"In Progress 55"
 

I had posted some pics of this truck on another thread and had some requests to see more. Oh, it's no longer "In Progress"

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Very Nice Truck!!! Can you post more pic's show inside and under the hood?

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

As you wish

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Man that thing is sick! Do you ever do any local shows? I have never seen it before.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

nicely done. its good to see more people in this forum now and sharing their ideas.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

It was at Goodguy's last November and I took it to Scottsdale Pavilions once. Other than that it doesn't get out much. The owner lives in Utah and will not be taking delivery until mid-July. So, I plan on taking it to as many local shows before then as possible.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Top notch! I saw on your site that you have built a variety of vehicles. Are you focusing more on classic trucks now? How's the sectioned truck looking?

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

holy crap, nice truck, one of the nicest ive seen for a while. Great work!

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Thanks for all the kind words. I am a truck guy myself... not everybody else is though and that's why we are doing a variety of builds. Beleive it or not we've even done some long-travel kits for Rhino's... bagged (shockwaves) of course! Our specialty is chassis and suspension design and fabrication. I also enjoy sheet metal and tube fab. work.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

I suggest taking that truck out to 83rd ave and Beardsley some Saturday night. The crowd out there is growing and it is a completly different group from the Pavillions crowd. Lot's of cars I had never seen before! It is in a Safeway parking lot, I actually heard about it first on here and now I go there more than the Pavillions just because the crowd seems a lot more freindly. Sweet truck I hope to run into you in person some day and check it out up close.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

WOW thats a nice truck. I really like that color, and the striping on the dash is cool also.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Porterbuilt

When you sectioned the cab where is the front cut done?

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Porterbuilt knows better than I (I've only photo shoped it), but let me take a stab at it. The whole hood and grille moves down with the upper half of the cab. The front cut is verticle through the wheel arch which requires some reshaping. These pics show what I'm taking about:

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Thanks for the pics I was able to see that on the orange truck but did realize they chopped the fenders as well. What I am looking for is where the cowl or firewall and/or the front door pillar was cut or if it wasn't what was to drop the front portion of the cab. I assume that you also section the doors.

I really like that look and want to do it to mine.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Porterbuilt: Man, you do nice work! It's hard to build something and have everything flow nicely and work together, but you really nailed it.

Question: You said in one of your replies that you specialize in suspensions. I have a 1971 Camaro clip under my '55, and I was wondering what you thought of the Shockwave-type shock/bags. Are there any drawbacks? I'm not crazy about the price, but I have been seeing some copies that are substantially cheaper. I like my stuff low, but it's gotta ride decent.
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Ford Cargo Specifications

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

:metal: That is the sickest 55 Chevy truck I have ever seen!!:metal:

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

The only drawback to the Shockwaves is the price... they seem a little spendy, but this is definitely one item that holds true to the cliche "you get what you pay for". The other "imitations" that I have seen are inferior in my opinion.
I have done a few installs of Shockwaves in camaro/nova clips and was pleased with the result

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

FrizzleFry has the right idea. The only difference is that I take two inches out of the fender between the wheel well and the body-line, and the other 1.5 out of the fender behind the well (between the tire and the cab on the bottom half of the fender). I think it looks a little off with the whole section removed between the body-line and the wheel well opening.
About the cut on the cab... it's top secret information, I can't tell you. So look closely at the pictures!

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Very slick, it make perfect sense that way, far less metal to try to line up or fabricate. I wouldn't have thought of doing it like that. The only way you could successfully pull that off is with that internal sliding jig you have.

Thanks for the pics, nice work

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Very nice! Thanks for posting this. I see how you got the rear of the wheelwell to line back up by moving that little triangle section forward. How do you get the front of the wheelwell to line up? Or is it just close enough that it can be tweaked in to shape and filled?

That thing has the potential to be the best looking truck...period (in my humble opinion). Can't wait to se more!

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Beautiful!!!

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The fender you see in the pic is just a mock up. I think I've gone through three or four front fenders until I found the way I liked it! Even on the final the front cut doesn't line up quite close enough to just "tweak and fill". I make a new piece that follows the arc all the way down and into the front lower body line.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

About the customer picking up later, dont tell me you finished the truck before he had all of his money? Gorgeous looking truck. You do gorgeous work. Have been following the build of the Blazer on that forum that you guys are doing for Kyle.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Porterbuilt: So if it came down to going with a Shockwave setup or a traditional bag setup on a clipped frame, what would you prefer? Cost is important, but not mandatory. I figure that if I could save money and divert the saved funds into another part of the build, then I'm money ahead. But if the Shockwave is better, than I'll definately spend the money there. I really like the way you did the '55, and it definately shows that you know what you're doing. Because of that, your opinion is very important to me.
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Vaporizer

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Hey chevyrestoguy,

I am in the middle of my project right now and have completed the rolling chassis. I used Shockwaves on my Camaro sub frame. I like you thought and still thank the Shockwave's are way to expensive, but take away the cost and it's the only way to go. Other then cutting the spring pocket open a few inches, it's a bolt in install. The other great thing about them is the shock damping is completely adjustable. I can adjust the height from 3/4 inches from the ground to about 5 inches on the Camaro sub frame. So if you want bags and after the shock to you wallet is gone, then you'll be glade you went with the Shockwave's.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

I personally would never install an airspring on a front clip... only a Shockwave. Reasons being: The Shockwave is a "modular" unit, air spring and bag all in one- it makes the installation much cleaner and no need to get creative with shock mounting locations that will almost always rub on your tire! If you consider your time (and frustration) to be worth anything, the shockwave will save you considerably in this area. CAL58 GMC has some other good reasons too. (FYI There are two different heights available for this installation one is an inch taller than the other.)

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Thanks guys! You made my decision much easier. Cal58GMC: I have been following your build since you started the thread, and I always look forward to checking your progress. If your current progress is any indication, that thing is going to be wicked when it's done.

I am going to the lovely Middle East on business for 60 days, leaving tomorrow (5/31). I work for a major aerospace company, and we have some assets in the field that are so new that the Air Force doesn't have a formal training program in place yet. Our job is to help those guys get up to speed. When I get back, I'll post pictures of my project. I've been hesitant about posting because I have been in the middle of a major home re-model that has eaten all of my money for the last few years, leaving me with no money for the truck. After seeing the cool stuff that you guys are doing, I have come to the conclusion that what I need most is motivation and ideas from you guys. I'll have a computer available overseas, and I'll check up on the site often to see what you maniacs are cooking up.
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PORTABLE VAPORIER REVIEW

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Thanks for the compliment! Its great hear from all of the other's out there and know some have been following my project. Make sure to keep safe in the Middle East and return home safely so we can see your progress pic’s!

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Sorry to sorta hijack, but I didn't want to start another thread. I love the way the sectioned cab looks, but I really don't want to loose much room in the interior. About how much room do you lose with the section and is it very noticable while driving the truck?

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Ok now you are in for it. I have a ton of questions. Look at this thread and see if you can help me out. And I would like your number if you dont mind.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=194894

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

I responded to your thread.

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

You do lose four inches... and it is noticeable. The way I get around it is by lowering the seat so it sits closer to the floor (the stock bench sits up higher than my sofa at the house!). By lowering the seat it eliminates a little more leg room than desired, so, since the firewall is already gone at the bottom, I just extend the floor out about six inches and bring the new firewall down to match up. Problem solved... but lots of work!

Re: "In Progress 55"
 

Sounds like it. I definitely love the way the sectioned cab looks, but I think for now I'll stick with making mine AWD.