Bought 38 Chevy truck. Was sitting in a barn since the mid 70's and sitting in a garage since then. Frame looks very good. Fenders are kinda in rough shape. New to all of this. Would like to talk with some others with more knowledge than I have with this lol. Any help with rebuild and where to start would be very much appreciated. Thanks
First decision is what you want the truck to be, and how much you want to spend. Getting it running and stopping first, followed by safety items, and then cosmetics. A lot of time someone just getting into this will develop grandioso plans, dis***emble it, lose interest, and then sell it. Stay conservative the first time.
'37 - '38 are one year only trucks, cabs, beds and fenders interchange. The whole grill and radiator housing interchange as a whole unit, frames and drive train are the same. Cabs are small with little leg room, your driving position is setting upright. Fuel tank is under the seat in the cab. Engine bays are short and low, getting modern engines in requires radiator relocation, the stock engine has a high mounted water pump and fan. My 1970 250 inline six has a low water pump so 1/3 of the fan was below the core of the radiator, V8s will be the same. Finding good steel fenders will be tough, fibergl*** is available along with new beds. Lots of reproduction parts available, not all fit or last. Windshield frames and grills are expensive ! Top speed of a stock truck will be around 50 mph. To change the rear axle, you start with the transmission and work back. Width is the same as a Camaro or Firebird from the 70's, so plenty to choose from. What else you want to know? Here are some pictures of my '37, I've been messing with it for 28 years.
late 80's-early 90's Japanese truck rear ends fit perfect and available in matching 6 lug. I built a 38 and used a 84[?] Nissan 4x4 for parts. I used the rear axle, pedals, master cylinder and booster, and adapted the rotors/calipers to the 38 front axle/hub.
The Jalopy Journal
