My 1955 Chevy 3100 build

[55 Chevy Dave]

Originally Posted by ptc

Dave - I love looking at your stuff it gives me inspiration !!!

looking really good!

Originally Posted by dug224

Incredible attention to detail!

Originally Posted by Kartch1

Very cool! Very clean install!

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Nice work Dave. Looks good!

Originally Posted by oldman3

Nice job...Jim

Thank you for the kind words. Having the sound system done (for the most part) is a big milestone for me. It seems more like an actual truck now.

Now onto getting the wiring done so I can fire up that engine! Looking forward to a long Memorial Day weekend and hopefully a lot of progress.

[idbeast]

I've been trying to figure out how to mount my 2din navigation stereo, I had the same idea, but mounting it that high interferes with my windshield wiper motor, what wiper motor are you using?

[55 Chevy Dave]

Originally Posted by idbeast

I've been trying to figure out how to mount my 2din navigation stereo, I had the same idea, but mounting it that high interferes with my windshield wiper motor, what wiper motor are you using?

I am not certain if it will interfere with my wiper motor. I'm not even sure I am going to run wipers. The truck is not going to be a daily driver and I don't plan on heading out in the rain with it. I never got around to putting wipers on my 71 Camaro either. In the rare instance that I do get caught in a storm, I carry Rain-X with me. It usually does the trick just fine even driving down the highway doing 60mph.

The placement of the head unit was definitely my top priority. I like it exactly where it is. If the wiper motor needs to be relocated, then I guess I'll have to figure that out.

Sorry, that response probably doesn't help you much.

Good luck on your build!

[idbeast]

55 Chevy Dave, actually your response is very helpful, I was thinking that maybe you didn't have it in there! Did you need to do any build up/ forming around the sides and lower area of the radio to make the look flow properly? Your picture is kind of hard to tell for sure.

[55 Chevy Dave]

Originally Posted by idbeast

55 Chevy Dave, actually your response is very helpful, I was thinking that maybe you didn't have it in there! Did you need to do any build up/ forming around the sides and lower area of the radio to make the look flow properly? Your picture is kind of hard to tell for sure.

After welding the frame out of 1/2" square tube, I welded it to the back side of the dash. I was up high enough on the dash the it was all flat and I did not need to do any filling. If I had placed it lower on the dash, it would have been into the portion of the dash that rolls back and would have required filling.

[ptc]

Wiring and all looks great with all you have to do there....

What did you do for a throttle cable on your LS setup through your wheelbarrow firewall? or is it a drive by wire? Im still trying to figure out some kind of mechanical rod setup with my "spoon throttle pedal"....

Maybe I need a bigger pedal with my engine? ---

Truck is looking real nice!

[55 Chevy Dave]

Originally Posted by ptc

Wiring and all looks great with all you have to do there....

What did you do for a throttle cable on your LS setup through your wheelbarrow firewall? or is it a drive by wire? Im still trying to figure out some kind of mechanical rod setup with my "spoon throttle pedal"....

Maybe I need a bigger pedal with my engine? ---

Truck is looking real nice!

ptc, I don't have an LS. I installed a Lokar throttle cable. On the firewall, I mounted the cable as close to the pedal as I could, but I then realized the same thing you have probably realized - the firewall mount is not lined up with the pedal because of the wheelbarrow in the firewall. In fact, it is pretty far off. The throttle pedal does feel tight.

We'll see, but I might be changing it. I thought about bending the tube that goes into the firewall toward the pedal or adding an extension to the pedal to line it up better, but decided to withhold my final decision until I fire the engine and test the pedal and see how it feels and how the engine responds.

[55 Chevy Dave]

Wow, has it been a long time since I have posted. I've been busy most of the summer wiring and there doesn't seem to be a lot of exciting pictures of this phase of construction.

Nonetheless, here is some progress:

I used a hole saw to cut 2 holes into my smooth dash for the tweeters for the sound system. I then made 2 reinforcing rings and welded them on the back side of the dash and ground everything smooth.

I then inserted the tweeters and ran the wiring. They sound great!

[murd969]

Good looking build.

[murd969]

Looks good.

[Advanced Design]

Great update! Very nice work Dave. Engine sounds good and crisp.

[Dave0]

Very cool stuff so far Dave! I will be going thru the whole thread...

Does the sub/box rattle the back panel when it hits hard? I'm still kicking around ideas... Thanks!

[55 Chevy Dave]

Originally Posted by Dave0

Very cool stuff so far Dave! I will be going thru the whole thread...

Does the sub/box rattle the back panel when it hits hard? I'm still kicking around ideas... Thanks!

Thanks Dave0. If you take a look at post #452 a bit earlier in this thread, I bolted the rear MDF panel to the back of the cab. Nothing rattles at all, and I don't even have the subwoofer surround mechanically fastened to the rear panel yet. The final test will be when I complete the sealed enclosure, but I don't expect any issues.

[Dave0]

Originally Posted by 55 Chevy Dave

Thanks Dave0. If you take a look at post #452 a bit earlier in this thread, I bolted the rear MDF panel to the back of the cab. Nothing rattles at all, and I don't even have the subwoofer surround mechanically fastened to the rear panel yet. The final test will be when I complete the sealed enclosure, but I don't expect any issues.

I did see that post. I was thinking of bolting mine to the floor instead of the back panel. Maybe I am just overthinking stuff again

[55 Chevy Dave]

I worked the Mecum Auto Auction in Schaumburg, IL last month and got to drive some pretty cool trucks. Over the last 8 or 9 years working that auction, there seems to be more and more trucks each year.

In the order they appear below:
Ford F600 Fire Truck
1913 Ford Model T Huckster
1929 Ford Model A Fire Truck
1917 Ford Model T

I even managed to get on TV a few times! I know they are all Fords, but they are still trucks, right?

I drove some cars also, but you don't want to see pictures of those here!

[55 Chevy Dave]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Great update! Very nice work Dave. Engine sounds good and crisp.

Thanks Doug. I am very happy with the engine and definitely happy with the sound!

[gigamanx]

oh man that's gotta be exciting. I love the clamp on the exhaust. Didn't even wait for the welds to cool before starting it up

[55 Chevy Dave]

Originally Posted by gigamanx

oh man that's gotta be exciting. I love the clamp on the exhaust. Didn't even wait for the welds to cool before starting it up

gigamanx, it was very exciting. The exhaust was fully welded some time ago except for the connections in front and behind the mufflers. The elbows for the sidepipes start immediately behind the mufflers. I didn't mount the hangers for the sidepipes yet because I wanted to hear how loud the exhaust was going to be first. If it was too loud, I would have routed the exhaust to the rear instead.

After hearing the sounds coming from the side exhaust this past weekend, I quickly decided that I will be leaving the exhaust the way it is! Expect one of my future posts to show the sidepipe hangers in place.

[joedoh]

great console work, reminds me of my time working in the install bay

[Advanced Design]

The auction job had to be a blast. And it is cool you made it on TV. Were the auction prices pretty strong overall?

Nice work on the console! Good creativity and execution.

[ptc]

Nice stuff Dave - coming along real sweet!!!! -

Yea I agree that flush windshield dealio didn't come out the way I would expect it.

[Nut Case]

-Dave

Boy oh boy, you are a true craftsman, in both wood and metal.
And your creativity is up there as well.

It's been great to pirate your ideas and solutions.
Thanks

Keep on keepin on

NC

[55 Chevy Dave]

To fill in the hole in the front of the console, I made a cardboard template to get the size I needed and then cut the shape out of 18 gauge sheet metal. I then cut (2) 3" diameter holes in it to accept the cup holders. After all, the cup holders are important, right?

I bent the sheet metal to match the bend in the console.

After getting the bend just right, I drilled holes in the sheet metal where I wanted the mounting screws placed. I drilled and tapped corresponding holes in the bent angle iron pieces previously attached to the console. I screwed the bent sheet metal to the console.

My plan is to paint the sheet metal a contrasting color against the lighter leather wrapped over the MDF console. To replace the zinc-plated phillips head screws, I picked up some stainless steel allen bolts that I will polish and then replace during final assembly.

In the future, the bent sheet metal will be easily removable if I need access to the wiring behind it.

[55 Chevy Dave]

I picked up some speaker terminals off E Bay and used them to pass the subwoofer wiring from the amplifier into the subwoofer enclosure. The plug-in terminals will end up hidden inside the console.

I then made some mounts for the subwoofer enclosure behind the seats. It has been sitting there loose. I screwed the enclosure to the mounts.

I then made the final piece to completely enclose the subwoofer. The odd shape was a bit tricky to make and it had to squeeze between the bucket seat rails. The first trial ended up in the wood burning stove, but the second trial fit like a glove. I screwed it into place.

[Kim57]

Looking real good.
Nice work bench.
Kim