57 GMC, frame swap, 4wd, 454 big block, 4 speed

[vintovka]

Nice build. I wish i could have close to what you have done. It hurt to read about the leak issues. Been there done that still a nightmare. Will be looking forward to seeing the end product. Good luck!!

[Old57]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Nice build. I wish i could have close to what you have done. It hurt to read about the leak issues. Been there done that still a nightmare. Will be looking forward to seeing the end product. Good luck!!

Thanks vintovka, it was a kick in the gut about the rear main leak, but I fixed it in a few hours on a Saturday, so it was back to normal progress after that.

[vintovka]

I see you chose almost the same heater as me. I went with the 3 vent unit. 2 for heat and one for defroster due to our ocean front weather. I used part of a 3m 777 spray glue cap as a spacer and some inexpensive vents from Jegs. They fit right in the heater outlets on mine. I will say these new heaters will drive you right out of the cab they put out so much heat. Heater block valve a must. Remember this is a military vehicle so its field expedient in nature.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by vintovka

I see you chose almost the same heater as me. I went with the 3 vent unit. 2 for heat and one for defroster due to our ocean front weather. I used part of a 3m 777 spray glue cap as a spacer and some inexpensive vents from Jegs. They fit right in the heater outlets on mine. I will say these new heaters will drive you right out of the cab they put out so much heat. Heater block valve a must. Remember this is a military vehicle so its field expedient in nature.

I almost used that exact heater. I ended up using the Vintage Air compact heat/defrost unit. It has ports on the top side to each defrost register, and a powered door on the bottom that opens up all the way for heat, part way open for heat/defrost blend, and closed for defrost, and an electronic valve for flow of antifreeze to the unit. Yes, they will get downright hot in the cabs if turned all the way on!

[vintovka]

Shoulda bought the vintage air one. Mine is too big and ugly.

[joedoh]

I love the flat floor with the sticks poking out, really looks like it should, I dont really care for monster trans tunnels myself. plus carpet is a lot easier on a flat floor.


looking good!

[Old57]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I love the flat floor with the sticks poking out, really looks like it should, I dont really care for monster trans tunnels myself. plus carpet is a lot easier on a flat floor.


looking good!

Thanks joedoh. I like the flat floor. I plan on using plain black rubber floor mats over the bed liner on the floor.

[Old57]

I picked up my bed, rear fenders, tail gate, and bed floor from getting media blasted and primed in aircraft primer late Friday afternoon. I have a couple areas on the fenders with some pinholes to fix, but for the most part, there were no surprises. I hoped to get going on assembling and fitting the bed this weekend, but I just didn't have time. There's a few dents in the ribbed steel floor that I'll knock out before I spray the bed liner.

[jjzepplin]

Just when I thought it couldn't get much better. That bed looks to be in fantastic shape! I may have to unsubscribe before I see the final product as I think I may be falling in love. I will never find one so I may be OK.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Just when I thought it couldn't get much better. That bed looks to be in fantastic shape! I may have to unsubscribe before I see the final product as I think I may be falling in love. I will never find one so I may be OK.

jjzepplin, thanks... the bed is a long bed, which is what I wanted to use. My original long bed had a lot of rust in it, so I sold it to a local rat rod guy. I found this bed on the local Craigslist, and it was on a farm truck that didn't see much road use. It was a really nice 60's bed, so the fenders were different. I sold the nice 60's steps and fenders and ended up only having 75 bucks in the bed after that. I welded in the holes from the 60's fenders, and marked/drilled the holes for my 57 fenders. I know it helped me in getting this bed cheap by it being a long bed, because everyone wants a short bed. I wanted to keep the long bed to use the truck, plus I think it looks good by being 4x4 and sitting higher with the long bed.

[jjzepplin]

Brilliant! (in my best British accent)

[Boshears]

Nice build.

[Old57]

Thanks guys!

I spent a little time on the bed over the weekend. I got the steel ribbed floor fit and mostly installed in the bed. I have a little more to do on the custom cross braces and attaching the rear of the floor to the rear of the bed. Once I get that done, I'll get all of the mounting holes drilled and test fit the bed on the truck, then pull it back off to get the liner sprayed underneath and inside of the bed.

[Old57]

A little more progress on the truck yesterday. I coated the underside of the front fenders, and fit/installed the blasted and primed front sheet metal and powder coated grill. I'm also about to get the bed with the ribbed steel floor ready to fit to the frame, then I can get the bed liner sprayed on it. I plan on getting the truck running and driving, then eventually take it back apart for body work and paint when I can afford a nice paint job. I think it has a pretty tough looking stance. I need to get the seat recovered in black too.

[Black_Sheep]

The wheel and tire combo and the way the truck sits is absolutely perfect.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

The wheel and tire combo and the way the truck sits is absolutely perfect.

Thanks Black Sheep, I'm really happy with how it looks. Its coming out like I've pictured it in my mind for the last 3 years. It took me a while to find decent hubcaps to use. The wheels are powder coated cream white. I have the proper blue hub dials to go in the front hubs too, just need to get them installed.

And your truck looks so good in the pics out in the sun!

[mongocanfly]

Very nice!!!

[Old57]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Very nice!!!

Thanks!

[Old57]

I took the afternoon to finish installing the 80's ribbed steel bed floor in my 8' long bed, and test fit the bed to the frame. My measurements were good, the 4 holes I used to measure from lined up good, and I had to drill 4 more in the frame. Even the height of the bed came out good and the steps lined up with the bottom of the cab when I clamped them on. Hopefully I'll have a chance and a nice day to prep the bed and spray the liner soon.

[OutlawDrifter]

Nice work!

[joedoh]

outstanding!

[Nut Case]

Fandamtastic, Strong Work

Keep on keepin on


Nut Case

[Old57]

Thanks guys! Its great to see it look like a truck again after over 3 years of working on it. I'm installing the receiver hitch on it now, before the bed will go back on. I only needed to notch the side skirt of the bed side about 2" to clear the fuel filler neck. It goes straight out between the frame and the bed floor, and is in the back area of the fender. When I make the filler neck pipes and hose, I'll install the flip-up gas cap in the back of the fender.

[rgunlock]

Truck is looking great! And I love how you demonstrate that you have decent legroom in front of the bench

[Old57]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Truck is looking great! And I love how you demonstrate that you have decent legroom in front of the bench

Thanks! The beer box is what Bowtie Bits used to put a bunch of small parts in when I picked up my last order... but it does confirm it fits in there