53 Chevy PU

[Husker]

I am building a 53 3 window, I found it stuffed in a warehouse for $800.00 last summer. It has a Nova subframe and rear end that were installed when I purchased it. The cab is in great no rust shape, I do need a good left front fender and a tailgate if anyone has something decent.

Going with a used 350 target and turbo 350 engine that came with truck. Well I may switch to an OD trans if I can find one cheap.

Been considering a roll pan and flat tailgate, any guidance on what is out there that is worth a darn would be appreciated.

[kb426]

Chevyduty.com has both. The roll pan isn't very tall so if you're trying to hide a fuel tank from the rear, you'll have to fab something. Most of the plain tailgates are covers for an existing tail gate.

[enjenjo]

Lots of parts out there for these, Chevys of the 40s even has new steel fenders, but they are pricey. I am building a 47 for someone else, and I just picked up a 53 of my own.

[tomslik]

I am building a 53 3 window, I found it stuffed in a warehouse for $800.00 last summer. It has a Nova subframe and rear end that were installed when I purchased it. The cab is in great no rust shape, I do need a good left front fender and a tailgate if anyone has something decent.

Going with a used 350 target and turbo 350 engine that came with truck. Well I may switch to an OD trans if I can find one cheap.

Been considering a roll pan and flat tailgate, any guidance on what is out there that is worth a darn would be appreciated.

i've got a couple of lh fenders (1gmc +1 chevy) that are fair....
where ya located?

[WZ JUNK]

I am building a 53 3 window, I found it stuffed in a warehouse for $800.00 last summer. It has a Nova subframe and rear end that were installed when I purchased it. The cab is in great no rust shape, I do need a good left front fender and a tailgate if anyone has something decent.

Going with a used 350 target and turbo 350 engine that came with truck. Well I may switch to an OD trans if I can find one cheap.

Been considering a roll pan and flat tailgate, any guidance on what is out there that is worth a darn would be appreciated.

I just built a 50 myself.  I will be putting it up for sale in a couple of weeks.   I bought most of my parts from Chevy Duty.   Good service and reasonable prices.  I bought their rear roll pan and a set of 50 Pontiac tailights from Speedway.  I bought the front bumper and splash pan from Chevy Duty along with at least $2,000 of other stuff.

I have built several of these trucks.  Let me know if I can help.

John

[Husker]

I am in South Dakota, a rock throw away from 40 in Nebraska.

Good tips, thanks folks!

I could use dimensions of an aftermarket fuel tank, I am going to have an aluminum one built here in town by a buddy of a buddy and the dimensions would be a plus.

Anyone do one with a Nova sub frame?  I am looking for fab ideas for the radiator support. I have some ideas of my own but I have no problem using someone else's that work.

[enjenjo]

There is a tech article on subframing one of these trucks here http://www.enjenjo.com/frameclip.html

That one is a G body frame clip, but the core support mount for a Nova sub would be similar.

[WZ JUNK]

I am in South Dakota, a rock throw away from 40 in Nebraska.

Good tips, thanks folks!

I could use dimensions of an aftermarket fuel tank, I am going to have an aluminum one built here in town by a buddy of a buddy and the dimensions would be a plus.

Anyone do one with a Nova sub frame?  I am looking for fab ideas for the radiator support. I have some ideas of my own but I have no problem using someone else's that work.

I will try to post some pictures of the radiator support I make later today.  I have to have my son scan them for me.

I use S 10 Blazer gas tanks a lot.  They fit between the rear frame rails under the back of the bed.  A gas door in the right rear fender plumbs to the tank.  The truck I just finished has a new factory tank in the cab.  Cheapest way and easiest.  With the Dodge Dakota seat there is plenty of room for everything.

John
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/hooley/hooley-2005.html

[enjenjo]

I have done a couple using aluminum tanks from USBoat.com. They have several tanks in the sizes we can use, and they come with a sending unit.

[Husker]

I have a very good stock tank, I just don't care for it in the cab so i want to get it under the bed. The S-10 idea is a good one anr RCI has a 17 gallon tank that looks like it will work, good to have choices.

[kb426]

I used a ford granada tank behind the rear axle in mine. The Granada was an excellent donor car.

[WZ JUNK]

I am in South Dakota, a rock throw away from 40 in Nebraska.

Good tips, thanks folks!

I could use dimensions of an aftermarket fuel tank, I am going to have an aluminum one built here in town by a buddy of a buddy and the dimensions would be a plus.

Anyone do one with a Nova sub frame?  I am looking for fab ideas for the radiator support. I have some ideas of my own but I have no problem using someone else's that work.

I will try to post some pictures of the radiator support I make later today.  I have to have my son scan them for me.

I use S 10 Blazer gas tanks a lot.  They fit between the rear frame rails under the back of the bed.  A gas door in the right rear fender plumbs to the tank.  The truck I just finished has a new factory tank in the cab.  Cheapest way and easiest.  With the Dodge Dakota seat there is plenty of room for everything.

John
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/hooley/hooley-2005.html

This is the picture of the mount that I make.  If you want a larger picture, pm me your email address.  I have seen other methods to do this but this will give you a place to start.  I usually place the bumper mounts a little inside of the original location and then you will have room to shim them side to side if you need to get the bumper aligned with the sheetmetal.

[enjenjo]

I put the bumper mounts on the outside of the brackets, then they line up better with the  subframe rails. It makes life a bit easier.

[Husker]

I am at husker@iw.net

[OldSub]

If you want a larger picture, pm me your email address.

Are you willing to send me those larger pictures too?  I'd love to get a better look at your mount.