'57 Stepside, Big Window Project

[87Lowrider]

ROLLING CHASSIS!!






Got the clip welded in, nice and strong.




Nice and LOW!

Should have it fully assembled for test fitting by the end of the week.

[Kim57]

Nice.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

I stopped by the body shop yesterday to check on progress.

So far they've mounted the Jag rear suspension and the front clip from the Camaro.



She's back on her own feet for the first time in 16 years!

[apache200]

87Lowrider congrats on the milestone!! keep up the good work

[87Lowrider]

Thanks. I'm going to the Street Rod Nationals tomorrow in Louisville KY. Gonna pick up some goodies for the truck.

All the metal work on fenders and the hood is done. First assembly is next week, check tire clearances and wheel sizes, and other stuff, then disassembly and off to powdercoating for the frame.

.. I'll have pics later.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by 87Lowrider

then disassembly and off to powdercoating for the frame.

think twice about that for a full custom truck
unless you've run the brake lines, mc, fuel lines, fuel tank motor mounts, ect...
you will be welding on the frame again and again
recommend you paint your frame, touch up paint is easy

[87Lowrider]

Thanks for the tip... I remember reading that here some time ago. I'll make sure and discuss it with the body man on Monday.

Meanwhile, at the Nationals in Louisville today, I picked up my third brake light (to be mounted flush, just below the back window) as well as two LEDs for my front turn signals/parking lights. The factory turn signals have been removed, holes filled & prepped for the LEDs to be installed.

[55dude]

I would pass on the powdercoat and use the money towards the interior. Some good quality paint applied will last and your gonna drive it so that makes touch up way easier but it's your truck.

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by 55dude

I would pass on the powdercoat and use the money towards the interior. Some good quality paint applied will last and your gonna drive it so that makes touch up way easier but it's your truck.

Thanks, I know for sure that I want the frame cleaned up and treated to slow down any rust build up. You hear all the time about "Powdercoat" this or that so I automatically ASSUMED that was the way to go. I'll defer to this groups knowledge on this one though.

[87Lowrider]

Here's the smoothed front fenders.





And the firewall.. there were 64,000 holes in it (when it snowed outside, it snowed inside - no joke) Now, it's nice and smooth. Don't like the original factory design missing but that's fine.



And finally, a couple butt shots;



Notice the reinforced frame since modifications had to be made to get the springs to sit properly. That's 1/2" plate.. on both sides as opposed to boxing the inside of the frame rail.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

Thanks!

To date, we've gone from this (in 1992)





To this (today) ... shop just texted me this pic;



It's a truck again! That's a static drop. Jag in the rear and Camaro in the front. Still playing with wheel / tire sizes though. Amazing what a little "Attitude Adjustment" will do. /Ken

[Daleo56]

Looking very clean so far.

[87Lowrider]

Thanks, another thing I just noticed is they've started smoothing out the dash as well...

[87Lowrider]

Still got the glove box to close up....

Got big plans for the new dash ... stay tuned!!

Here's a teaser...

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

Got the Dawg house assembled. Wheels and sheet metal line up nicely with the Camaro Clip installed.

[izonme13]

If possible, get a pic of how the front core support mounts were made. Im about to make mine. Curios how they did yours. Mine is z'ed 3.5 inches. Makes the steering box in the way of the mount.
Posted via Mobile Device

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by izonme13

If possible, get a pic of how the front core support mounts were made. Im about to make mine. Curios how they did yours. Mine is z'ed 3.5 inches. Makes the steering box in the way of the mount.
Posted via Mobile Device

OK, I'll snap some shots next week when I deliver my rear bumper and some other parts for them. These pics were text'd to me today by the builder.

[87Lowrider]

... and the work continues.

Here's the factory Grill


Mock up of the new version

Notice the holes under the headlight area... those are for the LED turn signals and driving/parking lights.

Dash is smooth now and notice the area below the back window for the third brake light to live... plus closed up the fuel filler on the side.



Mocking up gauges, AC vents, etc.



Here's a couple other frontal shots.

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by izonme13

If possible, get a pic of how the front core support mounts were made. Im about to make mine. Curios how they did yours. Mine is z'ed 3.5 inches. Makes the steering box in the way of the mount.
Posted via Mobile Device

Sorry this took so long, but here ya go:

[87Lowrider]

I stopped by the shop Thursday to sit in the seat for the first time since 1997. Going to move the column up about an inch so the gauges will be correctly visible through the steering wheel opening /Ken

[Denee007]

Wow, you do awesome work! You have a really large workshop! What other projects do you have going on a once?
dne'

[Kim57]

Looking good.
I'm doing something similar with my grill.
I just haven't figured it out yet.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Wow, you do awesome work! You have a really large workshop! What other projects do you have going on a once?
dne'

Thanks, I'll pass it on to the builder (not me). I've turned the body work over to a local shop here in town (good friend of mine though). I'll get the truck back at some point to do drivetrain and interior. I'm a techy not a fab/body work kinda guy.

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looking good.
I'm doing something similar with my grill.
I just haven't figured it out yet.
Kim

I'll share the end solution. We discussed it Saturday and have an idea on how. /Ken