Hot Rods My 1951 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton Stepside Build

HELP: I have the opportunity to purchase a 47-48 refurbished gas tank for cheap. I understand these mounted under the bed before they moved them into the cab. Will this work on my '51 rather easily? Tried a few searches and came up empty.

 

...it'll work but you'll have to fab mounting brackets, or find some originals, and the filler neck goes thru the bedside behind the cab in front of rear fender.

 

Have any links to pictures of how they mounted up originally on those years?

 

Installed a new cowl vent handle/brace last night with a good knob and adjusted the mechanism to work properly. Also put in a matching ignition lock cylinder to the glove box for which I have the key.

I also pulled my gauges last night for rebuilding/freshening up (new needle, decals and gaskets coming from Jim Carter). I know the oil pressure gauge works & i put the bulb from the temp. gauge into a pot of hot water and confirmed it works. I also put a multi-meter on the amp. and fuel gauge and both are functional. Waiting on my replacement speedo needle and decal kit and then these will be going back together looking as good as new!

Picture of Speedo

Picture of Oil/Temp/Amp/Fuel Gauge

Assembled May 11, 1951

Original Warning Tag on back of fuel gauge

Disassembled Speedo for cleaning, painting, decals and new needle

Disassembled oil/temp/amp/fuel gauge cluster

 

So did you get it running and driving by thanksgiving?

 

Low budget - That I did! Not drivable for hundreds of miles but technically running and driving!!! Feels good!

 

Was able to go pickup some more parts last night.

I got this '47-'48 original gas tank that has been restored:





Question: Can the filler neck unbolted and removed? I'd like to customize this filler neck to make an upward bend rather than outward thru the side of the pickup.

I got this complete original bench seat:


and finally I got this 2nd original bench seat frame:

Question: What is an original bench seat frame worth? I'll only need one of these and will be selling the other.

 

While I continue to contemplate the filler neck decision, I have gone ahead and mounted the tank. I know it's hard to see in the photos but there is rubber between each strap and the tank, as well as the frame and the tank to prevent any premature wear.

Picture from tailgate view


Picture from bedside view


I also installed my original seat and outside of needing some stuffing/padding, it looks pretty good!:

 

I've been working on refreshing my gauges since the weather has been so cold here. Below are some updated pictures:

Speedo Refaced, waiting on the needle


Battery and Fuel Refaced and Needle Repainted


Quick before/after

 

Nice work on the gauges. Truck is looking good!

 

Your seat 'back' is a bottom, bro! If you are in the 5'-5'4" range that could work nicely.

 

It is?!?! I wondered why it was attached in a modified way. I figured the original mounting tabs or something were missing. Thanks for the heads up!

 

Lots of progress in the last several weeks!

Gauges finished


Finished gauges installed


Took the pickup on it's maiden voyage!!!


Painted the inside of the cab:















And made door panels:



I have a new wiring harness and lots of rubber bits on order now for the windows, doors and floor.

 

[/QUOTE] I have a new wiring harness and lots of rubber bits on order now for the windows, doors and floor.[/QUOTE]


Boy I remember complaining of the accumulated cost of rubber parts on my 51.

Suggestion. I too took the tank out of the cab and installed it below the bed. I would suggest, because the tank rides so high in the frame not running the filler through the bedside. Looks bad there plus the fill tube will be visible within the bed in order to get proper flow when filling it. Instead install it in an inconspicuous corner in the wood bed floor making sure it sets below the bed level not to be hit or viewed above.

 

It's been a busy last several weeks with lots accomplished!

Re-wired the pickup completely!:





Installed new rear window rubber!:


Now for headliner, carpet and new windshield rubber!

 

Following your good work! Way to go!

 

...here's a shot of the filler neck on a below bed tank on a 47 Chev,...did you make heavy strap framework for that tank to sit on?...the originals used 1/4"-5/16" thick framework to hold the tank,...if you just used those retaining straps, I think you'll have problems with the tank dropping downwards., they are fairly heavy when full.

 

Thanks Rusty1, I did reinforce the bottom with strong metal for support and when full it doesn't budge.

Today a friend helped me install new windshield rubber. I also picked up and installed front marker lights as well as got my rears roughly mocked up.

 

I was able to finish my rear lights over the weekend, complete with brackets and lenses (they look kind of weird in the photo for some reason but they are straight and even):


I also was able to wrangle up some bed strips and build my bed out of pine (forgive the last piece as I hadn't put it in yet)!:


Putting in carpet later this week, and have headliner, door rubber, cab windlace and an exterior round mirror in the mail coming soon!

 

Great job on the bed! If you paint all six sides of those boards, that is the best protection for the longest lasting. Also, you'll flip the two farthest to the right for symmetry, right?

 

Good job on the window seals and the wiring. I did the same basic thing on mine, all new seals and wiring throughout. for my bed I just used a piece of plywood and put the strips on top, using the old holes as guide. looks good and the strips work to help protect the wood a bit.

 

Cosmo49 - Thanks for the kudos! That last board is just laying there in the picture and is actually now cut to fit and be symmetrical with the left side.

38Chevy454 - Great minds think alike!

 

You're doing a great job on this build. Keep the pics coming. Just an FYI - the bed sides are later ('54 - 55.1), the originals would have been angled. Love the green!!!

 

Thanks Waldo53! I know about the bed-sides but hey, they work (until I find a set of 51 bedsides)

 

Cool truck man! All looks good. I think you have a rear bumper on the front. The front bumper should follow the contour of the apron and not go so far past the fenders. Its also possible the bumper is bent in the center. Anyway, I cut the ends of my bumper 2.5in and ditched the apron, modded the brackets and scooched the bumper in up against the grill. To me it looks better. Someone on here suggested that, cant remember but maybe rusty1. Anyway, another AD back on the road!!

 

We had an 80 degree day today and I took the pickup out for a short cruise in my neighborhood. Here's a video!

 

Picked up a hood ornament at a flea market this weekend

 

Neat truck!

 

Good job. Nice truck!

 

That hood ornament is from an early 50's Chevy car, looks great! I may have to copy your effort (I have one in the shop). Where did you decide to drill the holes?