This is a 1950 1/2 Ton Deluxe Cab Pickup that I acquired locally for $400. The engine happened to be a 261 but had a Hydramatic transmission behind it with the original torque tube rear. The automatic transmission was bad and I didn't want the hassles of the earlier automatic transmissions, yet don't believe in hacking up things to add a newer style, so I opted to install a Borg Warner R10 3 Speed Overdrive. This has been my hot project for the last few months.

I want to make this truck a hybrid of sorts by combining 1955 1st series technology with 1950. Since the 55 1st rear end is open driveline, and a perfect fit in the earlier AD models, it made sense to use it with the overdrive. In addition, the doors from the 55 fit perfectly giving me vent windows and push button doors. Add to that the flat railed bed of the 55 fitting nicely on the frame of the 50 and you get flat rails instead of slanted ones. The truck will look fully stock to most people, yet give the better air circulation of the drivers side cowl vent coupled with the vent windows, a 261 engine with overdrive for easy highway speeds and a more useful bed. Lastly, the 55 1st had stock turn signals so the steering wheel and turn signal collar will look perfect in the cab.

1. Replaced the rear end including adding new leaf springs, original overload springs, new shocks, brake shoes, wheel cylinders and custom length driveshaft.
2. Replaced Hydramatic tranny with Borg R10 Overdrive.
3. Replaced front end with new leaf springs, kingpins, tie rod ends, ball joints, drag link kit, wheel bearings, brake shoes and wheel cylinders.
4. Added a custom receiver hitch that depends on the frame and supports (not the bumper.)
5. Repaired the exhaust manifold with new studs, unstuck the heat exchanger, replaced the spring, cleaned and painted with exhaust paint.
6. Put in a carb kit and glass fuel filter.
7. New plugs, wires, points, condenser, cap, rotor, 12 volt resistor coil.
8. Once it was running halfway decent, adjusted the valves. Runs pretty good although will need a rebuild in about 10,000 miles (a little blow-by.)
9. Added a new clutch and bellhousing for the overdrive, once all driveline parts were connected, tested and adjusted all that. Overhauled 3 speed shifter box and added new linkages.
10. Replaced brake lines and put in a new master cylinder kit. Bled and tested brakes (works great!)
11. Repaired the dash (someone took a pair of sheetmetal cutters to the radio hole.) This required cutting the piece out of a salvage truck and welding (very very carefully) the new piece in. It came out really nice!
12. Repaired the rust in the floorboards. BAD! very BAD! Both inside and outside cowlings, all three floorboard pieces, two floorboard supports, cab corners and the toeboard have been replaced.

After taking off the fenders, a decision had to be made. The cab was so rotted behind the fenders, I decided to do a frame up restoration on this truck as well. Once the cab needs to be removed, there isn't all that much involved in going all the way, so this is where I took the entire truck apart and began the long journey. The very same procedure that is documented on my first 1950 has been done on this one. Sandblasting, painting and meticulous attention to detail all over again. I didn't document this frame up like I did the other one because its the same year and the same job as the other. I am fortunate to have a few nephews (Josh and Jordan Garver) helping me on this one. They wanted to learn auto mechanics and enlisted uncle Deve in the task. It's been very rewarding to share my love of old Chevy trucks with them.