JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build

[jaws61]

Hey Guys and girls
I"ve managed to get my hands on a a great 1956 chevy stepside truck, This is going to be my second build but this is a lot more of project compared to my last one. So i'll be asking for a hand and idea along the way.
Down to the truck
Its a 56, The floors have been all welded in and the cab corners have been lapped welded but aren't completely weld in solid. Should I be welding them in solid, the doors are the same way. The biggest catch with the truck has a new roof put on and its got a lap joint on the rear and I'm not totally sure how I the line to disappear?

Now to my parts list, I"ve got a Horton weld series IFS coil overs and tri angle four link, C notch and a chevy S10 rearend with 3.55 gears and disc brakes.

First action was getting the cab of the frame and the doors off the truck. Then planning on boxing in the chassis and before hand weld in some c chaneling to make sure the frame doesn't twist and I'm also going to put a tubing in front of the front cross member..

I'm planning to run a 5.3 Ls and still looking for a tranny for now. I'm also looking for a 6.0 too.
Any ideas or help is great!! Thanks for coming by!!

[FarmerSid]

Nice project! Where in Ontario?

[jaws61]

North of Toronto, You?

[FarmerSid]

Kingston area. Did you get the complete truck? Buy it local?

[jaws61]

it actually came out of Montreal and it is a compete truck but as basket truck really.. Your a bit of drive but great to see another Ontario guy!

[55cruiser]

Nice looking project, good to see some other ontario guys on here, i;m from london

[59chev]

I'll be interested to see your 4 link install. I was considering the Horton stuff myself, with the Canadian dollar the way it is, I'm trying to order as much stuff from Canadian companies as I can.

[Kim57]

Nice looking start.
I prefer to but weld my repairs. I think it's lees trouble in the long run.
Kim

[jaws61]

Kim, I prefer to but them as well but I'm not going to cut of the pieces that are already done that way. its to nice of job to redo and only going to give me issues. Going to be fun at body work...

[Kim57]

If it was done decently a skim coat of a high quality body filler should do the trick.
Kim

[jaws61]

Thanks Kim and I'm thinking that's what the plan going to have to be.

Yesturday managed to pull off the cab and the doors. It's a start for sure.

[jaws61]

Cabs off and doors

[Kim57]

I would finish tack welding the seam solid just so it doesn't have a chance to crack in the future.
Kim

[jaws61]

Been doing some fender hammering and dolling to get out some big dents and now getting to the smaller ones. It's been cold so haven't been able to get up to much..

Think I can find a slapping hammer in Ontario, lmao if you do they want a arm and leg for it.. €*#^}* but on word and up word.

[jaws61]

Chassis is finally coming along, The Horton M2 front cross-member is in. After hours of measuring and making templates so we don't mess up to bad. Its in!! The instructions from horton aren't that easy but after reading them 30 times we got it figured out. So if you thinking of using this kit and got a question, I'm more than willing to explain and help out!!

Now I"m just trying to figure of what coil overs to run and the length and stuff. If anyone got some suggestions let me know. I"m new to coil overs to still wrapping my head around it.

Got around to boxing in the chassis as well. which i gotta say add a lot of weight to the chassis!

[Kim57]

Sounds like you're making good progress.
Kim

[jaws61]

More progress as I go.. Thought it been a while and o really have to take some more pics to remember everything..

[jaws61]

So the trucks been moving along its not rolling and starting to get going. Here some of my self taught metal work, I"m learning and wow have i learned a bunch.. The gas cap worked great and i knew i went to grade 1 for a reason.. lol Any pointers or anything i'm always open. Next up is finish off the body work and keep on moving in this hot weather..

[Kim57]

Looks good.
I'm self taught on all this also.
The good thing about metal is you can always start with a new piece.
Kim

[dug224]

Nice build. Enjoying your sheet metal work!! dug

[ChuckDriver]

Cool project!

[jaws61]

Thanks Guys!! It is coming along..

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looks good.
I'm self taught on all this also.
The good thing about metal is you can always start with a new piece.
Kim

That totally is true, Kim

I"ve been busy working on getting the firewall all cleaned up and no more holes. Wow is there ever a bunch and see why people weld in a new sheet... I love the look of it now

Got the weld line for the rear to disappear, the gas cap and the lower quarter Got it blocked out with 120 than 180.. Primer next.. Startin to look like a truck..

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[jaws61]

Been making some progress and starting to get a few things lined up.

Question is what grit do you guys like to sand your primer with before base coat, Ive hear to use 320 to block than use 500, Its been blocked once already with 180 after primer than reprimed which i did today.. Pics are before i primed them today..

[FAKKY]

Subscribed.
What did you use to fill in the firewall holes.