Hot Rods '48 Thriftmaster Truck build

Ok, so the F1 is gone to Texas. That was quick! Time for another Chevy.
Dead stock and well weathered '48 from Kansas we bought last year.
This is a very solid truck with a lot of age and scars showing. So perfect for a shop truck.
Plans are frame off build with new suspension, drivetrain, wiring and interior. Replace all of the gl***, wood and rubber. As always the engine bay, ch***is, interior and bed will be completely detailed.
Teardown started.

 

...wow, nice AD, good luck with yer build.

 

Riding along on your build ...

 

Very nice truck, what are your plans for drivetrain and suspension? Dropped Axle?

 

No. MII front /Ch***is Engineering rear.
350/700R4/10 bolt rear.
Power steering and brakes.

 

Looks nice and solid under the surface rust. Good ones are still out there.

 

That is a nice solid looking start. Never can figure why guys think shop truck means beat up and rusty though. Here where I live a couple of the local independent shops (Jack P***enger for one) and a couple of gas stations had the nicest looking older trucks in town as shop trucks. Jack's truck was a little Metallic blue AD with side boards with his shop name on them and wide whites and caps. He was noted in the North west for racing Hudson stock car. Even my step father's 54 for his construction company with the lettering on the doors was a pristine truck in the early 60's. Then you shop truck was part of your business image and a ****py looking truck meant you probably did ****py work.

 

That's a good solid truck. I gather those rear helper leaf springs are standard?

 

Yeah, springs are stock.
Just for the record, we leave some bumps and such so it looks well used.
Some of its history remains that way.

 

Cab is ready to set off.
Never bought one with such solid floors

 

I love it, real solid! Best to you man!

 

Looks like you’ve almost got these shop truck builds down to a science. Abouthow long does it take you to do these? Is it one or two guys doing the tear down? Do you send the frame out for blasting/powdercoating or paint? Are interiors sandblasted after rust repair?

 

Two guys, all sandblasted and we paint everything. We're averaging 10 -12 weeks on the builds. Getting tougher to buy a solid start anymore.
Had to stop on the Chevy as we just presold a second F1 and need to get it going.
I'll start a separate thread on it soon but here's a teaser pic.

 

Hey Aerocolor, When will you be restarting on this ‘48 Chevy? I was enjoying the start to it before you went to the F1.

 

My buddy and I restored 7 of our O/T cars last year. All barnfinds, we got into a routine with them and it all went surprisingly easy.


Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

It'll be late summer before we get back on it unless a window opens up sooner.
A '56 F100 and a second design Chevy are scheduled first.
Just finished the F1 and it went home yesterday.
Don't give up on us.

 

Wow that thing is solid...I've got a coupla ADs at my place in Tenn...a 54 and a 1st series 55....they are pretty solid too

 

" Everything old, is new again "

I am really enjoying the build on your truck, they have always been a favorite of mine. They are even cool when drawn as the condition they are in when found.
Enjoy.
Dennis.