|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
nice build torchlight, that body looks like a good one to start with
many of us wish we could have dropped our trucks at a shop these trucks to light to ever hook up right, but you can never have too much power a little disappointed that you removed the fender mounted spare though :D |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Awesome build!
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
I love that patina. It'll be a cool truck when done. Q: why remove the spare cut out? I don't think I've ever seen that on a short bed. Was it tossed away?
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
I think it is time for another update. Work continues slowly but surely! These pictures are from two different trips:
Here's a look at the IFS from Scott's Hot Rods getting mocked in. I could not be happier with the quality of this IFS. Scott's makes an amazing IFS. http://i.imgur.com/4ud4cyF.jpg Delivery truck showed up that day with a couple fun parts. Here's the 4L65E transmission from Finish Line Transmissions: http://i.imgur.com/8SflUw7.jpg And, a new tilt column from Ididit! Also got a new radiator from US Radiator, but it is just gonna sit in the box for now, so no picture yet. http://i.imgur.com/7O6d6o0.jpg A little bit later. The cab is back off the frame and is knee deep in all the metal repair it needs. Brake rotors are on, and motor & transmission mounts are installed. Pardon the small wheels and tires - they are just on for the sake of rolling the frame around the shop. Wheels are too small for the brake calipers to be mounted at the moment! http://i.imgur.com/jToSOyr.jpg You can see the new transmission crossmember. Bolt-in instead of weld-in in case the transmission ever needs to be dropped without taking the motor out. http://i.imgur.com/9a2gCgj.jpg Again, I just love the way the Scott's IFS looks. We aren't going to put the coilovers on until later, no need to risk scratches now (they are polished). http://i.imgur.com/e49eBWN.jpg Closeup of the motor mount. It is just tacked into place right now. The guys at the shop don't want to do any finish welding until right before paint, in case they need to move/adjust anything later. I think that's a good approach. http://i.imgur.com/4JSlSEY.jpg I love this detail they put in, making the shape of the motor mount support match the shape of the IFS crossmember. Pretty cool idea. http://i.imgur.com/6tW2lg6.jpg Another look at the transmission crossmember. You can see they tried to make the shape of this crossmember mimic the shape of the shock-mount crossmember from the rear suspension. I feel very blessed to be able to have these guys working on Marvin. http://i.imgur.com/OVfSQO2.jpg More pictures next time! |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Very nice, Torchlight. I really like the style. The parts look first class also.
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Very nice work....Jim
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Hi Folks,
Been awhile since my last update. Progress has been slow but steady. Will be picking up quite a bit over the next two months, though - would like to be ready for paint prep by the end of September. So much fun visiting the shop to see all the little changes. Here's the latest progress: Sheet metal repair on the cab has been very time intensive, but these guys are artists and they are really getting this old cab put back together. Here's some work in progress: http://i.imgur.com/66ca3UT.jpg Cab corners are looking mighty nice now: http://i.imgur.com/1W1oGaa.jpg A little bit later, and you can see the results of all the work that was done on the lower firewall: http://i.imgur.com/vTeXF7U.jpg Something a bit different here, outside of the shop. Took a ROAD TRIP with my Dad - went down to Texas first to pick up a pair of original running boards I found online. Mine couldn't be saved, and having original metal sounded nice. Then stopped by the lumber mill to pick up the wood for the bed. This is a shagbark hickory tree from our family farm that we had cut down last fall and had turned into lumber. It was finally done drying in the kiln and ready to take back to Minnesota: http://i.imgur.com/IaAXiLJ.jpg We dropped the lumber off at Bruce Horkey's shop in southwestern Minnesota. Bruce is such a nice guy and I know he's going to do amazing work turning these into beautiful bed boards. I think the contrast in this hickory is going to look incredible: http://i.imgur.com/fdNkq1n.jpg Here are those Texas running boards. A little surface rust, but they are completely solid all the way through! http://i.imgur.com/XfGg52a.jpg The sheetmetal repairs continue. You can see we filled in the battery box opening. A new battery box will be installed under the bench seat area. Even though this metal will be under carpet, the guys at the shop created beads in the filler piece to match the original metal on the driver's side. I love that attention to detail: http://i.imgur.com/37TSbQo.jpg http://i.imgur.com/UMivzWd.jpg http://i.imgur.com/DBwNCQy.jpg Continued... |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Here you can see the ididit steering column and new bench seat frame from Glide have been mocked up. A couple pictures showing how the seat back flips forward, but also the seat itself flips up! That's great, because I will be putting a new battery box accessible under the seat and also all the electronics boxes will be hidden under there (transmission computer, spark computer, fuel computer, and radio):
http://i.imgur.com/Ad8WXlk.jpg http://i.imgur.com/TC7qcG7.jpg http://i.imgur.com/S4CNIxi.jpg http://i.imgur.com/S1uUkDi.jpg I had to hop behind the "wheel" so we could make sure the steering column and pedals would be in the proper location. Kinda fun to sit in the cab once again! Yes, I made "vroom vroom" noises: http://i.imgur.com/CUbOjI3.jpg You know how on the original trucks, there was a cutout hump in the dash under/between the two gauges - this actually wasn't for the steering column itself, but rather for the shift linkage from the three-on-the-tree transmission. Because of this, that hump in the dash isn't centered between the gauges - it is offset. Also, it isn't the right curve to match the new ididit column, so the guys at the shop did this neat modification to make it look like the new column was meant to be there from the factory: http://i.imgur.com/JPijYRU.jpg http://i.imgur.com/TEOnWos.jpg http://i.imgur.com/3zsuz44.jpg Looks good, and with the new bracing under the dash, that steering column is SOLID: http://i.imgur.com/J3oN8zv.jpg |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Really excited about this, the long-tube headers were completed recently. Decided to get them built from scratch for a custom fit. I'm thrilled with how they turned out:
http://i.imgur.com/9i16u1C.jpg You can see the tube for cylinder 1 bumps out a little bit - that's to give clearance for the steering linkage. All 4 tubes were bent up so they have the exact same length to the collector: http://i.imgur.com/bhQxtTF.jpg Even though we don't need clearance for a steering linkage on the passenger side, I wanted the headers to be symmetrical on both sides, so everything is mirrored: http://i.imgur.com/H0sEYwj.jpg Next time I visit, exhaust should be complete back to the rear of the truck. Going with 2.5" tubing and Porter mufflers: http://i.imgur.com/o3QAdH8.jpg Also, I took another road trip to buy a bed from a guy in Michigan. Again, mine was too far gone to save (cost-effectively, anyway), and I was hoping to keep original steel. Made the trip, got the bed - it is in pretty good shape, but still looks like it will take a lot of work to save. Probably going to go with reproduction parts at this point. Oh well, I tried! Anybody in MN need an old bed? http://i.imgur.com/UbjAFEb.jpg Also wanted to post these - unrelated, but so cool I had to share. The guys had this in the shop a couple weeks ago. A true barn find - an International "truck," I think the year is 1912? All original, and it fired right up after a tune-up. This is when some trucks were still more like tractors in a lot of ways. I thought it was great to see an ancestor to our own trucks that we love: http://i.imgur.com/Xx07RQD.jpg http://i.imgur.com/8wDWl0q.jpg |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
I'm speechless~! Incredible! what is it? I love your shop and how clean you work!
dne' |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Oh, I can't take any credit for the shop or the work. This is a local shop here in the Twin Cities that is doing the work on the truck - I don't have the time, knowledge, or expertise for anything close to what they are doing. But you are right, they are doing a really nice job!
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Looks really stunning! Nice clean sheetmetal-work and the rear suspension...work of art!
You have found the right place for your truck! Looking forward to more posts, give my regards to the guys in the shop, so they know people here in Sweden is watching! :) Posted via Mobile Device |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
that bed looks better than mine, but I just took it up the @$$ on taxes when I transferred my truck.
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
That truck is coming along great. I wish I could find some original running boards like that but I'll end up going aftermarket. So how much did that fancy seat run you? I plan on putting my electronics under the seat too so something like that would be perfect.
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Nice update, truck is looking good, nice work...Jim
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Great build going on. That will be a super nice truck when it's done. From the pics and looking at the projects in the background it looks like that shop is top notch.
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Wow, I have no idea how I lost track of Marvin, but it's been too long since I checked in. I absolutely love the work he is getting done. The quality is incredible. Can't wait for the next update.
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Me too!!
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Amazing work on this one! Love it!
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Hi everyone - sorry it has been so long since the last update on Marvin! Work has certainly continued, and progress is happening every day - slowly but surely. It is so exciting to see Marvin coming together! I've been super busy these last few months, so I kinda fell behind on the updates. Here's a bunch of pictures to catch up, though. These are from 4 or 5 different trips to the shop over the past few months. Please forgive the image quality on some of these - I only had my cell phone camera at times. On to the pics...
Starting to mockup more of the sheetmetal to check fitment. Marvin is starting to look like a truck again! http://i.imgur.com/s89wXEY.jpg Made a final decision that most of the original sheetmetal from both Marvin and the bed I picked up in Michigan was too far gone to realistically save. It could be done, but it would be a huge amount of labor, and would have ended up mostly new metal patched in anyway. So, command decision to get a new repop bed from Bruce Horkey. Very high quality parts, looks like a fantastic match to original pieces. http://i.imgur.com/RzqxsOT.jpg Here you can see how the motor will sit in the engine bay. You can see that the inner fenders had to be cut for header clearance. The new openings will be finished off with appropriately shaped sheetmetal. http://i.imgur.com/1rO9Kyl.jpg New radiator and electric fan shroud from US Radiator. It was here that we realized that the standard truck items on the front of the LS motor (water pump, alternator, pulleys, etc) were going to cause clearance issues with the radiator fan. So, I ordered a set of accessories meant for the Cadillac CTS-V version of the LS motor. Should bolt up to my block, and give a couple extra inches of clearance. http://i.imgur.com/ngOejxV.jpg Pedal location mockup. Going to stick with pedals that go through the floor, rather than firewall mounted. Wanting to keep a lot of the "original" traits of the truck, and this is a good example. http://i.imgur.com/hl3qPKv.jpg Mounting the master cylinder and brake booster got a little tricky because traditional mounting inside the frame was going to cause clearance issues with the exhaust. The guys at the shop realized there was the perfect amount of room outside the frame, between the frame and the cab overhand. A fabbed linkage that runs through the frame puts the pedal in the correct location. In the first picture here, you can see the Wilwood hub and rotor have been installed, and you can see the master cylinder linkage through the frame at the very right of the picture. http://i.imgur.com/xzR4ipK.jpg Continued... |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
A couple more pics of the master cylinder setup.
http://i.imgur.com/kjRmsYT.jpg http://i.imgur.com/oPgSTiF.jpg http://i.imgur.com/RHPaGgx.jpg Exhaust fabrication in progress. I think the work that was done here from the headers all the way back is just beautiful. Looking towards the front: http://i.imgur.com/fH271lZ.jpg And looking to the back: http://i.imgur.com/J8CVkrR.jpg I love these long Porter mufflers. http://i.imgur.com/kzXr4mT.jpg Getting the tail end of the exhaust figured out. Decided to flare out and run under the flame rails once past the rear end to create a nice big space for the gas tank to sit. Measurements have been taken for the tank, but it hasn't been built yet. http://i.imgur.com/fOwqWwW.jpg Continued... |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
A little while later, more of the sheetmetal has been fitted. Decided the old grille couldn't be saved, so ended up with a nice shiny repop from Classic Heartbeat parts - seems to be very nice quality! You can also see Marvin has feet again - new wheels and tires! He's really starting to look like his old self again.
http://i.imgur.com/ElQBLxg.jpg Another angle. Here, you can see the start of fitting the rear bumper. Or should I say, front bumper. We realized that Marvin's rear bumper wasn't really a rear bumper - it was a front bumper all this time! I like it, though - the way it wraps around a bit more, so I'm definitely keeping that look. Going to tuck the bumper in and up a little for a clean look. You can also see we installed a hidden latch and hinge setup for the tailgate. And you can see that the running boards I picked up in Texas haven't been sandblasted yet, but they fit great! http://i.imgur.com/6xzmC2c.jpg 15 inch chrome steelies with baby moon caps from The Wheelsmith. 15x7 in front and 15x8 in back, I believe. Tires are BF Goodrich Radial T/A - P225/70r15 in front and P255/70r15 in back. About as meaty as could fit without rubbing or tubbing modifications, I believe. Really like the look of wider tires in the back, so I considered doing mini tubs but eventually decided against it. Trying to keep with the "stock old truck" look where I can. http://i.imgur.com/7TWcqXg.jpg Nice work here with lead smoothing the cab seam, and also a nice patch over the old gas filler hole. http://i.imgur.com/dvgaK9E.jpg That running board will need a couple dents pounded out. Front bumper valance had to be stolen for something else. Will order a repop one to replace it. http://i.imgur.com/TINpGkP.jpg I really like this angle. I think the stance is looking perfect perfect perfect. Not too low for the "friendly old truck" look, but not too high either - still a little bit of attitude. http://i.imgur.com/8ZFuNaV.jpg Might be hard to see in these two pictures, but some excellent work was done here making the gaps between the doors and the cab tight and uniform. http://i.imgur.com/7fkPqKG.jpg http://i.imgur.com/wU5AJhm.jpg Continued... |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Some really cool stuff here. New brackets were fabbed to get the rear/front bumper exactly where I wanted it, and the original front bumper valance was used to make a cool filler piece between the tailgate and the bumper. I think it looks like it could have come from the Chevrolet factory that way. Also you can see the final placement of the exhaust - I wanted the tips just barely visible - only a slight hint that there's something different under there.
http://i.imgur.com/NaaEOgx.jpg A little closer view of the same. You can see some end caps have been fabbed up for the rolled tops of the bed sides. Simple, but again look like Chevrolet might have designed them. http://i.imgur.com/V6LSTcT.jpg I got really excited when I saw this for the first time. My original running boards were too rough to save, but the guys at the shop used them to create this cool mini running board filler piece between the rear fender and the new rear bumper valance. They surprised me with this idea, and I think it looks stunning. They'll be building some bracketry underneath so that it could support the weight of someone actually stepping on it. You can also see where the new gas filler is going to be. That's actually the original gas filler hole that was cut out of the cab and moved back here. You can also kinda see the embossed bead detail running around the outer edge of the rear bumper valance. http://i.imgur.com/BxGnmkR.jpg Closer view of the same. http://i.imgur.com/AEkYULf.jpg Here's a view of the front side of the valance, with the rear bumper off. http://i.imgur.com/ozXyHTJ.jpg Here's a nice peek at the final exhaust routing under the bed. This almost makes me feel bad there's going to be wood covering all this up. http://i.imgur.com/2vMyLac.jpg Here's how the exhaust comes all the way back, shoots out to go under the framerail, and ends in a simple downward tip. Also, the inner guts of the bumper valance. http://i.imgur.com/l5eLVTi.jpg Continued... |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
And these last two pics are kinda silly, just to show how Marvin is starting to serve a dual purpose as a parts storage facility. Boxes can kinda start to pile up!
http://i.imgur.com/lKRN5tQ.jpg http://i.imgur.com/syTVR22.jpg And that's all for this update. These pictures bring us current to late November, anyway. I'll definitely try to keep on top with more frequent updates. I really enjoy sharing with y'all, so thanks very much for checking in on Marvin from time to time! It is so rewarding and so much fun to watch him come together. It very much is the realization of a life long dream, and getting to watch it happen has been a true blessing. I can't give enough love, respect, and admiration to the guys at the shop for what they are doing and the way they are doing it. They are true craftsmen and artists, and they simply do outstanding work. It is hard to believe they've had Marvin at the shop for over a year already. Looking forward to posting future updates! |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
It will be even more enjoyable when you are driving "Marvin"
Are you going to have A/C? |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Quote:
http://i.imgur.com/RRlYIiQ.jpg |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Does that low A/C bracket clear the frame?
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Quote:
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Speechless! OMg! and I love your shop!;) I especially like the way you installed the master cylinder! (actually at first I thought you mounted it sideways, the realized the pic is sideways! doah!)
dne' |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Very nice truck. I would like to see a further back, overall picture of the rear bumper and fender areas if possible. Nice design.
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
this is a great project. Subscribed!!
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Man I really love that idea of the mini running boards between the rear fender and bumper. I assume that they are using a front bumper on the rear judging by the amount of curve?? I like it. And using the old gas filler hole.
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Quote:
Quote:
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Quote:
http://i.imgur.com/9IHajxQ.jpg |
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
That's going to be 1 nice truck. Was your headers a kit? Bought a 6.0 for mine and was wondering what to do about headers. Keep the info and pics coming!
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Quote:
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Read your thread, nice history and cool truck
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Looking good...Jim
|
Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
Man, that's nice work! That shop ain't screwing around! It's always great when someone with the means and desire finds someone with the capability and determination to pull the project off on time with style. Great things can happen. This is really gonna be cool.
|
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:14 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com