Kabwe's aka Bam's build

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by mknittle

Hey Bam,
What did you do for a nut at the lower end of the spacer? I am going to have to do somthing like that on mine. By the way your truck is really looking good!!!

I did decide to weld the spacers to the frame and I used a bolt to line up the spacer holes with the holes on the frame.

I thought long and hard over the lower end nut and as I saw it I only had two two choices.
1. I could use weld-in nuts on the top, or bottom of the spacer or on the top of the frame before I welded the spacer to the frame.
2. I could buy bolts long enough to go through the spacers and the frame.

I chose option 2. I still have the option of a weld-in bolt on top of the spacer if I were to change my mind.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

I did decide to weld the spacers to the frame and I used a bolt to line up the spacer holes with the holes on the frame.

I thought long and hard over the lower end nut and as I saw it I only had two two choices.
1. I could use weld-in nuts on the top, or bottom of the spacer or on the top of the frame before I welded the spacer to the frame.
2. I could buy bolts long enough to go through the spacers and the frame.

I chose option 2. I still have the option of a weld-in bolt on top of the spacer if I were to change my mind.

an option to thru bolting the frame... when i boxed my frame i left widows to slide the nut in to bolt the bed rails down. i didn't like the look and figured dirt and water would get in there. i welded 2x2 angle iron clips on the outside of my frame to fasten the bed rail too. if you needed to raise the bed 2'' you could use 2x4 angle and weld them in 2 up from the frame. you can see one of the angle clips in this pic

[Baldeagle SR]

Bam do you know who makes a rear spring shakel kit for a 56 GMC? I need to move my springs in closer to the frame. Thanks Rich

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

Bam do you know who makes a rear spring shakel kit for a 56 GMC? I need to move my springs in closer to the frame. Thanks Rich

Every kit I've seen sells the shackles with the springs and I don't think they move the springs that much closer to the frame if at all.

I know BCToyBox relocated his springs inside the frame rails for more room. His truck is prostreet. He used the original shackles and just reversed them, putting the driver side on the passenger. I don't know if he has pics in his build page link but here it is http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=432758.

I found the pic on his flickr page. He is a cool guy if you are interested just ask him. This pic is before the c-notch.

[Baldeagle SR]

Thanks Bam I thought about swaping the hangers . we used to do that on the 55 cars. Rich

[Baldeagle SR]

Bam I hate to be a pest another question. I have a 10 bolt chevy diff 308 possi from a 79 Camaro. I need to narrow the housing , Summit has the ends or do I need the c clip eliminator ends? I don't plan on raceing . just a nice crusser. Can I get any length axels from Moser? with or without c clips. I emalied them but didn't get an answer. Thanks Rich

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

Bam I hate to be a pest another question. I have a 10 bolt chevy diff 308 possi from a 79 Camaro. I need to narrow the housing , Summit has the ends or do I need the c clip eliminator ends? I don't plan on raceing . just a nice crusser. Can I get any length axels from Moser? with or without c clips. I emalied them but didn't get an answer. Thanks Rich

You do not need c clip eliminators. If you are going with Ford housing ends you will use a the retainer just like the ford rearends. Yes you can get any length axles you need from Mosers. My axles and housing ends are both Moser. I had bought a disk brake kit before I narrowed my rearend so I have to modify my retainers you act as the disc brake bracket also.

The retainer is on the left side.

This is the bracket/retainer I came up with.

[Baldeagle SR]

Thanks a bunch . That is what I needed to know. Rich

[oldman3]

Bam, very clever with the combo....Jim

[Rude Dude]

Bam I think you need to change the third brake light to one of these, just joking. I saw this in Sport Truck site it was on a tailgate when I saw this light first thing to come to my mind was your truck.

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by Rude Dude

Bam I think you need to change the third brake light to one of these, just joking. I saw this in Sport Truck site it was on a tailgate when I saw this light first thing to come to my mind was your truck.

That is a sweet lookin light.
where do they sell those.
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[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Rude Dude

Bam I think you need to change the third brake light to one of these, just joking. I saw this in Sport Truck site it was on a tailgate when I saw this light first thing to come to my mind was your truck.

Originally Posted by fabguy

That is a sweet lookin light.
where do they sell those.
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Rudedude I may put one on my 55 car but not on my truck I do like the light my buddy has one on his car.


Fabguy you should be able to get one from most trifive venders such as Danchucks or maybe even the car and truck shop.

[VDOG]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Rudedude I may put one on my 55 car but not on my truck I do like the light my buddy has one on his car.


Fabguy you should be able to get one from most trifive venders such as Danchucks or maybe even the car and truck shop.

Oh great, another nice, clean, beautiful 55 Chevy.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Two door hardtop Belair too - ugh, kills me. My Dad gave me his purchased-new one when I turned 16 - I didn't want it. I wanted a van (it was the 70's). What an idiot I was. Someday I WILL have another though. Hopefully to go with my truck.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Two door hardtop Belair too - ugh, kills me. My Dad gave me his purchased-new one when I turned 16 - I didn't want it. I wanted a van (it was the 70's). What an idiot I was. Someday I WILL have another though. Hopefully to go with my truck.

Dan you do not want to know the cars I've had and the ones that have gotten away. I will tell you one that I regret selling a 1966 GTO. I have many cars get away throughout the years my brothers were lowriders and anything they did not want to lowride they gave to me.lol My 55 210 is not for sell ever unless the bottom falls out financially and truck whenever its done will not be for sell either. If I get bored I will just rebuild them.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

.... selling a 1966 GTO.

Now THAT would be PAIN.

My Dad's was black with the red/orange over a rich cream interior. A 235 six and 3 speed overdrive because he didn't think the new V8 would be very good - ha ha.

If I could ever find THAT specific car I'd do whatever was necessary to buy it. I know the old license number too. I submitted a form to the DMV about 5 years ago but they couldn't find it. Might have been junked or just lost a cross reference.

[Russell Ashley]

"A 235 six and 3 speed overdrive because he didn't think the new V8 would be very good - ha ha."

Not to jump into Bam's thread, but Dan, that was a pretty common thought back in 1955 when the V8 came out.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yup, the SBC was a brand new, newfangled thingamajig.
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[Kabwe]

Not really much to report but I did get to do a little this weekend. I welded up all the interior seams and grind them smooth to give it that smooth and finished look that was lacking from the factory. I got it in primer and now it needs to be blocked sanded. I'm happy with the look so far. It was a lot of work but I've been told many times that the devil is in the details.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Not really much to report but I did get to do a little this weekend. I welded up all the interior seams and grind them smooth to give it that smooth and finished look that was lacking from the factory. I got it in primer and now it needs to be blocked sanded. I'm happy with the look so far. It was a lot of work but I've been told many times that the devil is in the details.

Hadn't been back to your thread in awhile.

That just looks outstanding! I LOVE the interior seams filled and smoothed. I knew a guy that did his with filler and had no cracking even years later and more recently there was a magazine article about doing it with a more modern fiber reinforced filler. Did you consider doing that or (be honest) would it strike you as half-assing it?

Bam, what brand/type primer do you? I THINK you mentioned it before but in your old thread.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Hadn't been back to your thread in awhile.

That just looks outstanding! I LOVE the interior seams filled and smoothed. I knew a guy that did his with filler and had no cracking even years later and more recently there was a magazine article about doing it with a more modern fiber reinforced filler. Did you consider doing that or (be honest) would it strike you as half-assing it?

Bam, what brand/type primer do you? I THINK you mentioned it before but in your old thread.

Nope Dan I did not consider it at all because I'm of the belief that if something is going to go wrong it would happen to me.lol So I always err on the side of caution. I've seen seams crack that were filled with just filler. I would never fill a seam with filler only, but I would not call anybody's work half -ass either. I just have a different comfort level thats all. I do what I'm comfortable with. I welded all the seams and then I use fiberglass reinforced filler over the seam once my welds grind down. I then used regular filler over the area to fix any imperfections. It may be over kill but it helps me sleep at night.lol

As far as the primer I use? I use SPI epoxy primer and primer surfacer you have to get it shipped its not sold locally. But since I tried and really like slicksand I use that instead of a primer surfacer and block it to perfection. It has more build which allows you to block the heck out of it and most of it will end up on the floor it you body work is good but the panel will be straight.

[hotrod1]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Nope Dan I did not consider it at all because I'm of the belief that if something is going to go wrong it would happen to me.lol So I always err on the side of caution. I've seen seams crack that were filled with just filler. I would never fill a seam with filler but I would not call anybody's work half -ass either. I just have a different comfort level thats all. I do what I'm comfortable with. I welded all the seams and then I use fiberglass reinforced filler over my welds. Over kill maybe but it helps me sleep at night.lol

I use SPI epoxy primer and primer surfacer you have to get it shipped its not sold locally. I tried and really like slicksand to get panels super straight.

Bam: I hear ya. If you are going to do it, make it right. You dont want the next guy who will own your truck (after you are done with it) to say that you were a schlock. A lot of people may say "who will see it anyways?" I will see it.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by hotrod1

Bam: I hear ya. If you are going to do it, make it right. You dont want the next guy who will own your truck (after you are done with it) to say that you were a schlock. A lot of people may say "who will see it anyways?" I will see it.

Well most likely I will never sale this truck (unless I need cash bad), but if I'm going to do something I have to live with it so I do it the best way I know how. I don't want to see cracks in the seams and call myself a schlock.lol

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by hotrod1

... If you are going to do it, make it right...

The opposite of "right" is wrong, so you're saying that using filler; fiber or not, is wrong?

I don't feel that way since I know someone who has done it successfully AND since magazines are recommending it. But I can see why it would give pause.

As for who will own my truck later or what they'll think of me? I couldn't care less. If I don't care about other's opinions of my truck or me now, why would I care about some far off, probably-after-I'm-dead owner?

My intent IS to fill/remove my interior seams and PROBABLY via mig since I now own one but I was still curious what Bam thought.
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[oldman3]

Looks great in the primer, with paint it will look super...Jim