48 5 Window air ride driver

[oldnslow]

I bought this truck from a friend that owned it for 25 years. He had a Volare torsion bar front end installed, bought a 9" Ford rear end (not installed) and had the body repaired and straightened then lost interest. I saw the truck at his house for years, he told me it was for sale, but the front end really put me off, the torsion bars were cool but the track width seemed too wide. I listed it in Ebay for him, but it didn't meet reserve, as there was no firewall (long story) or rear suspension. After looking at it for a while I kind of got the bug and purchased it for myself. After it was home, the front end was replaced with a GM Metric (Monte Carlo) front clip. Taller A body spindles were used with Hotchkis upper control arms for a better camber curve and the 12" brakes. The spring pockets were opened up and lower control arms modifiedfor Slam Specialties bags. New bushings, ball joints tie rod ends etc. were added as was an IROC 12:1 steering box. The rear frame was kicked up high enough to lay out the running boards with 32" tires. Chevy truck trailing arms and Firestone bags were added with a long panhard bar ala Hot Rods to Hell Centerdrive. The 9" ford housing that came with the truck was used, a 4.10 posi was used and 11.75 Wilwood rotors are used with 75 Eldorado calipers. A 1955 Chevy car dash was modified and fitted in the cab. I moved on to other projects (68 short/wide) etc. and the truck ended up stored in a friend's pole barn. With insperation and perspiration from my buddy Terry, we started working on it again this Fall. We installed the Sheet Metal Direct firewall and floors (HIGHLY RECCOMENDED) in a weekend. Next up was boxing the frame, welding up extra holes and priming and painting the chassis. The chassis is rolling in chassis black and the bags are tied toghether so we can raise and lower it. The Christmas holiday has slowed our progress, but body work has started and I should have some pix soon.

[oldnslow]

More Pix

[Fat Mike]

Really nice work! Wow you have done alot already. That is a really nice subframe job! Keep the pictures coming and welcome to the site.

[youngrodder]

Nice metal work. Love the dash....
Minooka huh..I was just there for the first time a few weeks ago on business.
keep up the good work.

Marc

[1lo67]

looks great....

[Deabt54]

Nice set up in the rear. Can you tell me where you got the rear section. I've been looking for something like that so I can mount my 88 C4 IRS in my 54. Is it from Art Morrison?

[Fat Mike]

Do you have any pictures on how you did that subframe?

[oldnslow]

I don't have any pictures of the front clip installation, it was done at my buddy Bob's shop. He builds roundy round cars and has a jig. Both the frame and the clip were tacked down to his chassis jig before welding, to keep them in alignment. The rear frame is fabricated from 11 ga. steel, the rounded "kick ups" are comprised of 4 pieces cut out with a plasma cutter, then boxed top and bottom. Bob also bent the round tubing front trailing arm mounts, they are in double shear, welded to the inside of the frame and the boxing plates. Thanks for the questions and comments!

[ChuckDriver]

Awesome work so far, can't wait to see the rest!

[71'tahoe]

Nice chassis!! I dig it! Im sorry if I missed it but what did you use on the chasss as far as paint?

Greg

[oldnslow]

Body work has started ! (thanks Terry) The chassis was primed with DP50LF and painted with satin black catalized enamel.

[Blanco]

looks good

[71'tahoe]

Thanls for the info.

Greg

[lpguy]

Looks great so far, will deffinately be following this build. If you dont mind coan you get some measurements for me next time you work on it? Im looking into doing the same firewall and floorpan. what are the widths of the the recess on the firewall side and the interior side? Also how far up on toeboard is the recess? Thanks

[oldnslow]

Doing body work is like running in mud, seems like lots of effort for little return. Here are a couple of pictures of the cab back on the frame, we are going to trial fit all of the sheet metal before final bodywork and paint.

[chevyrestoguy]

I like your truck! The work so far looks very nicely done. I like your choice of suspension components and the satin black paint on the chassis looks awesome. The body looks really solid, especially if it's an original Midwest truck.

What are your plans for the drivetrain, wheels, and color? Keep posting pictures because we maniacs on this site love that stuff.

[Kabwe]

Looks great I see I'm not the only one that is a fan of the 55-56 car dash. Very nice work.

[oldnslow]

We got the body shell blocked out about 95%, shot color ( Hot Rod Flatz, Rock Moss Green) on the bottom of the cab and mounted it back on the chassis. Started bulding the bed, it's starting to look like a truck again!

[ChuckDriver]

Lookin' good!

[ratty 46]

Very nice work ... I dig the final stance. The frame work looks very thought out.

Why can't someone kewl like you live next door??

I'm scribed.

Ratty 46

[upon1]

You are doing an incredible job! Looks awsome! Did you have any clearence issues at the bottom rear of the cab with the crossmember notch? Where are you planning on putting the air tank?

[oldnslow]

The crossmember notch is as large as we could make it without cutting the cab, we are planning on using a 2 pc driveshaft with the center support bearing mounted upside down in the notch. Locating the air tanks is still kind of up for grabs, we are going to finish the bed before mounting the tanks and compressors. Thanks for the kind words.

[oldnslow]

We are still working on the bed, cut notches in a NOS tailgate to clear the link assembly from a 80 Chevy fleetside.

[project 67 sub]

looking good bro, keep it up

[Putter]

Naw That's Bloody Sex-ey! (Fat Bast'rd from Austin Powers)