Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Dropped Project Mayhem off to get back-halfed to fit the massive Intro Rally for the rear. They are also chopping the camaro clip off and building new front half of frame, rack and pinion steering, setting up airride setup the list goes on. I am like a kid at Christmas time I can't wait. I mocked one fender on the back to get the visual of how the rear will sit.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...h_IMG_3156.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...h_IMG_0350.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...h_IMG_3417.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...h_IMG_3418.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...h_IMG_3334.jpg

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

That says it all!!!!
That's what this hobby is all about.

Very cool project!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

I have a similar sign on my garage wall that I picked up at PB. Mine is just the truck without the "Chevy" part. My truck is a 57 so not exactly like the sign, but same color and close enough that I had to buy that sign when I spotted it.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Got the narrowed 95 SS impala rear end mocked up waiting on new axles and brakes.
Notches are going in.
4 Link being fabbed Center support is done
New front half of frame with Mustang II cross member

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...BD17751364.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...54794D306F.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...BBB5B03C63.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...1272932E67.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2...302A64BC3C.jpg

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

looks pretty sweet there heavy. would it have been a stretch to just fab a whole new custom frame? it seems like the only stock part is the middle, and it is pretty flat, so fairly easy to replace with fresh, right?
keep the pics coming, we are all junkies for the build that is moving forward.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Fitted a straight exhaust extension to get rid of the side exit that was blowing soot all over my (unpainted at present) wall when warming up!

Using this photo to get creative in Paint.Net on a design for a custom rollpan / bumper setup as my truck had a tow hitch setup that was removed by the previous owner, so now looks a bit.. incomplete!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

I originally went in to get the back half done. After we talked about what I was running for the heartbeat and with the air ride he took me to look at 55 belair they were doing a front clip on with rack and pinion and they talked me into with a ton of reason why it would be better than keeping the clip that was done on it. I was already on the fence because the clip was solid as a rock but looked like crap. After I looked at it the other day they said the same thing that the only stock part of the frame is the center and I should have just went with a new frame but they are going to box in the center also for strength.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

I had some spare time to bolt together the bed.... slowly but surely

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Once I got the bed bolted together, slapped the signs in there temporarily to get the look I'm going for. ...
OPINIONS?

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Pretty cool

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

I finished up all my welding today and the chassis is nearly done.. At the point of mockup then it's finally sanding then paint. A small set back today as I lost my instructions to the leaf spring conversion. Small detail but it is an older chassis engineering kit and is complicated being it's a 54-55.1 kit I'm putting on a 53 chassis. I'll get it figured out but I blew it apart 4 yrs ago and a movery so it's frustrating.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Looking good

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Truck is back from paint a week ago,been installing parts every day. Lots of pics in build thread.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Installed weather stripping on doors Saturday.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Took my truck out for its first public showing. it was very well received. Parked it beside the stage for a Rockabilly event promotion and had a few Pinup's doing some poses. This is a quick pic my wife took. Should get the photographers pictures soon.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

I spent Saturday morning finishing the install of my EZ EFI fuel injection setup. Go it running and put some miles on the setup so it could learn.

Happy with it so far. Just need to go back and do some clean up on the wiring.

I really like the cold start and idle.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Removed the original heater. made a bracket for my receiver dryer, and had it powdercoated. Then I had a friend make the pressure line from the compressor, and swedge the ends on the liquid line and the retun. Waiting for the evaporator to arrive, got to mount that and then finish the last two hoses.

Got to wire it up, evacuate the system, fill it, and see how it works. I'm hoping the compressor is good. It has been riding around on the engine as a placeholder for about 4 years nnow
Decided that my Ron Davis radiator can't keep up, (after all, it is 25 years old)
put in a new aluminum radiator. The temps are pretty much the same as the Ron Davis unit, except it doesn't leak.
Now, when I filled it, I added an extra gallon of water to fill it up. Guess the new radiator holds more water?
Hoping that the thing will cool to ambient and suck the water into the block and fill up all the little crevices.
It's 108 today, and it ran about 165 degrees except when I stopped in traffic.

Tried the fan in traffic. stop and go , it ran about 170, maybe 180, We will see what it does when the ac is finished.
So bow I have aluminum heads, aluminum manifold, aluminum radiator with aluminum shroud, the compressor, condenser, dryer and lines are in, just need liquid and return hoses and the evaporator.

Crap, now I have to get rid of another original part.....a working heater.

I will post pics later.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Began to make some mini tubs bought off egay for $49 shipped included. I took 4 inches out with cut off wheel they were 7 3/4 now 3 3/4. Still working on them will post more after I am done.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

I could have welded them directly in but I decided to keep the edge cause I want them to bolt in.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Picked up a set of Black Widow Venom mufflers to replace my Flowmaster Super 40's! :uhmk:

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Finished grinding fenders

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Mocked up the bullet lugs and cap.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

That answers my question.

Today I took out my auxiliary trans cooler. My truck (350/350) has been running warmer on the freeway than in town, so I know it has an airflow problem. The trans cooler was out in front of the radiator and I suspected it was blocking the breeze. I mail-ordered another unit and will tuck it under the truck.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Replaced the trans pan (bad drain plug machining caused leak) with one with better design. No more leak.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Got the trans cooler mounted underneath. Here is the view of the now unobstructed radiator. Hopefully it will run a little cooler on the freeway now.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Started the wiring job to day.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Bought my donor vehicle for my LS1 conversion in my 56. Plan is to drive it as a daily for 6 months to sort out any mech issues (none so far!). Then do the conversion, as well as IFS.

In case anyone is confused the vehicle is an Australian Commodore SS sedan. It has the all alloy LS1 from 1999-2004, with a 4L60E.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

My first thought was, "how the hell did you get ahold of that!" but then I realized you're in Australia. America was very confused about muscle cars around this time...

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Got some work in on the bench seat. Luckily I had a spare donor that I picked up for FREE because there were some broken springs. They were being supported by a 2x4.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

You can get one here in the states, just find one of the Pontiac G8s that were made in the last year or two before Pontiac was discontinued.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Kinda looks like a cross between a G8 and a Malibu.
Anyway, like our friend spectral, I would only want the engine and tranny.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

I thought the G8s were just another boring front wheel drive car. My son had one in his body shop the other day and I questioned if it was worth repairing. He told me it's a Holden with a big motor and rear wheel drive, kind of a factory sleeper, and people who have them tend to hold on to them.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Installed newport engineering wiper motor on my 55.2. works great

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

The last G8s over there should have the LS2 I believe

The commodore was until recently the most popular car in Australia. The latest one in top spec has the LSA supercharged with around 560hp or something. They are kinda fun to drive even though they are a 4 door.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Painted wheels and the concealed front clip areas.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

I am working on the interior hopefully she will be ready soon !

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Trying to bring a few things together to spruce up my interior!

Got a '61 Impala rear seat speaker grill and looking at '63 Impala fabric.

:uhmk:

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

It was a good day for a drive up to a National Forest campground.
Here's my truck resting in the shade:

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

Nothing, its so fricking hot in Texas, your scared to fart do to miscellaneous spontaneous gas combustion.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, take 2
 

pulled my rebuilt engine out of the daily driver and gettin all put together after a long hiatus --- doin the serpentine thing too

yep its hot here also --- but ya gotta do what ya gotta do