The Grandaddy of MISFIT threads... 1956, 1957, 1978 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ChargerBill · 10-13-2005, 03:21 AM

Well, it's been a while since I was on here last...a LONG while. I just received a "Happy Birthday" email from the board and figured it was a good time to come back over, so here I am. The timing is perfect too, as some new things have developed lately regarding my pickups. Looking for some info and advice - here goes:

I have a '56 Chevy Custom Cab big back window stepside pickup. It's currently about 5 different colors, but soon will be DP90 black. It has a '65 327 block with Camel Hump 202 heads, 11:1 compression, Mallory Dist, MSD Blaster II coil, Edelbrock 625cfm, Muncie M22 Rock Crusher, Centerforce stage 3 clutch, 12 bolt posi rear end with 11.5 inch tires out back. I just rebuilt the front axle (yeah, it's still the I-beam) and plan on putting discs up front this winter.

I also have a '78 K5 Blazer that was a Federal vehicle and is exempt from stringent California emissions...it still has to pass, but the tolerances are much more broad. It has a 6" Skyjacker leaf spring lift with 36" Mudders on 15" X 12" American Racing solid aluminum wheels, the NP205 transfer case mated to SM465 gearbox, a rebuilt front Dana 44 with new Warn hubs, new rotors/callipers/half shafts/bearings/I & O seals, etc., new front driveshaft, rebuilt rear driveshaft, Rancho RS9000 5 way shocks, Headman hedders connected to aluminized exhaust and Dynomax Mufflers, a '68 327 with Camel Humps at about 10.2:1 compression, new radiator, etc... The body is TRASH...rusting out and falling apart. Rocker panels gone, wheel wells you can see through, every panel has either major rust or irreporable damage.

Lastly (other than my 2002 Z71 Silverado, my '69 Charger and my coming-home-soon '67 Satellite) I have a '57 GMC Custom Cab big back window stepside original V8 pickup. It's red and the body is in pretty decent shape. The rear end is a sloppy mess, the tranny is a turbo 350 with a B&M Comp shifter and the current engine is a Mexican-rebuilt Kragen/Goodwrench 350 that sounds like a garbage disposal and runs even worse.

So, here is my dilemma: The K5 is just NOT going to sell with the body the way it is unless I find a true 4X4 nut who knows what it is and how hard they are to find and is willing to replace panels and sheetmetal. I figured the sheetmetal cost at around $800 from LMC truck and the time needed would be about 30 hrs...which is a far cry from the $7K I already have into the running gear and suspension (I only want $3K for the Blazer) I figure if I can't sell it, I may as well use it to make either the '56 or the '57 a very cool 4X4. The '57 GMC is rarer than the '56 Chevy by far, but the '56 is MUCH further along mechanically and I would hate to undo all that work...so now you see my dilemma.

So, to make my decision easier I was hoping for some insight. How hard is it to bolt the K5 axles under a 55 - 59 Chevy truck frame? How hard is it to mount the steering box, swap over the K5 spring hangers...basically swap the K5 running gear onto the '56 or '57 frame? Or, would it be easier to mount truck body onto the Blazer frame? I know neither will be easy, but which would be the less of two evils? OR, should I part out the K5 to get the money I want out of it? And if so, how hard are those parts to get rid of these days and are they fetching any decent money?

See, I told you this was a misfit thread. So, if anyone can give me some insight or advie that would be greatly appreciated. Until then, thanks for reading my rantings everyone...

smirch9 · 10-13-2005, 11:25 AM

Welcome, post it on the blazer message forum and I'm sure you'll get the answers your looking for!

59Apache4WD · 10-13-2005, 06:57 PM

I don't know how hard it was, but my truck is almost what you describe. It has K10 running gear under a '59 fleetside longbed/frame. Dana 44 up front that appears to be bolted up to original springs/perches. The rear is a 12bolt with 3.73gears/posi. A 350/sm465/np205 makes it go. I had the rear end rebuilt because when I got it it had a bent axle, and it had been for a while I guess 'cause the bearing/seals/gears were all messed up too. The power front discs and steering came from the same truck too, suposedly. the steering box hangs off the side of the frame rail and I had to get offset wheels when I changed to 33's, 'cause the inside of the tire rubbed badly. The steering linkage is funky, but works ok. I need to change the gears in the front diff to match the new ones in the rear, how hard of a job is that? I've never done it myself before.Good Luck with your Frankentruck!!
Jeff

ChargerBill · 10-13-2005, 07:05 PM

I guess I just need to take some measurements and see what I'm up against. I would really like to use the Skyjacker leaf springs, even if it means installing Blazer hangers onto the older frame. I was quoted $800 to rearch the stock springs and it just doesn't make sense to use 50 yo springs when I have 3 yo ones to work with.

Pictures would help if you could take a few of how steering box is mounted, maybe how steering linkage is routed, how the pitman arm hangs, tire offset, etc...

***Liz*** · 10-18-2005, 02:47 AM

back

rollinlow · 10-18-2005, 08:46 AM

welcome

djracer · 10-18-2005, 09:03 AM

Welcome Back from Alabama!

Their is a truck here locally for sale that is on a blazer frame I'm not sure of the exact model(but your ERA/body style)! Unfortunatly the man who built it has passed away so he's not here to ask about the build. I would imagine putting your body on the Blazer frame would be the way to go! I could probably get you some pics if that would help!

Kevin

10-13-2005, 03:21 AM	#1
ChargerBill Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 27	The Grandaddy of MISFIT threads... 1956, 1957, 1978 Well, it's been a while since I was on here last...a LONG while. I just received a "Happy Birthday" email from the board and figured it was a good time to come back over, so here I am. The timing is perfect too, as some new things have developed lately regarding my pickups. Looking for some info and advice - here goes: I have a '56 Chevy Custom Cab big back window stepside pickup. It's currently about 5 different colors, but soon will be DP90 black. It has a '65 327 block with Camel Hump 202 heads, 11:1 compression, Mallory Dist, MSD Blaster II coil, Edelbrock 625cfm, Muncie M22 Rock Crusher, Centerforce stage 3 clutch, 12 bolt posi rear end with 11.5 inch tires out back. I just rebuilt the front axle (yeah, it's still the I-beam) and plan on putting discs up front this winter. I also have a '78 K5 Blazer that was a Federal vehicle and is exempt from stringent California emissions...it still has to pass, but the tolerances are much more broad. It has a 6" Skyjacker leaf spring lift with 36" Mudders on 15" X 12" American Racing solid aluminum wheels, the NP205 transfer case mated to SM465 gearbox, a rebuilt front Dana 44 with new Warn hubs, new rotors/callipers/half shafts/bearings/I & O seals, etc., new front driveshaft, rebuilt rear driveshaft, Rancho RS9000 5 way shocks, Headman hedders connected to aluminized exhaust and Dynomax Mufflers, a '68 327 with Camel Humps at about 10.2:1 compression, new radiator, etc... The body is TRASH...rusting out and falling apart. Rocker panels gone, wheel wells you can see through, every panel has either major rust or irreporable damage. Lastly (other than my 2002 Z71 Silverado, my '69 Charger and my coming-home-soon '67 Satellite) I have a '57 GMC Custom Cab big back window stepside original V8 pickup. It's red and the body is in pretty decent shape. The rear end is a sloppy mess, the tranny is a turbo 350 with a B&M Comp shifter and the current engine is a Mexican-rebuilt Kragen/Goodwrench 350 that sounds like a garbage disposal and runs even worse. So, here is my dilemma: The K5 is just NOT going to sell with the body the way it is unless I find a true 4X4 nut who knows what it is and how hard they are to find and is willing to replace panels and sheetmetal. I figured the sheetmetal cost at around $800 from LMC truck and the time needed would be about 30 hrs...which is a far cry from the $7K I already have into the running gear and suspension (I only want $3K for the Blazer) I figure if I can't sell it, I may as well use it to make either the '56 or the '57 a very cool 4X4. The '57 GMC is rarer than the '56 Chevy by far, but the '56 is MUCH further along mechanically and I would hate to undo all that work...so now you see my dilemma. So, to make my decision easier I was hoping for some insight. How hard is it to bolt the K5 axles under a 55 - 59 Chevy truck frame? How hard is it to mount the steering box, swap over the K5 spring hangers...basically swap the K5 running gear onto the '56 or '57 frame? Or, would it be easier to mount truck body onto the Blazer frame? I know neither will be easy, but which would be the less of two evils? OR, should I part out the K5 to get the money I want out of it? And if so, how hard are those parts to get rid of these days and are they fetching any decent money? See, I told you this was a misfit thread. So, if anyone can give me some insight or advie that would be greatly appreciated. Until then, thanks for reading my rantings everyone... __________________ 1956 Chevy Custom Cab 1978 Chevy K5 Blazer 2002 4X4 Silverado 1969 Dodge Charger 1968 Dodge Charger Last edited by ChargerBill; 10-13-2005 at 03:26 AM.

10-13-2005, 11:25 AM	#2
smirch9 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Coweta, Oklahoma Posts: 2,389	Welcome, post it on the blazer message forum and I'm sure you'll get the answers your looking for! __________________ 1999 GMC 2500--Natural Gas Powered baby! 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe Have you subscribed? Click here. Order your site t-shirts and apparel here!

10-13-2005, 07:05 PM	#4
ChargerBill Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 27	I guess I just need to take some measurements and see what I'm up against. I would really like to use the Skyjacker leaf springs, even if it means installing Blazer hangers onto the older frame. I was quoted $800 to rearch the stock springs and it just doesn't make sense to use 50 yo springs when I have 3 yo ones to work with. Pictures would help if you could take a few of how steering box is mounted, maybe how steering linkage is routed, how the pitman arm hangs, tire offset, etc... __________________ 1956 Chevy Custom Cab 1978 Chevy K5 Blazer 2002 4X4 Silverado 1969 Dodge Charger 1968 Dodge Charger

10-18-2005, 02:47 AM	#5
*Liz* Catchy title goes here.. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rockwell, NC Posts: 39,767	Re: The Grandaddy of MISFIT threads... 1956, 1957, 1978 back

10-18-2005, 08:46 AM	#6
rollinlow Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: tn Posts: 206	Re: The Grandaddy of MISFIT threads... 1956, 1957, 1978 welcome

10-13-2005, 06:57 PM	#3
59Apache4WD Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 12	I don't know how hard it was, but my truck is almost what you describe. It has K10 running gear under a '59 fleetside longbed/frame. Dana 44 up front that appears to be bolted up to original springs/perches. The rear is a 12bolt with 3.73gears/posi. A 350/sm465/np205 makes it go. I had the rear end rebuilt because when I got it it had a bent axle, and it had been for a while I guess 'cause the bearing/seals/gears were all messed up too. The power front discs and steering came from the same truck too, suposedly. the steering box hangs off the side of the frame rail and I had to get offset wheels when I changed to 33's, 'cause the inside of the tire rubbed badly. The steering linkage is funky, but works ok. I need to change the gears in the front diff to match the new ones in the rear, how hard of a job is that? I've never done it myself before.Good Luck with your Frankentruck!! Jeff

10-18-2005, 09:03 AM	#7
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,892	Re: The Grandaddy of MISFIT threads... 1956, 1957, 1978 Welcome Back from Alabama! Their is a truck here locally for sale that is on a blazer frame I'm not sure of the exact model(but your ERA/body style)! Unfortunatly the man who built it has passed away so he's not here to ask about the build. I would imagine putting your body on the Blazer frame would be the way to go! I could probably get you some pics if that would help! Kevin __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!



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