Today I finally get started on my sawmill truck build! It's a 1950 Chevrolet 4400 that I'm doing a chassis swap onto a 1999 C2500, adding air ride, 24" custom Alcoas and a service body.
I am gobsmacked to the beauty of this build. I am a very (old) long time lover of trucks and all things related to trucks. Now that said, normally I don't care for wheels like those but for sure, not a better wheel could of been used for motivation or looks to this truck. I think one of your hardest challenges is doing a custom running board between front fender and service body. If you could make some dummy battery box style steps... only looks similar to any step as your limited on how much can be used as a step for its not too far from the ground. What my idea is would be massive cutting to get it behind the door then cutting the inner door out to kind of make it a insert going towards the frame... even tying the box to the frame and coming out under the door with a very short style step look, not much for practical but just for looks. I have done tons of fab work throughout my life and for once am kind of stumped on just how to transition it right. In fact, it might not even work at all. I am here to yell and shout, its going to be a real beauty for **** sure.
Thank you, Morgan! Wheels can make a beautiful build look like 💩. I knew these wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I’ve never seen this era truck with them. They were $7k but I think they completely make the truck. Huge shiny wheels against all the rattyness of the rest of it and I think I’m going to install a wood bed floor to match the wheels. The best wood I can find finished to dining table quality. I have a plan for the running boards. I have a parts truck with full length running boards that I plan to scab together with the ones that came on this truck. I should be able to tie it all together. Stay tuned!
@@NorthwestSawyer I just hope you understand that these wheels are great... I normally do not like aftermarket rims but these really stand out. I think if you could find some nice maple that was clear enough, it would really stand out in the bed of the rig
That truck looks solid just by seeing it in video. It's a gem can't wait to see it laying on the ground. Good to watch your build other than sawing up logs. We like when people put old cars back in service again can't wait for more video's.
Man that thing is gonna be sic!!! Sawmilling, woodworking and frame swapping!!!!! Sounds like a great channel for me!!! But I’ve been watching you for awhile now. Keep them coming!!
Save yourself a lot of trouble and sell that service box for double what you paid for it and do the respectable thing! Put a classic old school flat bed on it!! Simple metal frame and a wood deck! That’s what that truck screams for Jason! If you really need boxes put them under the bed or on it 😉 Looking awesome so far bud!
Thank you! The first truck I bought when I was 15 was a 1959 fleetside long bed big window. I ended up owning three of them in high school. I’ve always wanted a 5-window though. I can’t wait to get it out on the road.
Nice to find a calm regular guy with great vision and smarts. Love the truck, with your ideas I’m looking forward to see the finished product. Stay safe. I will get caught up..
Can certainly see there's no rocking chair, pipe and slippers retirement for you! This is one COOL little project and with a few of the fun tools and toys to make it happen. May need a bigger or another shop😄.
What a GREAT ADDITION to the channel!!!!!! I love it! Been watching for over a year now. PLEASE show the entire process of this build! Great woodworking + Great sawing + Great building projects = One hell of a great channel! 👍
I hate car videos but this was genuinely interesting, either way support you doing what you want on your channel. I look forward to seeing it done. The rims look amazing.
Thank you! The problem with most videos, not just car videos, is lingering too long on a process. I try to keep things moving. Watching a 20 minute video where nothing gets done is pretty boring 😉
LUV it! My Father bought an old `1951 truck back in the 1960's to use around his hobby farm. it was almost exactly like yours, Jason, To this day I still like that body style, and would like to own one now. I'm now looking forward to the continuing build of your truck, it's going to be a great addition, of course I agree with the others on this.
You have mustard my year for 2023 awesome woodwork and custom fabrication FANTASTIC COMBINATION have been missing you sawmilling great great content thank you for sharing it in the process of planning to move to states buying some land going to build house and shop my passion is restoring classic cars so intend to that north idaho Montana already been busy buying some projects including a fire truck and several 41 Chevy pickup handmade a good start to this year
JASON!!! Awesome build! With all the ideas you already have, things will evolve for sure. I'm loving the patina on the cab. But Not my build! What ever you do It'll be great to see rolling down the highway!
Love that ole chevie ! But I hate those wheels and the low profile tires. They will ride like a brick . But I am looking forward to the end result of the swap and the new wheels.
I'm liking the vid. Keep it coming. It's cool your in the sawmill business.. I work for a sawmill company. I hammer saws. But I'm loving how this truck is coming.
Honestly that's what I like about your channel. You do a variety of things you keep it going. You do Excavating you do building projects you do welding you do Renovations you do your logs and your Sawmill that's what keeps this jail so interesting and so real keep it up.
@@NorthwestSawyer I’ll be honest and no disrespect, there’s only so many times we can watch you mill lumber and not loose interest. It’ll be great watching you tackle a totally different project 🙂
Seems like you're going to have fun with that one. As far as content I love seeing all the different projects and I'm not sure who said it but variety is the spice of life. As always good luck and God bless.
@@NorthwestSawyer you are humble sir and I like that but I also have worked maintenance for going on 27 yrs now I get the jobs I like and dibby out the rest. I've done enough engine work and I know a big project when I see it. I can't wait to see more.
@@NorthwestSawyer my grandma always said do I need to put hay on that so you can figure out how it's done 😂😂. I just a dumb farm kid that wouldn't give up but you're on a whole other level
That's going to be pretty bad ass buddy.i have a 37 olds.slant back w a 454 n open headers all on air.beautiful car.i love that truck.it's going to be cool.i have that exact hoist.those wheels n tires look fantastic dude.
Currently working on a 55 1st series 4400 so this was recommended. What caught me though is at about 5:57 when pulling the old frame out, it looks like you actually had a rate option truck in that you had the regular trans shifter but also a 3 speed transfer case setup. Be a nice option to have really. And if it’s a 261, as I’m only working w a 235. Trying to stay mostly original. Keep at it as I plan to bag mine as well.
Holyhunguspolywunguswoh! What an amazing amount of work that you will have to invest in this project. This is going to be really something to see! Great video thumbs up.
Hello there, I thoroughly enjoyed this video and hope you will keep us updated as you make progress. I know how much time and effort goes into filming these and not to mention the actual work in the customizing all the issues involved. Thanks for sharing this with your u-tube family. Best regards,Fred Thomas in Skokie IL.
Thank you, Fredrik! I was unsure of how this video would be received on my channel but comments like yours have helped me realize that there’s definitely interest in it. I will continue to document my progress and share it here. Stay tuned!
That is and will be such a sweet truck to ride in. I can't wait for updates on this project. If it's like everything else you do it's gonna be professional. That rack is a back and neck saver. Better put a cap on that head cutting those bolts off brother LOL. Trust me, it hurts LMAO
I’m pretty sure I could but I ordered 3” drop spindles that are supposed to widen the track width a little. I’m going to see where they sit after I get them, hopefully Monday.
I have seen guys take dodge diesel 1 tons and do this swap. going to be great when your done. My 31 Chevy project has been on going for several years now. Which I could get it done. Ron
I’ve been there with the lingering projects for sure. My ultimate plan is to replace the V-8 with a 12V Cummins. They’re getting hard to find without buying a whole truck.
Either way. I'd love to give you some of the logs I've collected over the years. I know you could and would use them before I get around to it. Is this video recent? It's-20c here today. Looks warmer there.
I was wondering about the truck in your last video. That thing is looking sweet. Really hope you keep the patina coloring 🤞. Can't wait to watch the rest of the series on it.
Love the old truck mixing the new with the old some people don’t like that. I think it’s good. It shows creativity can’t wait to see it done. Enjoy the sawmill videos just as much as I am enjoyed this one. I watched another RU-vidr just a few acres Farm with Pete And he restores the old tractors. I have watched every single one of them that he has done that he has recorded and I have learned a lot. Keep up the good work. When are we going to see the fire pit that you were going to be building is it on the back burner or did I miss that video?
Thank you, Dale! I’m still working on all the videos you came here to see. The fire pit was side-tracked by my shop build but it’s still coming. I still have the big timbers. Hopefully this summer. Stay tuned!
Good looking truck 🚚 Jason, hope you're not going to paint it, it's outstanding as it is mate 👍. Good luck with it, keep the videos coming Jason. You are keeping me on tender hooks, as what's coming next. Best regards from the north east UK 🇬🇧
Thank you, John! No paint, just clear coat to protect what’s left of it. I’m working on three tables right now that should be next week’s video if all goes well. Cheers!
Thank you! He claims to be looking forward to me picking him up from school in it😂. I’ll have to put some pictures of him at cruise-ins with me when he was a baby. I had a ‘63 Nova SS convertible and he’d ride shotgun to the shows when mom had to work.
I love woodworking but…I also love cool trucks! Can’t wait to see more of this winter project 👍🏻 I have seen it in the background on your other videos and was wondering what’s up with that truck.
Pretty nice set of saw horses under service box. Whats your thinking on building this truck. Reliablity & price versus new chevy. How do you plan on using your rebuild. It would be a good vid, if you explained your reasoning & strategy on this project. Is it going to be a cruiser or work truck. Hope you take a couple of minutes w/your strategy,in upcoming videos. Good Watch like always.
Thank you! There’s a video about those saw horses😉. My ultimate plans for this build is to have a reliable cruiser/ advertising/ work truck. I want to paint my logo on the door and hit the local cruise-ins and car shows. I’ve never seen a truck of this era with wheels like this and a service body. I think it’ll be a conversation starter once it’s on the road.
