'51 Studebaker pickup truck build

[Jcox68rt]

Okay, so here goes, my first build start to finish in my two car garage. Please help with any and all constructive criticism.

So this truck was my wife's cousins back since the 70's it was hot rodded thru the 50's 60's and 70's. then it was parked. Luckily it lived its life in the central California arid landscape so rust is super minimal.

So lets get caught up I started tearing into this project about 6 months ago.
As delivered...

 

[Jcox68rt]

A my goal with this build is to build a super clean 50's style gentleman's hot rod. Kinda east coast style if you will. Get it low, red or chrome steelies, with 3" wide whites, satin white paint, and some old skool black and red pinstriping kept to a minimum. With a few custom touches, frenched in headlights, frenched in Cadi tail lights and shaved door handles and gas filler. Did I miss anything? Oh ya how about a '59 Cadi 390 motor and trans twisting a '56 Olds 9.3" rear? Check!

Front clip stripped and axle flipped...a little lower...

Bed removed, axel stripped, frame ready to clean up for c-notch and frame boxing...

 

[Jcox68rt]

Ok rearend is back from being freshened up. Open Olds 9.3" with 3.23 cruisin gears.

Boxing templates...

New rims and tire mounted and installed...$70 craigslist score! Nice and low now!

Boxing plates burned in...slow progress but gettin there.

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Gas tank boiled and welded to fix leaks, and a new sending unit gasket all for $95... Can't beat that, right?

 

[Jcox68rt]

Now to get the Cadi motor mocked up and motor mounts fabricated. Then pull the cab and send it off to be sandblasted and POR 15 the frame..

Then I need to tear the motor down and evaluate how much of a rebuild it needs...that's where I'm at now. Let the flogging begin! Lol!

 

[Torchie]

Looking great so far.
If you really want to go with that 50's vibe you should put some fins on the rear fenders.
If you aren't familar with it check out the Rod and Custom Dream Truck.
Not a stude but you will get the idea.
Torchie.

 

[Snake Farm]

Cool project, love the old Stude Pick Ups! Diggin' the Caddy mill too.

[P[P[P

 

[soltz]

very Nice

I like the way you work, clean and organized, I wish. Good choice of wheels and don't just love old Craig and his list. '
Again nice work [cl

 

[christcrusader13]

I love STUDEEEEEEES!!!!!! This is sweet very nice build!

 

[skull]

thread

looks good.

0H, and please have a lot more pics for us visually challenged folks.

Later

 

[soltz]

Skull, I think this is a build thread [S

 

[cycledog]

Looks great. The diamond tuft seat is killer and I like the Desoto? grill. Are you going to retain it? Adds a cool custom look.

That Cad engine is a great choice.

 

[Jcox68rt]

Looks great. The diamond tuft seat is killer and I like the Desoto? grill. Are you going to retain it? Adds a cool custom look.

That Cad engine is a great choice.

Thanks cycledog! I'm not sure what the grill insert that is frankensteined into the grill surround is from...Desoto, Nash, Buick...who knows, but it's growing on me like crazy, I'm sure I'm gonna clean up its install and rock it!

 

[Bamamav]

I love Studes, especially this model! That looks like a Buick grill to me, whatever, I'm diggin' it too! Looks like you have the stance right on, can't wait to see it all together in one color. [cl

 

[Jcox68rt]

I'm about ready to slap the bed, fenders and hood back on too just to look at it withits new newfound stance. Visualization keeps the motivation up as well. Thank you for all the positive feedback! It's motivating as well!

 

[Jcox68rt]

But first

Got a piece of "L" welded in today to brace up the rear frame horns. Also did some little things like removed some broken off bolts in the cab from removing the fenders.

Pics of rear

Also I picked up a th400 from a 64 Cadi that already had the adapter plate mounted to it for mating it to my Cadi 390 engine...and it's already built so just the engine needs to be gone thru and cleaned up and I will have a completely built drive train. Slow but sure...

 

[oddpowers]

That's a good looking truck!



[P

 

[67BS]

looks kool keep on buildin

 

[bob w]

Nice work going on in your shop.