Anyone can buy an SWB...

[Inverter]

Reckon I should do some housekeepin....

Guess Im playin the long game now. Delivered the truck to Empire Garage in Victoria last week. They will be doing some massaging on stuff like the wiper cowl area, gutters n the tail gate. Maybe repaint, after I see how the budget gets eatn up from this 1st stage. So I’ll be actively involved with that along the way. Im not a drop it off n pic it up kind of guy.
Lots of room in the shop now. Been cleaning n organizing. Finishing up my ‘68 chassis ( pics upon request ) and getting it out to powder.
Been putting in the work to get it to a roller by mid winter.

Strange times we live in lately. But Im still doin my thing out here in the hay fields.

[SCOTI]

Strange times indeed. I'm waiting on spindles & upper a-arm shafts to get finished @ the powder-coaters (fingers tapping).

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by Inverter

Trans is a 5 speed TKO model. ( 2.87 first, 1.89 second, 1.28 third, 1.0 forth, .64 fifth.

Even with 373 rear gears the .64 fifth gear is pretty tall. Its great for going from town to town but I dont use it much. I also switched to a 4.11 rear so might be a better fit.

Just found this thread, you are doing a fantastic job. Makes me want to go start with another frame and build up from there.

I have the same TKO 600 with 3.73's, and I find that it is a perfect setup for cruising on the interstate at 75 MPH and 2,100 RPM.

[Inverter]

Hello Steven
thanks for the words. 75 mph was great for my tko/373 setup I just didnt care for the gap in ratio between 4 & 5. The T56 is nice because it goes from 1.0 to .88 Then to .64. Apples n oranges I know but the feel is much better because there are no big gaps. Im gonna try n improve it with a lower rear gear.

[smbrouss70]

Ah, I see where you're going with that. I don't mind it much because I don't shift into 5th until I'm at a good cruising speed. Plus, I've never had a T56.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Ah, I see where you're going with that. I don't mind it much because I don't shift into 5th until I'm at a good cruising speed. Plus, I've never had a T56.

The T56's extra gear allow you to cruise around city limits @ 2k rpm/40mph. Hit the highway within the city limits @ 2k again only in 5th @ 65mph & then once out on an open stretch of interstate @ 2k & 70+ mph in 6th.

Ideal ratios but not the easiest swap option because of size & cost.

[Hart_Rod]

Great work Troy. It's nice to see people taking the road less traveled....

[Inverter]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

It's nice to see people taking the road less traveled....

Thank you Rob, is it ?
Hard to do things that havent been done already so gotta think on it some to be unique. My mother always said I was special.

[Inverter]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Ideal ratios but not the easiest swap option because of size & cost.

Yea. The attractiveness of the TKO is the ease of swap from a 4 speed setup. I did pick up a super clean Lt1 T56 for my next build though. W/a complete refresh I’ll only have a couple grand in it. So they can be had but absolutely much more work to get it in place and operational.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Inverter

Yea. The attractiveness of the TKO is the ease of swap from a 4 speed setup. I did pick up a super clean Lt1 T56 for my next build though. W/a complete refresh I’ll only have a couple grand in it. So they can be had but absolutely much more work to get it in place and operational.

Yep.... And those LT1 sbc era T56's are not an easy score so finding one thats not trashed def helps the budget.

[Chevys4life]

Subsribed.............Man............that is an awsome build.

[Chvy2NV]

Very cool. Subd !!

[SCOTI]

Let me help move the dust off this one....

[KMC3420]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Let me help move the dust off this one....

I almost did the same yesterday!! That interior is one of my favorites.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by KMC3420

I almost did the same yesterday!! That interior is one of my favorites.

Last words was potential 'paint-jail'. I hope it's not languishing in a corner of a shop somewhere like a dust covered parts bench....

[KMC3420]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Last words was potential 'paint-jail'. I hope it's not languishing in a corner of a shop somewhere like a dust covered parts bench....

Right....quarantined!

[1971Stepside]

Time moves much slower in paint prison...

[Inverter]

Yea, more like sheet metal incarceration. Empire is a venture from an oil field guy who has been somewhat disrupted since spring. Seems hes been starting an additional business or two since I dropped off. Most of the panel gaps n seams have been reworked. The cowls are always a terrible fit, this one is getting chopped and repositioned. Its taking a long time but I like having the same guy doing all the metal work. Hes good and the standard is consistent. I didnt want a team of apprentices blowing through it like in my past. Ive been keeping busy. Completed a chassis and started another. Also broke my big toe..Pics upon request 😎

[SCOTI]

Well... Slow, well-done, & consistent progress is a good thing. Leaps & bounds better than 'bangin it out' quickly w/less quality.

[tucktuck]

This thing still incarcerated??

[LT7A]

I am intrigued by this build. A combination of brute force and finesse. You appeared to have had a direct set of goals and didn't get sidetracked. I like the simplicity.

I'd like to see the chassis that you're working on and hear the reasoning behind the work you're doing. Both of them. I don't seem to know what the word is for multiple chassis. Nor does the speak and spell on my phone.

[Inverter]

Originally Posted by tucktuck

This thing still incarcerated??

Yea. getting closer though. The point where all 4 panels meet on each side(door,fender,cowl,hood) wasnt designed to fit well or tight. Its a process to figure out where to cut and move being that every move of one panel affects the remaining 3 panel gaps. Im well vested in this truck so its getting finished I forecast about spring time or so. Stayin on it, I wont disappoint.

[CG]

I really like the look of your cab floor. Rubber floor mat with the hump not covered by the mat. Outside the box, but looks right.

[Inverter]

Originally Posted by LT7A

I am intrigued by this build. A combination of brute force and finesse. You appeared to have had a direct set of goals and didn't get sidetracked. I like the simplicity.
I'd like to see the chassis that you're working on and hear the reasoning behind the work you're doing. Both of them.

I spend a lot of time visualizing and mentally planning but I still just figured it out as I go along. I think most of the builders here do something similar,, you can never have all the answers ahead of time. Im not sure why I do this work. Considering its Not a necessity and my work is only a hobby. I am obsessive about the aesthetics of most things and have a Love of the innards of custom or heavily modified chassis. the culture of chassis fab has shaped me over the years I guess..

This is my latest work. Its my 98 Im rebuilding. SFBD w/ C/O’s, tri-3 Link.
2x4 1/8” wall & 1.5 round tube.
[

[Inverter]

Originally Posted by CG

I really like the look of your cab floor. Rubber floor mat with the hump not covered by the mat. Outside the box, but looks right.

Cool. When I did the auto to stick conversion i had already finished the flooring and glued it down in some places. I think its a nice contrast and easy to do. The mats and carpet , to me, never lay down well over the tall humps.