My long term 57 project

[Kim57]

I'd say that's about as far as you can take a frame down.
Kim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yikes JJ! That's not a frame anymore it's just a pile of miscellaneous parts! Ha ha.

Will you sandblast and powder coat or do you plan to paint?

If boxing is planned will it be full boxing or partial? Knowing how cleanly you usually do stuff I'm guessing dimple dies and creative bracketry will be added, "while you're in there."

I love the idea of powdercoating but since my truck will be a (hopefully) admirable, very clean, weekend Home Depot and cruise night truck I plan on painting with Rustoleum and hardner. Why? Possible future modifications and I want to be able to easily touch up miscellaneous road rash every few years.

Can't wait to see all those sexy, expensive Porterbuilt parts going on in the inimitable JJ way!

PS: I WANT your existing nice frame with room for wider rear tires and the most excellent Mike Chesser front clip graft, but I just can't think of any way to get it all the way across country from South Carolina to Southern California that wouldn't cost as much as having someone do all the same stuff to my existing stock frame. Crap.

[Russell Ashley]

You can't get a frame any farther apart than that, LOL. I'm looking forward to see how you put it back together as I know it will be first class. You are definitely taking your truck to a higher level, not that it really needed it. As usual, give us lots of pics.

What plans do you have for you old frame? If I didn't already have a Scott's front suspension in my truck I'd be bugging you to sell it to me. Chesser's is only a few miles from me, BTW. I've met him a few times and bought a low mileage 53 Ford Flat head engine from him a few years ago. My Bro-in Law has it in his 51 F1 now.

[RockinKees]

Not much left of it
But I think it comes out 1000 percent better

[ChuckDriver]

Dan, I had the frame rails and brackets sandblasted after getting them apart, much nicer working with clean metal. Not sure if I'm going with paint or powder, still got time to decide. Frame and all PB parts will be blasted again, as they have already started to surface rust!

Dan and Russell, plans are to use the clipped frame under another truck, but that could change, depending how long it takes to get the new one done!

And the pic's. Laid out all of the PorterBuilt parts to inventory them and see how they looked. Very pleased with the quality and attention to detail!!

Can you say "Some Assembly Required"!!

And a shot of the wall in my garage.

[Number98]

Looks like Christmas morning!!!

[Mattyparty]

Daaaaaaaaammmmmnnnnnn

[oldman3]

Beautiful looking parts, now lets see tab "A" insert into slot "B", no problems...Jim

[RockinKees]

..................WOW..............

[Kim57]

Those are some cool pics.
Should be lots of fun assembling them.
Kim

[jcramsey]

That looks awesome JJ...let me know if you ever need a hand when you start sticking it all together!

I'm heading down to Ridgeland on Thursday to pick up my 4bt Frito Lay van...Trying to figure out if I can run that motor in my truck without cutting it up too much. We will see!

[Pinky6872]

Looks like an awesome pile of parts. I wish I could stay that organized.

[Stepside Jim]

Wow, my eyes got bigger with every picture.

Should be a very satisfying feeling as this all becomes one assembled unit. Jim

[shadow1967]

That looks like a fun weekend!

[bharrison1]

Just when i thought this truck couldnt get any cooler!!Cant wait to see the porterbuilt setup!!

[ChuckDriver]

Well guys progress has been slow! I spent the better part of a day knocking down the sharp edges of the PB parts. They are cut by a water jet and leave a sharp edge on them that I want to smooth down before paint/powder.

Also, since I've taken it down so far and had a good look at the original frame, the rust pits, thin spots and extra holes, I decided to have some replacement rails made.

A local metal shop did a fantastic job bending some 10ga steel to spec to match the factory rails. This will make for a much cleaner look and be stronger too.

You can see in the pic's where I had them join the front and rear sections at the rear axle centerline. This section will be cut out once I have installed the rear C-notch.

Just need to locate the holes for the cab mounts and bolt it all together!

[RockinKees]

Man, that's gonna be real nice!!!

[oldman3]

That's going to be sweeeet, when you get it done...Jim

[Kim57]

Very nice looking stuff.
Kim

[Advanced Design]

That is awesome! I am piling on and agree this is going to be incredible.

[Mattyparty]

Love the new frame idea....kinda wishing I'd done that on mine

[Pfdchief]

I just read through your thread, and I want to say thanks for all the pictures of the wheel tubes. that it the same setup I am going to use and now I have a guide!!! Truck looks sweet! I love the new dash, Hmmmm maybe on the next one lol

[Mattyparty]

Hey chuck do you know how your doing your steering linkage.

[ptc]

Chuck, wow another great project (just within your thread!).... lol I just had a chance to read thru this 'extended build' and now it looks like you are moving on to the next upgrade. Looks awesome.

Ultimately Id like to build a pro-tour truck also, but for now I found a deal on my chassis and am building a pro-street version to start out with. Looking forward to seeing your build!

BTW: Thank you for your service, have two of my own in too.

[ChuckDriver]

Thanks, PTC I like what you are doing with your build!