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Rat Rod Nation builds => Rat Rod Builds => Topic started by: Greybeards Customs on January 23, 2013, 07:41:06 AM

Title: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 23, 2013, 07:41:06 AM
 This truck has a rich deep family history and many fond memories for me . I purchased this truck when I was fourteen years old and this year I turn 50 , so it is time to get the wheels rolling again . I will never forget when my dad found the add in the news paper , it was all I could think about . I was working at a gas station on saturdays and he came to pick me up from work in it , I almost died . I wasn't even old enough for a learners permit so I climbed in the passengers seat and assumed the position of my elbow hanging out the window the way it should be , life was great ! My dad helped me with all the usual stuff on the truck , we found a set of rims for it and had it painted and I drove it all through high school .
 As I grew older my tastes changed and I bought a camaro and then a nova and did the regular hot rod thing , you know street racing and that sort of stuff . Well the the old '53 just sat in the driveway and started to crumble so we pulled it with a chain to my grandparents barn where it stayed for about the next 20 years or so . After my grandparents passed the barn was getting in poor shape and I didn't want the barn to cave in on the truck so I had it towed to my shop where we took it apart about five or six years ago and I worked on it off and on for a year or so . Then the Rat Rod bug bit me and I stopped working on the truck again for the last four years . My dad always rides with me to all of the shows and cruise-ins and we have made the desision to get this truck standing tall again for him to drive to all the shows .
 I really wished that I had taken pictures of the truck when we started on it , but I didn't , the first pictures start as the new chassis comes back from the sand blasters and we are coating it with por15 . The frame is a front sub from a '75 nova and the rear rails I built from 2x4 3/16" square tubing .

 (http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0518.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0520.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0526.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0525.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0527.jpg)

Oh yeh , I almost forgot here is a picture of My cool dude Dad sporting his Greybeards shirt at the redneck rumble last fall .

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/redneck%20rumble%202012/rumble31.jpg)
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: zpi28 on January 23, 2013, 11:01:48 AM
Thats an awesome history on the truck. Your dad dont look old enough to have kids your age. :)
Title: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Dustin Arnett on January 23, 2013, 11:07:13 AM
Awesome!! I'm looking forward to seeing where you go with this bad boy...... Also, very cool story. Thanks for sharing..


~Dustin
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 23, 2013, 11:12:27 AM
Quote from: zpi28 on January 23, 2013, 11:01:48 AM
Thats an awesome history on the truck. Your dad dont look old enough to have kids your age. :)

Thanks man , today is his 75th birthday , that's part of whats got us rolling on this truck again .
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: chopper york on January 23, 2013, 11:36:18 AM
Great story there,keep it coming ;)
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: lowboy on January 23, 2013, 03:07:55 PM
wow thats cool my dads knees are so bad he cant even get in his stock model a any more but we take his truck when we go anywhere and thats ok he foots the bill lol :P glad you shared that story keep up your top notch work
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: hotwheels on January 23, 2013, 06:39:43 PM
That is looking awesome........
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: RangerRat on January 23, 2013, 06:46:19 PM
Cool build looking forward to see pics as you make progress
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: obama on January 23, 2013, 07:20:47 PM
Great story Greybeard, just started again on a old project myself. Your lucky, my dad was never into cars. By the way I used por 15 on my frame about a week ago, and my hands are still black. :D
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 23, 2013, 09:03:03 PM
Quote from: obama on January 23, 2013, 07:20:47 PM
Great story Greybeard, just started again on a old project myself. Your lucky, my dad was never into cars. By the way I used por 15 on my frame about a week ago, and my hands are still black. :D

That's why they make latex hand condoms , it just doesn't feel the same though.
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: coony278 on January 24, 2013, 05:39:41 AM
 Wow great story ! cant wait to see the truck come together!
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: hotwheels on January 24, 2013, 05:47:41 AM
Heck, i'm not sure how i missed that, but happy 75th to your dad man..........that is awesome
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 24, 2013, 07:03:35 AM
Thanks Doug , I will relay the message .
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Rev tex deville on January 24, 2013, 08:11:27 PM
well i glad to see ya on this i was think youd forget about it and i would get it!!LOL
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 24, 2013, 09:00:54 PM
I have had this truck for 35 years , I guess I will have to keep it  . sorry Tex   :(
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: hotwheels on January 25, 2013, 06:56:47 AM
damn, that's along time to own 1 vehicle.....I thought i was bad.
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 25, 2013, 07:06:31 AM
It wasn't eating anything , so why not keep it .
Title: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Rust T Nuts on January 25, 2013, 07:29:20 AM
Nice project indeed
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 28, 2013, 04:41:07 PM
This truck will be a "finished " build . I will be doing and have done tons of body work , I had the entire body sand blasted and put the usual stuff like cab corners and all that in . The frame is a '75 nova front sub with homemade rear rails grafted into place . It will be an air ride suspension . Nothing fancy , no 4 corners just front and rear up and down . I have over the last few years purchased a stack of parts for it , grille , bumpers and all the door latch mechanisms . We will be going with the hot rod flatz low gloss paint eventually .

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0528.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0551.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0550.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0547.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0797.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0798.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0796.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/HPIM0827.jpg)

Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: hotwheels on January 28, 2013, 05:32:08 PM
Wow, that looks amazing........
Title: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Dustin Arnett on January 28, 2013, 06:58:46 PM
Lookin good!!


~Dustin
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: zpi28 on January 28, 2013, 06:59:54 PM
That is looking awesome, nice sealer on that firewall. The frame looks really nice.
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 28, 2013, 07:09:22 PM
Quote from: zpi28 on January 28, 2013, 06:59:54 PM
That is looking awesome, nice sealer on that firewall. The frame looks really nice.

 Thanks I must have welded up 35 holes in the firewall , just trying to neaten it up a bit . Unlike my model A that still has the axe mark in it  , by the way it made a great access hole for the speedo cable and throttle cable and coil wire  and anything else I can stick through it .
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: obama on January 28, 2013, 08:36:12 PM
You be get'n right with it on this, good job.
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: zpi28 on January 29, 2013, 12:17:00 AM
Looking at the picture I believe there may be some holes in the corner for some Vintage Air.
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 29, 2013, 06:47:33 AM
Quote from: zpi28 on January 29, 2013, 12:17:00 AM
Looking at the picture I believe there may be some holes in the corner for some Vintage Air.

eventually there will be something like that filling those holes . I have a heat and air unit from the rear of a conversion van that is all self contained that I will probably use . Good eye by the way !
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 30, 2013, 07:13:58 AM
I had a friend tell me about a rust removal product that is available from Lowes , it's called Jasco , it's in the paint section . I used a spray bottle to spray it on the side of the bed and in just about 2 hours all the rust was gone and the rust turned black . I think this works along the lines of some of the rust killers on the market like from eastwood and por 15 . I had the bed sand blasted about 5 years ago because it was extremely pitted and you can't sand in the pits to remove the rust , well long story short I never prepped it and it rusted again that's when I thought I would try the jasco . I went over the bed side with some 180 on my DA and then sprayed the jasco on , it works awesome and it's $8.95 a quart . Anyway i didn't take a picture before I hit it with the sander but I think you will still be able to tell the difference . 

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/007.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/003-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: obama on January 30, 2013, 10:22:10 AM
Will have to try that, thanx for the tip.
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: coony278 on January 30, 2013, 11:58:09 AM
Dang that fire you lit was a big one LOL. Looks great and looks like this is coming together quick lke.
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 30, 2013, 12:20:54 PM
Quote from: obama on January 30, 2013, 10:22:10 AM
Will have to try that, thanx for the tip.

It made a believer out of me

Quote from: coony278 on January 30, 2013, 11:58:09 AM
Dang that fire you lit was a big one LOL. Looks great and looks like this is coming together quick lke.

I have been very active on this truck the last few weeks , but remember most all the fab work and a lot of the body work I did four years ago so it seems that I am getting things done quicker than normal . I wish I was that fast .
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: hotwheels on January 30, 2013, 06:29:46 PM
that looks amazing.....
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on January 30, 2013, 09:06:55 PM
Thanks Dude !
Title: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Dustin Arnett on January 30, 2013, 11:37:03 PM
Lookin good


~Dustin
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: zpi28 on January 31, 2013, 06:28:18 AM
Looking good, thanks for sharing the jasco tip.
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on February 01, 2013, 09:00:41 AM
Well JD55F100 came by the shop the other day and fabbed up a set of custom front bumper brackets that would mount the stock bumper to the stubbed of nova sub frame . We don't call him the bracket master for nothing , these turned out awesome looking .

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/001-1.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/002-1.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/006-1.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/004-1.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/010.jpg)
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on February 06, 2013, 04:01:00 PM
I have just finished the major part of the bodywork on the bed sides , man this thing was so beat up it was unreal . I just put the first round of the 2K build primer on , so I guess thier will be some big time block sanding going on tomorrow .

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/003-1.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/014.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/015.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/001-2.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/002-2.jpg)

(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/gregster-photo/1953%20chevy%20truck%20build/003-2.jpg)

How about some pink build primer ----- No male confidence problems here guys !
Title: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Dustin Arnett on February 06, 2013, 04:49:32 PM
That looks super clean!


~Dustin
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: RangerRat on February 06, 2013, 06:39:01 PM
LOOKING GOOD !!!!
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: miraclepieco on February 07, 2013, 02:17:48 AM
You are the new Boyd Coddington!    :o

You know I'm kidding, right?   :P

Awesome to know you are versatile enough to do that nice of finish work too!   
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: hotwheels on February 07, 2013, 06:29:22 AM
Wow, that is looking awesome.......keep up the great work.
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on February 07, 2013, 06:57:27 AM
Thanks for all the nice responces , I am really trying hard to do a nice build for my dad . I hate doing body work , it's not my cup of tea for sure . As for as Boyd goes , we just don't have enough drama in the old Greybeards shop for that ! I hope in the next few days I will get the pre assembly finished on the truck so I can break it all down to paint it .
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: oldskool49 on February 07, 2013, 07:40:34 AM
Sweet progress. And those brackets, OUTSTANDING! And Boyd. He may have been a master of some, but was most deff. drama king.




 8)
Title: Re: Lighting the fire on the back burner build '53
Post by: Greybeards Customs on February 07, 2013, 08:53:15 AM
Johnathan really does a good job fabbing up any kind of custom bracket , it's great to have talented friends for sure .