bwilli2's 51 5 window

[bwilli2]

A couple of really really bad cell phone pictures.

[bwilli2]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

making progress
boxing the frame will keep the frame from cracking more.
nice work so far

I'm going to box around the cracked areas for sure. I'm debating about doubling up a bit of plate under the front cab mount section where it cracked across the top. We'll see what I think when I get there.

[bwilli2]

Not posted for a bit. I've been super busy, and not getting the quality shop time I wanted.
I did test fit the rear end with those wide-wide vette wheels, and got the front cross tacked in. I tore down the corvette parts and took them to the car wash for a quick bath. That aluminum stuff is LIGHT and sure cleans up pretty.

I've been trying to get time to finish weld everything so I can move on to getting the motor and trans positioned then ready to go.

Then it's paint the frame, and move on to stuff like plumbing for the brakes and fuel system. I'm still undecided as to exactly what kind of tank I want.

I know it's easy to just sling a cell up under the bed and put a filler in the bed floor, but I'm really thinking I want to run the neck out the side. It's not like I'm going to be hauling anything in it, but just strikes me as wrong to have to keep the bed empty if you want to fill it up... Weird I know, but just the way it strikes me.

I don't want to tub the bed, but man, those wide rear wheels are sure tempting...

[bwilli2]

Shot of the rear with the full wide vette wheels...

[Kabwe]

Everything is looking good man, really good. Keep up the good work and keep the pics coming.

[bwilli2]

Got the frame flipped, and the welding is almost all done on the underside. A couple of tricky areas left. Going to have to think on that.

I am also thinking about fabbing up some different back cab mounts. I have the kind that semi suspend the cab, but I'm thinking I'm going to either find some of the other 'solid' style or make some up.

[bwilli2]

So, my truck has this style mount:



It has two very closely spaced bolts on each side to hold the cab, which is where the cab cracked on both sides. So It's not a great mounting method.

I'm thinking of trying to find a set of the other style:



My frame has the correct bump out for this style, so it'd be a bolt on. Although no one carries them, so if I can't find a good used pair, I'll have to make something that will work. I just want to spread the load over more than two bolts on a side.

[bwilli2]

Finally got the 'notches' in for the rack and pinion.

I'm going to steal a page from xpickup's build and add some additional support from the radiator support to the cross member.

Almost a roller. Hopefully next week!

[slydogg76]

Subscribed...nice work! Looking good!!

[bwilli2]

Kind of stalled out a bit. At that 'wow, I have a ton ahead of me' point.

Put the frame on the rotisserie to paint, then realized that "uh, not even close" took it back off. Sigh. Jumping ahead...

Been working on the front end mainly. I'm at the point where I need to drill out the vette a-arms, so I need to get a drill press for that. I want to be 100% sure those holes are straight and true so I don't mess up a pair of spendy aluminum a arms.

Got a trans cross-member from Brothers, a solid unit. I'll need to narrow it a bit once I figure out exactly where the engine will sit.

Of course this means putting the cab back on long enough to ensure clearance. This leads to a relatively unique wrinkle...

A feral cat has decided that climbing up into the cab under the tarps is a dandy house. I didn't want to not give the thing a place to be so I ended up getting side tracked and making a cat shelter for it. Then a heated bowl and feeding box so the thing won't starve in the single digit nights. And a heated pad...

Being a tech guy of course that meant I need a video camera so I can keep an eye on it. The infrared LEDs really reflect. Gives it a awesome look. Heh.

[bwilli2]

Quick update: (Pictures eventually)

In the process of building a custom front radiator cross member.
Then I need to build some rear-cab mounts, but I think I'll drag the cab in and sit it on the frame to mark up for motor and transmission cross member mount points.

I've been kind of 'bleh' on spending time in the shop over the last few months. But gettin' there.

[STOCKISH]

Progress looks amazing man. We all need a break at some point or another. Take your time then jump back in with both feet when you feel ready. Cant wait to see more progress, this is going to be an amazing build.

[bwilli2]

Burned in the front boxing plates for my soon-to-be-built new radiator cross-member/support. Still need to build some rear cab mounts. The plan is to get the templates made this weekend.
After that it's position the cab, the figure out where I need to put my motor-mounts. THEN paint the frame. (Wow... I work slow...)
The transmission cross-member is a bolt on, so I can do that post paint, if needed.

[bwilli2]

Been a while.
Built a cardboard template for my rear cab mounts




Then had my nephew convert my template to steel!

[bwilli2]

Should work out pretty smooth. I'll post a comparison of the old and new...

[bwilli2]

The new cab mounts fit in the factory locations for this style. I didn't have my nephew cut holes for bolts as I wasn't 100% sure they'd line up on both sides.

I'll get them drilled then check passenger vs driver side.

Then I'll figure out how tall of a bushing I'll need to accommodate for the difference in height between the old one on the right I'm not going to use.

[bwilli2]

So, 2.5 years later and I can pick this back up... Hopefully. Been insanely busy.

My near-term goals, get my engine and trans on the hoist, and positioned. I have the cab sitting on the frame, not locked down, but sitting in position. Once I get the engine where I want it with the cab, I'll be able to get the trans cross member in, and the engine mounts placed. THEN I can paint and seal the frame.

I'm not 100% sure if I want to use SBC mounts, with adapter plates for the LS1, or just go LS1 native mounts. Arguably SBC mounts give more flexibility if I want to change power plants, but realistically, that's not super likely.

Next is to replace the rusted out front floor boards and toe kicks. I have some square tubing I am going to us to cross brace the cab before I cut the flooring out. I'll post pictures when I get to that stage.

[iowaboynca]

That's good you're still on it.

[bwilli2]

Originally Posted by iowaboynca

That's good you're still on it.

Thanks!

It's surprising how easily you can get distracted... then look up and it's been how long?!?

[bwilli2]

Reading the thread, I realize that I've done quite a bit that I've not updated on. I need to go out with my camera...

I've got the new radiator support in. I cheated a bit, and purchased one from Speedway motors. "Radiator Support Brace for 1947-54 Chevy Pickup" technically it's for their frame, and not the factory. I measured, and measured, measured again, cut the ears off and welded it in. It looks like it should work fine.

Got the rear cab mounts drilled. I'll need work in some more modern cab isolators down the road, and box in a bit of the underside of the cab cross brace.

The front and rear ends are fully welded in, and I've drilled the vette arms. I am thinking about sleeving the holes though... I'm very slightly concerned about the bolts doing a number on the aluminum. I bought a rebuild kit to replace all of the bushings and such on both the front and rear. Aged rubber.

One thing I am glad I waited on is the gauges. I've been leaning toward the Dakota Digital VHX units, but didn't like the white face or the faux carbon fiber look. NOW they have other clean options, including a nice semi-flat black.

[bwilli2]

As an aside, one good thing about Utah weather (at least for this) is virtually no humidity. My frame is still rust free, despite being in raw steel for well over a year.

I'll give it a good cleaning and inspection before any paint hits it though.