Very awesome truck! Glad to see another one being put back to use, you'll find it will help your business a lot to have a very distinguishable and beautiful truck. People will look at your business to learn more on the truck where they wouldn't if it was "just a truck".

You can find parts at places like Mid-Fifty or NPD. Thankfully they now reproduce almost everything, I think the chassis is the only thing they don't!


And welcome to FTE Hopefully you found this topic after they moved it, lol

 

Sweet looking truck! Way to dive in head first with the classic truck.

 

That wouldn't be a problem, there should still be notices to replies.

 

Hello, and another welcome!!

That is a cool truck...I think it'll be good for business!!

Dan

 

Thanks glruff for moving my post, I had meant to put it here. I appreciate the help!

 

Definitely going to take care of this truck, promises, it's truly one of a kind... plus I have been needing a real truck (I've been using the family Jetta wagon as my gardening "truck'! Drives my husband nuts, he loves a clean car.), so it'll be kept running.

I have a growing list of things to repair/replace/consider!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm pretty geeked out about the truck and do think it'll be great marketing for my business. Plus I'll never have to wish for a bigger truck! I'd been puzzling over how to make a strong 1st impression and set myself apart from the mow-n-blow services, since my horticultural skills and work are quite a bit different. The second I saw this fab work truck I knew I had a great way to make it clear. Eventually I'll have my business name on the doors and the truck will be a roving advertisement too. Sorry if painting on the doors bothers some of you! If it's any consolation I did have a new logo designed in a mid-century style, it'll look great and be done very respectfully.

Thanks for the mirror advice and ideas. I was originally just going to replace the corroded 5" mirrors and see how the visibility was. Though I have been worried about being able to safely maneuver onto expressways (no I'm not taking this big, slow, precious truck on any 65 mph+ freeways) and drive around clients' fancy neighborhoods (lots of luxury vehicles) with those little mirrors.

I got the 5" wide angle mirrors from Mid-Fifty, they said to break out the old ones and pop in the new. That just doesn't work. I called and was told they'd get back to me once they had a chance to try it with original mirror frames. I'm guessing it's easier to do with modern reproductions. I haven't heard back from Mid-Fifty.

A few of you said I should have glued them on. It would have worked fine, but the raw mirror edge would have been exposed, which seems like it'd chip up easily. Too late now anyway, since I smashed out the old ones first.

Anyone want the old mirror frames? I won't be needing them since I'm getting new mirror heads now. More on that in a bit!

 

I had been thinking about installing this style, but had no idea what the west coast mirrors were called. For now I'm going to try and work with the existing, original stems. I'd rather not put any holes in the doors for the larger mirror brackets if I don't have to. But ya, function over form will win the day, safety 1st.

 

Welcome - Go find a big truck stop, they usually have an accessory section that will make you drool - Truckers like mirrors so you should find something that will work.

That being said I know you asked how to get the new mirrors into your old heads - Usually when doing a press fit it involves heating one part (The head) and cooling the other part (Mirror) - Glass doesn't respond well to rapid temp changes so I would try heating the head at about 200-225 degrees for twenty minutes or so and the try pressing the mirror in place (The dangerous part of this process is convincing your other half to use the oven for car parts)

 

Awwwwwsome truck! I just got a new one (1954 F-350-dumpbed) also, but it does not look near as good as yours.

 

Does your truck have a large STOP brake light in the middle of your rear? It looks like that in the one picture... if so, pretty cool!

 

A very wise business idea. People everywhere love the old trucks, especially if they look as good as yours. I think you will get tons of attention, and work from having it. Those big trucks look great with business names on the doors - that is what they are for!

 

Rather than painting on the doors, which is ok too, the signs could be painted on the dump box sides or use removable magnetic signs for the doors. Just some options to consider.

 

Great looking truck--Now that's what I call "Hauling in Style", you're always welcome on my job site. Oops, nearly forgot---Welcome to FTE-- a great bunch of folks
Mike

 

Well, it's in very good condition, was always cared for etc., so it wasn't super cheap. I paid $7,500 for it, plus almost $400 for a shop to install seat belts.

It does need a new paint job (going with the same color scheme though) and I want to rebuild the redwood bed sides, taller for more hauling and tool attachment points.

I've done some work with handy neighbors helping, but need to take it to a mechanic for a thorough look over. I still haven't driven it far or onto an expressway.

Good luck on your truck search!