54 Chevy, Life Long Project

[salvo]

1975 I was 16 and this is my first vehicle. My two older brothers also started off with this truck but had no interest in it. My Dad bought it around 1957 and it was his gas station truck/parts runner.
Since I have had it it’s been an ongoing project, around 1978 my Dad and I slipped in a stock 350 Chevy and TH350 from a 77 Caprice. That engine/Trans lasted clear up to last year when I finally spun two rod bearings. That sparked off the latest round of upgrades.

One of my friends, Bob helping me pull the engine






Stripped at least 4 layers of paint






Chopped and removed the manual box, modified steering column for power steering.




Turned a Delron bushing


Fabed a support base for the column & power steering












Power Breaks and front disc’s




383 Stroker










700R4


B&M Hot Rod Shifter


Located and re-built an Deluxe Heater
Before

After


Engine & Trans install




My Bud Ryan, helping with all new wiring






All new gauges


A little header clearance for the Doug Thorley’s








The night we got it started, that’s me on the left




Driving it up to Utah and throwing my Dad the key’s to take Mom for a ride, PRICELESS


More to come, 3” dropped front axel, body/paint and interior

[Gman7]

Great story, great truck!

[Rusty Hooker]

Cool truck. Even cooler wheels. Never seen that done before. Nice job.

[salvo]

The wood spoke wheels we're made by West Wheel, bought them back in 1978. I have refinished them 3 times so far.was not sure if I could save them the last time but with clamps and glue they turned out fine.
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[dicer]

So what did your dad have to say after the ride?

[salvo]

Thanks! My mom and Dad had a great time, they drove to St. George and had lunch, didn't see them for 3-4 hours!
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[bobinbc]

Thats a real nice truck, thanks for sharing.

[1971BB427]

Hey Salvo that's a very cool truck! Nice work on the updates!

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by salvo

Thanks! My mom and Dad had a great time, they drove to St. George and had lunch, didn't see them for 3-4 hours!
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did he put gas in it before he brought it back...payback is a Beoch!!!

I hope to do that for my dad some day with a 65... are you keeping the straight Axle?? and I know its an after thought but maybe it will help the next guy a toyota box out of a 84 4runner will fit back in the stock mounting location with a tiny bit of fab and the pitman arm is available to convert it

great job keeping it in the family!!

[salvo]

Hottrucks, will the Toyota unit allow clearance for headers?
I am keeping it a straight axel.
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[Hottrucks]

yea don't tell them where I stole the idea from it will get me BANISHED from the chevy boards but I have done this and the truth is with a little fab work, a trip to the bone yard for the box and a pump you could get out of this just buying the pitman arm < I say this a CYA> I have heard of guys cutting the toyota pitman arm and the stock one and welding them back togehter....but well you decide

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...C5356PSKTO.htm

[salvo]

Thats a great idea, they are who I bought my kit from, I wanted and tried to use a manual box, it bolted right up but finding a pitman arm to work drove me up a wall! welding one up crossed my mind for about 2 seconds! So I switched to a power box, kinda glad I did anyways. I liked the way the truck handled with the stock box and straight axle, at least I was use to it that way (If headers could have fit I would have kept the stock steering) Once I get the lowered axle, king pins, new style tie rod ends, 1" tie rod and shocks, I'll bet I will be saving very little bit of $ once you add the disc brake kit and PS, as compared to a base kit IFS, Still I just like straight axles for some reason.