My 56 build

[bosco]

Great work on the exhaust. Really like the exit.

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Looks great, and the pictures are turned the right way!! Thank you for posting!!!

Thanks, I have even figured out how to edit and rotate pictures now

Originally Posted by bosco

Great work on the exhaust. Really like the exit.

Thanks, I’ve only seen that exit on a few trucks and really like the look.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by Jason 56

Thanks, I have even figured out how to edit and rotate pictures now

WOOOOHOOOO!!!

[Jason 56]

I had a sway bar delivered and mounted. It was for a tri-five car. I bought it from speedway. Fits like it was made for the truck. Also spent a lot of the summer trying to get the power steering working. After a lot of grief I finally came to the conclusion that the new pump I bought was defective. I even tried to adjust the pressure with a kit I bought. The original reservoir I bought didn’t have a baffle either, so I bought another one. It seems to ok now, but time will tell.

[Jason 56]

I’ve moved on to the interior. I started with seat from a 2011 Ford Focus ( I know a Ford, but it was all the local junk yard had that was decent). When I got them in they looked like a couple of recliners, so back to the drawing board. I found a pair of middle row Escalade seat. They look good, but no adjustment in the middle row seat… so I hacked up the Ford seat hardware. I have the drivers side done, still have to finish the passenger side. Maybe this weekend. After I finish that I’m on to the dash/vintage air kit.

[Rickysnickers]

On the sway bar, do you have a part number for that, or anything? It might help some others down the line.

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

On the sway bar, do you have a part number for that, or anything? It might help some others down the line.

Here’s the link for speedway:

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...nch,99701.html

[mrbuck]

What brand front end did you use? I’ve got a Heidts and wonder if that sway bar would still fit.

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by mrbuck

What brand front end did you use? I’ve got a Heidts and wonder if that sway bar would still fit.

It’s a helix kit. I would think it should fit. You’ll have to weld mounting points on the a-arms as I did.

[Jason 56]

Finished the passenger seat yesterday. You may notice the backs aren’t at the same height. The passenger seat only slides forward and back. The drivers side has full range of movement and is at maximum height. So I can move that one down. Now that I know where they will live, I’m pulling the interior back apart to do the dash n vintage air. I have the week off so I should make some progress. Heat will be running in the garage today. It -13 here this morning… brrrr!

[Jason 56]

Today’s progress… got the vintage air box hung. Modified the bracket and welded bolts to the inside of the firewall. Also sectioned the dash. I’m going to add 3” to is so I don’t need a filler plate on the bottom. Now I’m trying to figure out how to run the lines through the lower passenger cowl and along the outside of the inner fender. The lines in the last picture aren’t going to work. I’m trying to keep the engine compartment clean. I’m installing the condenser tomorrow.

[Kevin_C]

Looking good. Can't wait to see what the dash looks like extended. I was surprised how little room there was when I installed the my evaporator. I had already smoothed my firewall so I just welded the bracket to it.

[Jason 56]

Got the condenser installed today. Of course it had to be modified because of my radiator setup, but everything fits well. I also changed the way I hung the evaporator under the dash. I remembered barnfind62 mentioning using a french cleat (with slammed57’s recommendation) to hang the top so it can be removed. Thanks to both of them for the idea. I’m going to eliminate my glove box so I won’t be able to get to the top. I’m also planning on eliminating the rectangular vents that would hang below the dash. Going with 2 more round vents instead. Off to order an ac hose kit n crimp tool. You can tell you’re not in hot rod country when you call every garage n parts store and no one has one I can use.

[Father&son56project]

Nice progress! I had to look up what a "french cleat" was, and once I saw it I realized how handy that can be for unreachable spots. I am adding that idea to my bag of tricks for the future. I'm looking forward to pics of that dash extension.

[57FleetsideC4]

Looking Great! Coming right along. Steve

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by Father&son56project

Nice progress! I had to look up what a "french cleat" was, and once I saw it I realized how handy that can be for unreachable spots. I am adding that idea to my bag of tricks for the future. I'm looking forward to pics of that dash extension.

Originally Posted by 57FleetsideC4

Looking Great! Coming right along. Steve

Thanks guys, looks like I’m waiting for more ac parts and for the metal shop to bend the piece for the dash. I may be starting to lay body filler soon!

[Jason 56]

Started on the dash. Boy, what I would for an english wheel. After 2 attempts I finally got this little piece done. I think it curves in every direction possible and the 90 degree bend just wouldn’t line up. The other side should be easier now that I have it figured out

[Jason 56]

Received my ac hose kit and crimp tool this week. I really want to get all the lines done before I do the dash. Just easier with it all open. The crimp tool works great. Made the 2 lines that run from the evaporator to the bulkhead fittings. Still waiting on my heater core kit with the bulkhead fittings to finish everything.

[Father&son56project]

Very nice work on those AC lines. They look like they are factory lines made for that truck.

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by Father&son56project

Very nice work on those AC lines. They look like they are factory lines made for that truck.

Thanks, that crimp tool works well.

[SARBlade]

Hey Jason, great build page! I too am restoring a '56 Chev, I haven't really started mine, just the planning and gathering stage lol. What coilovers did you use for yours? I am going to put in a welder series 4 link (triangulate) and just want to get the right coilovers. I like the ride height you selected and I will have to do a notch too, but just not sure how much of one.

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by SARBlade

Hey Jason, great build page! I too am restoring a '56 Chev, I haven't really started mine, just the planning and gathering stage lol. What coilovers did you use for yours? I am going to put in a welder series 4 link (triangulate) and just want to get the right coilovers. I like the ride height you selected and I will have to do a notch too, but just not sure how much of one.

Here’s a link to the springs I’m using.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/250-Pound-L...-127632-2357-0

I really don’t know yet how they are going to ride, but the way they are mounted them I’ll be able to upgrade to QA1 if I need. If I could I would of looked for a shorter pair. I want to keep my box depth original and the coil over length are my limiting factor right now. Good luck on your build!

[SARBlade]

Originally Posted by Jason 56

Here’s a link to the springs I’m using.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/250-Pound-L...-127632-2357-0

I really don’t know yet how they are going to ride, but the way they are mounted them I’ll be able to upgrade to QA1 if I need. If I could I would of looked for a shorter pair. I want to keep my box depth original and the coil over length are my limiting factor right now. Good luck on your build!

Thanks Jason, good tip, by long I guess you mean being able to adjust them down or in actual length?

[Jason 56]

Originally Posted by SARBlade

Thanks Jason, good tip, by long I guess you mean being able to adjust them down or in actual length?

Those coil overs are 14.5” eye to eye with4 inches of travel. I would prefer something closer to 12” for more adjustment in the rear. The way my truck is pictured, that’s as low as I can go in the rear.

[Jason 56]

Here’s a couple pictures. You can see I’m on my lowest setting. In the last picture the top of the shock mount is at the top of the frame. My bed wood will only be about 1/4 above that.