New Project 57 Chevy panel on 78 chevy frame

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

I just got a 57 chevy panel truck(very rusty) (pic)
I gave 200.00 for body plus 100.00 for a S-10 frame.
This truck is very rusty in both ft door pillers. (pic)
Dr side is bent bad.( 2pic)
The ft floor n kick also rusty. (pic)
The wood in the bed looks good as does the roof ( 2 pic)
Will need to find !!
Doors
Fenders
Hood.
Have a couple of leads on the doors n fenders.
Found a hood for 500.00 just to high.
Can get new from LMC for 450.00
Will be tear down the 78 chevy for the frame n running gears.
Once it warms up .

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

Hello;
more pic as build start to come together !!

[Advanced Design]

Looks like a fun project Tim! I will be tagging along.

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

Well just though that I would post some more pic of the 57 panel.
I look for a panel with windows in both sides.
I only found one photo of a 3/4 ton panel with the duel windows. (pic)
The dr side door frame is twisted n rusty thur. (pic)
Something fell thur the ft windsheld n bent the dash alot. (pic)
The wood floor n the top look good. (pic)
The ds fear panel has a dent behind the wheel area. (pic)

I'm thinking about useing the 78 frame that I have a title for.
I also know that this frame is solid n will ride good.
With the 78 I can use the ralley wheels with caps n rings. (old school)
Thinking about the fire wall n the dash out of the 78 in the panel.
This build will be for my sister. So want to make it comfee for her to drive.
Thinking of doing the inside in gray (nuteral).
The outside will be a 2 tone(I think)
I'm doing this with out my sister knowing about it. ! ! !


Thanks everyone;

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

A couple more pics to go with the post;

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

Well just got a few parts for the panel; (pics)
1 Hood
1 ds fender
2 ps fenders

I had to travel around trip 220 miles for the parts.
I got all 4 parts for 100.00;
He also has a front complete firewall with the door frames.
He also has some doors(both sides)
He has to ask the guys about the parts.
I told him I would give a 100.00 each for the doors;
I hope that I will hear from him on the prices;
so here are the pics;

T-P Auto
Tim

[Advanced Design]

Good score on the parts. Hope you can get the doors too.

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

Was looking for a 57 hood for the panel.
I think the one I got is a 58;
Just had not been around this year model much;
Still the price was right so went with it.

Still a little cold here so just doing what I can in way of parts.
Trying to get a lot of part together be fore starting the full build.
Still have to get the 78 stripped to the frame.
Got the panel under the hoist at this time.
Doing some frame swapping to get a rolling frame under the panel.
Will make it easy to move around.

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

hello;

just wanted to know if someone can tell me the differents between ;
55-56 hood
57 hood
58-59 hood

went to my LCM parts book.
the 55-56 is one part #
the 57 is a different #
the 58-59 is yet another #
Is the 57 hood a one only year ?

Any help will be appreciated;

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

Have started getting some parts for my project;
A NEW pic of the 78 chevy pu of the frame;
A NEW pic of the panel with the front end set on;
Still have not found a set of doors.
Have found a front firewall window frame( better then what is on the panel);
Have come across a cab in very good shape (58 Big window ) very good shape at the bottom pillar and the floor. (no Pic yet)

Still looking for parts for the panel;
Once i start the build I'll update pic as I go.
Have a lot of body work (bullet hole, dents and firewall window frame replacement) will try to show all work as I get to it.

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

Update;
HelloAll ;

It has been some time since I posted.
Have been try to find parts for the panel truck.
Have found a set of doors with the V on the doors. pic
Both inter fender wells. pic
Front radiator mount. pic
Found a front cab/firewall assy - rough shape. pic
Got a complete big window cab for the front fire wall. no pic yet
Still have not found a good set of fenders.
Still try to find parts before starting build.

T-P Auto
Tim

[Advanced Design]

Tim, you've been busy! Concrete in the shop will be so nice. Congrats on that nice upgrade.
Will be a nice place this fall to work on your truck. Enjoy.

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

I have all so put New roof on the shops to help the concrete last.
Looking forward to the swap meet the 3th weekend in Sept in Los Lunas.
Looking for a set of 57 Fenders for the panel.
With haveing to replace the firewall cowl area.
I'm thinking of looking for either a 59 chevy car dash or a 57 chevy car dash.
I have found a chrome 57 chevy pu grille,fender chrome scrip,rear view mirror plus chrome "chevolet" scrip. Gave 400.00 for the above items.
Pick up a set of 56 chevy fender skirts, thinking about redoing the rear wheel opening to fit the skirts.
I know that I have a lot of body work to do n a lot of fabbing also.
That is the reason for the concrete shop floor, Will have a heater"gas" in the shop for winter work.

The 348 chevy motor still turns over by hand,it has water pump, fuel pump,dist,exhaust, intake with 4bd, had to get a flywheel "Auto" for it.
Once I get the shop floor set I'll get the 348 on the stand n ck the compression.
Then go from there.
The 348 is not going in the panel.
The panel will get a 300hp 350 with a 350 trans all setting on a 78 chevy 1/2 ton frame.

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

Got the NEW concrete floor done today. (pic)
Will get the other floor done next month.
Have to replace the roof before I do the concrete floor.

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

Got the concrete in the shop done.
Got the floor painted after I reinstalled the air compressor n the heater system. pic
Picked up a NEW 4wheel engine stand for the 348 to set on.
Found a drip pan to fit under the 348 to keep the NEW floor clean.
NO lites yet,want to put installation in the wall before covering with press wood.
Then paint the shop white enamal befor the lites go up.
Should make for a nice bright warm shop for the winter.

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

Hello Everyone;

Have been working on the yard n shop all summer.
Have all so been finding parts for the 57 panel project.
Have not been able to find a set of front fenders that are in fair condition.
Been think about cross breeding a set of 57 chevy car fenders to the 57 panel fenders.
Found a set of 57 car fenders for 125 each, with the headlite chrome.
This will take some thinking n work on my part to make to look right.
I just do not like the druppy eye look of the 57 panel/trucks.
What with the other planned custom work on this panel.
Fender skirts (56 chevy) rear tail lites (Caddy) all on a 78 chevy pu frame.
May have to all so drop the frame to set the body lower ??
Here are the pic of the two fender side by side. (pic)

[Advanced Design]

Nice parts score Tim! Looks like you had a successful trip.

[T-P Auto]

Doug;

Yes it was a good trip.
I had a great time n it was warm.
I found the parts that will get me started on the project.
Now I can get the 78 broke down n ready for the panel.
Still little tired from the trip. Old age. ha ha

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

UP date;

It has been awhile since I posted.
I have been busy getting the 78 chevy pu stripped down to the frame. pic
I tryed to save as much sheet metal as I could for repair panels or floor boards for the 57 panel. pic
Once I got the frame stripped down bare, I see that I;m not going to be able to use the whole frame. pic
The panel body will set to high on the frame. pic
So got to looking at the frame that is under the panel(to move it around with)
It is a full straight frame, that lets the 57 panel set right . pic
So looks like I'm going to have to graft the straight rear frame to the front frame of the 78. no pic yet
Looks like I'm going to have to go with a 4link on the rear end with 2" drop spindle on the front.
So if any one has information on 4link n coil over, would appreciate the infor.
Will post pics next.

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

More pic .

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

Hello;
Hope the pic help with what I'm talking about with the frame problems.
I have all so been rebuilt a 84 chevy pu to take place of my green 95 pu till I can get a NEW 350 vtec motor n NEW trans for the 96.
The 84 is a 3/4 ton 350 400 turbo set up with 373 rear end. pic
Will all so have to built a NEW a frame to make a 26' trolly to make removing body easier to change out.

T-P Auto
Tim

[Advanced Design]

Shop floor looks great and you are making nice progress!

[T-P Auto]

DOUG.

Was sorry to hear about the wife.

Wish I could have make your get together,sounds like it would be fun.
I have alot of work to do on the project.
Just getting started on the work.
I will be asking alot of question as this build go forward.

Always
T-P Auto.

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

It has been almost a year since I up dated on this project.

I ha to redo the tall large shop this year. The way it was draining - it was starting to push the outside wall out at the top. old pic in post.
I had to drop the roof a total of 22". I did this with out pulling the roof apart. I just raised the whole roof up then cut out 22" on the walls then lowered it back down n reconected everything. Then I installed insulation n sheet rock in the large shop. Install two NEW roll up doors as well .
With is cornviris going on I had do most of the work by myself.
So took a lot longer then planed.
This is a NEW up date to my build.
Will start working on it again after Thanksgiving.
So look for more up date in the next few months.

Thanks Everyone.
Tim
T-P Auto

[T-P Auto]

Hello;
I'm going to try to update as I work on my project after a year.
So to start I want to show what I did with the shop this past year. pic
011 - old shop
05 - new shop