Moms wedding present 49 chevy 5 window LS 4L60e TCI frame

[jocww]

My mom got my dad a 49 chevy 5 window for my dad back in 76 for their wedding, and it hasnt been tagged since 81. So as a bonding project with my dad since my mom died, as it was suppose to be all 3 of us, I figure better late than never. Just got the frame home from TCI this Saturday, and today Monday, have the motor and trans in and the bed on it as well, so I can mock up the ride tech and measure up a fuel tank. Hoping to have this driving by August, and then Ill have to take it all apart next year to paint it all. Well see how well this goes as planned.

[jocww]

Trying to find out how to fit everything.

[mongocanfly]

what a great tribute project....and a nice shiny new frame to boot...and a clean truck...hard to beat all that

[NorCalGal]

Love the story. Looks like an awesome start to your build.

[Erics51chevy]

What a beautiful frame. And truck looks to be in great condition.

[jocww]

Thanks!!

It's a really clean frame and I had second thoughts on separating it all since everything is original, but since we're not selling it and my dad wants creature comforts the frame had to go.

Took the bed apart so now I can start mocking up the air tank and look at trying to fit a gas tank. But I go back for my 4 day tour so ill have time to research.

[Katrina/10]

That's going to be a nice ride, have fun working with your father!

[jocww]

Been pretty sick the past few days on tour and just needed to recuperate. So I borrowed my neighbors harbor freight sand blaster to do the bed cross member. Im going to have to do the front of the bed too.

[jhrusk]

Looking good.

[H.I.]

Great looking project!! I've been tossing around the idea of buying a complete chassis too. Does the bed floor fit stock with the notched area of the frame over the axle? Or are you going to have to raise your bed floor?

[jocww]

Im going to have to raise the bed 2inches higher. But I need to do that anyway so i can have fuel filler in the back.

[Advanced Design]

Great project with a great back story. I recall the thread on the chassis and will be tagging along here. Good luck and have fun!

[jocww]

So after 2 weeks of busy with life, I took a Friday afternoon off and visited Sanderson Headers which are just a city over from where I work in, they are in South San Francisco. Donna Smith is an awesome lady. She let me take home 2 sets of headers to try out. The LS 150s fit really well. They are 1.5, she also gave me LS 110s in 15/8ths but the center dumps didnt work for my steering or with the starter so the 150s are it.

[murd969]

Cool project. Good luck with it.

[jocww]

Finally got to bend up the frame for the gas tank. This will prob stiffen up the chassis even mite. Not that it needs it.


Also got a dilemma with my headers should I go with 1.5 in headers or 1 5/8ths. Thus is for a stock ls1

[jocww]

Pulled the gas tank, and ill have to buy new drivers side and maybe pass side lower rear cab corners. I removed the 4 cab bolts (2 rear leaf spring shackle looking ones. 2 next to the a pillar) and then 2 on the radiator support, for a total of 6 bolts. I removed all the fuel lines, and i think all the electrical wires that go to the frame to the body and engine to body. The battery and then i removed all the pedals and steering wheel. Is there any other bolts that I am missing? I am trying to move the cab, fenders, hood and grill all at once with my gantry crane. This way I can keep all the gaps correct, as I keep reading its a chore to get them back close.

[BigDaddyV]

Killer truck, ill go along for the ride. Enjoy the time with your dad, im finally getting the chance to do the same.

[Matt_50]

Nice truck and I love the interior color. Will you keep it brown?

[jocww]

I'm not sure prob not I want to do an amg bright green that they have out with black fenders. But that won't be for awhile. So i will probably do black interior.


Finally painted most of the frame with summit chassis black enamel and have the engine back in and lines plumbed. All gave to paint the back of the frame, but I'm still welding in some things. Cab was off. The gantry collapsed and luckily nobody was hurt and only minor damage to the cab. Still mad about that but metal cam be fixed. Going to lower it via fam hacks I think since I gave it on blocks for now.

[mongocanfly]

coming along nicely....what happened to your gantry?...glad no one was hurt

[jocww]

I swear the phone keyboard auto correct sucks. The gantry tipped over. I was using my fj40 with the warn winch to winch it up and it started tipping and we couldnt put it down fast enough.

[mongocanfly]

^^^dang...that sucks^^^

[dug224]

Nice build. Keep up the good work.

[MIKESAD50]

Looking good. cant wait to see it out as some of the local car shows. I'm in San Jose.
i really like these projects that have cool history.

[jocww]

Almost have the frame to the body. Ran out of time so we didnt lower it the whole way. Question did you guys have to cut the inner fenders for the ls1 or v8 to fit? It looks tight, just want to know if Ill be runnining into any hiccups.