Re: 49 ls1
 

nice progress sarge. honestly bf I read what you said about paint, I was digging the way the bed looked. The whole patina/fauxtina just wets my whistle. There is almost no paint job that would be as unique and different/one of a kind as the patinas.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Looks like a nice piece to start with....Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

Awesome progress man. I have a quick question, what do you set your wheelbase at on these trucks? I dont have a good bed for mine yet but would like to go ahead and set my wheelbase so I can move forward to other projects. Any side pics where I can see the wheels centered in the wheelwells that you could give me a wheelbase measurement on? Thanks buddy.

Re: 49 ls1
 

99: Thanks brother, This look has really grown on me since I did my Son's truck. I just love the attention it gets!

Jim: Yup, that 52 already has a carbed 5.3/700R4 combo. He just wants to lose the solid axle so he can enjoy driving it a little more. I agree with him on that point!

Stockish... Factory wheelbase is 116, but the rear wheels look too far forward in the rear fenders for my taste. I like my wheelbase to be 117" on the nose. Both the front and rear wheels get centered that way. With a custom frame, it's hard to give you a dead measurement. Tomorrow I'll measure from the back of my cab to the axle centerline and get back with you.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I'v seen a truck that had a similar look, as if he used a rust converter on it, it really gives it a nice unique finish.

I'm not a fan of the factory look either, they claimed they did it that way so when the bed is loaded the wheels will center. S10 swaps with reg cab longbed are 117.9 so yeah right in there is a good number to be at.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I agree 99. I usually move the rear axle forward a hair on the S10 swaps. Just like them how I like them I guess!

Here's a link to my '52 build in progress. Should be done in 2 weeks, but the owner just added AC to the list. His goal is for a cruise on 17 May... I always seem to cut them close to the wire!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6637050

Re: 49 ls1
 

might have missed it some place but what are your plans for A/C.
I have my engine in and it is over to the passenger side 3/4" to match the rear.
Almost everything fits but not sure what to do with AC compressor.
I was hoping to go low on passenger side but I am either out of room or don't have the correct bracket.
Any help would be great

Re: 49 ls1
 

Iceburg, I'm using the factory '05 Denso compressor and bracket. I notched my crossmember, and welded in a 1/8" plate "can" for clearance. There are pics farther up of the notch. Tight, but it does clear with room for torque rock.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Wow, it's been a while since I worked on this truck! Finally got a little "me time" today with the old girl. Steering linkage is all finished up, and I started working on the "look" for the cab. I'm calling it "Shabby Chic"... It's a mix of several layers, several colors, covered with black and wet sanded. I'm kind of digging it :metal:

Re: 49 ls1
 

I took a stock 55-9 in cab tank fuel sender and chopped it down so it has exactly 7" of throw. Same as the depth of the mustang tank. I also installed a 3/8" return line in the top for the Corvette fuel filter.

Finally, my new Vinyl decal for the air tank went on. That's probably going to be it for this week, I have a '52 GMC in the shop for an S10 frame swap this month.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Hey Chris, nice decal for the tank, make sure to post up the new thread, so we can follow along...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks Jim, I see you found the other thread ok. :lol:
Link is http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...79#post6692579

Got a nice afternoon of work on this one today. Started out by installing the rear disk brakes. they are weld on brackets (from ebay), 75 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup calipers, 71 Camaro brake hoses (really long), 1990 Camaro rear rotors, and 1.5" 7/16" studs.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Here's the rear brake line arrangement, the Camaro hoses came with a nice bolt on bracket about mid-way up the hose, so I used self threading 5/16" bolts to secure them to the bottom of the frame, ensuring (of course) that they were un-stretched at full droop. I made a couple of tabs to hold the inside end, and got some 5/8 x 18 jamb nuts from Ace to secure them. I have some nice stainless double line clamps on order (3/16" on one side for the brake line and 3/8" on the other for the fuel line). Once I get them in, I'll post a pic of the line routing along the frame.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I also got the fuel system about 90% ironed out, but didn't take any pics before I dropped it back down. Next time I'm under it, I'll take one.

The core support and radiator are also finished. Plenty of room for efan.
The radiator is a Speedway 19x22 with passenger side upper and lower hose openings. I used a Canton racing straight water-neck, and it gives me an almost perfectly straight shot into the lower outlet of the radiator.

Re: 49 ls1
 

It is looking good, must feel nice to get a little done to your own project.

Re: 49 ls1
 

looking good sarge, little by little she'll be on the road soon. I just got my 51' out and man it feels good to drive it for a change, never have time to get her out it seems. Summer is finally upon us, finally!!! time to get on it.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Skymangs...thank you so much,you are my hero.
I'm new here and just started a thread about a '53 and what I need to look for to put a Chevy LS engine in.I'm stealing a little here and a little there,but your firewall modification was just what I was looking for at this point.I'm putting a '53 cab and nose on a 2006 chassis and am putting the cab on a rotisserie to work on...your sheetmetal mods are a HUGE help.Thanks again.

I need to take a full evening this week to look over your full build,but I'm thinking already it is going to be key for me.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks Ghetto, it's a nice change of pace to be working on something for pleasure! I'm dedicating Sundays as '49 day from now on!

99... Drive the wheels off of it. I have it good I guess, until mine's done, I can always steal the kid's '48 when I wanna look cool.:lol:

CharlieSheen, thanks. I'm just trying to share so others don't waste time and money repeating the same mistakes I have. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Happy to pass along what little knowledge I have. :haha:

Re: 49 ls1
 

Is it me,or is the steering shaft a mile away from the engine?How does this happen....whoops,it looks like there are no exhaust manifolds or headers...but it still looks like a lot of room.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Sarge(if I may call you that)...nice tip about the Trailblazer SS exhaust manifolds.I'm probably going to find a pair now,before the rest of the world finds out.Not many GM part bargains out there for about $100 per pair! Just need to confirm the bolt up to my LQ4(6.0L) heads.:metal:

Re: 49 ls1
 

They will. Trailblazer SS came with either a 5.3 or 6.0... Same exhaust manifolds on both.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Sarge,is your steering shaft exiting the cab in the stock '49 exit hole? It appears you have plenty of steering shaft to engine clearance,is this due to your steering box location on your front clip?Do you have to do any inner fender modification?

I am trying to avoid any extra u-joints in my steering shaft on my '53/2006-3500chassis conversion.

Can you possibly do me a favor?It would be very helpful to get a measurement from the center of the crankshaft bolt on the front of the engine,to the center of the shaft of the steering box.My steering box is also inboard of the frame,of course(not outboard like the AD chassis).

Re: 49 ls1
 

Heck no, the stock steering column hole disappeared long ago. My column is centered below the V of the '55 instrument cluster. Sorry, I know it isn't much help.

Inner fenders had to be cut down pretty severely. but no worse than for an S10 swap.

You can get away with one borgeson joint, but it has to be fixed on one end (right at the steering column). I used 2 with this one, but since they are both fixed on one end, there is no "wobble problems" that would require a heim to stabilize.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I'll try to take that measurement today. Remember, I'm using a 74 Firebird stub, not an S10 chassis. My measurements will likely be different.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Ok,got it about the steering column.I would have to believe the steering column,in relation to the centerline of the truck has not changed much.I was wondering if you had cheated the column toward the left to get more engine clearance or not,because you seem to have plenty of clearance.

Yes,I would like to keep it to a single steering shaft if at all possible.

Yeah,I have pretty much no knowledge of what is typically needed during one of these frame swaps.I'm glad to know that the inner fenders require a lot of modification,I couldn't see any other way.I'm pretty sure that I will maintain plenty of tire clearance however,because the 2006 front track width is so wide,I will have to widen each of my 2-ton fenders by 2-3 inches.

Thanks again for your kind help.I hope these questions don't distract from your build too much.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Not at all. I teased the column to the left maybe an inch or so, Mostly I just centered it on the dash opening.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Here's some new pics. First is the fuel setup. pre-filter, then Warboro 392 electric pump, last is a 98-2000 vette filter, it has a regulated return and eliminates the need for a long return line.

Next is the fuel/brake line routing. I went with 3/8" steel line with compression fittings.

Last is the engine in "ready to run" stage.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Initial start-up happened today!:metal: Fired right up, purred like a kitten. :waah:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

Re: 49 ls1
 

Chris, great news on the start-up...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

congrats sarge, great feeling on start ups.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Yup... that's the "over the hump" mark for me.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Just read the entire thread. Awesome! I'm building a 49 5 window on an s10 frame with an LS1 and vintage air as well. So I will be using your thread for reference a bunch I'm sure.
I noticed that you are using a stock air conditioning compressor. You may already know this but vintage says that using a stock GM compressor will work for a while but will die prematurely because it isn't designed to operate the way their system operates.
Thanks for your service. Glad you didn't have to go back especially if your back problems were a result of a previous deployment.
Looking forward to the rest of the build as well as others you have lined up.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Hey Sarge,the work on your dash is pretty awesome.It looks like your dash is deeper than the original AD dash.Did that effect your steering wheel location,toward the seat?Did you mock up a wheel and check if it were a comfortable position?After seeing what you did,I may consider doing some dash mods,but just want to be sure that a deeper dash won't make the steering wheel position too close for the bigger guys.I'm pretty tall,myself.

Re: 49 ls1
 

w70442; Thank you. You are correct. The Denso compressor is designed for an orifice tube, while the aftermarket evaps use an expansion valve. I'm re-searching a work around as we speak.

Charliesheen; Thank you, it is a few inches deeper. The larger behind dash area gives me a lot more room to work with for AC, wipers, PCM, etc. Luckily that is a tilt column, so everything is adjustable! I did mock it up just to be sure.

Re: 49 ls1
 

You're welcome. Good luck on the compressor work around. I just broke down and bought their compressor. One less thing to deal with. I'm creating enough of my own issues with the ideas I have for my build.
Interesting that you wrapped the dash around on the doors. I believe you did it cause the dash you installed originally did it but I was thinking of extending the AD dash around onto the door like that just cause I think it would add a little more modern/custom look.
Rock on........

Re: 49 ls1
 

Sarge,your whole dash concept got my wheels turning.Now I want a cool dash too.Ok...not as cool as yours,not a '57,but something vintage.How did you find yours?

Re: 49 ls1
 

w70442; Just FYI, I just competed a Sanden 508 (what vintage air uses) on a 5.3 LS. The only bracket that I could find that would work was Holley's... Total cost for bracket, "install kit" (spacers and bolts), and the corvette tensioner/idler that are required to use their bracket was $325... Seems like a lot for a bracket to me. On the dash... I wrapped it around because I'd never seen it done like that before, and thought it would look cool.

charliesheen; I bought mine off the wall in the basement of Jim Carters. Best $100 I ever spent. I got home and found the same thing on ebay for $400... I think I got a deal!:metal:

Re: 49 ls1
 

Yeah,I can't wait to see how that turns out,you must have been struck by a lightning bolt.

I may contact Jim Carter about my wacky idea,to see if they may have something I can work with.Not telling anybody about it yet,because I change my mind like a teenage girl.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Cool. Remember, it's just steel. It can always be cut out and replaced. LoL

Re: 49 ls1
 

Ha!
I only have the cajones because you lead the way.
I am thinking I may want a "real dash" with more projection than the original and a real gauge package and room for ducting ECM...fuzez..etc,like you mentioned before. Now you have me really wussing out thinking about A/C.

I started the ball rolling by emailing Jim Carter to see if they have something on hand.