'55 to Life
 

Well I've been hanging around this forum for a while and have gotten some really good ideas and inspiration for my new project. Its a first series '55 that was bought new by my uncle then my dad purchased it from him in the '70's. This old truck just kicked around the farm hauling fuel, parts and whatever else for the last 30 years or so. I have always known I would rebuild it one day but never sure what direction it would take. I have since brought it home and started tearing it down piece by piece. So far I have ordered the ultimate slam ifs from scotts hotrods as well as a triangulated 4 link for the rear and some engine and tranny mounts. I want to really drive this truck when its done so am going the 5.3l gen III route and 4l60e tranny. Not sure if I will leave the body and paint the way it is right now since the body is still in great shape or go all out with it the first time around. Look forward to all of your comments and help along the way. The '86 was my last project that i just sold and will probably regret later but you know how it goes with time and space.

Re: '55 to Life
 

some more

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That looks like it will clean up nice....keepin my eyes on this one

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Looks like a good project... keep us posted

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Looks like a typical hay hauler from Saskabush, no rust , no dents, all there, I mean really- where's the challenge???

Just kidding looks like a great start and it's in good hands :)

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upon1, Nice looking truck. Should be nice with all the upgrades. Can't wait to see it come together.

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Well still waiting for my parts to show up so I thought id keep tearing it down in the meantime. I got the box off last weekend and most of the interior out, now I thought would be a good time to fill the 50 or so holes in the firewall. Still need to find a rearend and debating on a 4x4 s-10 or a camaro?

Re: '55 to Life
 

I'd go for the camaro, S-10's even 4x4 are still kind of narrow. Plus the camaro bolt pattern will match your Scott's IFS or any other aftermarket IFS. I picked up a 3:42 posi camaro 8.5 10 bolt for $250. Plenty strong.

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Well just about a month since Ive ordered my suspension and still waiting, I'm told this week or next. Ended up picking up an 8.8 from a 2001 explorer with 3.73s and got that into position while I wait.

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did you get your ifs yet...can't wait to see some pics!

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Well after some miscomunication, shipping parts back and forth and another month later the big brown truck finally arrived. It was like having christmas all over again and means I can finally move ahead with things. These parts from Scotts are definately top notch peices and will hopefully perform as good as they look. I started off boxing the front rails last night and contined the rest today. It was a fairly easy installation just alot of measuring and leveling. Still have to get the rack notches in but I thought id wait till its torn down for paint to do that. Next step is going to be the rear 4-link in the next couple of days, Ill keep you posted!

Re: '55 to Life
 

couple more

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Can you please show some closeups of the 4-link brackets. What to build some of the triangular brackets that mount on the side of the frame for the heim joint connection.

Re: '55 to Life
 

The last couple of evenigs I have been working on getting the rear suspesion done. Had to modify a couple of brackets but no big deal. Right now the shocks are what is limiting the rear from going any lower so I might get a shorter shock or move my top shock mount up. Finally this project is starting to take shape.

Re: '55 to Life
 

Forgot to mention I also got a line on a 5.3l and 4l60e.

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What is the spacing on the brackets that the heim joints are connected to? Inside to inside and are using spacers or just the heim joint?

Re: '55 to Life
 

Its looking really good.

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Justin
You have your outer tie rods installed wrong they go from the bottom to the top.
Justin

Re: '55 to Life
 

Thanks Justin, that does make sense with the tie rod ends. I picked up a 5.3l this week from a 2003 truck and a 4l60e transmission. The truck I got the tranny out of had a knocking engine so the just gave me that one for free. That one had a cable throttle and the other one has a drive by wire so im not sure which I will use yet. The engine has about 150000 kms on it but has been tested, is there anything I should do before putting it in? Now to get the engine and tranny mocked in so I can take off the cab and finish the frame.

Re: '55 to Life
 

Is the yoke centered? Looks a little off probably an optical illusion. I love your build awesome work.
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Re: '55 to Life
 

Looks like you have learned welding on the farm too. Welds look really good. The brackets for your Heims look a little narrow. There needs to be some spacers or the rotation will bind on the brackets.

Can't wait to see the progress.

Re: '55 to Life
 

Good eye, all ford 8.8 diffs are offset to the passenger side but that's what u-joints are for.
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Re: '55 to Life
 

Cycled the suspension all the way up and down on both sides and the heims still have room to rotate.

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Well it was quite a productive weekend and one major milestone acomplished. Started out by getting the motor and trans mocked up after measuring and checking clearences a hundred times but its in. Looks like the steering shaft will be a little interesting when I get to it, pretty tight there. Also had to cut the firewall a bit to clear the trans hump but I expected that. Today I pulled the cab and got some more boxing done on the frame with 3/16" flat bar and got the trans mount tacked into place (ran out of gas for the welder). The plan this week is to yank the engine out, strip the frame and finish up the welding on it then clean it up for paint. Still have to figure out what im doing for a fuel and air tank as well as brakes.

Re: '55 to Life
 

I have 96 mustang 8.8 that is not offset. It is equal on both sides.

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Its been a while since I had a chance to work on the truck but i did get a little more done this past weekend. I built a driveshaft loop and got that in and was pleasently surprised that I wont have to notch the back of the cab, just clearence the pinch weld a bit. I found a driveshaft off an s-10 at the wreckers and got the conversion u joint and proper flange for it and turned out to be the perfect length too. Also picked up a 19gal fuel cell and got it mocked up. I decided it would be a good idea to throw the cab back on and see if I could get my steering figured out, what a pain that was. I had a nice set of hooker block headers bolted on but quickly found out that was a no go so I stuck with the camaro manifolds for now and its still pretty tight. The motor mount has to be cut apart and moved way forward as well make a mount for the support bearing. It seems like the small stuff always takes a long time.

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Well I finally got all of the work done on the frame for now and it should be ready for paint. Also had to make some exhaust flanges since there were none to be found around here.

Re: '55 to Life
 

man , i wish you were closer. I'd love to have that open drive rear axle.. 55 first is the only year for that.

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Its been a while since ive spent any time with the old truck but have made a bit of progress lately. Got the frame in por-15 and a couple coats of chassis saver. Got the suspension back on and the engine and trans in. Looks like it'll be time to start spending some dough again and find the parts for the fuel, air and brake systems.

Re: '55 to Life
 

Looking good man!! We got some killer deals for air and brakes.Hint hint

Justin

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Well i blew the dust off the frame last week and started doing a little work. I got the brake lines and fuel system plumbed, trans cooler installed and finished welding up the floor and trans hump. I decided to do the fuel system right and use all braided nylon hose and an fittings but they do add up mighty quick.
I also ordered my air management that I cannot wait to get.
I still need to decide on a m/c booster setup. What year of s-10 are you guys robbing the pedals and brackets out of?

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couple more

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Who's air management did you decide to go with?
Nice progress...

Marc

Re: '55 to Life
 

Yup my 8.8 off a tbird is offset just a hair too. Your making quite a bit of progress and it looks good!

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Looks great dude, excited to see it all back together.

What are you doing for wheels?

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I looked at all the options out there for an air system and after talking to the accuair guys at sema I decided to go in that direction and get the e-level kit. As for wheels I am still torn between doing some dark five spoke/chrome lip 20"s or black smoothies with whitewalls. What do you guys think? Keeping in mind I'm gonna leave the body basically stock, 56 year old paint and all. I can't wait to get this thing back together and see people's faces as I pass them on the freeway!
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Re: '55 to Life
 

how do you think that trans cooler is going to work? I was looking at them but leary on how well they would cool, also is there only one line going in?

thanks for the help on this

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This truck will never see the track or any heavy abuse so this cooler should be fine. This one is 24" but you can get them longer if you have the space or get a single pass and stack them. This ones a dual pass with the inlet/outlet at the same end.

Re: '55 to Life
 

I have a thing for the Boss 338's and the price is right. I bought a set of 18x8 and 18x9.5 for less than $700.00 shipped.

Re: '55 to Life
 

thanks for replying...

I will try one.

great build btw!