1948 Chevy 5 Window - Custom Truck's

1948 Chevy 5 Window Bodywork Left Side View

Committing to building an early-model custom truck from scratch can become a major challenge. Using the original parts and pieces, which in some cases are 50 years old, can test your fabricating and mechanical skills. Consider yourself lucky if your project vehicle comes to you in one complete form. Refurbishing worn, original components can be more of a pain than it is worthwhile. Purchasing new re-popped parts is sometimes easier, but watch out for the fitment and quality.

Carroll Smith from Pasadena, Texas, took on this challenge, when he decided to build his custom '48 Chevy 3100 five-window pickup. Carroll had been involved in a number of hot rods, customs, and muscle-car buildups during the past 35 years, but he never built a custom pickup. After purchasing his '48 Chevy on the eBay website, it was delivered. Initially, it was going to be a daily driver for Carroll and his son, Brandon, until they discovered the truck was leaking about 3 quarts of oil per day, due to a dried out rear main rope seal. Brandon replaced the original rope seal, only to find it leaking 4 quarts a day. And so, Brandon and Carroll decided to dismantle the old '48 and begin the six-year journey of building this immaculate, high-end ride. After completion, it was displayed at the '07 Detroit Autorama, where it was picked as a Great 8 finalist for the prestigious Ridler Award.

We were fortunate enough to gain access to these images taken during the construction process of Carroll Smith's '48 Chevy five-window, Conundrum.

This was the delivered '48 Chevrolet 3100 Series five-window pickup, after Carroll had purchased it unseen on eBay.
This was the delivered '48 Chevrolet 3100 Series five-window pickup, after Carroll had pur
Carroll got together with visionary rendering artist Rodney Hutcheson, who created this wild sketch of the Conundrum.
Carroll got together with visionary rendering artist Rodney Hutcheson, who created this wi
The roof was pancaked 1-1/2 inches in the center to remove the hump. The lid was then lowered 2 inches at the A-pillars and 2-1/2 inches in the rear. A '96 Ford Ranger pickup windshield was carefully grafted into the cab. The hood was built from scratch for a correct pie-cut shape. The stock front fenders were later cut and reshaped to accommodate the Jeep Liberty headlights.
The roof was pancaked 1-1/2 inches in the center to remove the hump. The lid was then lowe

The 2x4-inch rectangular boxed and stepped frame was designed and fabricated by Roy Pigford in Baytown, Texas. The rear fenders were widened 1-inch, then reshaped, and fitted to the custom, rear Coddington/BFGoodrich g-Force rolling spools.
The 2x4-inch rectangular boxed and stepped frame was designed and fabricated by Roy Pigfor
The '91 LT5 350ci Corvette engine maintained its factory internal components and specs. The engine was then reassembled by Danny Barnett, who is torquing the oil pan bolts to their correct specs.
The '91 LT5 350ci Corvette engine maintained its factory internal components and specs. Th
The LT5 was lowered between the framerails. The doors were then hung and aligned with new Hagan hinges and latches. The cowl side vents were removed, then later filled with 16-gauge sheetmetal to achieve that ultra-smooth look. Notice the fenders frontal area, where it has been pie-cut to narrow the headlight pockets for the Jeep Liberty headlights.
The LT5 was lowered between the framerails. The doors were then hung and aligned with new

The front suspension consists of Corvette C5 spindles, Z06 upper and lower control arms with Air Ride Technologies Shock Wave pneumatic airbags. Notice the Corvette concentric alignment suspension points for the upper control arm. Yep, it's all Corvette suspension front and rear.
The front suspension consists of Corvette C5 spindles, Z06 upper and lower control arms wi
Peering through one of the fifth window portholes, we can observe the stock dash.
Check out the custom-sculptured dash, ididit steering column, and one-off custom steering wheel. What an improvement from the stock, flat dual instrument, radio, heater switch panel, and glovebox dash. Also, all new floor pans and a driveshaft tunnel were installed.
Check out the custom-sculptured dash, ididit steering column, and one-off custom steering

Looking to the rear of the cab, we can observe the audio power of the two Kenwood amps and Eclipse crossovers.
Looking to the rear of the cab, we can observe the audio power of the two Kenwood amps and
Here's a custom bed, complete with dovetail bedsides and roll pan, tailgate, and bedrails. The 18-gallon aluminum fuel tank was dropped into the raised bed floor.
Here's a custom bed, complete with dovetail bedsides and roll pan, tailgate, and bedrails.
The painted frame is the foundation for the all Corvette drivetrain. Notice the Tremec manual six-speed rear transaxle, without the torque tube housing, which links to the LT5 powerplant.
The painted frame is the foundation for the all Corvette drivetrain. Notice the Tremec man

The freshly painted cab was set outside to bake in the sun, which accelerated the curing process.
The freshly painted cab was set outside to bake in the sun, which accelerated the curing p
Here, we can see the entire undercarriage before the cab was installed. A well-stepped chas-sis allows the Coddington/BF Goodrich tires to tuck deep into the fenders. The '91 LT5 engine was bolted to the engine mounts. A set of Corvette ZR1 long-tube racing headers flow into a stainless steel exhaust system. Notice the smaller, tubular subframe housing the uncaged torque tube driveshaft.
Here, we can see the entire undercarriage before the cab was installed. A well-stepped cha
An overhead hoist was used to aid in lowering the cab onto the assembled chassis.

Before lowering the cab onto the hoist, it was carefully aligned with the mounting pads.
This front view shows the chassis and Air Ride Technologies pneumatic 'bagged suspension at its lowest travel point.
This front view shows the chassis and Air Ride Technologies pneumatic 'bagged suspension a
Jorge Valdez made sure everything was proportionate.

The custom-fabricated stepped frame secured the cab as low as possible without channeling it.
The custom-fabricated stepped frame secured the cab as low as possible without channeling
Many people say you can't make an LT5 engine look good. Well, checkout Conundrum's LT5 that is cradled between its framerails. The engine block was given a couple of coats of DuPont Titanium Frost, then coated in a matt clear finish. The cylinder heads, valve covers, intake, and plenum were coated with a DuPont Desert Green, then given a matt clear finish coat. The custom-made inner fenders, firewall, and radiator core support were given multiple coats of the lighter Titanium paint, creating a ceramic-like finish. How about the radiator stainless steel hard-line? The grille was fabricated out of an 1/8-inch aluminum, then dimple-drilled to achieve maximum airflow.
Many people say you can't make an LT5 engine look good. Well, checkout Conundrum's LT5 tha
Dynamat was laid throughout the entire cab interior to eliminate the majority of engine and road noise. Then, all of the electrical and audio sound components were installed, before installing the custom dash.
Dynamat was laid throughout the entire cab interior to eliminate the majority of engine an

An aerial view showcases the rear Corvette Tremec Z06 transaxle and suspension, with an Air Ride Technologies pneumatic airbag system.
An aerial view showcases the rear Corvette Tremec Z06 transaxle and suspension, with an A
A '96 Ford Ranger windshield was carefully fitted into the roof, A-pillars, and the cowl. It gave the cab a very smooth and aerodynamic appearance.
A '96 Ford Ranger windshield was carefully fitted into the roof, A-pillars, and the cowl.
Here is the fully assembled Conundrum masterpiece.