Old pic but I still use it as its a cool shot of a boat load of parts

 

False advertising Kevin...lol

 

Apologies for that comment Kevin. I shouldn't have said anything. Haven't seen one for a long while and didn't think it was even close to fitting in a small box.

 

Thanks John

Managed to sneak out to the shed today and get a bit farther with striping down the frame. With the help of a mighty large breaker bar, a chisel and a decently large hammer I managed to relieve the frame of its front axle and leaf springs. Even had a couple helpers come on out looking for me. (They stood around too long so I put them to work.)



Here is helper one (better known as the gf, thank goodness she wants to learn about working on cars, or better yet trucks) Always can use another set of hands.



Here is the frame with the front axle removed and Sarah cleaning up some of the crud stuck to the txmn crossmember.



The steering box bolts actually came apart really nicely. Was honestly amazed that I didn't have to cut them off with the plasma cutter or the cutter off wheel.



The leaf spring bolts were more than likely never replaced either judging by the huge steps in them, though amazing only had to cut one to get it out.



The front assy all removed from the frame.



My second assistant. She decided that the truck wasn't as important as her and that I should spend more time playing with her. Also had the great idea to jump me while I was working under the frame on the forward leaf spring mounts.

Well not sure if I will get a whole lot more done before I have to head away for work for a couple weeks but with any luck I can get my hands on some metal and start cutting and weliding in some replacement pieces on the frame.

 

[QUOTE I can get my hands on some metal and start cutting and weliding in some replacement pieces on the frame.[/QUOTE]

Don't want to be a nuisance to ya but before you start this step do your self a big favor. Locate that serial number. It is the most valuable number on that whole frame IMHO (I learned the hard way). It was there on my 56 and 55 it was on the top frame rail just in front of the passenger front cab mount. Some have found it on the cross member that the radiator mounts on, top and to the passenger side. Most everybody here will concur on how important this number is when the truck has not been registered for a few years.

Don't use a grinder when looking for this number. Wire wheel on a grinder or acid will work. These numbers are not that deep

 

On my 54 the serial number is on the front passenger side of the frame on top. If you are looking at the frame from the front on the passenger side where the front crossmember after the three rivers that hold it wire brush the frame with a wire wheel or cup brush see if the vin# is not their. I try to take a picture tomorrow morning and show you.

 

On my 56 the numbers were on the left frame rail, a Canadian truck and on the trucks of the same year built in the States the numbers are apparently on the right frame rail.

 

This is where my vin# is at by the three rivers on the passenger side of the frame where the front crossmember is at.

 

Had a bit of a running around day, decided to check and see what the local wrecker had for engines, and found a great deal on what I thought at the time was a 351w, got it all loaded up and managed to get it back to the house. Cleaned up the engine a bit and found the tag that identifies it as a 302. Slight disappointment, but all in all I'm quite happy with the engine and it will still have way more power than I need in the old beast.



A few new goodies for the shop. Gf really needs to hide my credit card lol



Finally got the engine back to the house and unloaded. Looks to be in pretty decent shape.



And the heart breaking tag that identifies it as a 302. Have to get some bolts so I can mount it in the engine stand and actually start working on it. See what I have and what all I'm going to need.

 

Well got sent down to Arizona to do some work out of Florence, so enjoying all this nice sunny weather.



And since I had a bit of down time I decided to go spend a bit of time and go browse some of the salvage yards looking for part. Everything is in way better shape body wise down here than in the great north!

Here are some pics









This fella wouldn't let me wander through because of the dogs, but he had a few nice old trucks that I couldn't get a good picture of. Any way back to my work vacation

 

Update,

Haven't had too much time lately but I have lined to a shop to overhaul the T5 and the 9" as well as a fella to sand blast my frame. Just need a few good days to get it all done. But other wise I have been investigating the engine too see how much work it's going to require.















My plan for the engine is to bore it out 30 thou, new intake, TB EFI. And of course new Pistons.

Also I have procured a better frame, kept it as a roller so that I can be able to wheel it in and out of the shop as required.

 

Great build so far Jason, good luck man

 

Ok well, it's been forever since I last posted on here, been busy with house Renos mostly and now have some missing parts in Sask waiting for me. But yesterday I was at the old mans house and came across these pictures of the truck right before the accident.



This one shows dad packing it all up, think he was around 24 at the time. He has just finished it and got it on the road.





As for how things are progressing, I have the frame stripped just have to get it over to the sand blasted, Sourced a crown Vic to use for the ifs. Rear end is still out at there shop, thinking it's about time to go have a word with them again.

Probably won't have time till this winter to make any true progress on the ol girl, but I'm hoping to find a few minutes here and there.

 

Great pics Jason, good to see your Dad there

 

Thanks Gerry, this is the only real thing where I have seen the truck together, it's really got me wanting to finish it!