My 55 Chevy 4X4

[marc55]

Hi, I'm Marc, I want to take a moment to introduce myself and start my build thread. I'm new to classic trucks, but have always loved the '55 Chevy look. I'm planning on building this into a 4-wheel drive with a modern drive train. I am also new to forums and will be attempting to document my build thread in hopes of getting advice from experienced builders and help others who are attempting to do the same thing I am. I have not been able to find too much information about making these trucks in to 4-wheel drives. The frame is a '77 Chevy P/U and the wheel base has already been shortened, but thats about it. The body is straight and fairly rust free and I think it is a good solid project. With the support and help from my girlfriend, I am looking forward to sharing this project.

[6BT 56]

Hi marc. Looks like a super start you have there . My 56 spent a year on the same axles you have under your truck now . I see your in Vancouver . Where did your truck come from .

[marc55]

I am actually in vancouver wa. I bought the truck in july in portland OR. I have spent the last couple months disassembling the truck and will be posting pics soon.

[OrrieG]

Good start assuming the original converter did a good job. Look forward to seeing where it goes.

[Madd Doc]

Hi Marc, your off to a good start, I am going along a similar path but using a stock frame and the axles from a 76 Chevy 4x4. I would recommend reading all of OrrieG's thread lots of great info there, good luck.

[marc55]

Thanks for the tip I will check him out. I have been going through a DMV nightmare for the last couple months. The vin on truck and title did not match. I was lucky that owner was a real good guy and dealt with most of the red tape. The truck was in his family for 30 years and sitting in his shop for the last 8 or 10 years. The wheel base has been shortend and the cab was mounted to the frame but the front sheet metal or the bed was not. Hopefully figuring out how to mount the core support will not be too tricky. So far the truck is real solid wont know more untill I get through the 3 paint jobs on it. I will be posting more pics of the teardown soon. Now that I have a clear title I am going to get the ball rolling. First thing is 2 outer door skins and and inner door pannel repair on the passenger door.

[marc55]

Got the cab off the frame, even with the lift it was very hard by myself. Started stripping paint, cleaned frame.

[marc55]

only 2 small dents in the hood

[marc55]

The lower part of both doors did not look so hot







Decided to do the outer on both and inner skin on the passenger

[6BT 56]

Looks real good to me . The truck looks very solid . Whats your plans for power and such ?

[57chevyman]

lookin good!

[meter swinger]

Welcome from kennewick. Good looking truck marc. Don't you just love washington state when it comes to old cars, vins and titles...

[marc55]

My plans are for a daily driver. I want to do a vortec 5.3 or 6.0. I do not know how easy it is to bypass the 4l60e and transfer case and the whole harness thing is new to me. Push button 4wd would be nice. It also looks like the transfer case on newer trucks have the front driveline on the drivers side and I don't want to change my front end. I will probably just use a 700R4. The rear is the small 10 bolt and I would like to upgrade to a 12 or 14 bolt. Finding something like a wrecked Tahoe would be nice and get everything in one shot but not sure how easy the swap would be. Need to do more research. I go back and forth between the ls or a 383 with throttle body fuel injection.

[marc55]

I will briefly explain my title night mare because it was ridiculous. Bought truck and frame. Title had a very strange number looked to be a clerical error. Truck vin was good and could be decoded. Owner goes to DMV with title, picture of vin, and the license plate. This truck was registered and licensed to him 7 years ago. DMV say we need to see the vin on the truck. I already removed cab. Previous owner schedules an appointment (one month later)to show the cab. DMV says we need to see a body on chassis. 2 weeks later put cab on frame owner takes back to DMV. DMV, this is not the original frame. Owner goes to junk yard get receipt for frame. DMV where is the engine? Owner, original engine is long gone. DMV we just need to see an engine in it. Owner put engine only in truck takes back to DMV. Finally DMV issues a new vin a sticker no less. To top it off he had to remove the truck from the flat bed because they would not climb up to put the vin on. I am very luck the guy owns a tow truck company and that he is a stand up guy. This truck was very close to going to the scrap yard due to red tape.

[marc55]

Pulled the bed apart yesterday. Now the truck is 100% disassembled. Cleaned and painted the bed rails. Once again found very little rust. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I can get more of the paint stripping done.

[6BT 56]

Looken good . This is deffinately a nice truck to work with . In regards to power I know a cummins will fit ! Lol....

[AK56]

Welcome to the 4x4 brotherhood. Nice truck! FYI, early 90's suburbans use a passenger drop np241 transfer case. Bolts right up to a 700r4. That's what I am using Not sure about a 460le but shouldn't be to hard to figure out.
Here,s a crappy cell phone pic of my setup. I think I have some better ones somewhere if you need them.
Keep up the good work!

[_Ogre]

youse guys in the northwest are lucky, very good looking tin on that truck.
nice work on the doors too.
glad you got the title figured out.

[marc55]

Thanks for the pick that helps. Your frame looks awsome.

[marc55]

I am lucky. I live about 20 minutes from a place called Dans classics. I can go there and buy stuff like this off the shelf. My fill panel for the hood latch. Adult candy store.

store.

[marc55]

Nothing fun today just did some stripping on the bed. Got a good chunk of it done. Still looking good no surprises.

[marc55]

4 universal poly urethane body mounts would cost $65. I found a 68 corvette poly body mount kit for $35 on amazon. These will work perfect and I think the extra 2 can be used when I mount my core support.

[buggy5872]

Good looking truck to start with and looks like you are headed in the right direction.

[6BT 56]

Isnt there sumone out there who makes a kit to do this ? Task force truck on to a 73 to 87 frame ? I thot I read somewhere that it was available ? Im sure there are a lot of trucks on here that have done it . Just keep searching . This website is the best tool you will ever have !

[OrrieG]

I do not remember any kits, but it has been done a few times. A search using the box at the top of the page for this site should turn them up. I think sgtusmc used that year for is 2wd conversion, body to frame relationship is the same as 4wd.