Re: 49 ls1
 

Nice 99, that's exactly what I was looking for. Rocker goes all the way to toe board. Perfect.

Thanks,

Re: 49 ls1
 

Chris, here's some pics showing how I replaced mine, don't mean to fill up you thread with my stuff, but hope this helps...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

Jim, that's a LOT of metal work! Pretty much exactly what I am doing, only I'm doing it one side at a time. I think I am going to create the forward rocker panel on each side instead of getting a whole one from classic. They are in good shape once they clear that forward portion of the door frame.

Thanks,

Re: 49 ls1
 

Chris, I think your right, just tie into your rocker and go forward to the pillar (door frame). Your new cross sill should tie into your new rocker piece and go over toward frame (as per the drawing). Knowing you, you probably already have it done...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks so much guys for the pics. I was able to use those to wrap my mind around how to transition from that curve in the rocker panel to the straight cowl brace. I was able to cobble together a half decent looking panel that fits the floor brace as well as everything around it. here's a pic.

Jim, you were right. Banged it out tonight :metal: Off to the city tomorrow for my cab braces and a drivers floor pan. Gonna show my buddy Chris how parts shopping is supposed to be done... Commuting in a slammed '48 Chevy!

Re: 49 ls1
 

lookin good, just seen a fellow members truck on ebay with LS swap, said he was getting 26mpg average. Thats the second time I heard that number. I was planning on dropping one in my 53' belair, now I'm thinking on doing one for my next truck, aside from the 52' I'm doing (235 with 5speed in that one). Good power and torque with awesome mpg, is the most logical thing to do it seems.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Nice 99, I know for a fact that my buddy ran power tour with his 49, 4.8L, 4L60E, running a 3.73 rear end. He said his average mileage for the entire trip was 23mpg. mind you, we were all lighting the tires upon request, stop and go traffic, AC on, etc... That right there sold me! I don't doubt your 26mpg highway mileage figure for a second. I think with overdrive, and my 3.08 Camaro rear, it ought to do pretty damned good for mpg.

Re: 49 ls1
 

skymangs, metal work looks great. The cowls are all ways my least favorite area to fix. Sometimes I think it is the panels.


Shannon

Re: 49 ls1
 

Got all my pieces and parts from Classic today. Dvr's side floor board, both cab to floor braces, and Left side lower door frame patch.

This is how you're supposed to shop for old truck parts! :metal:

Re: 49 ls1
 

I got the rocker panel patch in today, Had a real B$@ch of a time with the brace for the lower hinge pocket. 2 bolts broke during the hinge removal. I tried to get another used one a Jim Carter's today, but Arnold didn't want to cut one out, and no one makes a reproduction. I wound up drilling and tapping the two upper bolt holes and re-using the stock one. Wasted about an hour on that this evening. Got the bracing welded back in, and the floor to cab brace in nice and straight. Tomorrow I'll start putting the rest of it together.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I was a real bad boy today. My neighbor has a pretty straight old 83 1 ton dually Chevy. Runs good, but has a hole in the fuel tank. 6 brand new E rated 265/75R16 tires, nice solid cab, welders flat bed with 3 onboard tool boxes... He told me the other day he'd let it go for $600. I started getting nasty ideas of a new Tow Pig in my future. Today I negotiated for a REAL straight, rust free 56 GMC 6400 1.5 ton (wide front fenders) truck cab, fenders, grille, etc. I'm seeing a 56 GMC 6400 on an 83 (short) dually chassis with a widened short-bed step side box, 454 and overdrive 5 speed. So of course I went immediately out and bought the Dually. Damn, its a freakin disease isn't it?

Re: 49 ls1
 

I definately want to see THAT build!!!

Re: 49 ls1
 

Chris, nice repair work on the cab. That 56 sounds like a winner...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

I love the parts getter pic. I always love rolling up talking to someone in the truck, for instance when you go and negotiate the 56' deal, roll up in your truck, they know you mean business. Can't wait to see the patch work all done, your day sounds like most of mine, every bolt that can break does, every step I take I'm usually making up for the step back I took! Its not a disease, its a passion, an art and outlet really. Hard to fight off those outlets of creativity and learning. Man has made the world what it is, not dissing women, but man made most of the industrial advances to this world. So thats what I tell my lady, "I can't help it, its in my DNA". There a few projects my lady don't know about though. Atleast you got a couple done, so she doesn't thing your all talk. You gotta be able to back up your passion ya know, can't just hoard stuff cause then they start doubting you. They don't care that extra door is worth 100 bucks any day of the week and someday is gonna be worth more, or you'll need it.

Re: 49 ls1
 

thanks all. I totally agree 99. I have an unspoken agreement with my wife. About 6 years ago, she quit asking what all this was costing us, and I quit volunteering the information. Seems much better that way!

Got a bunch done today. Used my air flange tool and punch so I could get some decent plug welds in the toe board. Got the floor in, got the kick panel in, got the lower hinge pocket in, everything is in, just need to finish up some seam welding tomorrow and slap that outer cowl on tomorrow. Then on to the left side.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I just wanted to share this, I found this beautiful steering column on ebay. I checked into the company before I bought. I just couldn't believe an aftermarket tilt column for $160. They are based in Iowa, 100% locally made, and had great ebay feedback, so I took a chance. Column arrived today, couldn't be more pleased with the fit and finish of the column. Tilt, brand new 4-way and turn signal switch, it even came with billet knobs on all the levers. Totally impressed, well worth not having to re-work junkyard columns!

Re: 49 ls1
 

last post, promise! Picked this up for the old man today. Genuine '59 GMC 336 cid... Will go in his 59 Big Window GMC Custom Cab fleet pickup. I don't know how unusual it is to find one of these, but it turns, and I trust the guy who told me it was a good running truck when parked, so I figured it was worth the $150.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Hey Chris, nice repairs on the floor, etc. Column looks great, nice price. Don't know much about the old GMC engines, but I'm sure you don't to many of them...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

patches are coming along nicely. That column looks good, I feel like those have been coming much cheaper these days, along with alot of stuff. I'm usually a straight column guy, but there are some projects I foresee that could use one of these. That engine looks cool as hell, I'd say a good deal. I love GMC man, gots my vote. I love buying old I6's that no one wants, gonna come in handy one day. Love the new tech out there, but love the traditional stuff too.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Post a link to the ebay column, that's nice. I need a column for mine, tired of looking for something that'll work.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Here's the link to the one I bought. But they have listings for chrome, column shifted, keyed, etc. as well. Just type in steering column, and look for listings by "rodpartsdealer"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PLAIN-Steel-...00322529785%26

Re: 49 ls1
 

Todays updates. not too much progress, got the right side buttoned up. Tomorrow I'll start the left side. I went to Sedalia today and bought all the steel for my links, tabs, crossmembers, etc. to fabricate the rear suspension. I have built several 3 and 4 link suspensions for rock-crawlers, but never built one for a street driven car. Should be a learning experience!

I need to hurry this up, cause my air bags stuff should be here tomorrow, and I wanna get crackin' on that 4 link setup!

Re: 49 ls1
 

If any of you guys would do me a favor, I'd really appreciate it if you'd mosey on over to my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OSGcustoms and like my page. I'm trying to increase my exposure so I can grow my business. Thanks all.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Right side looks great...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

Love the direction you are going on the truck. It all looks great. Looking forward to seeing it all come together. Get it finished by June and maybe we can meet up and run together on the power tour again.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Liked!

Re: 49 ls1
 

48Chevbagged Power tour was a blast, hoping to make it again this year! Not sure if this one will be done yet, but I'm workin' on it!

Thanks Jim and Billy.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Got the left side cut apart today. Good news is that the floor and floor brace are in good shape. Just need a small patch by the parking brake pedal. Hoping to get the left side finished up this weekend, than pull the cab and motor/trans and begin working the 4 link and bags.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Chris, looks like that metal eating mouse has been working hard:lol:, but you'll get it fixed...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

A friend bought a 37 chevy truck, it has a nice painted column. He got to cking it out and it was chrome and somebody had painted it. Looks like you gotta lot of work there, but you seem to be doing really good at getting it knocked out. I ck this build every night when I come in, good luck.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks Jim and vht, You guys on this thread really keep a guy focused on the end game. I expect this one will come out pretty nice, but never sure till it's finished. I tell you, I'm ready to be done with cowl work though!

Today's progress... got the left side about 60% together. Spent a bunch of time working on the 33 with Chris, so that slowed 49 progress a bit. Here's some pics. I'll update the 33 thread tonight as well.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Here's the last few, checking door fitment after welding that lower door frame and hanging the upper part of the inner cowl. Tomorrow I'll finish welding in the inner cowl, and slap the outer cowl on. A note on those panel fasteners I used in one of the pics. Don't, they suck. The gap left between the butt joint is too much, and makes welding it a real *****. They look cool and professional, but make more work that just clamping it the old fashioned way.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Chris, working on two trucks, taking pics and posting to the site. I'm tired just thinking about it...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

coming along nice, Yah those clamps are all show and no go. I never use mine.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks Jim and Shannon, it's a lifestyle choice! Ran out of gas early this morning, so kind of held up till I can fill m bottle tomorrow. Spent the day working on the '33.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Skymangs, looks good. I know nothing pisses you off more is running out of gas or wire. I have 2 bottles of 75/25 and always have a spare roll of wire. But I only have 1 of argon and I need to get it filled Thursday. Keep up the great work.


Shannon

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks Shannon. I have an 80 cubic ft bottle, and buy the big spools of wire. lasts so long you forget to think about checking how much is left... Need to invest in a second bottle soon.:waah:

Re: 49 ls1
 

I showed up @ air gas with a 330 cubic ft bottle the biggest one, right away they said were did you get that only fabrication shops have them that big and I said Craig's list why and they were like that thing is like $ 500 bucks to fill for 75/25. well I said fill it so I wont run out, well it was $225 and I have sucking off it for 2 years

Re: 49 ls1
 

N.T.Q. Crazy man... I don't know if I could handle all that gas. I'd need a bigger welding cart!

Re: 49 ls1
 

skymangs, Cab repair is looking great. Looking forward to more.

Shawn