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1954 Panel build
You can all thank 99 to life for this build book that I am about to post, he has been bugging for me to start it for awhile now and I finally figured to let everyone see the trials and tribulations I went through, hopefully lend a hand and maybe pick up some business.
I purchased the truck out of Washington state a few years back, only planning on a few month project which is now going on several years. Between other projects and helping "friends" on their builds, the panel has taken a back seat. But in that time, she has gotten some attention and is very close to being done, hopefully by spring. She currently lays out on her rockers with the help of Slam Specialties bags, overtop TSW 20" wheels and is powered by a Chevy 6.0L and 4L60E. Although I used the stock frame rails (boxed), the front clip and rear axle are out of a '69 Camaro SS with disc brakes all around. Everything else is custom made, 4-link, headers and exhaust, all cross members, radiator mount, steering linkage, e-brake setup, etc. I will explain things in more detail as I add pics, but feel free to ask questions. |
Re: 1954 Panel build
Welcome and don't keep us in suspense any longer. 99toLife has been hyping this build for a while now(no pressure). JK of course
Looking forward to see your project as it sounds like it shares some of the ideas I have in mind for my 53 suburban that I just started. Marc |
Re: 1954 Panel build
:hi2::welcoem: to the site, now we will start riding you about pics, so let's get um up here...Jim
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Re: 1954 Panel build
Do I need to post the first pic? I will!!!
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Re: 1954 Panel build
5 Attachment(s)
The beginning
Attachment 1185384 Getting rid of the bad Attachment 1185390 Attachment 1185392 The old frame out and up on the table for surgery Attachment 1185384 Attachment 1185396 |
Re: 1954 Panel build
5 Attachment(s)
Camaro front clip, marked for narrowing 3.25"
Attachment 1185402 Attachment 1185403 Cut Attachment 1185404 Welded back together Attachment 1185405 Sandblasted and ready for primer, awaiting placement on the frame table Attachment 1185406 |
Re: 1954 Panel build
4 Attachment(s)
As you can see, the 2 frames rails didn't line up very well, even after taking some fat outta the clip
Attachment 1185413 Attachment 1185415 So I had to blend them together Attachment 1185416 Few steps ahead, but you can see how the 2 sections blended Attachment 1185418 |
Re: 1954 Panel build
Nice job on the blending of the two together. Can't wait to see the rear end set-up...Jim
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Re: 1954 Panel build
Finally!!! I haven't even seen all these pics. Luvin it tho. Can't wait to get up the lousy 45 min drive to see the darn thing in person.
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Re: 1954 Panel build
Looks good. The old Camaro clip should make using a rack easy, if you chose to go that route.
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Re: 1954 Panel build
Actually, using that front clip and my choice of engine & tranny caused using a rack to be the most difficult part of the build. I will post more pictures and explanation on that later.
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Re: 1954 Panel build
5 Attachment(s)
In these next pics you will see the axle placement and installation of cross members, tranny mount and 4 link. This was the second 4 link design, as the first one was triangulated but didn't function as well as I had hoped, so I ended up with a parallel style and pan hard (Watts link next time). Attachment 1186038
Attachment 1186040 Attachment 1186041 Attachment 1186042 Attachment 1186043 |
Re: 1954 Panel build
soon as you get the space in the garage, I'm bringin my truck up for some pics!!!! did you go with back behind axle?
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Re: 1954 Panel build
3 Attachment(s)
Gonna have to wait till after my training bro, but then its on, going everywhere.
So here is where the trouble starts, 6.0L out of a 2005 Escalade. I didn't want to cut out a huge hole in my firewall or a massive tranny and driveshaft tunnel, so I decided to drop the engine over 3" down inside the frame more. The oil pans on those big trucks is excessively deep, so luckily GM uses a lot of interchangeable parts, so I got a pan from a corvette, same capacity but different dimensions so it allowed for a few inches of ground clearance, otherwise I would have drug a hole in the original. Attachment 1186370 Cut out, notched and welded back up Attachment 1186368 Attachment 1186369 |
Re: 1954 Panel build
5 Attachment(s)
Once I got the engine and tranny where they needed to be, the real fun started. The original location for the steering link was behind the cradle, exactly where the oil pan dropped down, leaving no room for anything else. After months of searching for a front steer power rack that was narrow enough, I finally found a rack from a dirt track car with a remote power unit. While the remote unit was just another thing to be mounted in my already tight spaces, at least I could steer my truck (I tucked the rack as high as possible in front of the rack).
Attachment 1186372 A Camaro suspension geometry is set up for rear steer only, so in order to use a front steer setup, I couldn't just switch sides with the spindles and call it a day. Below is a very time consuming geometry lesson on changing the Ackerman angle of the spindles and calculating the proper placement and alignment of the rack. Enjoy Attachment 1186373 Attachment 1186380 Attachment 1186382 Attachment 1186386 |
Re: 1954 Panel build
4 Attachment(s)
That issue finally being solved, I can now worry about others, like radiator mount, fender mounts, Raptor lining the fenders and running boards, stripping and painting the floor, mounting air ride setup, etc
Attachment 1186390 Attachment 1186392 Attachment 1186393 Attachment 1186394 |
Re: 1954 Panel build
4 Attachment(s)
The next issue is headers and exhaust, which I will load later once I finish them, so until then here are a few cool shots taken along the way. (I will also post more on the bag setup and air ride placement when I pull the body back off the frame)
Attachment 1186395 Attachment 1186396 Attachment 1186397 Attachment 1186398 |
Re: 1954 Panel build
I really like the looks. Very cool.
Keep the pics coming. Marc |
Re: 1954 Panel build
looks sweet, love how you sum up all your problems in a few sentences, if only it was that easy. So your doing my 1ton panel next right? since I'm so busy.
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Re: 1954 Panel build
That baby looks cool...Jim
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Re: 1954 Panel build
99, ya it's a lot to explain haha. But if anyone has questions or similar issues I'll explain more & help out. New to this whole build page thing, don't really know how much of what to post. & I'll build whatever you want, esp that COE lol.
Glad you all like the build thus far, thank you. Drivers side header is made, I'll finish the pass side this weekend & post. |
Re: 1954 Panel build
The Reserve, that thing is going to be bad ass. I remember Henry sending me a picture of it one time. Keep up the great work.
Shannon |
Re: 1954 Panel build
Whats the wheel and tire sizes and what size is the rear notch? I like the way that this one is shaping up.
Marc |
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