57 Chevy Fleetside Build

[Maximus]

I want your bed.


the wheel matches the dash very nice! Keep up the work!

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by usmc_butler

LED Tail lights reinstalled... Turn signals don't work now

Don't know the details but I think you need to add a resistor so the flasher can work. Google "led taillight resistor" and a bunch of information comes up.

[usmc_butler]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Don't know the details but I think you need to add a resistor so the flasher can work. Google "led taillight resistor" and a bunch of information comes up.

Thanks OrrieG I got it figured out last night, I purchased a electronic flasher and installed it in place of the regular flasher and now they work great! Thanks for the reply on the subject

[usmc_butler]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I want your bed.


the wheel matches the dash very nice! Keep up the work!

Thanks, it took me forever to find one and that was back in 96! I cant imagine with metal prices as high as they are in the last few years how hard they are to find now... I've seen some nice manure haulers headed for the scrap yard lately, makes me sick to know that our kids wont be able to build/find them one day. On another hand it is sure driving classic car priced up (not that mine will ever be for sale)...

[_Ogre]

nice work on your dash cluster, i like the red.
you'll be amazed what it looks like with all new dash lights.

i didn't use an led flasher, i still had stock bulbs up front.
that was enough to make it work.

[usmc_butler]

I started a thread on the main page but didn't bring much interest so I will just add this into the build thread of what I am currently working on.....

Well as everyone knows the factory cardboard glove boxes suck and I'm NOT a fan of cutting up good dashes! So since Ive had my truck I've always had the radio in the glove box, mounted in some sort of wood I could find when I was 16. Well since I have been building the truck again I am going a different direction (not a different place!). I am working on fabing up a delete plate to mount the radio in the glove box. It will inset aprox 1" to give room for a face plate, etc. I will have better pictures later, this is only in the beginning stages. I will be taking this templet to the machine shop later for for a metal replacement and testfit

Would anybody be interested in something like this? I am hoping to get a few done for around $30-$35 a piece including the bent mounting tabs. Let me know what you think.






A few pictures how it will mount....

[Kim57]

That's a cool idea.
Kim

[Panelman55]

Looks kool!!! How will it mount, it looks loose at the bottom? I see the screws in the top are for the latch. I'm so confused.

[usmc_butler]

Originally Posted by Panelman55

Looks kool!!! How will it mount, it looks loose at the bottom? I see the screws in the top are for the latch. I'm so confused.

It will screw to the factory holes on the side top and bottom. it will inset enough to where it will not interfere with the latch mechanism. I will have the prototype from the machine shop today and I should have more pictures this weekend.

[usmc_butler]

Here are a few pictures I took, we are currently moving and she is having to sleep outside under the car port...

[usmc_butler]

Got a heads up on a big window 55 this morning I just couldn't pass it up. Figured I'd share with everyone. I'll have better pictures once I get it out of his barn and to the house... I really needed this truck like a hole in the head right now

[longbike]

Take some pics of those two together when you get it home, two side by side always sooo cool!

[usmc_butler]

Originally Posted by longbike

Take some pics of those two together when you get it home, two side by side always sooo cool!

As you wish... I just got both trucks to my new house and this is as close as I could get at the moment









Here are a few more picts I took at the new house....

[usmc_butler]

The 55 is A little rougher then I originally noticed so I am tossing around what to do with it... I could:
A) Sell it for what I gave for it $1,000 with title
B) Swap back half's so I would have a big window on my 57 then take a loss on the 55 small window
C) Suck it up and let it sit so I have to look at it everyday
D) Hillbilly trailer out of the bed, sell the 55 front clip, cut the big window, scrap what is left...


Any other Ideas?

[_Ogre]

if your not going to build it... sell it as is, ask $200 more for your trouble
if you want a big back window... buy a big back window and frame for half or less and you will be way ahead
i've owned both, i do like the big back window. a quick look over either shoulder and you can see everything behind you.
that is especially nice when you have a 8'' side mounted spare blocking your mirror

hillbilly trailer the back half? nooooooooo

i've never owned a fleetside, but i have no doubt that if, big IF, i ever did another project, it would be a fleetside.
i have seen more fleetsides on this site than any other, dang good looking fleetsides too

keep up the good work

[longbike]

Great pics looks so good, imagine what a parking lot full of these babies would look like!

Thanks:
Jeff

[ricott]

Dustin,

Your truck looked great in person earlier this week, and thanks for making my purchase of the 55 as painless a transaction as I've ever done! I didn't need the spare, but it was a slow(er) ride back to Memphis than coming out! The 55 is resting in the country waiting for my son to get home from college before we start. You should start a build thread covering the car you have in the shop, my bet is everyone one this board would like to see it. Hope you make it to the Stray Cat 500, and thanks again.

Ricky

[usmc_butler]

Originally Posted by ricott

Dustin,

Your truck looked great in person earlier this week, and thanks for making my purchase of the 55 as painless a transaction as I've ever done! I didn't need the spare, but it was a slow(er) ride back to Memphis than coming out! The 55 is resting in the country waiting for my son to get home from college before we start. You should start a build thread covering the car you have in the shop, my bet is everyone one this board would like to see it. Hope you make it to the Stray Cat 500, and thanks again.

Ricky

Ricky great meeting you! I'm gald it made it back on the tires, I was wondering since I never heard back from you if it had made it. Would be really cool to se a build thread of the 55, from hearing about your work, I'd sure like to follow the progress you and your son will make this summer! Ive got a build thread on another site, I don't think the people on this site are ready for what im about to build!!! Here is a link however if someone wants to see; http://kitcarforums.net/smf/index.php?topic=573.0 ... Ill be in a 57 to the Stray Cat this year

Take care hope to hear from you soon!

[ambryatim]

What did you use for the center tranny tunnel??

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...4&postcount=10

[usmc_butler]

If I remember correctly it was out of a 79 Chevy 3/4 ton with a manual shift. They should be the same from a 73-87 though.
Posted via Mobile Device

[55Cameo]

Love the stance on your truck and the ginormous meats and the rally's. Great work!!

[usmc_butler]

Originally Posted by 55Cameo

Love the stance on your truck and the ginormous meats and the rally's. Great work!!

Thanks! Things has been hectic lately, the good thing is it running and driving bad thing is I have moved on to another project so this I as far as it will get done for now other then finding a rear fleetside bumper and sanding it. Next weekend I will be in Dewey, Ok for the Stray Cat 500 so if anyone will be there look for me or shoot me a PM...! Here are a few pictures

[usmc_butler]

I have another parts truck that I was planning on getting but if anybody is looking for another project this is a good buy. It is a 59 GMC big window LWB truck with title set up on all late model chevy running gears, 59 chevy front clip, no motor, no tranny, Good glass was running and driving he is wanting $1,800 for it. Shoot me a pm and ill give you more info if anyone is interested

[PJF]

Looking good. Subscribed!

[Daze57]

you have a very sharpe lookin truck sir !