 2015 by Chiefrocka

[Chiefrocka]

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I bolted the fenders to the grill shell to get a visual of what a 53 Dodge looked like

 

 

 

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Edited December 1, 2015 by Chiefrocka

[Reg Evans]

That's a 48-50 grill shell.

[Chiefrocka]

That's a 48-50 grill shell.

 

Really ??

 

Well that's good to know !!!

 

The title says '53 ... lets see what else we can come up with, shall we ?!?!?

[Merle Coggins]

Didn't see any pics showing the rear fenders, the tell tale for a '53, but the dash looks right for a 51-53.

[48Dodger]

The doors are 51-53....

 

Would only need a 53 nose piece so far....along with all the trim.

 

 

48D

[Chiefrocka]

Next I moved onto what was left of the bed floor.  I cut the rusted carriage bolts, kept the strips, and saved the wood for fire wood....

 

 

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[48Dodger]

Bed is 1953....note the mounting holes for a 53 fender.

 

I'm betting the PO swapped out the nose piece.

 

Carriage bolts are hard to replace with the "right ones", steel strips are a plenty out there.

 

48D

Edited December 1, 2015 by 48dodger

[Chiefrocka]

Bed is 1953....note the mounting holes for a 53 fender.

 

I'm betting the PO swapped out the nose piece.

 

Carriage bolts are hard to replace with the "right ones", steel strips are a plenty out there.

 

48D

 

I'm not too worried about the carriage bolts ... some store galvies will work for now.

 

As far as the steel strips go .... how plenty are they ??

 

I was gonna try and roll some out, but ??

Edited December 1, 2015 by Chiefrocka