"Dudley" 55 stepside

[BigDaddyV]

Hey guys,
Back again with a new project / Daily driver build.
Still building my 72 C10, but after moving to Nebraska I needed a daily driver.
After a lot of searching and debating with my lovely better half, we decided on
a mostly completed 1955 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup.
I have always been in love with this body style, mostly because of my late great uncle.
He was one of the strongest and biggest men I have ever known. He was a master brick mason that build the best dutch ovens in the US
He had a 57" Chevy pickup that me, dad and him all worked on. It was one heck of a barn find when he bought it. Minimal rust and all Original.
But it was lost when he passed. I wasn't even told that he had died and wasn't given the chance to say good bye till a year later.
This truck is being named after him, to remind me of the fun times I got to spend with him and to honor him everyday.
Enough of the sad stuff and on to the truck.
first ill lay out what has been done and then what I plan to do to finish it for my daily.
1955 Chevrolet Step-side
-Satin Black Paint
-SBC 400
-350 Turbo Trans
-17" 2016 GMC wheels
-Low profile tires
-Lowered 3" front and rear
To be improved and completed
-Whitewalls and steelie rims with baby moons
-Carpet and Interior
-one piece side glass
-Dual Exhaust header back
-B&M shifter and custom console
-FITech Fuel injection
-Small parts (that are missing, wiper arms, mirrors, etc.
Hopefully it will turn out as a pretty nice truck to enjoy.

[Daze57]

looks good as is
has a nice stance --- get it all goin have a great time wth it --- great name to keep his spirit alive
good luck with your project

[_Ogre]

welcome new guy with 1087 posts

looks like a good truck and plan to start with!
efi is a must imo, eliminates all cold start and idle issues (ogre hates carburetors)
stock repop mirrors are available if you like the look
wipers? unless required, use rain-x

-Whitewalls and steelie rims with baby moons

agreed, low profile tires on trucks look wrong and don't stand up to michigan roads to well
not quite baby moons on my truk but similar look

[BigDaddyV]

Originally Posted by Daze57

looks good as is
has a nice stance --- get it all goin have a great time wth it --- great name to keep his spirit alive
good luck with your project

Thanks Daze! If i could drive as is I would! Gotta at least put exhaust and windows in it.

[BigDaddyV]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

welcome new guy with 1087 posts

looks like a good truck and plan to start with!
efi is a must imo, eliminates all cold start and idle issues (ogre hates carburetors)
stock repop mirrors are available if you like the look
wipers? unless required, use rain-x

agreed, low profile tires on trucks look wrong and don't stand up to michigan roads to well
not quite baby moons on my truck but similar look

Ogre, Thank you sir! I do love your truck!
I do have the dr side mirror arm, just gotta order the black 5x7 mirror for it.
Wipers are a maybe....
EFI especially here in Nebraska is a must too. Cold just sux on a Carb motor.

[BigDaddyV]

Well I got my whitewalls!
Picked them up in Omaha from a really cool guy. Old school dragster guy.
Good times! Now I just gotta get the right lug pattern ralleys for my truck and I'll be rollin!

Now for the wait for parts to show up.....

[BigDaddyV]

Well today I decided to start on my design for a center console.
Removed one of the ugly seats, and came up with the pic below...
And I started cutting out my insulation for the floor.
Gotta do something while I'm waiting for parts....

[BigDaddyV]

Got some more done on my console.
Just a few pic updates, along with a set of sets I got from my dad.
Not sure if they will be final product or not but they will do for now.

[BigDaddyV]

More tinker work.
Found that there was no ground from the motor to the frame.
No Fuse block.... half arz wiring to just make it run....
Was not real happy to find that out, but I get to do it right and I wont have any worries.
Got the Wiring harness ordered wed, should be in early next week. New battery and power cables installed and new plug wires. The old ones were very worn.
Also I go stated on cleaning up and repainting the heater box. Its in pretty nice shape. Just not sure where a fan would be installed to blow the heat
Heres a few just random pictures for your enjoyment


Got my side mirror mounted, I likey

[BigDaddyV]

Heya guys, lots has been done. sorry I havent been keeping yall in the loop.
Dudley has been rewired, new top end on the 400sbc. Front suspension and king pins have all been replaced. still trying to decide if the front axle flip is how i want it or not. but honestly I wont know till I have the new tires and rims mounted. The first order I made for a set of Wheel Vintques was cancelled by Jegs 45 days after the order for some bs reason, So.... I ordered US Wheels from Summit. Hopefully they will be here Thurs.
On to some pics. Hope ya enjoy.

MT valve covers, hidden wiring, new intake and Demon 625 carb.

torn out front axle to replace the kingpins....

Painted the tailgate letters

got the spare mounted, had to test fit.

[BigDaddyV]

And the best for last today, took Dudley out for a spin.
Little to low on these 17s, cant wait to get the white walls mounted.

[59chev]

Looking good!! The whitewalls will add a nice contrast.

[BigDaddyV]

Thank you and I agree 59chev, I'm really hoping the wheels show up soon. I want to get Dudley on the road.

[BigDaddyV]

Got my wheels in, Painted, mounted the tires, and had them balanced. I am super excited at how they look on the truck! Still have issues to work out with a few leaks, and need a set of door locks. Then we are out cruising!
Took a few pick of Dudley out at work. love the scenery out there.