Ryan's 57 pickup project

[RyanPartridge]

Here’s a couple photoshops of different color wheels one of the fellas on the H.A.M.B. did for me...

[RyanPartridge]

These little sweethearts just arrived...

[bosco]

Originally Posted by RyanPartridge

Thanks Bosco!
Are you the same Bosco that's famous for carving tikis?

Originally Posted by RyanPartridge

Updated stance...

Here's the truck after Sid dropped my stock axle 3", new kingpins, new tie rods, all fresh gear and 4 degree caster shims.

By the time the axle was shipped back to me the old 1957 yellow/black CA plates had finally cleared with the DMV so I was stoked to get those on.

At this point the truck rode and handled better than ever. The only issues I had was some serious body roll in turns...and the Toyota power steering box. I couldn't stand not feeling the road. After about 9 months of driving it this way I decided to ditch the PS. A member here wfojon offered me an original 57 steering box/column if I came to pick it up, so I drove 3.5 hours out to Tehachapi to grab it. I had it rebuilt by a local shop and last week my buddy helped me install it.

While it was on the lift I installed a front sway bar from Jim Carter. Body roll is totally gone. Truck drives great! I can feel the road! Gotta use some muscle when rolling slow in parking lots but it's worth it. The truck is handling better than I imagined it would with these mods.

I remember eating at that restaurant when we lived in HB.

No tiki carvings from me.

[RyanPartridge]

Originally Posted by bosco

I remember eating at that restaurant when we lived in HB.

No tiki carvings from me.

I got married there...Don's unfortunately closed down last year and is sitting rotting away.

[56hotrodred]

Love the story, love the pics and love the truck!

[Nut Case]

Ryan

Fun project....
When I scrolled to the photo's of the Porters, that tripped a memory of my 57 Belair wagon with a 327 vette fuelie (not fuel injected) with porters. Brother I'm in!!!!

Just attach a video of the start up with the new exhaust system just for all us old booggers and our tired ears.

Keep on keepin on


Nutz

[RyanPartridge]

Originally Posted by 56hotrodred

Love the story, love the pics and love the truck!

Originally Posted by Nut Case

Ryan

Fun project....
When I scrolled to the photo's of the Porters, that tripped a memory of my 57 Belair wagon with a 327 vette fuelie (not fuel injected) with porters. Brother I'm in!!!!

Just attach a video of the start up with the new exhaust system just for all us old booggers and our tired ears.

Keep on keepin on


Nutz

Thanks fellas!
I'll post a video once the new pipes and Porters are installed!

[57tailgater]

Originally Posted by RyanPartridge

Here’s a couple photoshops of different color wheels one of the fellas on the H.A.M.B. did for me...

I like the white wheels. The color goes with your grille and bumpers and looks old school.

[RyanPartridge]

I was planning to have the truck at the muffler shop today, but my brake lights stopped working. Ordered a brake light switch, hoping it solves my issue. I’ve got the old one out, new one is being delivered today.

[RyanPartridge]

Busy couple weeks...

Found out my brake light switch didn't go bad, it just stopped working once I unplugged and removed the repop turn signal lever that the previous owner installed that never worked since I've owned the truck.
I plugged the turn signal wires back in and not only did I get my brake lights back...the turn signals suddenly worked...for about 4 days. Turn signals don't want to work anymore. Ugh.

I did get my truck over to Advance Muffler in Long Beach, which has been there since 1949. Darren set me up with new 2" dual pipes and my Porter mufflers are in. Nice mellow tone. Not too loud. I'm mostly surprised how much punchier the truck feels. Performance upgrade for sure. Maybe I was lacking some back pressure with the larger pipes and Cherry Bombs the truck came with for this little 283...

I also got a carb issue worked out with the help of Bob at RPM Carburetor Specialties who is truly a master of his craft. Highly recommend him!

Truck is running smoother and faster than it ever has. Super happy with the latest upgrades!

Just need to decide on wheels and get started on upholstery...

[joedoh]

great truck, I am going to have a red 55-57 TF someday.

[RyanPartridge]

Originally Posted by joedoh

great truck, I am going to have a red 55-57 TF someday.

Thanks joedoh!

[RyanPartridge]

Drove out to Burbank last night to pickup some steelies a fella was selling. Since I was in the neighborhood I stopped at Bob’s for a Big Boy Burger and a vanilla shake.

Speaking of vanilla shakes....I’m rattle can’n the new wheels now!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ryan, I'v been messing and meaning to go to the cruise-in at Bob's and haven't made it yet.

I like the vanilla color, Rustoleum, Krylon, Duplicolor? What color name? Will you use beauty rings? I like the narrow, ribbed ones with dog dish caps.

[RyanPartridge]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Ryan, I'v been messing and meaning to go to the cruise-in at Bob's and haven't made it yet.

I like the vanilla color, Rustoleum, Krylon, Duplicolor? What color name? Will you use beauty rings? I like the narrow, ribbed ones with dog dish caps.

Yeah I've never been to the cruise-in at Bob's either but keep telling myself I will someday.

I used Duplicolor's Wimbledon White, same as my rear bumper. Still need to re-do my front bumper and grill.
Not sure yet what caps I'm going to run, possibly baby moons, or no caps at all for a while. The wheels came with some original 57 Chevy car hubcaps, a couple are dinged up a bit...not too bad.

Not sure about beauty rings. I'm trying to keep the truck looking less-deluxe and more like a base model that got a couple mods back in the day. I like the old shop/push truck style...simple with a few upgrades. Not full blown custom. Then again, beauty rings might work. Once I get the new painted steelies on I'll have to sit back and look at it with a few beers and see if I can picture what the truck wants...

[GreasyLikeaBurger]

I havent been to the Toluca Lake BigBoy in probably 20 years. I use to live over on the otherside of the hill on the westside. We would drive over once a month or so. It use to get crowded early. Had to park on the street and walk over.

[RyanPartridge]

Originally Posted by GreasyLikeaBurger

I havent been to the Toluca Lake BigBoy in probably 20 years. I use to live over on the otherside of the hill on the westside. We would drive over once a month or so. It use to get crowded early. Had to park on the street and walk over.

Might be time for a burger!

[RyanPartridge]

Spotted this 59 yesterday on PCH and snapped a pic...

[joedoh]

wow if those are original 60s 15x7 (they will measure 8" wide outside to outside width) steels in 5 on 4 3/4 pattern, they are a super rare find. as someone who has hunted boneyards for them I am jealous. probably came on a station wagon in the 60s.

[RyanPartridge]

Originally Posted by joedoh

wow if those are original 60s 15x7 (they will measure 8" wide outside to outside width) steels in 5 on 4 3/4 pattern, they are a super rare find. as someone who has hunted boneyards for them I am jealous. probably came on a station wagon in the 60s.

They were on a station wagon but unfortunately they’re not originals.
These are 15x7 for the rear and 15x6 fronts.

[RyanPartridge]

Here's an updated photo with the new steelies on!
I'm stoked on the new look as well as the fit. My previous wheels were 15x7 all around and I had some rubbing issues on the drivers front tire when making hard left turns...with the 15x6 wheels up front now there's absolutely no rubbing. Steering feels a little easier with the narrower front wheels as well.

I dropped by the upholstery shop today, looks like he's got time for me at the end of this month so I'm looking forward to that.

Next up is painting the front bumper and grill to match up with the wheels...might save that for while the bench is getting upholstery.

[RyanPartridge]

Also rigged up a new coolant overflow Lucky Lager can.
Truck came with a Pabst can but I never cared for PBR...

[RyanPartridge]

Yesterday I did an oil, filter and spark plug change...
Running great...except for some clutch chatter going into first gear and reverse. I think my rear motor mounts need replacing.

[RyanPartridge]

Got started on painting the front bumper, grill and headlight rings to match the wheels today...

[nail pounder]

Nice looking truck! Did you have any bump steer with the drop axle and posies? I had read that you need to bend the steering arm if you install both. Also, what size tires are you running? I really like the stance. Thanks!