Re: My 56 build
 

They are made by specialty power windows. They’re made in Georgia. Little expensive, but the quality is there. Yes they are power. The only thing I don’t care for are the 80’s style window controls the kit comes with. I’ll be changing those. Here’s a link to classic parts where I bought them.

https://www.classicparts.com/1955-59...tinfo/18-766B/

Re: My 56 build
 

Here’s a start to the crossover. I’m still waiting for my mufflers to see where everything falls.

Re: My 56 build
 

Spent most of the day today knocking out the exhaust. Mufflers were delivered around noon and hours later… an exhaust. The kit I used was 2.5” mild steel and a pair of borla mufflers. It sounds good :metal: Here’s a bunch of pictures.

Re: My 56 build
 

A few more pictures. I decided to have the exhaust exit the rear fender. I plan on cutting the exhaust flush with the fender and the paper ring will be chrome… maybe. :lol:

Re: My 56 build
 

Looks great, and the pictures are turned the right way!! Thank you for posting!!!

Re: My 56 build
 

Great work on the exhaust. Really like the exit.

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks, I have even figured out how to edit and rotate pictures now :lol:

Thanks, I’ve only seen that exit on a few trucks and really like the look.

Re: My 56 build
 

WOOOOHOOOO!!! :metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

I had a sway bar delivered and mounted. It was for a tri-five car. I bought it from speedway. Fits like it was made for the truck. Also spent a lot of the summer trying to get the power steering working. After a lot of grief I finally came to the conclusion that the new pump I bought was defective. I even tried to adjust the pressure with a kit I bought. The original reservoir I bought didn’t have a baffle either, so I bought another one. It seems to ok now, but time will tell.

Re: My 56 build
 

I’ve moved on to the interior. I started with seat from a 2011 Ford Focus ( I know a Ford, but it was all the local junk yard had that was decent). When I got them in they looked like a couple of recliners, so back to the drawing board. I found a pair of middle row Escalade seat. They look good, but no adjustment in the middle row seat… so I hacked up the Ford seat hardware. I have the drivers side done, still have to finish the passenger side. Maybe this weekend. After I finish that I’m on to the dash/vintage air kit.

Re: My 56 build
 

On the sway bar, do you have a part number for that, or anything? It might help some others down the line.

Re: My 56 build
 

Here’s the link for speedway:

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...nch,99701.html

Re: My 56 build
 

What brand front end did you use? I’ve got a Heidts and wonder if that sway bar would still fit.

Re: My 56 build
 

It’s a helix kit. I would think it should fit. You’ll have to weld mounting points on the a-arms as I did.

Re: My 56 build
 

Finished the passenger seat yesterday. You may notice the backs aren’t at the same height. The passenger seat only slides forward and back. The drivers side has full range of movement and is at maximum height. So I can move that one down. Now that I know where they will live, I’m pulling the interior back apart to do the dash n vintage air. I have the week off so I should make some progress. Heat will be running in the garage today. It -13 here this morning… brrrr!

Re: My 56 build
 

Today’s progress… got the vintage air box hung. Modified the bracket and welded bolts to the inside of the firewall. Also sectioned the dash. I’m going to add 3” to is so I don’t need a filler plate on the bottom. Now I’m trying to figure out how to run the lines through the lower passenger cowl and along the outside of the inner fender. The lines in the last picture aren’t going to work. I’m trying to keep the engine compartment clean. I’m installing the condenser tomorrow.

Re: My 56 build
 

Looking good. Can't wait to see what the dash looks like extended. I was surprised how little room there was when I installed the my evaporator. I had already smoothed my firewall so I just welded the bracket to it.

Re: My 56 build
 

Got the condenser installed today. Of course it had to be modified because of my radiator setup, but everything fits well. I also changed the way I hung the evaporator under the dash. I remembered barnfind62 mentioning using a french cleat (with slammed57’s recommendation) to hang the top so it can be removed. Thanks to both of them for the idea. I’m going to eliminate my glove box so I won’t be able to get to the top. I’m also planning on eliminating the rectangular vents that would hang below the dash. Going with 2 more round vents instead. Off to order an ac hose kit n crimp tool. You can tell you’re not in hot rod country when you call every garage n parts store and no one has one I can use. :dohh:

Re: My 56 build
 

Nice progress! I had to look up what a "french cleat" was, and once I saw it I realized how handy that can be for unreachable spots. I am adding that idea to my bag of tricks for the future. I'm looking forward to pics of that dash extension.

Re: My 56 build
 

Looking Great! Coming right along. Steve

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks guys, looks like I’m waiting for more ac parts and for the metal shop to bend the piece for the dash. I may be starting to lay body filler soon!

Re: My 56 build
 

Started on the dash. Boy, what I would for an english wheel. After 2 attempts I finally got this little piece done. I think it curves in every direction possible and the 90 degree bend just wouldn’t line up. The other side should be easier now that I have it figured out :lol:

Re: My 56 build
 

Received my ac hose kit and crimp tool this week. I really want to get all the lines done before I do the dash. Just easier with it all open. The crimp tool works great. Made the 2 lines that run from the evaporator to the bulkhead fittings. Still waiting on my heater core kit with the bulkhead fittings to finish everything.

Re: My 56 build
 

Very nice work on those AC lines. They look like they are factory lines made for that truck.

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks, that crimp tool works well.

Re: My 56 build
 

Hey Jason, great build page! I too am restoring a '56 Chev, I haven't really started mine, just the planning and gathering stage lol. What coilovers did you use for yours? I am going to put in a welder series 4 link (triangulate) and just want to get the right coilovers. I like the ride height you selected and I will have to do a notch too, but just not sure how much of one.

Re: My 56 build
 

Here’s a link to the springs I’m using.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/250-Pound-L...-127632-2357-0

I really don’t know yet how they are going to ride, but the way they are mounted them I’ll be able to upgrade to QA1 if I need. If I could I would of looked for a shorter pair. I want to keep my box depth original and the coil over length are my limiting factor right now. Good luck on your build!

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks Jason, good tip, by long I guess you mean being able to adjust them down or in actual length?

Re: My 56 build
 

Those coil overs are 14.5” eye to eye with4 inches of travel. I would prefer something closer to 12” for more adjustment in the rear. The way my truck is pictured, that’s as low as I can go in the rear.

Re: My 56 build
 

Here’s a couple pictures. You can see I’m on my lowest setting. In the last picture the top of the shock mount is at the top of the frame. My bed wood will only be about 1/4 above that.

Re: My 56 build
 

Merry Christmas everyone. Been working on the heat/AC install. Trying to mount it so it can be removed after I fill in the dash. After much thought I decided to use a post and grommet on the dash side. So a cleat on the top of the firewall and 2 studs welded on the bottom.

Re: My 56 build
 

Also finished beating the crap out of the dash panels. They’re held up with clecos now so I can work on the center counsel. That’s why there’s a gap between them. We’ll see how that turns out :metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

Little more progress today. The bracket on the dash side of the air box isn’t going to work. So I’m just going to use the rear bracket. Just no room! I’m trying to build it so I can remove it in the future if needed. I managed to get the heater/AC control mounted. My angle iron had to be notched for that. Also have the steering column figured out and had to rebuild the dash side of my pedal box. Here’s a couple pictures.

Re: My 56 build
 

Tilt column?

Re: My 56 build
 

Yes

Re: My 56 build
 

Gotta love the cleco fasteners, I have a bunch, mostly 1/8, different sizes and a few of the clamps as well. I generally work alone so the help from a cleco, a c clamp vice grip, a strong magnet or even some sheet metal screws is nice.
Youre doing some great work and progress. Keep the pics and dialogue coming as you go forward.

Re: My 56 build
 

Those el cheapo deluxe sheet metal clamps also work great for jobs where you can access the back side and the areas are flat. You know the ones with the little square bar on the backside? Harbor freight sells them as well as other places.

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks DS, here’s a picture of the butt welding clamps you’re talking about for anyone interested. I got mine from Amazon. They can be a bit of a pain to use but do a nice job. Clecos are nice, but I prefer to butt weld exterior panels to avoid rust in the overlap area. Not a concern in the interior… hopefully unless I drive into a lake :lol:

Re: My 56 build
 

That's the ones.
I'm a butt welder too.
That came out wrong, didnt it. Haha.

Re: My 56 build
 

You can use clecos for butt welding too. They are a bit of a pain as well.where the 2 parts butt together make a 1/2 hole on the edge of each part so when they fit together you have a full hole the size needed for the cleco. Use a small washer on the backside for the cleco to bite on. Magnets work well to keep the panels where you need them while you get the cleco set up.