Rods 57

[Rods57]

Ok so i have been hanging out here a while but have not posted my build yet. So here it is. I started with 3 trucks a 55 GMC big window, a 57 Chevy and a 59 Chevy. total cost 1700, drove one home. the first pic is the left over parts truck that i sold for $600.



i used the 55 cab, the 59 dash, it was perfect and i had no GMC parts and the frame and bed from the 57. I got a 78 camero for $50 and used the front clip, rear end, brake pedal cluster and trans. Shes a real looker huh...my wife would not even let it off the trailer, not kidding.



A local guy here in Idaho has a jig to do the front clip he has done like 40 of them so no credit to me for that part. I got a killer deal to get sandblasting done and was able to get the frame, cab and a ton of pieces done.

[Rods57]

Then i got a motor from a friend that had the block numbers damaged so its a 75 blaser or corvette, I am sticking with the vette story cause it sounds cooler.
Any way its a 4 bolt 350, heads with 202 valves and roller rockers, mild cam. turbo 350 from the camero, rebuilt trans twice but that's a long story and it was costly, and my fault. one and only time i have ever broken a case while bolting it in.



I made a rat rod engine stand that holds the engine and trans out of scrap in two hours, cause i wanted to..



posi in the 10 bolt that i picked up for $100



longer rear shackles, removed some springs.



all new front end components.

[Rods57]

Aluminum fuel tank in the rear.



Wide whites on all fours and red steel wheels.




Weld and grind time now. Meet Kabwe on-line and started cutting up the body shortly after that. thanks man.

[Rods57]

More cut and weld, cab was dropped on its back at some point so I needed to do a lot of welding and cutting.

[Kabwe]

Great job man, everything is looking really good. I'm glad you started a build thread. Keep the pics coming.

[kgmunro]

wow nice looking frame...what are your plans for a color on the truck with the red frame? Same color or a contrasting color?

[Rods57]

Thanks, O am planning on the paint being black, flat or shine is still up in the air.

[1956chevtruck]

Love the frame! If I were to do mine over, the frame would be bight red. Welcome to the site, keep us posted. Looks like you're doing an awesome job!
Byron

[Rods57]

Thanks for the comments, not a professional so I was a bit nervous putting up pictures of my work.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Rods57

Thanks for the comments, not a professional so I was a bit nervous putting up pictures of my work.

Man no need to be nervous about that, I come here to look at the home builders stuff. I'm not much interested in professional builder's stuff they should build nice stuff they do it for a living. I'm a home builder so I'm more impressed by the things coming out of peoples home garages (and there are some really talented home builders here). In my opinion that is what hotrodding is all about, building it yourself. I find it more impressive to look at a car that someone built themselves than to look at a high dollar shop car, but that's just me. When I go to the shows I may walk through the indoor area to look at the craftsmanship of the pro builds but I spend most my time in the parking lot looking at the rides people built and drove to the show.

[OrrieG]

Looks good to me, keep us updated.

[Kim57]

Very nice looking frame.
Nice job on the cab repairs also.
Keep the pics coming.
Kim

[hammerdog57]

Very nice build. My camaro clip install is close to yours. How much clearance do you have from distributor to firewall? I see you used the stock motor mounts, which i plan on using if i can. Keep the pics coming.

[Wheelie]

Very nice clip integration there. Very smooth. Got closer pics of the frame where the clio meet?

[Rods57]

here are the closer pics, i will try to blow them up if i can.

[Tri5Nerd]

Good job, I think when you do something to the truck for the first time you get kinda nervous but once you get into it and it starts to turn out how you want it you get more confidence, this is what I say now, if I mess it up I can always do it over.

Love the red frame paint, is it single stage of BC/CC?

Tri5

[Rods57]

Thanks a lot. I really like it now that i did it. Its actually red baron red powder coat. I agree with you, its kind a hard at first then you cut something, fit it back together and it looks better and you gain confidence.

[Rods57]

Here are some more of the cab, the steps needed to go and i had to re-build the drip rails it had 69 holes in the firewall, yes 69 I don't know why. fuel door filled in.

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by hammerdog57

Very nice build. My camaro clip install is close to yours. How much clearance do you have from distributor to firewall? I see you used the stock motor mounts, which i plan on using if i can. Keep the pics coming.

I have like 1 1/2 inches at the firewall.

[bubba327]

Hey another local guy!! welcome to the fun!!
That is about the sharpest looking frame I have seen. Truck is really looking good.

[Rods57]

Thanks, nice to see more guy locally out here too.

[OrrieG]

Yeah, I just noticed you are from Boise too. Some of us are trying to get together at Motorfest, there is a thread in the regional section.

[Rods57]

I just saw that, my daughter is getting married the Saturday of moterfest, but i am still going.

[hammerdog57]

It looks like you used the stock camaro trans crossmember. Do you have any pics were you mounted it to the frame? And it looks like you moved the motor mounts rearward? How much?

[Rods57]

I will blow up the pic of the mounts for the motor. The trans you have to cut the ends off of the stock mount and then flip them. Local guy named Jay Young has done 40 of these and has it done to a science.