55.2 Chevy 3100

[Flames97]

Hello everyone, My name is Aaron and this is the beginning of my long over due build thread. I've been around looking since I think late 2005 but for sure 2006 and finally joined in Jan of 2010. I've seen alot of great builds on here and always enjoy looking and learning. And there are so many good builds on here that I look at and follow and I really love the 55-59's but I also follow the 48-55.1 and the 67-72's. So..ya I spend alot of time looking around. Now it's time for me to get moving on my project and share what I'm doing.

A little about me. Graduated high school in '97. Started Wildland firefighting for the Forest Service in the summer. Then went to a community college for auto collision and refinishing. Continued Fighting fire in the summers and worked a little in some body shops just in the winter for a couple years. Stayed with Fighting Fire for my Career. I have a wonderful wife (Which supports my truck addiction or at least deals with it) and two great little girls.
Now for the truck.
I've had this truck since around 1995 or 96, I drove it for a little while and then started taking it apart and well...It's been in pieces most of the time. You know how it goes big plans then life happens with a dash of procrastination and so on.

It was a long box 3200. And I wanted a short box..so I bought a new short bed for it. Suspension is Air ride MII and 4 link with camaro rearend. Power Plant is a 383 stoker hooked to a 700r4. The truck has the usual rust areas in the cab but really isn't that bad. I do have tons of new parts and patch panels as well as new fenders for it that I have aqueired for it over the years. Still have all the old one's that I will hang on to.
Ok...enough talking and now pic time. These are from around the time I got it.

[Flames97]

Here are some of the front suspension installation

[Flames97]

More....Also the rear suspension install which I'm currently modifying to go even lower.

[Flames97]

How about more..?? I know everyone likes pic's
The last pic is with the suspension as low as it will go..but like I said I'm moving things so it will go lower. I don't think layed out but close. The notch will be bigger and I'm moving all the brackets up.

[Flames97]

Made some new crossmembers...may actually change these too. not sure just yet. But I really wanna do something different with some round tube.

[Flames97]

Here are the last that I have. The mounting of the brake booster and air system. Then a shot of the cab on the dolly. I've been cleaning the shop and fixing somethings so I can start working on the truck again. So until I get going again that's about all I have for now. Which hopefully tomorrow I can get back to it. Thanks for looking.

[alaska gasser]

Looking good. I would definitely add more support over the top of your rear c channels though.

[Flames97]

Alaska Gasser- I missed your post earlier, I'm actually going to redo the c notch all together. I'm going to make a new one out of 2X4. It will allow me to go lower and will also be stronger.

[Kim57]

Nice looking build.
Kim

[Flames97]

Thanks Kim, your build is actually one that I check out a lot.

[apache200]

Flames what 4 link did you use?

[Flames97]

It's from Total Cost Involved. I got a whole kit with MII and brake kit all together years ago.
-Aaron

[Flames97]

My phone will only let me load one pic at a time.
I managed to get a little done today. Got a late start but did what I liked till it got dark and had to roll the cab back into the shop.
I started sandblasting the tight areas that are hard to get into and I really only plan on doing those areas and staying away from the larger areas that sand blasting could damage.
-Aaron

[Flames97]

Ok not sure why that last one came out sideways.
Here's another.

Huh..I've tried rotating it but no luck. Sorry.

[Kim57]

Good idea on blasting those tight areas. I spent a ton of time trying to get the old paint out of them.
Kim

[JML55]

Nice work

[fabguy]

Nice truck,
Really like the suspension work

[Flames97]

Kim, Jean-Marc and Fabguy thanks for all the kind words. I've been watching all of your builds and all of you do great work.

Yesterday I was able to spend a couple hours blasting the cab. I still have more I'd like to do. I had moisture problems and then it came time for family.
I'll see what I can get done today.

[Flames97]

Made a little more progress on the cab. I tipped it back and got the underside and some of the fire wall. Didn't do the steps because they will get replaced. Took a while because of moisture clogging the sand every once in a while. I had a trap at the blaster but it cracked sometime ago. I do have one off the compressor but the long run out of the shop it still gets moisture built up. I got some more of the inside blasted to but really not concerned with getting every thing just the hard to get places. As I look around at other parts I want to sand blast them too. So slowly but surely I'll get them. It got dark and then started to sprinkle at the end. Not the best time of year to be doing this. But before too long its gonna start snowing so I'm trying to get as much done as possible now.
Ok enough talk here is some pic's. Before and after.

[Flames97]

Also I've been working on the rear 4 link brackets so I could go lower. I've marked the new hole's to drill on the frame. Still need to drill them. As far as the bracket I had to cut off the tab which sits up against the bottom of the frame and I will weld it back on in its new location. I could weld the whole bracket to the frame instead of it just bolting on but I'm not ready to for that. Just in case I change my mind down the road I can take it off easier.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[papastrk]

I like the crossmembers you fabricated. Replacing the c-notch area with 2"X4" tubing will give you the added clearance the modified four link setup will need. Be sure to look at the Porterbilt four link frame section they offer. They have a very good design. Also, look at their four link front brackets. I think I have changed everything I have done on mine at least once! LOL. Your build is coming along great!

[Flames97]

Thanks papastrk

[Flames97]

Thought I'd post an update.
Today I got my new C-notch cut and tacked together. And then Placed it beside the frame to check it again and did some measuring. At first I mocked up my cuts on pieces of 2x4 studs. I already got the front mounts in place and the bag and shock mount out and once I get the new notch in put it all back on in the new location. So far from measuring it will give me about 2 3/4 inches lower when completely aired out. Ok pic time.




Also I would have gotten more done today but had to finish this Advent Calendar my wife asked me to make. Its made from 1x12 rough cut pine. From the early 1930's possibly late 20's

[Kim57]

Cool.
Kim