Backyard built 55

[918Wbrown]

Hey guys just thought I would post up my on going 55 build. I've been working on it daylight to dark for the last 2 months. There's alot of things I will change later right now I'm just trying to get it ready for the c10s in the park in September not sure if I'll make it, but we will see. I am also not a paint and body guy but I give it my best shot.. I'll try and post everything in order from start to where I am now.

[918Wbrown]

This is the subfrane I bought for the swap best I can tell its a 1975 camaro

[918Wbrown]

Looks like junk but I got it where it needs to be

[918Wbrown]

Started grinding the frame to try and clean it up but found a local guy that did mobile blasting so I had him come clean the subframe.

[918Wbrown]

After I started assembly on the subframe it was time to move to the body. I know I know everyone hates fake patina well I like it I wasnt in love with how it looked before but the more I spray and sand the more I'm liking the look, which is good considering it's mine.

[918Wbrown]

I started preparing myself to cut the from half of my original frame off. Not gonna lie I read every forum and watch tons of videos before I started ots a little intimidating but wasn't really hard. Fighting the rusted bolts and original rivets was the hardest part. My wheels also came in, who's not gonna throw one up under there just to see how it looks.

[G&R's57GMC]

Coming along nicely, keep at it and you’ll be driving it in no time .

[Gregski]

Git Er Done !

[918Wbrown]

Got the interior painted and the floors coated also picked out the seat design quoted from my local interior guy. 650 for vynil or 1200 for leather. What do you guys think is leather worth double the price?

[918Wbrown]

With the interior painted I moved onto tacking in the frame under the truck with the sheet metal installed. I used the template everyone uses and mine was a little far forward so I trimmed another inch off of it and it looks alot better to me.

[918Wbrown]

With the subframe all welded I removed the cab to have the rest of the frame blasted. While I waited I moved onto the firewall, again I'm not a painter I use a cheap gun and pre mixed paint. Once I got everything removed and sanded I laid down some black epoxy primer over the bare metal, then laid down my black then the red. Oh yeah and thank God I have a front end loader.

[youngrodder]

Looks great...Your moving right along. I really like those wheels.

Keep it up

Marc

[Thealien]

Given that choice I would pick leather without hesitation.

[6DoF]

contrast for the win, that red really stands out. love it.

[Gregski]

I can stare at this all day! Does it come in Poster Size? and how long did that take to grind so nice, LOL ha ha

[918Wbrown]

Originally Posted by Gregski

I can stare at this all day! Does it come in Poster Size? and how long did that take to grind so nice, LOL ha ha

Haha I'm confused theres no grinding on those welds. That's tig welding it comes out pretty smooth. This is what I do at work, I posted it on another page on here this morning. I've been welding 15 yrs.

[NorCalGal]

That’s some nice tig welding sir.

[918Wbrown]

Let me see where were we ? I think about the trip to Rogers, AR to you pull it slavage yard. I got an 8.8 rear axle out of a 2001 ford explorer limited disc brakes, limited slip, and 3.73 gear for 175 bucks. It took me and my dad about 35 min to remove I also took the drive shaft so that I can have a new one built to match my trans and rear end I watched alot of videos read alot of forums before I cut down my axle. I removed 2-7/8" from the driver side to center my pinion between the frame rails and so I could use another passenger side shaft.

[6DoF]

i've had a lot of great luck narrowing 9" axle housings like that, drive shafts, and even narrowed an axle shafts like that with good results.

being able to use a stock short-side shaft to center the pinion is a huge win!

[918Wbrown]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

i've had a lot of great luck narrowing 9" axle housings like that, drive shafts, and even narrowed an axle shafts like that with good results.

being able to use a stock short-side shaft to center the pinion is a huge win!

Agreed! I was going to have Moser build me some shafts with chevy bolt pattern but after narrowing I already have to tub my bed while still running a spacer.

[6DoF]

Originally Posted by 918Wbrown

Agreed! I was going to have Moser build me some shafts with chevy bolt pattern but after narrowing I already have to tub my bed while still running a spacer.

yeah, you can wait til you twist a shaft off at the starting line

[6DoF]

also, your pipe weld porn makes me feel things.

[918Wbrown]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

also, your pipe weld porn makes me feel things.

Haha good things I hope. These aren't truck pics but just more of what I do. Just work anymore I used to enjoy it along time ago.

[duramax55]

butiful welding is tig welding stronger than tig or stick. I have a tig welder but have a hard time welding with it, would need a lot more practice

[918Wbrown]

Originally Posted by duramax55

butiful welding is tig welding stronger than tig or stick. I have a tig welder but have a hard time welding with it, would need a lot more practice

I'm assuming you ment is tig stronger than mig or stick? As long as you use the proper fit up and procedure I.E a gap for proper root/bead pass, quality weld with no porosity, cold lap, insufficient penetration, and the right filler wire or rod then they are all strong. We use tig on pretty much everything because of the cleanliness and we do alot of crazy strange alloys. Mig is super fast and easy to use so it's in alot of shops, tig is slick so if you want to show out use it, stick rod can be used outside in the wind. They all have their good and bad.