'57 Stepside, Big Window Project

[87Lowrider]

Here's the smoothed front fenders.





And the firewall.. there were 64,000 holes in it (when it snowed outside, it snowed inside - no joke) Now, it's nice and smooth. Don't like the original factory design missing but that's fine.



And finally, a couple butt shots;



Notice the reinforced frame since modifications had to be made to get the springs to sit properly. That's 1/2" plate.. on both sides as opposed to boxing the inside of the frame rail.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

Thanks!

To date, we've gone from this (in 1992)





To this (today) ... shop just texted me this pic;



It's a truck again! That's a static drop. Jag in the rear and Camaro in the front. Still playing with wheel / tire sizes though. Amazing what a little "Attitude Adjustment" will do. /Ken

[Daleo56]

Looking very clean so far.

[87Lowrider]

Thanks, another thing I just noticed is they've started smoothing out the dash as well...

[87Lowrider]

Still got the glove box to close up....

Got big plans for the new dash ... stay tuned!!

Here's a teaser...

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

Got the Dawg house assembled. Wheels and sheet metal line up nicely with the Camaro Clip installed.

[izonme13]

If possible, get a pic of how the front core support mounts were made. Im about to make mine. Curios how they did yours. Mine is z'ed 3.5 inches. Makes the steering box in the way of the mount.
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[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by izonme13

If possible, get a pic of how the front core support mounts were made. Im about to make mine. Curios how they did yours. Mine is z'ed 3.5 inches. Makes the steering box in the way of the mount.
Posted via Mobile Device

OK, I'll snap some shots next week when I deliver my rear bumper and some other parts for them. These pics were text'd to me today by the builder.

[87Lowrider]

... and the work continues.

Here's the factory Grill


Mock up of the new version

Notice the holes under the headlight area... those are for the LED turn signals and driving/parking lights.

Dash is smooth now and notice the area below the back window for the third brake light to live... plus closed up the fuel filler on the side.



Mocking up gauges, AC vents, etc.



Here's a couple other frontal shots.

[Denee007]

Wow, you do awesome work! You have a really large workshop! What other projects do you have going on a once?
dne'

[Kim57]

Looking good.
I'm doing something similar with my grill.
I just haven't figured it out yet.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Wow, you do awesome work! You have a really large workshop! What other projects do you have going on a once?
dne'

Thanks, I'll pass it on to the builder (not me). I've turned the body work over to a local shop here in town (good friend of mine though). I'll get the truck back at some point to do drivetrain and interior. I'm a techy not a fab/body work kinda guy.

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looking good.
I'm doing something similar with my grill.
I just haven't figured it out yet.
Kim

I'll share the end solution. We discussed it Saturday and have an idea on how. /Ken

[Ferrofil]

Nice to see that you are making progress, the stance is looking good!
I am planning to use a Jag irs on my 57 panel, so I'm curius if if you had any trouble with it?! Did you have cut out of the inside of framerail to make room for the springs?
Did you use the xjs 6 axle (61" wide)?
Would love to see more pics of it
Best of luck with rest of the build!
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[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by Ferrofil

Nice to see that you are making progress, the stance is looking good!
I am planning to use a Jag irs on my 57 panel, so I'm curius if if you had any trouble with it?! Did you have cut out of the inside of framerail to make room for the springs?
Did you use the xjs 6 axle (61" wide)?
Would love to see more pics of it
Best of luck with rest of the build!
Posted via Mobile Device

It went in pretty simple but I purchased a mounting kit from CWIINC.com before they fell off the face of the earth. Yes, they had to cut a notch out of the bottom of the frame rail for spring clearance. If you look closely at the pictures, you'll see they reinforced the frame with 1/2" plate to keep it sturdy. Yes, it is the 61" model from a '73 XJ6. I'll be getting more pics of it soon. It won't be long though before the frame goes off for blasting / painting.

[87Lowrider]

Got some new goodies for the truck;

New column


New Gauges


Probably install them here


Additional LED's for the rear


New LED Tail Lights


Gonna remove the old ones, smooth out the holes and paint the new ones to match the exterior color.


Still trying to decide on exterior color. I'm looking at a candy similar to this or a REALLY dark midnight blue.

[Greenlee]

Sweet truck!
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[Baldeagle SR]

Nice gauges. What brand are they?

Rich
my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Those are some nice gauges.
Kim

[Daze57]

good work so far

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

Nice gauges. What brand are they?

Rich
my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

They look to be Omega's.

[87Lowrider]

Thanks, yes, they are Omega's. Picked them up at a local show.

[Ferrofil]

Really nice work on the lighting department!
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[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by Ferrofil

Really nice work on the lighting department!
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Well, we figured we'd try and make it as visible as possible when I step on the pedal. Most people will be checkin' out the truck and not what it's doing. Maybe this will help.

It should be plenty bright.