52 Project

[pgf545]

Originally Posted by tobins 52 gmc

Bernie ,the rear cross member is there a reason for the hump .Caus mine was a little twisted and i removed it . Thanks Robert

I don't think it has anything to do with the bed mounting. If I remember right my dad told me that spare tire went there???? I wasn't around when it all got taken apart so that is only from what I remember being told.

Bernie

[av8tr33337]

That's correct Ive seen a few who welded in some 2x3 or 4x4 tubing right t at the back of the frame and then remove the factory cross member.

Originally Posted by pgf545

I don't think it has anything to do with the bed mounting. If I remember right my dad told me that spare tire went there???? I wasn't around when it all got taken apart so that is only from what I remember being told.

Bernie

[wigadore]

Yes the hump in the back cross member was where the spare tire was mounted. The bed does not touch this cross member in any way that I have noticed. My original one was bent due to a farmer welding a hitch to it and pulling something too heavy so I cut mine out and found another one from a different frame and slapped it back in. I could have just as easily put in a tube like av8tr33337 mentioned but this was just as easy.

[pgf545]

Wigadore I put the shocks on so you could see what the crossmember looks like with them installed. I didn't tighten them up yet because I am not done messing with the read end and the shocks use locking nuts that I don't want to run in just yet. If you have any more questions let me know.

Bernie

[wigadore]

How you have it setup is exactly how I saw it in my head. Now I just need to find or build a cross member for this on my truck and the chassis will be complete.

[WIDESIDE72]

Maybe someday I will be this far along...

[pgf545]

Originally Posted by wigadore

How you have it setup is exactly how I saw it in my head. Now I just need to find or build a cross member for this on my truck and the chassis will be complete.

.

This is the kit that we got. http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...ks/4754RLK.htm It includes the springs, hangers, shocks and shock mounting brackets. I didn't see it separate but you might give them a call and see if you can buy it separately.

Bernie

[pgf545]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Maybe someday I will be this far along...

I have been working really hard to get it this far....it is beginning to seem like it is never going to get done...lol. We ran into some health problems with my dad through the build but he seems to be better now. Also I am only able to get to his place once a week so it has taken longer than we wanted it to but it is starting to show some promise. Hopefully he has all the paint stripped when I go down this week and I can start on the body work. Once we get it painted I think it will come together pretty quick since I have been planning the final draft all the way along. Thanks for the encouragement guys.

Bernie

[wigadore]

I love your thread and I am I learning alot and I thank you for your time so far. I am rebuilding my Ford 9" rear end right now and so far all I have is a housing and center that has been rebuilt. Did you buy a kit to include axles, brakes, bearings, etc...? Your setup looks awesome.

Thanks for the CPP link. I talked to a sales rep and they ship to Canada where TCI does not. One step closer thanks to you.

[pgf545]

Originally Posted by wigadore

I love your thread and I am I learning alot and I thank you for your time so far. I am rebuilding my Ford 9" rear end right now and so far all I have is a housing and center that has been rebuilt. Did you buy a kit to include axles, brakes, bearings, etc...? Your setup looks awesome.

Thanks for the CPP link. I talked to a sales rep and they ship to Canada where TCI does not. One step closer thanks to you.

Thanks for the compliments. I am not sure if it was a kit or not but everything came from Moser. Those guys build a lot of race stuff and we were familiar from that. all we had was the center section and we got everything else from them. Good luck and if you need anything else let me know.

Update: Right now we almost have all the old paint stripped off and dad was hoping to have it in primer this week. Once he gets it primed I have some touch up work to do and then some body work. The weather has been so nice this past week dad has been able to get out and work on it some. I am not sure exactly how much time the body work is going to take me but I have had it in the back of my mind this whole project so I am hoping that I don't' need a bunch. I tried to get the panels lined up nicely so that it wouldn't need much filled etc. Once some real progress starts to happen I will post some more pictures. Stripping paint doesn't make for good pictures...

Bernie

[tobins 52 gmc]

Keep us in the loop .

[wigadore]

Moser is who I called three days ago. THey are working together on getting me something put together so I can get this section built.

[CAL 58 GMC]

It's looking really good Bernie. I love those fat wheels in the back.

[ChuckDriver]

Bernie, I really like what your are doing to your truck. It's look good so far.

I did notice something in post #392. I'm not as familiar with Big Blocks, but it looks like you have the distributor CAP installed 180 out. I mean the plugs for the battery feed and Tach should be on the drivers side opposite the vacumn advance canister. There should be a locating tab in the cap that mates to the distributor housing.

Good luck with the rest of the build, hopefully you'll be riding soon!

[pgf545]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Bernie, I really like what your are doing to your truck. It's look good so far.

I did notice something in post #392. I'm not as familiar with Big Blocks, but it looks like you have the distributor CAP installed 180 out. I mean the plugs for the battery feed and Tach should be on the drivers side opposite the vacumn advance canister. There should be a locating tab in the cap that mates to the distributor housing.

Good luck with the rest of the build, hopefully you'll be riding soon!

Yes you are right, the MSD distributor has 4 keys so you can put it anyway you want. I kinda screwed up but I think it will help clean up the wiring by bringing it from that side. I could flip the cap around but then I would have to redo the wires that I have already built. Plus it is a little tight to the firewall on the drivers side. The motor doesn't care which way it is keyed anyway....thats my story and I am sticking to it...lol.

Bernie

[pgf545]

Yeah!!!!! Dad got all the paint stripped and primed the cab this past week. I went down today and did a little patch building. I want to fix the small rust holes before I weld in the vent patch. So you guys know I have been recycling card board in an effort to keep all the tree huggers happy. The only problem is it takes a lot of cars to equal one patch panel but I am game to keep recycling...lol

Bernie

[52 choptop]

hey bernie, your truck looks great! But boy do i agree with you, sometimes they seem like they are taking forever. the knowing you built it is so worth it when you're done and everyone asks you about it wherever you go.

[52 choptop]

here's how mine is lookin so far.......chopped, tubbed, shaved, coped, 383sbc (I envy the 572)

[pgf545]

Sweet looking ride!!! We are still a little while before we can get it on the road.

Bernie

[bensimmons_05]

Hey Bernie everything is looking great!

I say forget the metal, just glue the Miller Lite cardboard in place!!

[pgf545]

I was kinda thinking that but it won't fit the paint scheme...

[pgf545]

So I decided to do a little fill welding today.....things started out well....and then as my kids say, "Epic Fail Dad". The area I was working on is right above the cowl vent and it had some pin holes that needed work. My first attack was to drill some holes to get to some good metal. The smaller holes I felt like I could weld shut so I went that way. I had my dad hold a backer to try to help in filling the holes and that worked for the most part. Once I started grinding the welds I realized that I was not getting enough weld penetration and they were opening up again. So back to the welder and that is when I figured out that there isn't enough metal to even weld to. So I started building a patch panel but didn't get to finish it today so maybe next weekend.

Also Santa came a little early!!!!! Dad ordered rear fenders, running boards and and a chrome grill.

Here are some pictures that I took today of the fail.....and the parts.


Bernie

[pgf545]

Here's a couple more parts pictures.

[tobins 52 gmc]

hi Bernie , nice parts .Have you give any though of the E brake set up .Thanks ROBERT

[mylow53]

my dad mentioned that if you hold a piece of brass or was it copper behind your weld, you wont burn thru as much....
GT