Project Eugene: 1949 5 window

[HULK64]

A couple questions for the guys that have rebuilt their floors:

1. I am putting in a 5.3 LS- which pedals, both gas and brake should I consider?

2. Which ididit steering column do I want for my 51 cab? I have read that some versions do not come with a neutral safety switch or gear indicator, want to make sure I get it right.

I want to get these parts next so I can get my pedals and steering set up correctly while it's still together.

[Advanced Design]

Hulk, are you doing column or floor shift?

[HULK64]

Column shift- auto trans.
Side note- are my pic links working for you?

[STOCKISH]

Looks amazing! Can't wait for more pics!

[iowaboynca]

Regarding pedals, you never mentioned which 5.3 you were getting. If its drive by wire, make sure to get the gas pedal from the donor.

[99 to Life]

just found this one. very nice patina, nice pics and family project. Its critical we keep the youth aware of this type of stuff.

[ChuckDriver]

Great build!

[HULK64]

We have had an interesting go lately- as one of my best shop helpers got bitten in the face by a dog.




Plastic surgery, over 30 stitches, most of them internal- and lots of hugs later- and she is doing OK. Still a ways to go- she's a tough little chick.
We have still been staying after it on the project, even as it gets cold here in MN.

Had to make a decision on what to do with the inner fenders, since the ones I bought were designed to be used with a stock frame. My S10 didn't line up with the bottom of the fenders at all. So, I ended up chopping off the bottom bend and moving the louvers up into the top half since I thought they were coolest part.


After:


This way the headers aren't an issue, the steering won't be a problem, and the heater lines can sneak underneath these as well.
Before:


Spent a bunch of time working out the details of the bed layout. Supports are in, and the rear bench seat is mounted too.


Then I stripped the whole thing down and got it sandblasted. Best money I have spent so far. It was perfectly clean- so I welded the important body mount pieces in, and painted it before it got too cold.


Well that was HUGELY motivating, so my son and I got the motor cleaned up and installed pretty quick after that, rapidly followed by headers and exhaust build. The summit builder kit is awesome- makes it so easy. Dynomax super turbo mufflers and 2.5" from front to back.
Just need to install the bed and rear bumper to finish up the exits.


Gas tank is mounted as well.


This weekend has been fun- I found some shoe cobbler molds used to make shoes back in the day and fabbed up some mounts so they can be my pedals.


Mounting heater this afternoon, and then I will get back on the bed fab.Then I need to grow another money tree to be able to afford all of my suspension and air ride parts.

QUESTION: I need to know the distance between the front edge of the rear fender and the front bed support for a 3100 bedside- as well as the distance between the top of the rear fender and the bottom of the rolled top edge of the bedside. Can somebody grab a tape and get those for me? I used the old bedsides as guide holes for my new ones and they aren't the same from side to side, so I need to know which one is right. Thanks!

[mongocanfly]

My goodness..hope your helper is ok...not much makes me madder than kids getting bit...trucks looking good

[HULK64]

Ya, it was pretty upsetting, but we are making the best of it.

[Zoomin]

X2 on the shop helper. She must be a tough cookie - I would be passed out.

[84blaze]

Great progress. I also bought the Code504 kit and have been very happy with it so far. I'm also bagged so I wasn't able to use the kit to mount the bed. I'm still trying to figure out a clever way to mount the bed using the pieces provided.

Looking forward for more progress!

[Nut Case]

WOW

She looks like she is coping well. Life issues just pop up so unexpectedly, hope she gets past it asap. It's great that she's your partner in this adventure.

Build looks great, good progress.

Keep on keepin on

NC

PS Your gonna need a shot gun to keep the evil boys away!!!

[HULK64]

Originally Posted by 84blaze

Great progress. I also bought the Code504 kit and have been very happy with it so far. I'm also bagged so I wasn't able to use the kit to mount the bed. I'm still trying to figure out a clever way to mount the bed using the pieces provided.

Looking forward for more progress!

Ya- I was kinda bummed I couldn't use the kit for the bed as well. (Well, I did cut up some of their pieces to use in other ways-lol) Realistically, I only used the front crossmember piece and the rear mounts, which I ended up welding onto the frame- upside down from where they intended them to go. But that gave me reliable mounting points front and rear. All of the crossmembers through the middle that are welded to the bedsides have mounting points connected either at the step notch, or at the additional crossmember that I built that the gas tank slides under. I could stand on the crossmembers at 205lbs and it didn't bow, so once we add in the wood for the bed it should be fine.

[HULK64]

Well I FINALLY got a rear bumper and got it mounted- I never liked how they dropped the rear bumper down so far from the factory, so I raised mine up and chopped up a filler piece and I think it cleaned up quite nicely. Just welded the rear bumper mounts right to the frame.


Only problem was that then I realized that I mounted the rear exhaust behind the axle way too low- and getting the tank out was going to be a nightmare if I raised them. Nuts.
So I added some Vclamps to make it possible to move them up. It was a pain, but everything is where I like it now.


Then this weekend I finally got around to finishing the exhaust kick outs and wrapped them where they go under the tank. At least 3/4" of clearance on all corners.








And then I got the tank and compressors mounted. All tucked away under the rear facing seat and the compressors and air lines are away from the exhaust. I made a plate that sits in front of the tank for the manifold and ECU to mount to- and all I will have to do is pull off the rear seat to get to all of it.


Now I'm saving up for steering parts, and then suspension parts...I wish I hadn't chopped down my money tree.

[youngrodder]

Nice progress...the exhaust turned out great.

Marc

[oldman3]

Nice update...Jim

[99 to Life]

all of it is looking good. nice and clean

[semn49]

You're doing a great job! S10 frames do present some head scratchers don't they!

[Flysocal]

Everything looks good keep up the momentum

[STOCKISH]

Looks great, about time to put a bullet in said dog!

[HULK64]

I got the rear shock mounts done, which means that all the fab on the rear end is DONE. While saving up for front end and steering parts, I got after fabbing up the bed.

Shock Mounts:


Then I laid down a plywood base:


Nice and snug around the rear seat:


Laid out the barn wood:


The boy and I made a crate out of pallet wood:


Then I paint/ stained it- and glued/ pinned all the barn wood in up from the bottom so there's no screw heads and mounted the straps:


I pinterest'd up the straps with some quick rust science, and clear coated it- and painted the square head bolts:


The crate is latched down with some 90* boat latches:


The flip top gas fill is now hidden by the antique gas can that has a hole in the bottom and is stuck to the rear strap with some crazy strong magnets:


I sprayed the underside with some bedliner, and with that, the bed is ready for paint!

[iowaboynca]

Nice touches. Looking good.

[Flysocal]

Really like this build

[ChuckDriver]

That looks nice!