54 chevy panel build

[low54panel]

So here it is, my 54 chevy panel truck build. Bought it off my buddy who started it a few years ago. He already had it off the stock frame and sitting on an s10 frame. Three trailer loads later I had everything back at my shop. Read alot of the threads on here and got lots of ideas where this truck will end up. Found a guy on craigslist parting out his bagged s10 and scored a set of thorbecke upper and lower control arms with drop spindles and a rear 6 link setup. Also bought an ls6 with a manual 6 out of a 2005 CTS-V. Spent memorial day weekend installing the suspension and set the motor in the frame. Ordered my frame notch last night so I can get the frame all the way on the ground. Planning on running 20's up front and 22's out back. Stayed after work this afternoon and spent some time with a plasma cutter and a 4x4 piece of steel and got some cab mounts cut out out thanks to the plans here on the forum. Not sure how I ever made it this long with out a plasma cutter, dont know how I'd do without one now, that thing is sweet. Anyways know how you guys like pics so heres a few. Also threw in a teaser pic of my other project, at one point in its life it was a 2000 Road King.

[low54panel]

So scored a rolled blazer yesterday, no pics yet, it was 1 am by the time I got it home. Has disc brake rear end I was after and other odds and ends I need, hope to sell the v6, tranny and transfer case out of it to recover some cash. Also got my frame notch so I can get the frame on the ground and start mounting the body.

[xpickup]

Welcome and glad to see another panel. I can not wait to see some more pictures.

Shannon
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[low54panel]

Thanks man, will be working on it this weekend, so hopefully some more pics. Been following your build, your metalwork is impressive. How did you do the rear door on your panel? Is that a clamshell setup?

[xpickup]

I welded both of the rear doors together and then cut though at the bottom edge of the beltline. Then finished off the top and bottoms of each. I rolled a piece of 1/2 x 1/2 box for the seal edge on the top of the door so it match the profile of the lower door. It will have hinges on the top part. I just did not get that far. I have a set of rocky hinges that i am using. Then to lower door is weld to the body. I did not have it open because my fuel cell and battery are there and i have a back seat so i could not hall anything anyways. There is a hinged door between the seat and the door so there is store age back there and you do not see it and it also seal off the gas tank from the inside.

I can not wait to see pictures of what you are doing. It will look great with the 20/22s on it. What wheels are you going with?
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[low54panel]

Im going with Billet specialties vintec soft lips I think, saw them on rollinrooster's project and thought they looked sweet, I also do like the fuelie wheels they offer, but they are about twice as much. Hopefully get to spend some time putting in my c notch tomorrow and get the frame on the ground as well as cut up this blazer that I picked up tuesday night and get the disc brake rear end underneath it and the fuel tank in. I've got a drum brake 4x4 rear end if anyone is looking. Hopefully have some more pictures of some progress tomorrow evening.

[mknittle]

Looks likea great project.

[low54panel]

Got some stuff done yesterday, not alot but progress is progress. Got my notch going into the frame. Also got some pics of the blazer I picked up, it was quite interesting getting it towed 150 miles home. Hopefully get to work on it some tomorrow.

[low54panel]

Bringing this project back from the dead. Got frustrated trying to find panel truck pieces. Had the whole thing on craigslist. Sold the ls motor seperately and stuck twin turbos on my dodge. Anyways found a whole other 54 for sale locally with all the parts that ive been looking for for a decent price. Hope to pick it up this weekend and keep going with this thing. Also scored a rolled trailblazer with the 4200 vortec in it, going to swap that into it to keep a 6 cylinder in it.

[ghettoluxury]

I want to see how this one pans out, would like to put a 4200 vortec in my 48 pickup.

[low54panel]

Picked up the other 54 a few weeks ago. Got it out behind the shop, need to get the other on back there so I can get the body off the s10 frame and get the mounts set up.

[low54panel]

and no the rv windows are not staying but the 2 x 12 running boards might

[low54panel]

So made some progress today. Pulled the other panel around to the shop, got the body pulled off and set to the side so I can lay out mounts and what not. Alot to be said for the guys next door having a fork lift, made it way to easy. Got the frame rolled in the shop and mounts starting to be tacked into place. Trailblazer should be here friday. Get the motor set down in the frame and see what kind of mounts I have to build.

[low54panel]

So made some progress today. Pulled the other panel around to the shop, got the body pulled off and set to the side so I can lay out mounts and what not. Alot to be said for the guys next door having a fork lift, made it way to easy. Got the frame rolled in the shop and mounts starting to be tacked into place. Trailblazer should be here friday. Get the motor set down in the frame and see what kind of mounts I have to build.

[99 to Life]

nice, Im in. My buddy has a 54' panel bagged, LS too, its close to being done. I wish he'd start a thread on here cause its got a killer patina.

[low54panel]

Trailblazer motor showed up today!! Transmission will be here tuesday. Gonna get the body set on the frame over the weekend so I can figure out where to put mounts at. Pics to follow.

[low54panel]

Got a few things done the past few weeks. Got all my mounts tacked on the frame, notches all tacked up, some odds and ends lined out. Have my trailblazer motor mounted up to the trans. Probably set it in tomorrow, see what I need for mounts. Hope to set the body on as well and make sure everything is lining up. Will take some pictures while I'm at it. Been up in the air about what wheels to use, think I'm going with these.

[HUSSEY]

Originally Posted by low54panel

Got a few things done the past few weeks. Got all my mounts tacked on the frame, notches all tacked up, some odds and ends lined out. Have my trailblazer motor mounted up to the trans. Probably set it in tomorrow, see what I need for mounts. Hope to set the body on as well and make sure everything is lining up. Will take some pictures while I'm at it. Been up in the air about what wheels to use, think I'm going with these.

I like those wheels above, who makes them?

I've been looking at wheels and like Torq Thrust but just about everyone runs somthing similar.

[oldman3]

I like 5 spoke wheels with big windows, what size??...Jim

[low54panel]

20x8.5 front 22x10 rear

[low54panel]

Rushforth wheels, by no means cheap, but as much as I like torq thrust style wheels as well everyone has them

[low54panel]

Got some stuff done this weekend. All mounts are tacked in place. Motor and transmission are set about where I need them to be. Going to get the body off the other frame and set down onto this one so I can check mount placement as well as get motor mounts built and modify my trans crossmember to fit. The guy thats doing the harness is done and will be shipping back to me this week so I need to get clutch and starter and some other goodies so I can keep moving.

[ghettoluxury]

How does that engine fit in the S10 frame with the front sump pan?

[low54panel]

Its off at the moment. Im building a rear sump pan from a 5 cylinder pan and the back part of the 6 cylinder pan. Getting a flywheel was the hardest part since this motor was never offered with a manual trans. If you run an automatic then no problem at all.

[ghettoluxury]

Where did you end up getting a fly wheel? Could you please post pics of the pan mods when you do them, I am very interested i this project.