Ben Jammin's 1955 Chevy/GMC Project

[bensimmons_05]

Hey guys, I'm going to be out working in the shop all day today, I am going to be working on getting the frame coated and putting the rear suspension together, stop by if your bored!

www.ustream.tv/channel/simmons-shop

[bensimmons_05]

I got quite a bit done the past two weekends. Most of that time I have been streaming my video for some family to see. I'll try to update on here before I do a lot of work so you can see what I'm doing it real time!

Started off by taking all the suspension off and flipping the frame to get underneath coated. The floor of the shop was nice and clean before I got started!




The shop dog was close by for support



This is what the WWW saw

[bensimmons_05]

50+ years of oil and grease does not like to be disturbed

[bensimmons_05]

New leaf spring bushings and pins all the way around! Got all of them from my local parts store.

All grade 8 hardware by the pound from Tractor supply ( I would go broke if I couldn't get it from them!)

[bensimmons_05]

[bensimmons_05]

Ive got some shock mounting issues I have to iron out, but other than that all the suspension is done! I forgot to take pictures after the front end was on, but I'll post some later.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[panelrodder81]

Looks great man. I checked out your streaming video a few days back. Kinda makes me want to put a web cam out there... I just don't want anyone to see how much sitting and "thinking" I do! (Or how often I have to re-do stuff!)

-Panelrodder

[bensimmons_05]

Here are some more pics

[ChuckDriver]

Very clean!

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks great..

[bensimmons_05]

Ive got the rest of my shocks in place and a built a cab dolly so I can move it around while I work on it. I made the inside the same width as the frame and the supports the same dimensions as the stock cab mounts on the frame. I changed the design a little bit from my drawing because the supports were a bit overkill.



I just finished my last test for my Bachelor's so I will have a LOT more time to work on the truck this Summer!!

[bensimmons_05]

My measuring actually turned out right and the bolts lined up to mount the cab to the dolly. It rolls nice and smooth, I think I'll be glad I spent a little extra time to make it.

[Kim57]

Nice looking dolly.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Sweet work on the dolly! I may have to make me one like that!!

[Russell Ashley]

Looking good. I'm not taking my cab off or I'd copy your dolly. I'm using the same p/s kit as you and haven't done anything with my left front shock mount yet. How did you mount yours? Are you moving your right front shock to match the left?

[bensimmons_05]

Russell,
I will post a picture on here this afternoon. The instructions for the P/S kit suggest a location for the shock mount. The location they suggest shortens the extended length of the shock by a good bit. In my situation, I have a drop axle that makes things more complicated. The instructions also suggest to use a Passenger (right) side lower shock mount bolted to the I-beam. For my particular application this interfered with the tie rod that I had to move due to my drop axle.

I used the original Drivers (left) shock mount and flipped it upside down and altered the shock mount bolt to make it work on the right side. Doing this additionally shortened the extended length of my shock. With all that said, I could not mount the upper mount (the one removed to install P/S gear) in the location suggested by the instructions because I would not have enough shock travel. SO, I measured how far forward the upper passenger shock mount was from the center line of the axle and used that measurement to install the mount on the drivers side. The extended length is still shorter on the drivers side than it is on the passenger side, but it appears to have enough travel.

I do not yet know if it interferes with any fenders or anything, but it seems to be sufficient for a shock mount. I am not changing the passenger side shock location. In many stock setups for various vehicles they actually having the shocks coming in from either side.

That is a lot of text, but I hope it helps. I will add some pictures this afternoon.

[Russell Ashley]

Sounds like we ran into the same issues. Getting the shock mount installed is one of my next chores so I'm interested in seeing your pics.

[bensimmons_05]

I had to trim the fram a little bit around where the original steering gear was and I used washers to make the mount level across the side of the frame. If I remember correctly the bottom bolt hole is already there, I just made it a little bit bigger.

[bensimmons_05]

As you can see on the bottom picture, I basically pointed the triangle made by the mount bolt holes toward the bottom shock mount. This is how the other shock is setup.

[bensimmons_05]

[bensimmons_05]

I started slicing and dicing on the cab yesterday. It made me nervous, but I had to start some time! I actually made and welded my first patch panel today, and I think it came out pretty good. I definately have a long way to go!

[bensimmons_05]

here is some of it just sitting in place.

[bensimmons_05]

working out in the shop on some patch panels today. If anyone wants to tune in live the link is below!

[entourageguy]

Well that a first for me.
Arm chair body work. Grab a beer and watch him grind.