My Dad and I's 57 Chevy Truck Build (Low Budget)

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

My Dad and I went to my grandmas house and as usual I asked for the Green Tab. It is a trading post for basically anything. I always read it and circle anything that catches my eye. I found an ad that said "1957 Chevy Truck: Arizona Truck, 283." I told my dad about it and in a few days we went and looked at it. It turned out to be remarkably solid but it was used like a truck. There were dents everywhere you could imagine.

When we got it home, which was about six to seven months ago we started tearing it apart and got everything off except for the cab. We are in the process of building a cab stand so we can start to get the frame ready to go to powder coating. While we wait for the frame, we have to patch both cab corners and the cowl vent panels.

I am new to this website and if anyone knows how to post a picture and you could tell me that would be great!

[Kim57]

Welcome.
I'll try and help on the pics.
When you do "Post Reply" or start a new thread scroll down on the window that pops up and you will see a "manage Attachments" button. Click the button and a window will pop up that has buttons that say browse. You can use them to attach photos from your computer. there is also spaces that allow you to put in URLs from the web for pics.
Some one else may be able to explain it easier.
Kim

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Thanks Kim57

This is it when we looked at it a few months ago. The guy also had a 1958 apache in the corner of the picture. I am wanting to do a dropped front axle and possibly mono leafs up front. My dad is big into g-body's and he has a couple rear ends we were thinking about putting in it. I have seen people use four links and use the old leaf spring mounts. If the four link doesn't work out, we will probally just flip the leaf springs. If anyone could help me that would be great.

[Kim57]

Looks like a nice clean truck.
Kim

[dubie]

i wouldn't classify the dropped axle and mono leafs being on a low buck build. I lowered my 56 with a 3" dropped axle and mono's up front with some 6" dropped mono's in the rear and it would have been quicker and more cost effective to weld in a Camaro clip. I'm about the same into my solid axle front end that you would pay for a good weld in IFS

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Originally Posted by dubie

i wouldn't classify the dropped axle and mono leafs being on a low buck build. I lowered my 56 with a 3" dropped axle and mono's up front with some 6" dropped mono's in the rear and it would have been quicker and more cost effective to weld in a Camaro clip. I'm about the same into my solid axle front end that you would pay for a good weld in IFS

The only thing about the ifs is that my dad doesn't want to cut up my frame. I want the truck to sit low and showed him a lot of threads of camaro clip installs, but he doesn't want to do that. I am with you about the Camaro Clip, I want an ifs and explained to him that it would be more cost effective, like you said, to put a camaro clip in. He will probally end up paying a good bit of money to put discs on the front when he could buy a camaro clip that already has discs. I am 14 years old and my dad doesn't want to have a lot of money into this. I am eventually going to have to pay him the money that we have into the build. I know that he has the ability to do a camaro clip, but he just doesn't want to do that.

[dubie]

To drop it with a solid axle you're looking at $350 for the axle, $450 for mono leafs,$80 for shackles, $150 for new style tie rod and ends, $125 for shocks, $120 for king pins, and then it's $750 for a power disc brake kit. You're sitting right around the $2000 mark. I'm not trying to turn you away from it, I went the exact same route to keep the truck nostalgic. Jus showing others that its not much cheaper than going the IFS route. I'm looking forward to your build thread
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[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Yeah, I have to do some research on it and talk it over with my dad. What engine do you have in yours and what rear end? My pap has a 66 vette big block that has a 327 in it now. He says once he puts the Big Block in that the 327 is mine. My dad says he will put the 305 out of my paps monte in my truck, but it will be hard for him to pass up an engine like the 327.

[dubie]

I'm running a 350 with a TH350 tranny and a 3.08 rear end from a 65 Chevelle in mine. I also switched mine to the new style motor mounts and a modern tranny crossmember to accommodate the upgraded power train

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

My dad got me the new style motor mounts and the transmission crossmember for Christmas last year. We have done some mach up with the 305 for the new motor mounts. My dad has a 700r4 and a 200r4 laying around that he said we would probably use. Did you have to c notch the frame in the back?

[dubie]

yes I did. If you're lowering the back end more than 4" it's recommended you C notch the frame for added clearance.

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Okay. Was it difficult to c notch the frame?

[dubie]

nope, it only took 3 hours of cutting and welding. There are many different ways to do it, just search this forum and you'll see some great examples

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Ok, thanks. I will look into it.

[Rods57]

Good looking start to a build. Glad to see you working on an old truck, too many people turning away from this hobby. keep posting pictures and trust me anything you need to know one of the people on this site will have seen it, done it or know someone who has.

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Thanks. My dad had to rebuild a motor out of a mercury mountaineer and now that that's done the 57 is on the top of the list. I can't wait to start on it. Yeah. I don't know what I will end up doing with the suspension yet. I am contemplating an ifs or monoleafs. Here is the original 283 with a two barrel. I want to put the 283 back in with a tripower but my dad doesn't want to rebuild the motor. I want to find a tripower intake to put on it once I move out. I will post a picture of my paps 327 he said I could have in a little bit.

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

I can't complain about this motor my pap is going to give me. It's a 327 with a 350 crank and rods.

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by 1957_Chevy_Truck

I can't complain about this motor my pap is going to give me. It's a 327 with a 350 crank and rods.

That should do just fine in your truck.
IMHO I wouldn't waste a lot on the 283 if you're going to end up with the 327. A tri-power on the 283 may be a bit much for it.
Kim

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Yeah, the 327 will be really nice and no work needs done to it. The only hard part will be getting it out of the vette.