77 to 55 thanksgiving

[tiggerstoy]

well...it was thanksgiving weekend, i was bored jumped into my 77 short steper, parked it in the backyard, looked at one of my 55's said to myself...let's do it. i planed on useing most of the 77, wireing, stering, brakes, as much as i can....this it to be a daily driver, and it's mine, so i might cut a corner or 2 ha ha....i'v seen others do this, and the truck looks like a 4x4 when done, im a lowrider kinda guy, so with some thinking , and a good welder, i think it will work?
snow's gona fall soon here, so this will have to be a fast build, all other things to be worked out can be done at the shop.......max.

[tiggerstoy]

Originally Posted by tiggerstoy

well...it was thanksgiving weekend, i was bored jumped into my 77 short steper, parked it in the backyard, looked at one of my 55's said to myself...let's do it. i planed on useing most of the 77, wireing, stering, brakes, as much as i can....this it to be a daily driver, and it's mine, so i might cut a corner or 2 ha ha....i'v seen others do this, and the truck looks like a 4x4 when done, im a lowrider kinda guy, so with some thinking , and a good welder, i think it will work?
snow's gona fall soon here, so this will have to be a fast build, all other things to be worked out can be done at the shop.......max.

some pics

[the professor]

looking good
I also have a 58 on a 73- 87 frame and it sits high. I had planned on putting 5x5 on 5 wheels on the front so that the wheels would tuck up front good and do the 5 7 drop that they make for the 73 - 87 frames. Let me know if you have any better suggestions to make them lower.

[tiggerstoy]

well, what i did is use the 77 floor and firewall, im still welding it all up now, but it does have a nise ride hight, and it looks like a will be able to use the rad, emergancy brake, and with a little luck, the heater box, i'll know more tomorow, as for now, the floor and firewall is all cut, ans mostly welded, still need to fill in the rest, this is how it looks after today....max.

[56chevy1300]

Wow, you are creative Max! What are you going to use as a bed?

[magsnubby]

That's the way i'm going with my '58 step side.

So what you are doing is channeling it over the '77 frame? Any idea how much drop that's going to give you?

You gotta keep us informed on this thing. And lots of pictures wouldn't hurt either.

[tiggerstoy]

Originally Posted by magsnubby

That's the way i'm going with my '58 step side.

So what you are doing is channeling it over the '77 frame? Any idea how much drop that's going to give you?

You gotta keep us informed on this thing. And lots of pictures wouldn't hurt either.

yes, it's a channeling deal, i'v done this to a lot of other rod's, but they all belong to someone else...this one's mine...hehe....so, as much as it takes to do this as a hobby, and yet use what i'v got for parts, and smarts, and still make it a daily driver, a lowrider, a budget build, and a lot of fun buildind....and i get to get rid of some parts out of the back yard!
i'll get the drop measurements, and lots of pics as i keep on going on the best, the smartest, and the most useful thanksgiving gift i ever gave myself.
.....max.

[tiggerstoy]

well, if all measures out right, i'll use the 77 box , i'll lay in some new steel for the floor, and im thinking of makeing the 55 fenders wider as to match the body, and it will fit my tires...i think!?
i'll try to get the rad support and notch out the front frame to set thr rad, and set the bumper tomorow, i'll post pics as i go...max.

[buds56]

wow, thats pretty cool!

[tiggerstoy]

thanks buds56...it's a way of being able to drive my 55, and not rush the 55 prodject (my other 55), it's a rush job but it should work out ok...max.

[tiggerstoy]

worked on the old girl for about 4 hrs today....

[Dadsredwagon]

looks good.....

[tiggerstoy]

yup...you gota luv those canadian rust rods under mock-up....lol

[tiggerstoy]

not much to show today, i have a cold, just did the rad and some of the floor, got the heater box to fit, and the motor will work with a little mod.....max.

[tiggerstoy]

well, still have the cold, so all i did is some mesureing for thr rest of the floor, i have some cab corners for the 77 that i think will look good at the rear of the floor to tie it all in, i also got me l.e.d lights 2" for the front, so i fab'ed them to fit behind the clear len's for my front runing/signal lights.
i'll have mor pics tomorow....and as far as the drop on the truck, it's about a 4.5"body drop.......max.

[Stepside65]

Looks great so far. I'm gonna have to keep an eye on this one.

[tiggerstoy]

Originally Posted by Stepside65

Looks great so far. I'm gonna have to keep an eye on this one.

thanks james....lots more pics and "fab" atempts on the way......max.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Wow that's cool! It looks like it's all going to fit nicely under the hood.

[tiggerstoy]

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

Wow that's cool! It looks like it's all going to fit nicely under the hood.

thanks cal, so far so good, im thinking of fab'ing the 55& the 77 inner fenders together, if it works it will look cool, and help with the look....unfortunatly someone lifted my rad...so im gona see if i can find one, if not it will be the first part that i need to buy, and thats not to bad! ....max.

[Igotachevyor2]

looks good

[tiggerstoy]

Originally Posted by Igotachevyor2

looks good

thanks, hows your rig coming?...........max.

[tiggerstoy]

not alot to report, but i got the 77 cab corners to work the way i hoped, and i got the 2" l.e.d. lights sealed into the 55 lights.......max.

[tiggerstoy]

well, i got the passenger side done for now, the whole cab will go to the shop to finish welding, blasting, sealing, and a good coat of rockgard, i decided to cut the badly damaged rocker off, and spent time, instead of money on it...you gota love hammer and dolly.....max.

[tiggerstoy]

well, i got most of the drivers side front and rear floor done today. i also fabed in the emergency brake pedel lever, and moved the master brake plate over 3" on the firewall, all i have to do now is cut the rocker off the drivers side, repair it, and weld it back oh to the cab....this way the new step i made will look done.....max.

[poncho_villa]

I am curious about a couple of things there Tig....what are you gonna use for seats to mount to your raised floor? And why did you move the master cylinder plate over 3"? Steering column clearance issues?? Oh by the way....nice fab work.