Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks guys. I’ve pulled the engine/trans back out. So I can get under the hood. I’m trying to get the hood fitted and I just shake my head at how terrible everything fit on these trucks from the factory. I’ve got 4 hours into adjusting and pulling on the hood and it’s still not right. I have to cut and weld the front of the hood on the right side to get the gap right. Lots of time trying to get everything to fit like a modern car!

Re: My 56 build
 

Did you try adjusting the metal X cross race on the underside of the hood?

Re: My 56 build
 

Jason,
I had to do the same thing.

Re: My 56 build
 

I’m guessing this is how these hoods left the factory. All good now. Finally got the hood fitting pretty good. I won’t be able to get the gap between the hood and the cowl even with the function of the forward tilt hood. I need a larger gap in the center then the ends for the hood to open. Back to finishing the bodywork this weekend.

Re: My 56 build
 

looks good. if you're happy then it's what counts.gonna look great.

Re: My 56 build
 

Hey Jason, this final picture looks good. I had the same issues and ended up compromising with the hood to cowl. A body man showed me while pulling down on the hood front lip to grill I was able to get a tighted gap in the front.

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. The hood has been a constant comprise to get it to fit. Some of my problems have come from when I pancaked it. The front radius was way off when I started, but is really close now. Not much adjustment in the brace due to the flip hood. At one point I left all the bolts loose on the brace and it didn’t really change anything. Pull it one way and something else doesn’t fit. After 6 hours of adjusting I settled on fixing the one gap in the front. So far so good :metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

Front fenders and hood are finally ready for a 400 grit wet sand. After that it’s paint. In the third picture you can see the special tool I used to pull the center of the hood down. Size 9.5 :lol: It was sprung in the center from when I pancaked it. Came out good. Last picture is my start to my exhaust ports. Started with a couple pieces of 3/16 stainless. I’ll polish them when they’re done.

Re: My 56 build
 

haha, I like your special tool you have and it's always available. good job

Re: My 56 build
 

Yes Sir, Iam lookin forward to paint....cant wait!

Re: My 56 build
 

Ready for primer, then paint. Hopefully this weekend.

Re: My 56 build
 

:lol::lol: good thinking on your feet? :lol::lol:

Re: My 56 build
 

Frame and rear end are now in epoxy primer. I added a Jack point to the back of the frame. ( last picture) I have to Jack the back up to remove the rear tires and this way I won’t have to use a block on the Jack. Hangs down 1” below the gas tank.
Only have a few suspension pieces left to clean and prime. I’m going to make a rotisserie out of the 2 engine stands. I’ve seen it done by others on the forum. Then I start spraying color.

Re: My 56 build
 

beautiful truck you're building,great work.love seeing it come together.

Re: My 56 build
 

jack point. interesting. sort of wished i had thought of something like that :D

Re: My 56 build
 

It doesn’t rotate all the way around, but most of the way.

Re: My 56 build
 

First piece in color today. Spent hours getting this bronze like I wanted it. Ended up being a custom color. Started with 2004 Chrysler khaki and altered from there. After 8 spray outs I finally came up with a color I was happy with. Then back to the parts store with the formula for the adjustment. Turned out awesome so far :metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

NICE COLOR!!!!! lookin forward bud

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks! I’m eager to get the rest painted.

Re: My 56 build
 

So after looking at the frame for a couple days I realized it wasn’t the color I wanted. Too much green. It looked olive green in the shade. So I added some red… and ended up with this bronze. I added both gold and bronze pearl so it really flops in the sun. I’m much happier with it. More of the color I was trying to achieve. Also finished up preping and priming the rest of the frame pieces.

Re: My 56 build
 

All the suspension parts and rear end are painted. Once cured I can begin final assembly of the frame.

Re: My 56 build
 

love the bronze! i did some wheels in a rustoleum bronze and after a few years it went from a deep brown bronze to a shiny bronze like yours. very nice!

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks, I’m really happy with how kit turned out. At first I thought it was too dark. Now I see it and couldn’t be happier. All the pearl I added really gives it that color flop from light to dark. Exactly what I was shooting for.

Re: My 56 build
 

love the color, very nice.

Re: My 56 build
 

Here’s a better picture of the bronze color. You can really see all the flop on the rear end. I’m going to play with my blue paint today. I have some blue and white pearl. I want the blue a little lighter… so add pearl. Fitted the exhaust ports to the rear fenders. They now have a coat of raptor bed liner on the underside for rock protection. Had to fix one last door gap on the drivers door. The cab is currently in final primer (hopefully) and ready for a wet sand and final paint. Maybe in color be the end of the week. I’m trying to get as much painted before it get cold here. I already had 34 degrees one morning last week.