My 57 build (lots of pictures)

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Dennis,

Can you do me and a few others a big favor. My cab is actually a 58 and the PO put a 57 clip on it. That's why I bought it, cause I love the look of the 57.

Anyway, there is some discussion about the difference in the hood hindge bolt hole locations in the firewall of the 55-57 and 58-59.

Could you place a straight edge across the ledge of the firewall and measure from the bottom of it to the top and bottom hindge holes?

Bensimmons_05 is also working on a 58 with a 57 clip and has started a thread looking for this info.

Thanks, and get back to work on the truck!!

I'll get some measurements and post them later today.

[dennis57]

Some ideas are good and some just don't work out but you have to try. This one is still in work so I'm not sure it will work or not yet. First I need to say thanks to ChuckDriver who sent me the old dash out of his truck free of charge and to Kawbe for some guidance and advice. I liked Kawbe's dash I thought I wanted to tackle one in my truck too. I even located a 55 dash locally for a reasonable price. But after talking with Kawbe and looking at his post of the install I figured it was over my head so I went to plan B that was grafting in the left side of the factory dash to the right side. It sounds good in theory but in actually it is going to require a lot of work but I'm committed do making it work right so here is the first FAIL!

Ok, here I am with some parts taped to the dash trying to get a look at how this will work. I'm thinking COOL!! So far so good.


Cuts and fit are good.




Now the problem. I have it tacked in place and it's a bit low on the right side.


I'll go look at it tomorrow to see how to even it up. BTW I'm having a great time even if it doesn't work.

[57ToyBox]

I'm confused were to sit... Who's driving LOL
Top of the dash looks Cool

[GRIMSS]

Looking good. I'm keeping an eye on this as I was thinking of doing something kind of like it, but with a little twist.

[dennis57]

I couldn't leave it alone tonight so I went back out after dinner and worked on getting it straight. I ended up cutting it apart on the right side and lifting it about 1/4". Tomorrow I'll make a piece to fill the edge and reshape the part behind the edge on both sides.


I think it might work after all.

[ChuckDriver]

Dennis, I was just glad to help out a fellow truck guy! It's looking good so far, can't wait to see how it turns out!!

[Kim57]

That looks pretty cool.
What do you plan on filling it with?
Kim

[Kabwe]

Hey man, it will work. Looking better and better. What really would have been freaky is if you moved the glove box in the center. But I don't want to give you any ideas.lol It would give you a glove box that is functional. You could even mount your sound system in there, but I don't want to give you any ideas.lol

[71naughty]

the trucks comin along good ill be watching to see what else u come up with.

[OrrieG]

Interesting, I'm following this too. I am confused, in the first photo in post 77 you say you are starting but the center and right side of dash are smooth. Rest of the photos show all the stock holes, etc.

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Interesting, I'm following this too. I am confused, in the first photo in post 77 you say you are starting but the center and right side of dash are smooth. Rest of the photos show all the stock holes, etc.

OrrieG, I had a smooth panel I bought from Brothers stuck on the dash to see how it was going to look.

[dennis57]

It was a good day today. I started about 7am trying to get this dash fit. I ended up making several cuts to help move the metal around managed to get is all welded up and looking kind of crappy. Anyway after grinding it didn't look too bad but i was still worried how it would look so I spread some bondo on and roughed it in. I think it will be ok so I went ahead with fitting the smooth dash panel in. I got it about 50% tacked in.

Here it is after welding. lots of low spots. I beat on it for about an hour to try and get the low spots up and I think its ok, not great but ok.

After some bondo. Looks better.


Fitting the smooth dash panel.

Tacked in.

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Hey man, it will work. Looking better and better. What really would have been freaky is if you moved the glove box in the center. but I don't want to give you any ideas.lol It would have give you a move love and functional. You could even mount your sound system in there, but I don't want to give you any ideas.lol

Wait till you see what's next.

[hotrodrookie]

Did you cut out the dash before you tacked it in?

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by dennis57

Wait till you see what's next.

I meant to say a glove box that is functional.lol
Its looking good so far and I'm waiting to see whats next. lol

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by hotrodrookie

Did you cut out the dash before you tacked it in?

yep. The smooth dash is butt welded to the old stuff.

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by Kim57

That looks pretty cool.
What do you plan on filling it with?
Kim

I'm not 100% sure yet. My be a logo painted on the back side of a piece of lexan or a LCD display behind some lexan.

[GRIMSS]

Turned out looking great.

[ChuckDriver]

Looking good Dennis! Can't wait to see what you have in mind for the rest of it!

[dennis57]

I've been welding and grinding all day and finally have close enough to move on to the next step. I'm tired of grinding and I ran out of discs.

[Kim57]

That looks pretty sweet Dennis.
I know what you mean about grinding and welding. It can drag on me sometimes also.
Kim

[nickp51chevy]

Dude, that looks sick! I can't wait to see the finished product.

[dennis57]

Thanks guys. I can't wait to see the finished product either. It might take me a bit before I post any more progress shots because I'm not sure how I want to proceed with the next part. I have about 3 different ideas I'm considering so it'll take me the next couple of weeks to sort through them. Until then I'll watch you guys get something done.

[57ToyBox]

Looking more and more like a solid brand new Cab.
Keep up the awesome work

[dennis57]

I've been looking down at the dash and forgot about the rust I needed to fix above the windshield. So today I cut it out and guess what I found. I couldn't figure how it rusted up there and so high until I opened it up. Mouse hotel. Burning mouse nest STINKS. I'm glad it's not as bad or as fresh as Diesel's. I welded up 3 small spots that poked through on the outside and will replace the 2 strips across the inside.