How to Restore an Antique Pickup Truck

Restoring an antique pickup truck is a massive undertaking. Once the project is underway, the restorer is committed to finishing it. Restorers first must define the project. First, restoration means a ground-up restoration of the antique pickup to its original factory specifications. Rebuilding or repairing a pickup gets the vehicle running, but it won't look factory new. Second, determine whether your pickup is an antique or just old. Trucks built before 1930 are antiques. A 1955 pickup is just old. The difference is restored antiques command better resale prices.

Things You'll Need:

• Owner's shop manual
• Engine hoist
• Hydraulic jack
• Four floor jacks
• 100-piece tool kit
• Rolling tool box
• Brake pads
• Rubber/fabric brake lines
• Rubber/fabric fuel lines
• Wiring harness
• Seat fabric
• Small and large plastic baggies
• Solvent
• Shop rags
• Wood slates
• Wood framing

Instruction

Research

1. Join an antique car club. Many clubs specialize in Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge pickup trucks. They offer a vast old parts network and publish newsletters with troubleshooting and tech tips.
2. Purchase an owner's shop manual for your specific antique truck. It's your guide with every part identified and how it should be installed.
3. Find a mentor who has restored his or her own antique pickup and have your mentor guide you through the process.

Taking it Apart

1. Use the engine hoist and mechanic's tools to remove the engine of the antique truck. Follow the instructions in the owner's manual. Remove the cargo box of the pickup. Send it to a body shop to have it sandblasted for painting.
2. Use the hydraulic jack to raise the chassis and place it on floor jacks at the four corners. Remove the following: wheels, brake drums, transmission, rear axle, fuel tank, fuel and brake lines, wiring harness, headlamps and taillamps. Remove the cab and front clip (engine housing). Remove the fenders. Send all body parts, fuel tank and chassis to the auto shop for sandblasting. Send the engine and transmission to a mechanic if you choose not to rebuild them yourself.
3. Strip the interior of the bench seat, gauges and steering column. Send them out for restoration. A novice restorer can re-upholster the seat.
4. Bag and tag each part and store them. Use solvent and rags to clean all parts, including metal fuel and brake lines. Replace rubber or fabric sections of these lines. Replace brake pads. Send the brake drums for grinding.
5. Replace the wood frame. You'll find that most pre-1930 antique vehicles were built with a wood frame to shape the body and shore up gaps between the chassis and body. Replace each block with new wood.

Putting it Together

1. Paint or have someone else paint the front clip, fenders, cab, chassis, fuel tank and cargo box. Most antique cargo boxes have wooden floor slates. Replace the slates. Varnish the wood.
2. Reassemble the antique pickup starting from the ground up: rear axle, brakes, wheels, transmission and engine. Install a new wiring harness. Install the steering column. Reassemble the body: cowl, cab and cargo box. Reassemble the headlamps and tailamps. Install dashboard gauges and seat.
3. Make sure oil is in the engine and gear oil in the transmission. Make sure the cylinders are well oiled. Start it up and drive it.

Tips & Warnings

• Establish a budget for your restoration project, and then add 100 percent to the original estimate. All restoration projects go over budget.
• It's essential to keep a well-organized and clean workbench and garage. You are removing and storing hundreds parts. Bagging and tagging parts will save you grief.
  

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