Re: Snagged one...!
 

Looks to be a nice find. Good luck with her.

Re: Snagged one...!
 

That's good information I do like the way the new ones shift and the old TV cable can be a pain for sure. What are you doing for the speedo, electric gauge or cable x box? I guess if I'm gonna change out gauges it really doesn't matter. Got any pics of your rides?

Re: Snagged one...!
 

Probably going with the gauges like this. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-...Q5fAccessories

i have my original rebuilt when i built my truck the first time (03 or 04)
grandpas 57 bel air 2dr hardtop. my 57 3100. dads 56 bel air 2dr sedan
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...l02/Car035.jpg
my '38
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_6684.jpg
my '57
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...esel02/011.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...el02/013-1.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...esel02/017.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...esel02/019.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_5953.jpg
dads '57
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...el02/010-1.jpg
grandpas '57 (horrible pic, didnt have the keys to pull it outside)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...esel02/007.jpg

Re: Snagged one...!
 

Congrats on the find! Can't wait to see more of this one!

Re: Snagged one...!
 

nice rides blackdiesel! I guess as Hank Jr. would say "it's a fam-ly tradition" :lol:

I've been following your 2wd swap / build. Looking good.

Re: Snagged one...!
 

Thanks! yea we have an old peice of steel or two that we like to drive around. Every few months i get a real bad itch to go work on a project. I need to find a less expensive hobby :lol:

Re: Snagged one...!
 

Well for inspiration I picked up this serape from Ebay for the seat:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/...926c8fcc29.jpg

Re: Snagged one...!
 

We made time to go retreive the truck today, it is not local but 1.5 hours away so we made a day of it. It was muddy and cold and of course a real pain but above all fun.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/...6b12323886.jpg
Dad and my boy:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/...5ddb488e13.jpg
Pretty solid overall:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/...dcd42767e4.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/...2bc624ab0f.jpg

Re: Snagged one...!
 

Looks like a keeper.
What are your plans for it?

Re: Snagged one...!
 

That thing is sweet. Some of the best times I spent with my old man or my son were road trips to look at or drag home some cool treasure.... Very nice...

Re: Snagged one...!
 

Chassis build; MII, 4-link, 10 bolt, bags w/ manual valves, 5.3L...5 speed??? As-is exterior with new trim, glass & rubber, freshened up interior, steel wheels, wide whites, strategic metal flake and pinstriping. That's what's in my head right now. The plan could change a bit the challenge is going to be not going overboard.

Re: Snagged one...!
 

Looks like a good solid foundation to start with. Im sure you will have fun building it. I know that I had fun building mine and the reward is driving it

Project "Popeye"
 

Well I guess it's time to turn this into a build thread since I couldn't fight the urge to tear into it. This thread may be painfully slow but hopefully not boring. Since I got the truck I have cleaned it out, scrapped the original drivetrain and started gathering parts. My frame has seen better days and I found one nearby cheap so it now resides in my garage which is a good jump in motivation. So far the plan is:

Suspension/chassis
-Air ride IFS (type TBD) with power rack
-4 link rear end w/ bags over axle, c-notch
-camaro drum brake 10 bolt rear end, 3.42-ish ratio
-under floor power disc/drum booster, all new brake lines
-blast, prime and paint chassis

Drivetrain
-5.3L, 212/218 cam, carbureted, w/ coil pack relocation and finned aluminum valve covers
-NP 833 4 speed manual O/D transmission
-stock fuel tank location

Body/paint
-original black paint
-light rust repair in the floorboards and cab corners
-holes in firewall filled
-painted dash and firewall
-rough hewn bed wood and old beer crate in bed
-tasteful door logos and pinstriping
-new glass and rubber
-steel wheels and whitewall tires

Interior
-functional heater, radio, wipers, and gauges
-blue and black mexican blanket on the original seat
-new wiring

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/...1bf1ba6a_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/...d6519762_b.jpg

Re: Snagged one...!
 

Great looking truck. I like the blue serape.

Re: Snagged one...!
 

nice looking truck dude

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Thanks everyone.

Just got off the phone with Nathan Porter and it turns out we have the same thing in mind for the rear set-up. Stay tuned...

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

PORTERBUILT......for your truck...comeon tell us the secret, i guess it must be a custom set up??? Dropmember for a 50

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

patience grasshoppa!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Aaaawwwwwwwwwwwwww, i hate suprises

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I decided to make my frame a little more mobile, so I cut some angle, put some cheap harbor freight casters on the bottom and welded posts to the frame. I can fine tune the level when needed and roll it in, out and around the garage which is *very, very important* since Mama still needs to park in there.

Spent about 2 hours knocking out rivets and removing un-necessary crap. Still have a bunch to go, those rusty rivets are a pain. My method is to cut an X in the head with a grinder/cut-off wheel then knock the heads off with an air hammer and punch them out. Works like a charm!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/...e16b1caa91.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/...12f004807e.jpg

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Good idea with the mobile "frame table".

That should let you get that as close to done prior to re-installing all the necessary parts.

I'll keep watching ....

Ratty 46

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Thanks Ratty!

I know these are pathetic updates, but I need to keep myself accountable on this one! I just finished another project and it's up for sale to fund this one, so cross your fingers that it sells. Then I can give you some real updates :lol:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/...944b76b2_b.jpg

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

bike looks killer

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Well, the bike is sold (again) so it's time to start inviting the Brown man to my doorstep! I think the next order of business is going to be having the frame blasted.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Watch out Orndorff Leevon headed your way..... lets see some boxes of new parts