New Project 57 Chevy panel on 78 chevy frame

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

Well got the big window cab to the shop this week.
Looks like I need a sand blaster to get the cab clean to find all the rusty places.
Found the most likely places floor board, lower hing panels,
I look to have some good cab supports, good firewall.
Have two door hings that the bolts will not come off, both are the innter bolts.
Looks like I need rocker pnl n steps,door hing plate,hing pillar inner.
Have several pic to load on this site.All showing the places that need the work.

[T-P Auto]

Hello;
More pic of work needed.

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

You will see RED marks n dot on some of the pics.
These marks show the weld spots that I have to remove to save a panel n where the repair panel will go.

[T-P Auto]

more pics.

Have a lot of work to do on the cab area.
I have the bad firewall,window frame n two other units to work with,
I think a sandblaster will help me get the part clean n to see where the rust is.
I'll be ordering parts from LMC the next couple of months.
That way when I start the repairs I'll have parts to work with.

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

I only have a 55 hood for this project.
Thinking I might try to pancake the hood.
Looking to all so try to replace the lower panel of fender with a lower panel from a 57 car fender for a different looking fender opening.

[T-P Auto]

Hello;


Made it to "Pate" over the weekend.
Had a great time, lot of parts to look over.
I found the parts that I need for the 57 panel project.
Photos included.

T-P Auto
Tim

[dsraven]

not sure of the plan, but if using the cab in post 26, I would look seriously close at the integrity of the A post. it seems to be pulling away near the bottom rear edge of the windshield area. good to get a door on there and make sure it will fit properly before getting in too deep somewhere else and then find the A post and parts behind are not strong or bent. there is filler in the cowl there so maybe was in an accident at some point?

[Advanced Design]

Nice parts score Tim! Looks like you had a successful trip.

[T-P Auto]

Doug;

Yes it was a good trip.
I had a great time n it was warm.
I found the parts that will get me started on the project.
Now I can get the 78 broke down n ready for the panel.
Still little tired from the trip. Old age. ha ha

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

UP date;

It has been awhile since I posted.
I have been busy getting the 78 chevy pu stripped down to the frame. pic
I tryed to save as much sheet metal as I could for repair panels or floor boards for the 57 panel. pic
Once I got the frame stripped down bare, I see that I;m not going to be able to use the whole frame. pic
The panel body will set to high on the frame. pic
So got to looking at the frame that is under the panel(to move it around with)
It is a full straight frame, that lets the 57 panel set right . pic
So looks like I'm going to have to graft the straight rear frame to the front frame of the 78. no pic yet
Looks like I'm going to have to go with a 4link on the rear end with 2" drop spindle on the front.
So if any one has information on 4link n coil over, would appreciate the infor.
Will post pics next.

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

More pic .

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

Hello;
Hope the pic help with what I'm talking about with the frame problems.
I have all so been rebuilt a 84 chevy pu to take place of my green 95 pu till I can get a NEW 350 vtec motor n NEW trans for the 96.
The 84 is a 3/4 ton 350 400 turbo set up with 373 rear end. pic
Will all so have to built a NEW a frame to make a 26' trolly to make removing body easier to change out.

T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

dsraven;

I will be getting two complete pillars for the panel, plus a dash assy.
The dash assy will be something I'm still working on.
I have a 58 truck dash ??
I have the dash out of the 78 pu ??
Just do not know which way I will go.

T-P Auto
Tim

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by T-P Auto

Doug;

Just looking at the 78 frame,has too much kick up over the axles.
The panel body is setting on a 50 ford pu frame n it is setting level.
So it looks like I'm going to have to Z the two frame together, to get a flat frame for the panel to set on.
To do this set up I will have to go with a 4link set up on the axle.
What I'm not sure is which way to go for shocks.
1 coil over
2 air bags

With coil over I have no ideal how to go about getting the right type.
With the air bags, same thing.
Have ever done anything like this before.
Any help or thought on this would be of great help

T-P Auto
Tim

Hi Tim,

Thought I would post here to better include information and ideas for your build. The frame kick up does present some challenges. I haven’t noticed any builds with the panel on a 78 frame, though they are probably here or out there somewhere. I think the frame is pretty similar from 73 to 87 so try some Google searches for a Chevy panel on that frame. Not sure of the dimensions so hopefully not too wide.

Guessing you will need to fab mounts is a similar style to what the S10 builds use to raise the body to clear the rear rail kick up. That might raise the front too much, just don’t know without trying it out. Or following another build.

Another random thought is to raise some of the rear floor to clear the kick up. Maybe in conjunction with the fabricated mounts the combination could work.

For rear suspension I would lean heavily toward parallel leaf springs. Millions of vehicles use them as they work and are cost effective.

And hopefully another member here has done such a build and will chime in with their ideas.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by T-P Auto

Hello;
Hope the pic help with what I'm talking about with the frame problems.
I have all so been rebuilt a 84 chevy pu to take place of my green 95 pu till I can get a NEW 350 vtec motor n NEW trans for the 96.
The 84 is a 3/4 ton 350 400 turbo set up with 373 rear end. pic
Will all so have to built a NEW a frame to make a 26' trolly to make removing body easier to change out.

T-P Auto
Tim

Good find, nice truck!

[T-P Auto]

Hello ;

I'm back on the project;
"57 Chevy Panel on 78 Chevy frame"
Have a lot of pic to show the problems I'm looking at. will post as I get to the area of work.
Have been off for sometime. I had a lot of work to do around here.
I got the NEW roof on the 48X16 ft roof. Had to make the rafter,then do the decking,then do the pro panel cover;
I did all this by myself so it took me some time,
I will enclude a couple of pic of the shop floor with concert. pic
Have got the panel in the shop. pic
Still getting all the lites put up.
I have my work cut out for me on this project.
Will be asking alot of questions from other people on this site.
Will try to post as I do the work.

Thank You All;
T-P Auto
Tim

[T-P Auto]

Hello:

" Happy New Years "

I have started working on the 57 to 78 swap.
It has been taking some time to get things together to start the build.
I got the roof n the concert done on the building.
Now I can get the body in the shop and do the frame work together.
My last pic showed the panel in the shop on old frame.
So I will start from there;
Got the cart made to set the body on, once the old frame was removed from under the panel.
I was going to order both pillars but found a complete cab.
Got the cab for 650 which was cheaper the the pillars'
I got the cab which gave me a good floor,a good dash, a good firewall.
Which will save me several hours of work an money.
I will post pic as I got thur the process of working the frame.

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

Got the frame out from under the body.pic
Had to cut the front end off the frame(old car ft end)pic
Then had to cut the old FORD rear end out from under the frame.pic
That way I have the back have of the frame for the panel pic

Always
T-PAuto

[Advanced Design]

Shop floor looks great and you are making nice progress!

[T-P Auto]

DOUG.

Was sorry to hear about the wife.

Wish I could have make your get together,sounds like it would be fun.
I have alot of work to do on the project.
Just getting started on the work.
I will be asking alot of question as this build go forward.

Always
T-P Auto.

[T-P Auto]

Hello;

It has been almost a year since I up dated on this project.

I ha to redo the tall large shop this year. The way it was draining - it was starting to push the outside wall out at the top. old pic in post.
I had to drop the roof a total of 22". I did this with out pulling the roof apart. I just raised the whole roof up then cut out 22" on the walls then lowered it back down n reconected everything. Then I installed insulation n sheet rock in the large shop. Install two NEW roll up doors as well .
With is cornviris going on I had do most of the work by myself.
So took a lot longer then planed.
This is a NEW up date to my build.
Will start working on it again after Thanksgiving.
So look for more up date in the next few months.

Thanks Everyone.
Tim
T-P Auto

[T-P Auto]

Hello;
I'm going to try to update as I work on my project after a year.
So to start I want to show what I did with the shop this past year. pic
011 - old shop
05 - new shop

[T-P Auto]

oops both the new shop !!
lets try again

[T-P Auto]

Hello;
Well lets see if I can still work this computer. HA HA
I got the frame back out from under the body - set it up with 235 75 15 tires for ride height.
Installed the ft fender on the body to get the right measurement for the wheel base. pic
Had to use a couple of mags to find the wheel base. pic
Then took the mags to the frame to get the right measurement on the frame. pic
Then got the 4 link lay out - never used 4 link before.
Try it find out what I need to do to fit 4 link under the frame.
Hope this all make some since to everyone.

[T-P Auto]

OK still rusty on here, ha ha