My long term 57 project

[ChuckDriver]

Have to say a huge "Thanks" to my Dad for helping get everything installed last Saturday. We had a great time working together and we both were amazed at how much it changed the look of the truck!!

First we bolted the bullets to the large center piece and put it on the bumper.

Had to drill 2 holes per side after a lot of measuring and re-measuring!

Oh, and I painted the back side of the bumper earlier in the week with some Rustoleum! All of the chrome piece had also been done on the back

[ChuckDriver]

Half-way there!

[ChuckDriver]

After a lot of measuring we were able to transfer the outline of the bracket, on the backside of the park lights piece, to the fender to determine where to drill the holes for them.

The center piece slips over the two side pieces and locks them together. It is held in place by a bent piece of sheet metal that is normally bolted to the hood latch panel on the GMC. The Chevy set-up is different, so this is my plan.

The blue panel will sit on the 57 fender/grill spreader bar and will just tuck under the Chevy hood latch panel by about 1/8 in. I will eventually weld a few tabs to the blue piece to extend it back at each of the holes that the chrome panel uses. But for now it will work fine. I also drilled 2 holes that match the ones in the blue panel to reinstall the hood bumpers since the original ones were covered by it.

[ChuckDriver]

Wow, it really makes the truck look that much meaner, I love it! Thanks Dad!!!

[Russell Ashley]

That looks great. Adding more chrome is always a good thing to me. It looks heavy, did it add much weight to the front of the truck?

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

I made them using the hose and fittings that came with the VA kit, but I covered them with a braided sleeving and heat shrink on the ends.

Got the sleeving from here:

http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/FREx...leSleeving.php

I used the same for my wire looms. Nice job on the bumpers. As a kid I hated the GMC's looked too heavy and bulky, but now love them.

[Kim57]

Looks great.
Kim

[oldman3]

Big difference..Jim

[dug224]

Nice job on the bumper. Agree with OrrieG. Those things have really grown on me. Dug

[ChuckDriver]

Thanks guys, glad you like it!

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

That looks great. Adding more chrome is always a good thing to me. It looks heavy, did it add much weight to the front of the truck?

The bullets and the center piece only weigh about 10-12 lbs., and the 3 park light pieces are just stamped sheet metal, so I think it only added maybe 15 lbs. total.

[sqrlnts]

Love it! Have always wanted to do this myself. Can't wait until you get the Cameo bed on, its going to be (.)(.) 's!!!!

Have you noticed a difference in engine water temps? I have read several people say the 55/56 GMC's ran hotter due to the front end design. Again, great job.

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

Have you noticed a difference in engine water temps? I have read several people say the 55/56 GMC's ran hotter due to the front end design. Again, great job.

Put about 50 miles on it yesterday and didn't notice any difference in the water temp.

Thanks!

[_Ogre]

looks good chuckdriver
always liked the gmc grill, but couldn't get past the non-chevy dash
now you have the best of both worlds

[kustombrad]

I've always liked how you've gone about doing stuff! Very nice work dude!

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

looks good chuckdriver
always liked the gmc grill, but couldn't get past the non-chevy dash
now you have the best of both worlds

Thanks!

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by kustombrad

I've always liked how you've gone about doing stuff! Very nice work dude!

Thanks Brad! Your work is awesome!

[ChuckDriver]

Modified the brake pedal, using a piece from a second one, so that I could install a "Power Brake" pad from a 58 sedan that I picked up at the Good Guys show in Charlotte last fall!

[sqrlnts]

Thats awesome! So seriously they had a wider pedal for a bit more foot power? Hilarious.

[Kim57]

That's slick.
Kim

[duallyjams]

great thread

[CURSED GEARS]

I've really enjoyed your build. Like seeing all of the pieces coming together, and I am anxious to see the bedsides go on. You still flying? And if so, what do you fly? P.S, the grill looks great.

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by duallyjams

great thread

Thanks!!

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by CURSED GEARS

I've really enjoyed your build. Like seeing all of the pieces coming together, and I am anxious to see the bedsides go on. You still flying? And if so, what do you fly? P.S, the grill looks great.

Thanks! Will be a while before I put the Cameo bedsides on.

Yep still flying the Airbus 320/321, its a nice ride!

FYI, hope to have a BIG update soon!!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

It's been a month, JJ. Are you teasing us? C'mon buddy, let us in on the surprise.

[ChuckDriver]

Wow Dan, it has been a month! I've been waiting on a big shipment of parts and they arrived today, unfortunately I'm out of town! So it will be this weekend before I can show you what I've got in store for the next phase of my "long term project"!

But trust me when I say it will be worth it!