My 54gmc build

[troy54gmc]

I guess its time to try and start a build thread. ive been posting for awhile but didnt know how to do build thread. so here goes. First ill give you the history of the truck.
I picked it up off of craiglist for $750.00 the only hitch was i had to drive about 9 hours round trip to pick it up, i live in Surprise AZ and it was in Safford AZ.
The truck had everything except for engine and tranny which was ok seeing how im going to put my own engine and trans in it. The body was i guess normal wear and tear condition for a 1954 not alot of rust thank god just in the cab corners and usual spots. I originally bought this to build with my son who was 13 at the time for his first vehicle. Since then he has told me he would rather have a car instead of a truck ( a little piece inside me died) So i guess im building it for myself now.
Me being a broke civil servant makes my plans for the truck very low budget but high quality, doin all work myself. The build plan is sub the front, four link the rear, airbags all around with 22's in rear and 20's up front, 383 stroker motor with 700r4 trans, hp around 400. Basically want to build a very nice truck that is reliable and i can drive the hell out of it.
The way i plan to build is im goin to do all frame and suspension work first, then engine and drivetrain, then body work and paint and interior.
I found this site when i first got it home and you guys have been very helpfull with every aspect of my build so far and i know you like pictures so i have taken many. So with out any further to do here are some picts..

The first 2 are when i picked up the old girl.

[troy54gmc]

This is when i got it home.

[troy54gmc]

some more. sorry i can only put 3 pictures at a time or computer kicks it out.

[troy54gmc]

oops forgot picts.

[troy54gmc]

Like i said earlier, i wanted to drop the front end to the ground so the original suspension had to go. I researched all the frontend possibilities that i could afford and decided to go with a 1975 nova sub frame. Again due to $$$ restaints. I read these subs are to wide for the ad trucks but alot of guys are running them, so i hoped i could make up the difference in tire backspacing. Besides i got the whole nova sub for $75 bucks. here some picts.

[troy54gmc]

The Nova sub.

[ratty 46]

I'm digg'n your build bro. Keep it up.

Ratty 46

[ratty 46]

Hey Troy ... have you considered 20" all around? You can get late model dodge pickup spare tire wheels for under $70.00 each. I saw them on this board. Goodle them ... it's a cheaper alternative for a 20" wheel.

Ratty 46

[troy54gmc]

Hey Ratty. yes im gonna half to do something alot cheaper than that. yes ive seen the dodge wheels. I believe Cajundragger has them on his truck. its also the cover of this months street trucks, very Sweet! I remember reading his build thread and i think he ended up spending alot more cash getting them modified than he wanted. that kid is a amazing builder and only 21 to boot. I guess im just gonna keep looking till i find something i like thats in my budget.. $00.00 ha ha. this is the only bling i can afford i can always dream big.

[ratty 46]

My '46 coupe stalled at the wheels too .... so I bought some 15" (real) PANTERA magnesium wheels .... only issue is tire sizes are VERY limited in 15" wheels. I've opted for the dodge trucks spares in 20". When I sell the mag wheels I'll have enough for tires too!!

Good luck.

Ratty 46

[troy54gmc]

Well i had time to work on rear frame today. got it all welded. then ground welds and put a few fish plates on. i couldnt decide if i wanted to put the plates in line with the corners or make them all diamond looking. i went with the diamond look. whata guys think?????

[troy54gmc]

This was first idea of placement of plates and then the second idea i went with.

[troy54gmc]

Gotta call it a night. i know this may sound funny to you back east boys but i have to get up early cause im taking the family up to the snow for a sledding and play day. Yes here in AZ we actually drive 2 hours to play in the snow. hopefully i can finish welding plates early next week.

[troy54gmc]

Come on guys i need some input on the new fish plates???? keep em this way or do it differently??

[ratty 46]

I vote #2 .... the one large plate & I'll agree with BlueJeep .... enlarge the holes.

Ratty 46

[Kabwe]

I think you are having too much fun working on this.lol But I'm the same way. So what are you leaning towards doing with that rear window. Keeping the way it is, wrap around, or making it the same size was the others?

[troy54gmc]

Kabwe Re: My 54gmc build

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I think you are having too much fun working on this.lol But I'm the same way. So what are you leaning towards doing with that rear window. Keeping the way it is, wrap around, or making it the same size was the others?

Man you are right. i spent an hour today and went thru 4 cutoff wheels removing the triangular plates so i can replace them with new style. luckily i only welded 2 sides of each one. Next time im gonna just spot weld till i make up my mind. at least i know my welds are getting good penetration.
As for the window im gonna do some more research first to see if i can get glass made for it. i definately like the big wrap around idea though.

[troy54gmc]

Hey Ratty and Bluejeep, i couldnt agree with you guys more. #2 and Bigger is better. Wow that didnt sound right. The problem is i dont have a drill press so im doin this all with hand held drill. Ive allready gone thru 4 drillbits. i went to home depot today to try and get better bits or hole saws and the guy said the hole saws would not work on the steel i was useing. he did say use oil when drilling which i did and it helped considerably. Any ideas for making large holes????? need help...

[bretcopsey]

Originally Posted by troy54gmc

Hey Ratty and Bluejeep, i couldnt agree with you guys more. #2 and Bigger is better. Wow that didnt sound right. The problem is i dont have a drill press so im doin this all with hand held drill. Ive allready gone thru 4 drillbits. i went to home depot today to try and get better bits or hole saws and the guy said the hole saws would not work on the steel i was useing. he did say use oil when drilling which i did and it helped considerably. Any ideas for making large holes????? need help...

You might look into one of those step bits, though I have not seen them go to 2"

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...lls-91616.html



As for the rear glass, custom made is going to be very expensive. Many people would use lexan or speed glass. http://www.percyshp.com/SpeedGlass.html

Have you considered adapting an original big window to avoid the custom glass expense?

[troy54gmc]

You might look into one of those step bits, though I have not seen them go to 2"

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...lls-91616.html

Hey Bretcopsey, Ya i actually looked at one of these bits yesterday and it went up to 1-7/8" but it cost almost $50 bucks and the guy wasnt sure how good it would work and i have never used one. so i didnt buy it. have you used these on steel before and if so are they any good.
As far as the window goes im still looking to see if i can get glass made for it. ive never heardm of speed glass, i checked out the website, very cool. Maybe ill give them a call and try and describe what im looking for. Thanks for the info..

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by troy54gmc

Hey Ratty and Bluejeep, i couldnt agree with you guys more. #2 and Bigger is better. Wow that didnt sound right. The problem is i dont have a drill press so im doin this all with hand held drill. Ive allready gone thru 4 drillbits. i went to home depot today to try and get better bits or hole saws and the guy said the hole saws would not work on the steel i was useing. he did say use oil when drilling which i did and it helped considerably. Any ideas for making large holes????? need help...

I buy Lennox brand hole saws from Lowe's, and they last quite a while for me. $13ish each with the arbor. I've drilled through everything I've wanted to with no issues.

[troy54gmc]

All right guys, i went to lowes today and bought 2 lennox holes saws. a 2-1/4" and a 1-1/2 size and got some cutting fluid. Got home and went to work cutting holes. i ended up cutting 23 holes total and the hole saws held up great, the cutting fluid makes a big difference. i got one plate welded up. and decided to go ahead and cut all the way thru the frame and im goin to put tubing inside holes and then weld. here are a couple of pictures. let me know what u think. i like the look alot more. Thanks for the great suggestions.

[ratty 46]

Well I'll tell ya ... the unitbit would be the best investment you could ever make. I've got probably 6 or 7 of these, a bit pricey, and use them as much as possible. I've NEVER had one get stuck in metal. If you get ahold of some tapfree or cutting fluid it'll help with the longevity of your bits.

Good luck.

Ratty 46

[Fat Mike]

What thickness are you using on your fishplates? I wonder because I bought a set of Milwalkee hole saws from home depot for about $60 and they are cutting through 3/8" material just fine. My kit had a 2" hole saw, and several other sizes and were rated for heavy metal.

[ratty 46]

Troy - are you going to inside sleeve those holes?

That would add som super strenght to that area.

Ratty 46