Modifying a 1952 Chevy Truck. Original bodywork - modern upgrades.
www.1952ChevyTruck.com


May 2014 - May. 2015

Restoring the running boards.

The running boards on the truck have always been in good underlying shape. No corrosion. Original heavy 1952 GM metal but they
needed restoring. They badly needed painting but also at some point in the past, after-market step plates had been fitted. These
needed to go. The aim was to return the running boards to their original appearance, paint them to a higher standard than original
GM and try to protect them from marks with a less noticeable solution. Ideally this solution should be as invisible as possible so as
not to detract from the original design. This work was started in May 2014.

Running boards below shown before restoration. Notice the after-market foot plates.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After. 1952 Chevy truck old running boards. After.

Running boards below after restoration.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After. 1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

The after-market step plates were removed. The method of fitting the running boards was also reviewed and a new method using
metal blocks which were drilled and tapped was developed. This new system meant the running boards (with blocks attached)
could be easily offered up to sit on the running board brackets and fixed with bolts from below. The 6 blocks on each running
board needed to have 3 different thickness so that the running boards were level with respect to the doors and bed. The blocks
are threaded at both ends and so the original method using bolts which clip into the running boards are maintained , however,
the other side of the block was also threaded. The whole assembly can be offered up to the truck and slid onto the support
brackets. 6 bolts go through the support brackets from below into the treaded blocks. One final nut and bolt and washer
was needed between the top of the filler piece and the chassis (see below). As usual stainless steel bolts were used.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After. 1952 Chevy truck running boards. After. 1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

The running boards and the filler pieces were media blasted, etch primed (acid etch wash primer), primed and painted.
(At the same time the front bumper filler, scroll down to see it, was done using the same restoration method).
See the "threaded blocks running boards fixing method" below.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After. 1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After. 1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

After painting long strips of 10mm wide transparent self-adhesive vinyl was used to protect the running boards from marks
and scratches. These strips were ideal as they could not be seen. It was applied to the raised ribbing. How durable this
will be will be known with time. If you look at the two running board pictures at the top of the page and below with the
filler pieces and fitting blocks attached, the clear vinyl is already fitted and so you can see it is not noticeable.
Update Sept 15. After a few months the clear vinyl is still in good shape.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After. 1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

Some preparation is shown below

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After. 1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

Running board filler pieces shown above. Front bumper filler piece shown below.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

1952 Chevy truck running boards. After.

Update 2017 The whole truck was painted to a high standard in 2016 (see later in the site)
including repainting the running boards.



Click on the banner below to see our new web site.

It is about a new hard tonneau cover (bed lid) for the 1947-53 Chevy truck.
Model - "Zero Impact Ultimate 3100" Tonneau cover. Fit without drill holes in your truck.
You can read about it and you can order it. It is available now.


Hard tonneau cover for the 1947-53 Chevy truck. Hard tonneau cover for the 1947-53 Chevy truck.

www.classictonneaucover.com

Click on the banner above.

• A hard tonneau cover. Completely rigid, solid and strong. Folding.
• Zero impact. It can be fitted without drilling any holes in the truck. All paint work protected.
• Does not detract from the appearance of the truck. Enhances the appearance of the truck.
• With the cover removed and just the hardware kit showing it still looks "show quality".
• When the cover is fitted but open it still looks excellent and does not detract in any way from the appearance of the truck.
• The cover can be removed in under five minutes.
• All materials and finishes are of the highest quality.
• There is a choice of hardware support finishes to suit painted or patina trucks.
• A water drainage system is included to prevent water from leaking into the bed.
• Better than original factory quality. Just look at the pictures above.
• The model shown is supported by a mirror polished stainless steel installation kit.
• This tonneau cover is for the - 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 Chevy truck. Advanced design stepside 3100.



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Satcom 7700 satellite receiver.

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Sony 2400 portable reel to reel video

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