My 1957 Chevy Truck "Journey"

[ambryatim]

Hello all, I have been here for awhile and just lurking, getting ideas and dreaming about my build. Well, I have finally decided to start a build thread.

A little History:

Back in '99 I purchased a 1957 Chevy Truck for a partly $600 dollars. It was an old farm truck that had seen better days.

I was at Wyo Tech during this time in there Street Rod program. There I grafted a 78 Z28 Camaro Clip onto the truck. Much to my surprise the drop was not what I had hoped for. It had only lowered the truck 1" from stock ride height. The only thing I could think of was that I measured wrong somewhere down the line. I kept the truck for 3 years and decided to part it out.

Well, having a kid help with that decision too. About, 6 months later a deal came to me that I thought was a steal (at the time) so, I purchased the truck I have today. Had it stored at my Father-in-laws for about 5-6 years.

It already had a Clip grafted to it, but the welding was less than adequate. So, I decided to re-clip the ol' girl. I have been acquiring parts for the past few years (7 to be exact) that way I could actually have the ability to see the truck change. So this is where we will begin this "Journey" with the clip install.

Between, 2 kiddos (3 and 7) and my wife. Updates and progress will probably come in little spurts. Here are some pics of the truck as purchased. Please any comments and questions are more than welcome. I know how much we all like pics here so, Enjoy!

[ambryatim]

Ok here are some pics of the truck with the "new" clip installed. By yours truly. I am not sure of the ride height. I have it set with the lower control arm mounting bolts at 9 1/4" to the center of the bolt. As you can see from some of the photos the rockers are at about 5" is that about right??







This angle makes it look like it has MAJOR Rake, but it does not.


How does the tire look in the fender opening??


Close to 5" is this right??











Any comments are welcome.

[W.C. RoDz]

know what you mean, I have three little one's..ruff getting work done.
I just started my thread on my 57 also, Your clip looks good. How low do you want it?
My rockers are about 4 to 41/2 from floor without drop spindles, I plan on taken the rest up when the bags go in..Good luck with the build.

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by W.C. RoDz

know what you mean, I have three little one's..ruff getting work done.
I just started my thread on my 57 also, Your clip looks good. How low do you want it?
My rockers are about 4 to 41/2 from floor without drop spindles, I plan on taken the rest up when the bags go in..Good luck with the build.

Thanks....


Good question...I want it to where I can go over speed bumps with out tearing up stuff.

Now on the 4-4 1/2" from the floor is that with the clip under the stock frame like mine?? Also, I remember from some where that the stock camaro's ride height measured from the lower control arm mounting bolt was/is supposed to be at about 9". Can anyone confirm this??

I have removed the springs and installed some square tubing, where the shock goes to simulate ride height.

[Kim57]

Looks like a good start. You're right we do like pics so keep them coming.
Kim

[ambryatim]

Thanks Kim...

I know I like pictures too so, I will keep them coming.

[ambryatim]

Anyone care to give me there thoughts on the ride height or how the tire looks in the fender well??

[Grumpy Outlaw]

Keep dem Pictures comin!! I think it looks good right there. Tire looks centered too.

[ambryatim]

Thanks Grumpy Outlaw.

I want to make sure, before I go welding everything in solid. Man, how I hate cutting out welds. Especially when it can be avoided.

[W.C. RoDz]

Ride hight looks good man...What wheels are you going with, or tire size?

[ambryatim]

Something like this...http://wheelvintiques.myshopify.com/...bare-20-series

In black. Probably a 15x8 all the way around.
Or maybe a 15x8 front and 15x10 in the rear.
Not sure on the size I would like to be able to rotate the tires.
I plan on using summit Hor Rod Satin Black http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-UP312/
also for the body. With Chrome Bumpers, grille, headlight bezels etc...

[W.C. RoDz]

Those are sweet..Check out SEM hot rod black..Works great and last, no chalking or fade out..

[bobinbc]

I think your wheel looks nicely centered in the opening. How much did you stretch it forward?
Not sure on setting the camaro ride height, on the clips I've done I eyeballed, measured and if possible took pictures or notes of a running donor car for reference.

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

I think your wheel looks nicely centered in the opening. How much did you stretch it forward?
Not sure on setting the camaro ride height, on the clips I've done I eyeballed, measured and if possible took pictures or notes of a running donor car for reference.

Thanks.....

Well, from the old clip that was in there, I moved it foward about 1-3/4", but remember not all clips are the same.

And on the ride height, I just spotted a 76 Z28 in my neighborhood yesterday. I think I will go over and ask to see if I can take a measurment of his and see what I come up with. It will get me in the "ballpark" at least.

[ambryatim]

Ok, I have some questions about what I should do about my firewall. The previous owner decided to smooth it then cut some holes in it for the heater hose and one BIG square hole for whatever reason. Then he took and lowered the tunnel height. I don't really like the way it looks so, I was wanting some ideas on what I might do.

Options:

1. Cut the old one out and make my own.
2. Finish what he started, and make a square recess and fill the holes.
3. Fill the holes and leave it alone.

My truck will be a daily driver, and I mean daily. It may see a show or two, just for giggles. You know local small shows.

Here are some pics of the firewall and some with the grill installed.


Dont worry the brake booster assembly is going back under the cab. Also, thinking about going the hydrobooster route.


Ok, you can clearly see how he/they altered the tunnel.


Trying to figure out where to put rad mounts.


Just showing fender gap. It is right at 3/16" does that sound good???

[bobinbc]

Originally Posted by ambryatim

Thanks.....

Well, from the old clip that was in there, I moved it foward about 1-3/4", but remember not all clips are the same.

Have you measured your wheelbase? That would tell the story exactly...

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

Have you measured your wheelbase? That would tell the story exactly...

Nope not yet, I will do that today and post what I have. Right now it is a LWB chassis.

My plans are to make it a SWB and install a trailing arm suspension out of a 66 with homemade trailing arms from this how to thanks to nuke1.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...+trailing+arms

[ambryatim]

Sorry, no wheelbase measurment yet. Sooooo.....any ideas on the fire wall???

[Kim57]

Here's alink to my build thread. Page #1 shows what I did to my firewall and pages #2 and #5 shows how I did the radiator support. Hope they give you a few ideas on what you can do.
Kim
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

[ambryatim]

Thanks Kim....

How do you plan on doing the tunnel???

Originally Posted by Kim57

Here's alink to my build thread. Page #1 shows what I did to my firewall and pages #2 and #5 shows how I did the radiator support. Hope they give you a few ideas on what you can do.
Kim
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

[ambryatim]

Ok, just measured my wheel base and the best that I can tell is that it is now 124.812" (124-13/16") from 123.25" (123-1/4") for a grand total of 1.562" (1-1/2") extra wheelbase. That measurment was taken with the wheels on and given that I had my tounge in the right position too.

PS-It is a LWB....soon to be a SWB.

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by ambryatim

Thanks Kim....

How do you plan on doing the tunnel???

When I get the engine and trans in I will cross that bridge. I'm running a BB but not sure of the trans yet.
Kim

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by Kim57

When I get the engine and trans in I will cross that bridge. I'm running a BB but not sure of the trans yet.
Kim

Aye, she be a fun bridge to cross.

[bobinbc]

Originally Posted by ambryatim

Ok, just measured my wheel base and the best that I can tell is that it is now 124.812" (124-13/16") from 123.25" (123-1/4") for a grand total of 1.562" (1-1/2") extra wheelbase. That measurment was taken with the wheels on and given that I had my tounge in the right position too.

PS-It is a LWB....soon to be a SWB.

Thanks for that. I did a mock-up a while ago and it seemed to look good at about 1.25 inches but I will be checking again for sure.

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

Thanks for that. I did a mock-up a while ago and it seemed to look good at about 1.25 inches but I will be checking again for sure.

Your welcome...

That is part of the reason why I posted this, was to see if it needs to be moved or not. Do you have any photos of yours at 1.25"???? I just wanna make sure mine is good to go, if not I can change it now. It will be soooooo much easier to do now than down the road.

But, the general concisus tells me that it looks good and I should just weld'er up and be done with that part of the build.