Doing some searching on used frames today. Considering the prices I'm looking at (starting at $300), it looks like a possibility if we can get all the stars to line up... As far as I know, the only difference on the frame from '47-'53 was the replacement of lever action with modern shocks in '50. Having just the bare frame to work with would make it very easy to clean up and then seal with KBS or POR-15, then we could just transfer everything over... Sure SOUNDS easy, doesn't it?

Pretty sure this thing would be at least touching the ground by now if I didn't have to use the entire tax refund for bills instead of the few remaining things we need to get rolling. No biggie in the grand scheme of things, I guess. I've waited over 30 years to drive this truck. I can wait a little longer. In the meantime, the job apps continue to go out. Something has to break soon! Today I thought I'd test the newly repainted valve cover for leaks and start putting the web address out there on the road...

Hit the valve cover with some engine paint and put it back on today. Went to fire it up, but the battery is dead as a door nail. It's probably 7 years old and doesn't hold a charge very well (a friend gave it to me when we first brought the truck here to the house a little over 3 years ago)... Time to hook up the charger again!

Just trying to stay busy while the job search continues... Hopefully something will work out soon and we'll be able to get the frame fixed and put the bed back together...


Cleaned up and re-greased the spindles today. Need to do those backing plates too...



A little engine compartment cleanup... Alrighty then! Looks like the first thing we're gonna need is a new gasket...



Ta-Da! Chrome valve cover!

Haven't done video in a while... Figured I'd prove to y'all that she actually does run!

Well, this can't be good. I started working on the one bad spot on the frame yesterday (right side, just behind the cab) when I suddenly saw daylight breaking through. The damage is quite a bit worse than I thought it was. No idea what to do here...

Next goal is to have four wheels that match and new matching rubber to put on them. The more I think about it, the more a disc conversion kit for the front makes sense, in which case we can move the six lug steelies here to the rear and maybe trade the wagon wheels for a pair of five lugs for the front. For now I'd just like to get rid of the old tires so I can clean up the wheels...

That's about as smooth as this amateur is going to get it! Most of this will be hidden by the bed anyway. I went around and hit all the bare metal spots with Rustoleum clear to keep the rust away. No need to get too fancy, since the whole thing will be stripped down to bare metal anyway whenever some real body & paint pros get their hands on it. Now just need the two rear stake pockets and front wall to put the bed back on. After that we only need drums, front bearings (maybe a disc conversion kit for the front), brake job, tires and we're rollin'! Just need the cha-ching to git 'er done. Workin' on that too! Interesting movement on the job front this week. Hopefully something new soon...