Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Hi Nut case!
You're right of course. Mom truly was the hub of the family, the center around which all our lives revolved. Thank you for the kind words.

I agree, my truck will be built to please me; hopefully long term.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

You can absolutely have that too, it just costs more!

http://i.imgur.com/s2fGp1P.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/R3ZvSMx.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/PYJCkyB.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=310

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I REALLY love the candy apple red of this truck. I like the cream interior and wheels too. The engine looks good but somehow just wouldn't be for me, at least not in that color but that's a minor point I suppose.

I know the point was to show me a more traditional appearing look for the LS engines. I guess if it were painted Chevy orange or gray and the intake manifold were blasted bare or painted aluminum color it WOULD look a bit more traditional. But all in all - strictly my opinion - the LS engines aren't inherently good looking. At least not like old SBC's to me. Nevertheless, they're the wave of the future, more powerful, more efficient and I suppose more reliable in some ways. I'll be happy with the features, just a little less pleased with the look of it.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

This is as "Old School" as you are gonna get with an LS. Block and head and manifold colors are all just a personal preference and/or matching to the vehicle...

This looks really good for an LS! otherwise Im with you on all the plastic and just NON-engine looking parts of an LS in its stock form. ;)

http://i.imgur.com/R3ZvSMx.jpg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

that intake and vally cover and finned valve covers remind me of a buick motor.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

The latest is that I will be renting a flat bed trailer with winch (hopefully) and I'll deliver my frame and core support to the fabricator, "Mike" later this week.

Then I'll head over to the body shop to pick up the cab & front fenders and also deliver those the shop to help Mike revise the front suspension centerline. He has located three 6.0 LS iron block engine & 4l80e transmission combo's. One set will be purchased for my truck. They will be entirely disassembled for inspection and the engine will get new rings, bearings & seals. The transmission gets rebuilt but I confess I don't know enough about transmission rebuilds to state what parts are changed. What I have been told is there are lists of upgrades that can be done to the 4l60e trannies to beef them up, but many fewer ones needed by the 4l80e.

At the same time, Mike will order the Flat Out Engineering ifs crossmember and they will also provide the C4 Vette parts as well. A newly rebuilt power rack will be included.

I'll post some pictures of the parts movement for my permanent record but the "new" parts won't be seen yet.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Drove my big ass dually into work today so that when I leave early I can go straight to the rental yard for the flat bed, and (single handedly!) load my bare frame onto the trailer along w/rear end, core support and driveshaft. That'll be a trick but my HF engine hoist and some furniture dollies will hopefully make it doable alone. I'll drop it off in the morning and two blocks away is the body shop where I'll get pretty much the entire truck body in pieces and take them to fabricator. Pic's upcoming (hopefully). Wish me luck. Hopefully I won't smash my foot or wreck my back!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Frame being dragged onto trailer. Helluva job to do alone but I got it done. I looked like a bucket of water had been poured over my head. NOT a job for an almost 62 year old, but what the hell?! http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sqgsb3z87.jpeg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Sometimes we surprize ourself, on what we can do by ourself...Jim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Ha, yup!

Probably not a smart thing to do on an exceptionally hot day and no one to call 911 if I have a friggin stroke, but I kept drinking water and taking 5 minute breaks.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Good job Dan! Now take the weekend off!!:uhmk:

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I'd LOVE to JJ, but I'm leaving on a vacation Sunday night so I've got to go back to work (at least for a LITTLE while, lol!) Friday.

I'll check in later with some photos of today's activities and if lucky I'll post on a '57 the guy has in his shop that's getting 1000hp! Yikes, that thing is ridiculous!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Nice work, Dan. I work alone too and sometimes it takes a little thought as to how to get the job done. I can only say thanks for engine hoists and rolling jacks, LOL.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

September 1, 2016
I got the frame and & core support and later in the morning, the cab & front fenders to the fabricator's shop today:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...stadrnqrh.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...smuz5gjzq.jpeg

My engine and tranny. It's an LQ4 and 4l85e out of a totaled 2006 Isuzu cargo van with 81,000 miles on it. It will be completely torn down, ball honed and new rings, bearings and seals installed. I'm told the 4l85e is a bit of an upgrade over the 4l80e in that being made for the van it will handle more torque. Notice the tail stock mounted parking brake? That'll be swapped out for a conventional tail stock housing.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...s5kcehoi3.jpeg

I mentioned earlier the shop has a '57 in with an LQ4 twin turbo making 1000hp. That's just ridiculous power but I guess if you want bragging rights you'd have them!
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...seardzw1m.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sfhiprv4d.jpeg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Off topic for AD & TF trucks, the owner has a '64 C10 "patina" truck he's built to sell that is also running an LQ4. It's a single turbo and is more "conservative" in that it's making ONLY 620hp per a dyno test done yesterday but he said it ran out of fuel pump - meaning out of fuel delivery capacity. So he thinks when he fixes that it'll make a bit more.http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...srgnknxct.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...scwtgftyo.jpeg

My engine will be totally stock internally but I am considering having him use one of the Edelbrock medium rise intake manifolds like the C10 above just because they look better to me. That plus relocating the coil packs and running either Edelbrock finned covers or Delmo adapters/old style SBC script valve covers. It'll likely make 340-385hp and that's way more that I'd ever considered originally.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Nice trucks.
The LS engines make a ton of HP without a lot of mods.
I think you'll be very happy.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks Kim. How's the back?

I agree they make a lot of power even stock. I'd never really looked into LS engines. I just figured they were out of my league somehow. I'm impressed with the four bolt/canted main bolts, the deeply skirted blocks, etc. The more I look into them the more pleased I am with my choice. Definitely NOT "traditional" looking but I think I'll get all the reliability and power I need and still have decent mileage out of it.

I haven't been this truly excited about a vehicle in awhile!

Take care of that back, buddy! We want to see you at upcoming cruises and shows.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Looks like its all coming together Dan, can't wait for more updates!!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Back is a little better every day. Doctor is holding off on PT right now because the incision site had a reaction to the glue they used to close it.
thanks for asking.

A lot of guys don't like the looks of the LS with the coil packs on the rocker covers but personally I think they look O.K. with a little paint work.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

3M Panel Adhesive, right?! Lol


Right now I'm leaning toward relocating the coil packs out of sight and using the Holley low rise or medium rise aluminum intake as its "cleaner."

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

September 3, 2016

An update for later:
Corvette rotors/calipers won't allow use of my 15" vintage Torq Thrust knockoffs. Too bad! I'm going to go up to 17". I don't like "forklift-low profile tires" but I think I can get 50 or even 55 series on 17" rims and I can live with that.

The Torq Thrust II rims all have the curved, shiny painted spokes I don't especially like. I'll continue to look for 17" TT's w/straight spokes, but I am considering others. My truck is no longer anything like the "shop truck" it once was. The whole look will be different. It won't have the handling but compared to the straight axle/leaf springs it'll FEEL like a Pro Touring to me!:lol:

I'm considering polished Salt Flat style rims and I also found a U.S. Mags rim called a Rambler. It looks like a high dollar one piece forged rim (to me) but it's fairly affordable for a set of 17x7's & 8's. Pic's posted below:

Polished Salt Flat style
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sc5fecc2u.jpeg

U.S. Mag Ramblers w/ gray spokes
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sphzoziah.jpeg

U.S. Mag Ramblers w/chrome finish
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sokqpy1n1.jpeg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

And just to remember the look on vintage trucks I found these:

I wish this were a lighter photo
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...subxsfmg2.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...snxpg0du3.jpeg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...szjg4qoyz.jpeg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Danny Boy

This is your baby, do it like you want, what ever floats your boat.

I'm with you I like 50-60 ratio tires, and I have the vette IFS/IRS as well, so the old school won't fit.

Check out some Foose see if anything looks good and fits the budget.

Thread is great, good stuff.

Keep on keepin on

Nut Case

:gmc:

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

How do you like the IRS? Would you do it again if you had it to do over again? Would you recommend others (like me) do it?

I kinda like the idea of having full Corvette suspension under our vintage bodies. Then again, I ask myself, why? I theoretically would like to be able to very occasionally tow a boat which I could do with the regular rearend with air shocks. Not sure I could do that with IRS.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Both those rims are very nice.
I like the salt flat style in a flat gray finish.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Rim choice is always the hardest! The gray Ramblers look nice!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Danny Boy

I try to use this rule of thumb from my wise father. "When you think of buying a truck think of how you plan on using this truck for 95% of the time you have it, then tailor the truck to work best in that light."

But then there are times you do as you darn well please.

My plan on my build (as soon as I can bring it back to life) is to go for handling and ride. I have a 02 Tundra for towing. So no towing for my build.

I plan on using 17" rims (not yet picked out) to fit the vette calipers, and try to find the highest ratio and the widest foot print possible.

Keep on keepin on

Nut Case

:gmc:

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks Nutcase, PM sent.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I have been off the forum for a while.
So sorry to hear about your mother. She raised a good son. (one interested in task force trucks) but hey, your dad had a part in that too.
Looks like you are getting closer to that $50 K number every day. :)
Time to upgrade your garage with bells and whistles. (literally) for security.
I have another friend still in california that tells me that custom cars and trucks are being stolen by the hundreds and shipped off to foreign countries. The ads for the stolen vehicles aren't even shown in this country.
Not to add paranoia, just an ounce of prevention.....
Keep it up Dan, looks like you are going to have that killer truck soon.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks for the kind words Coupeguy. Truthfully, mom didnl't have anything to do with making me a Task Force truck guy - dad did that. I "helped him" swap out the 235 for the 283 he put in it (I handed him wrenches) and later he swapped that out for a 348.

Dad's been gone since 1990. He was only 66 when he passed and I'll be 62 soon so it's feeling like he died VERY young now. But mom raised me otherwise and she did a good job otherwise.

Yeah, the price on this originally-intended-to-be-a-shop-truck is going way up. I always wanted a beautiful one and I never thought I'd be in a position to have one. Now I just hope this comes out like I have in my mind's eye. Time will tell.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

You'll get there. Problem is that yours is finally going to be prettier than mine...............

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

September 12, 2016

Ok, I'm out of town but "Mike" sent me this photo today as a teaser and I am stoked about it. The Flat Out crossmember has been mounted and suspension parts fitted. Obviously, the rack isn't in yet and I can't tell for certain if everything has been welded out yet but it looks good to me!
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...sxd25bqhn.jpeg

He also told me the engine was torn down and there were no issues, all is good. It's been honed, re-ringed, new bearings and seals installed. Awaiting new head bolts from GM to finalize the rebuild. The trans has been torn down too and no issues were found. I opted to go with a Mustang 8.8 rearend instead of rebuilding my 10 bolt, which will give me four wheel discs and I THINK limited slip. Not that I really need either but the rear discs will look better if I end up going with those spoked wheels above. Man, the "slippery slope" is slick as hell!

I'll be back in town shortly and will check in then with more photos.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Going to be real nice when finished.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Wow, that's coming together fast!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks Kim, thanks JJ!

I'm honestly REAL excited, I haven't been this excited in a long time over anything. I was talking about building a '55-'59 since I was 25 and that was long ago, unfortunately. I had a small window '57 20+ years ago that had been a Navy vehicle and then a school district truck. I had no MIG welder then, few tools but got it running nice even if not all that cosmetically nice. Had to lose it during the divorce 16 years ago front my high school sweetheart and swore I'd get another and it would be nicer. Getting close feels like revenge, somehow! Lol.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Front end looking sweet...Jim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks Jim! Can't wait to check in on the progress when I get home.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan have them box the front of the cross member since the have it there:metal:

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Now you know why I didn't take mine completely apart.
I was done in 4 months, and it woulda looked the same as it does now just shinier paint.



But yours will always be nicer--as long as you jack it up and wipe the dust off the frame every month. :)

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Rudy,
?? Do you mean the front of the frame rails? The cross member IS boxed from
Flat Out.

I actually wondered if there was any value to doing that beyond the obvious aesthetic improvement? But if I do that it wouldn't it be best to box the entire frame? These trucks were meant to flex a bit given they'd be on farms, etc.