56 on 80 short 4x4 frame

[Gene Sharp]

to me the advantages of using the late model frame are
motor mounts that work
front disk brakes that work
steering that is safe
and fairly easy part availability in case of problems
I chose an AGR steering box because it is completely rebuilt
and because they offer a quicker ratio in a street box
that is not too
o twichy for normal highway use
and have used the Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks before
and they are good
The Red Poly bushings give longer wear and a good firm ride

[CAL 58 GMC]

Man your truck is really turning out nice! Great job!

[Gene Sharp]

The lift kit is also Rancho from 4 Wheel parts wholesalers
and a lift block under the steering arm to bring it back up to level
The steering box has an added brace
the frames are really bad on these trucks about flexing and eventually cracking with 12.00 tires
the power steering pump is a Gen II GM pump
The water pump a stuart aluminum model


Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

What my goal is in builing this truck is to have soemthing that meets my
many needs and desires
I want something I can talke to small local car shows if I wnat
something to drive everyday for parts chasing and in my business
a tough trail ready truck for trips to the mountains
a good highway traveler for trips
the 50s hot rod nostalgic look and feel ,
but updated to meet modern needs
So I have retained as much of the old feel etc as practical
This is with lots of changes the truck I dreamed about building
in Jr HIgh and High School but never got the chance
It will not be perfect , but am building it as good as i can
It will be fairly plain no fender or hood chrome
The 50s clean hot rod look
Manual Trans because that says hot rod to me
same with tach and guages
but with power steering and 4 wheel disk brakes and air cond
all the safety and comfort but with a retro feel


Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

Guess everyone wondering why I have not posted lately
Been out hunting parts
got ready to put on doors and fenders for trial fit and
discovered that the pieces at the front bottom of the cab
were missing The little end sections the fenders bolt to at the bottom
that sounds easy enough but actuallly fairly hard all so far have either been rusted out beyond use or cab way too good to cut up
also waiting for left step to arrive so I can talke both to Linex to
get back side and the part you would step on sprayed with bed liner material

Gene Sharp

[bigpig72CST]

I'm doing a similar project now with a big back window 55 on a 76 blazer chassis. Getting back to a project I started in 1994 I should say. So I was hoping you could post some more pics of the finished project. I'm just looking for inspiration. Body is already mounted to the frame, and it's time to start body work. Love your truck, it's exactly what I had in mind when I started my project. Thanks! Chad