My 56 build
 

I started this thread by accident in the general forum, so I decided to move it here as this is where it should be. The first pictures I took with my phone had the wrong orientation. Sideways... so I’m only including a few of how the truck started! It came with a 350 /700R4 combo, which I’m replacing with an LS. I haven’t obtained one yet, but have lots to do in the meantime!

Re: My 56 build
 

Enough of the sideway pics :lol: I purchased the truck in August. Someone actually attempted to modify the tri five frame to bolt in a newer Camaro front end. It didn’t go so well so I started by building a new frame out of 1/8” 2x6 square stock. Bought a helix mustang II front end and a triangulated 4 link rear end. The pictures show the 4th time I redid the front cross member and the second time I did the rear. I wasn’t happy with my original ride height! I initially built the frame with the stock axle notch. The 4th pic is the tracing of my ne notches

Re: My 56 build
 

This is how the c-notch ended up. And I built the shock mounts. The 3rd pic is where my final ride height should fall in the rear. I also added some 45 degree braces on a downward angle to prevent any frame flexing. Also notched them so I can still fish any brake and fuel lines down the frame. Then I c-notched the front for the rack and pinion

Re: My 56 build
 

Now That i have the frame to my liking I began sheet metal work. I don’t mind the sheet metal work, but don’t really care for the finish work. I’m too much of a perfectionist :lol: I started by removing the fiberglass that the previous owner put on the floor. Underneath I found Swiss cheese:whine: which lead me to brace up the cab and begin removing the firewall and half the floor! I was planning on the firewall anyway as the previous owner got a little carried away with a hole saw. Not to mention that there is about 40 holes from the factory.

Re: My 56 build
 

Here are some of the problems I have to fix! Thanks to others on this forum I decided to be more adventurous and build some of the cowl panels that needed to be replaced! So after lots of pounding n shaping I came up with new lower cowls and kick panels

Re: My 56 build
 

After further review of the cab I decided I needed to brace the door openings as well. I had to completey remove the a post from the step and replace the lower. I ordered a bunch of new sheet metal parts including new front cab supports. Had to build a frame to support the front of the cab using the cowl. Also cut out my new firewall. I left the hinge mounts in place so I wouldn’t have to relocate them! At this point I could finally start putting everything back tighter!

Re: My 56 build
 

This is where I am at currently. Just finished up the left front of the cab and am waiting for a lower a post to be delivered ( thought I was going to be able to salvage the original... wrong) her are the pictures or the left side complete. After I finish the right hand side and replace the floor I’m also going to redo the steps!

Re: My 56 build
 

i really recommend to hang a door to check gaps and general fit. it's better to find a fitment issue sooner than later when the panels are already welded in. it will set the gap below the door as well. also remove the striker plate so it doesn't affect the fit by pulling the door up or down.
just a thought

Re: My 56 build
 

Good call! I was thinking the same thing. Looks like I should order my hinges sooner than later. Anyone know if I’d be better rebuilding my old ones or are the replacements decent? I have definitely noticed that the aftermarket quality is far from original!

Re: My 56 build
 

id use original ...

Re: My 56 build
 

I vote original as well. Nice fab work!

Re: My 56 build
 

Have made some more progress. Finished the right a-post, kick panel and cowl. Now onto the floor pan and firewall. Spent most of the day fitting the floor pan. I also tore into my original hinges and there really worn! One pin was already replaced with a 3/8” bolt and another has a replacement hinge pin. The hinge with the new pin is still really bad :confused: Not sure I’ll be able to rebuild them. Was also wondering what others are doing for the cup washers that mount in the floor pan as the cab mounts. I can’t seem to find any. This is currently keeping me from installing the floor. Any info would be appreciated :metal: thanks

Re: My 56 build
 

After sleeping on the cup washer idea I decided to just make them. Was really simple. A washer and a piece or pipe. Got the floor welded in and the firewall tacked in place. Slowly making progress! Had to get creative with the ratchet strap to straighten the firewall! Next I’m going to replace the steps then order hinges and fit doors. I’m not going to weld the center of the floor together yet. Figure I might have to move it to adjust door gaps. We’ll see :metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

if anybody else is wondering about those cupped washers, I have used the washers from newer cars with strut suspension. they use a washer similar to that on the struts. beware of the springs in there when undoing nuts though.

Re: My 56 build
 

Over the last two week I’ve managed to remove both steps. Found rust holes filled with mud in both lower b-posts. Ordered new for each side along with the step supports. Just cut my own steps. Plan on covering them with a piece of stainless... so flat works better. Also finish welded the firewall in place. Came out pretty good, but I’m a perfectionist :lol:

Re: My 56 build
 

I’ve spent a lot of my last two weeks battling Mother Nature... won’t quit snowing! Today I replaced the drivers cab corner. The passenger side was already done! Once I’ve replaced both lower b-posts the whole lower 12” of the cab will be new! Minus the rear half of the floor :lol: I also plan on welding the old rocker panels back on. They’re in good shape. Received my new hinges last week n began fitting the doors. I see what others are saying on their posts. They are going to be a pain in the ass to fit :waah: It’s hard to tell in the picture, the gap is coming out as I hoped. Decent on the top and widens as you follow the door down. Should work well, as I’m going to pull the a & b post together to fix the gap. Then fit the steps in and weld everything in place. Now I have to remove all my bracing so I can move things... We’ll see:metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

nice.
do yourself a favor and cover up that glass, welding and grinding sparks will melt in and your glass will be toast.

Re: My 56 build
 

It’s already cracked n needs to be replaced

Re: My 56 build
 

I managed to get a couple days of work done on the truck this weekend! I haven’t been able to do anything to it due to snow removal... it’s finally warming up some this far north! When I bought the truck the right hand cab corner was already replaced so I figured I wouldn’t need to fix that corner. Couldn’t of been more wrong! I could see a patch panel on the inside of the corner, but didn’t expect 1/4” of bondo covering up crappy sheet metal work. See picture #3 of the piece I cut out. So a weekend of patching the corner back together. Had to make a 2” filler panel to make up for the crap I had to cut out. Last thing I did today was cut out all the bracing n began fitting doors. The center of the floor n the step still aren’t welded in. This leaves the bottom half of the cab still adjustable! So far the 1st door looks good. Once both doors are fitted I’ll weld everything together. Cab is almost done :metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

Got the truck pushed out of the garage so I can see the stance. I got the doors fitted n the cab floor welded back together. The steps are in place and the door gaps look good. I had to make a cut parallel to the passenger side door to fix that gap. I see that’s quite common from other posts. Now onto the front fenders. I was pretty bummed to find that they were in worse shape than they looked. Going to order half fenders for each side. Also the piece over the headlight on the right side. I have to reinstall my rocker panels, but noticed they don’t line up with the front fenders. I put the fenders on so I could make sure they would line up before I weld them back on. Is this a common problem on these trucks. If so what’s the best way to fix it?

Re: My 56 build
 

Nice fab work....from one Michigander ( SW Lower MI) to another...
Keep it up....

Marc

Re: My 56 build
 

lookin good bud

Re: My 56 build
 

Cool project and great job on the chassis and body work!

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks guys... it’s supposed to be nice this weekend so I can roll her out n get some pictures of the stance. I’ll post them asap

Re: My 56 build
 

Here’s some pictures of the stance. Apparently my dog is photogenic:lol: she photobombed nearly every pic! Ordered my fender halves today. Hopefully they’ll be here in the next week. Have a week off coming up n I hope to do the fenders n finish stripping the paint to see how much more work I have.

Re: My 56 build
 

Very nice work!

Re: My 56 build
 

Looking good, nice work

Re: My 56 build
 

I’ve got a week off work... so I’m getting back to the truck. After cleaning up the front fenders I wasn’t happy with what was hidden. Lots of rust filled with mud!:confused: so I decided to strip the whole body. Not going to go through all the effort n not do it right. I’m removing 6 layers of paint using stripper n a heavy wire wheel on a grinder. A lot of work, but coming out nice. First time I’ve seen someone weld a gas cap in place of the gas filler hole :lol: I’ll be fixing that as well. I received my front fender halves n am in the process of getting those fixed. Had to make patch panels for the top inner part of them. Tomorrow I’m going to get the fenders done. Reinstall the rocker panels n message the fenders to align everything.

Re: My 56 build
 

Took longer than I figured to get the half panels fitted. I had to rebuild the braces that are behind the panels next to the doors. I then took a day and coated everything with por-15. It’s a little tricky to roll the edge of the panel around that brace, but managed.

Re: My 56 build
 

Now I’m on to the rockers and the left eyebrow. Planning on removing the front turn signals too. Here’s a few more pictures of the front fenders:metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

Wow...that's slot of work on the fenders...I'm guessing you couldn't find replacements?....looks good..

Re: My 56 build
 

Lots of work, your lines look great, nice job...Jim

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks mongocanfly. It’s $300 for the pair of half fenders vs $1000 for a new set. I’ve also read that the new ones don’t fit well.

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks, it’s definitely a labor of love:lol:

Re: My 56 build
 

Wow...big price difference....you did a good job on it....

Re: My 56 build
 

Got a start on the rocker panel. I added a piece of angle to it so I could line it up with the quarter panel. As you can see in the last picture I warped the crap out of it. Figured with the angle I could be a little more aggressive... wrong! I put some relief cuts in the top and managed to straighten it out. Just have to do the other side. Had to change direction because some of the bare metal was starting to rust in the humidity. So I spent 8 hours today getting as much prepped for paint. Looks good in primer. Also started getting parts in for my door latches. I’m going to use corvette C6 door hardware... we’ll see how that goes.

Re: My 56 build
 

Managed to finish the rockers last week. They turned out pretty well!

Re: My 56 build
 

Now on the the door entry system. This is where some of the custom metal work begins. Got the latch mounted and a good start on the pocket to hold the release button. Now I have to notch the b-post to match the pocket so the door seal has a place to mount. Then the notch behind the door for your hand to fit into. That’s what I have drawn out in the last picture. So far so good!

Re: My 56 build
 

Your metal work has been great!! do you have your own metal break? Ive been thinking about buying a small one.

Re: My 56 build
 

all that sheet metal repair and replace has paid off. Very nice job all around.