Spend 60 seconds in the scorching heat of the desert sun and it’s enough to make you break for shade; but imagine spending a few decades in the same open environment and you already know its results are deadly.
Well that’s exactly what happened to our project truck. When we first found it, it had been sitting in the barren desert sand for a few decades and it was in complete shambles—then again, it was a 60-year-old abused truck. While many of the body parts were rotted out, it was expected and we still decided to pick it up.
But to get it back into tip-top shape required that we replace many of the body parts. In fact, some of the parts were so bad, that all it took was a 2×4 to knock them out of place and soon enough we realized that we didn’t really buy a truck, instead we bought a few usable parts that were barely hanging on the frame.
To start the restoration, we decided to scrap the frame and replace it with a TCI (Total Cost Involved) frame that came complete with an updated suspension. In addition, we threw in a Currie four-link rear suspension, Wilwood brakes, CPP gas tank, and then bolted up a brand-new LSX 376 engine mated to a 4L65E transmission.
With a state-of-the-art rolling chassis and powerplant, we scoured through the parts we had removed and realized that the only salvageable part was the cab so we reached out to the gentlemen at Brothers Trucks—America’s number one source for 1947-1987 Chevrolet and GMC Truck parts. Seriously, if you’re looking for the highest quality parts for you classic truck be sure to scope out Brothers Trucks, you won’t be disappointed, and they’ve got thousands of parts for your classic trucks.
In this issue we’ll be going over a few of the parts we’ve replaced as of late; the build is slowly starting to come together. In all honesty, it feels good to have brand-new, quality parts that fit great, and it offers a new sense of security to a truck that was once left for dead.
Installation Steps
1947-1953 Chevy Front fender (right and left), PN FF05300
These high-quality steel fenders are the best units available on the market. Brothers Trucks also happens to be the first to offer the fenders, and the quality, fitment, and finish is unparalleled. Included in the kit is a stainless bolt kit, fender seals, and inner fender; firewall filler panels not included.
Inner Fender Skirt Item, PN IFW4700
Brothers Trucks’ reproduction inner fender skirts are stamped from heavy-gauge steel to exact OEM specifications, and each one is then coated with EPD black coating, which in turn provides years of rust-free protection. How was the fitment? As expected, the fit on Brothers’ reproduction inner fenders is second to none. Note: The left inner fender has a 6-inch hole on the front that was put in when they tooled the part and has not been changed as of yet.
1952-1954 Complete Door Shells, PN DOOR254
This brand-new reproduction of 1952-1954 doors is stellar. A beautiful reproduction, with perfect fitment and design, Brothers has waited for a long time to be able to offer you a door of this quality. If you’re interested you should act now because for a very limited time they’re offering them at a very low introductory price. Get them now and be the first guy on the block with new doors on your 1952-1954 truck. Fits both Chevy and GMC.
1947-1953 Stock Replacement Hood “Seamless,” PN Hood75S
This new hood from Brothers is a seamless one-piece design. It’s constructed from heavy-gauge stamped steel and comes complete with all original-type bracing to ensure a great fit and lasting durability. Each one is also EPDM coated to block rust and make paint prep easy! Hood hinges, springs, and latch assembly not included
1947-1954 Radiator Core Support, PN RSB4700
This fantastic reproduction will make putting the front end of your 1947-1954 truck back together easy. Exactly like—if not better than—the original part, the core supports come with all correct threaded mounting holes and they’re all black EPDM coated to ensure rust-free protection for years to come.
In earlier issues, you may have caught our LOWRIDER project 1953 Bomb Truck in the modification stages. Earlier in the buildup, we modded the original three-window cab into a five-window conversion, and the parts to do this were from Brothers Trucks. In addition we utilized their floorpan with toeboard and a corner cab panel replacement in addition to a Brothers roof panel that was instead a metal headliner, thus providing a cool custom look.
As we come closer to completing the truck, we can’t wait to show you the final product, so stay tuned as we wrap things up and be sure to check out Brothers Trucks for their full catalog of parts for classic trucks.
Axalta “Powder” Coating Systems’ Paint Tip of the Month
Beneath every one of Axalta’s Coatings lies a commitment to innovation and sustainability.
When it comes to the finest materials in the world of Automotive Paint, Axalta Coating Systems not only handles the elaborate exterior paint schemes on the outside of your car or truck’s body, but they also have you covered underneath just as well! Axalta Powder Coatings offers quality powdercoat colors for superior performance and productivity for many industrial and automotive-type applications. Their products are well known for their corrosion resistance, durability, and ease of application use. Axalta’s Powder Coating Systems and powders come ready to use, are easy to apply, require minimal operator training, and are very worker safe. Axalta’s high-performance powdercoating powders contain virtually zero levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and targeted hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Overspray can be reused, reducing waste. When it comes to restoring your frame-off project, “seal the deal” with Axalta Brand Powder Coating. Ask the shop that handles your powdercoating needs if they carry Axalta, and if they don’t tell them you want a brand that’s committed to durability and quality. After all, we want it done right the first time because materials are expensive enough.
Check out their Online Powder Coat Color Chart and visit the ReplaShade program and Fine Texture Collection at www.axaltacs.com, or get the best technical advice from Axalta Paint Specialist stevenc.chaparro@axaltacs.com.
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