New 1957 Project

[OYMC]

Great work! Are you planning on using those wheels, or do you have something else in mind?

[renegade6]

The gas filler was from a 76 Chevrolet fleetside pickup and the cap is from a 76 step side. The filler tube is an exhaust pipe that I had bent and the vent is a piece of galvanized conduit.

I plan on getting different rims and tires. Probably will go down to 33s and a bit narrower with Mickey Thompson classic rims

[renegade6]

Latest updates.

It's been gone for a few months getting the interior done. I am very happy with the interior, just a few things left to do with the rest of the truck:

-Tunes. Thinking about a secret audio unit. I really don't feel like messing up the dash (again).

-Valve covers. I have a pair of powder coated late model Corvette Valve covers

-New brackets for PS pump and alternator.

-New air cleaner. Torn between an oval one and one of the early 50s Buick ones.

-Fix the leak on the transmission countershaft cover gasket

Anyway, here are the pictures.

[renegade6]

More pictures.

[waybad]

Man,, that is just 2 sweet

[BlueJeep]

Were there any markings on the rear bumper as to the manufacturer of it? I really like it.

[renegade6]

No markings on it at all. I think it was made in California, I remember a 59 having the same type of bumper on it when I was younger. It originally had longer sides that extended along the side of the rear fenders. You can see how it originally looked in my before pictures.

[jimig1]

that interior looks sharp

[1985-GMC]

The truck looks great! The bumper looks like a dealer bumper

[Kim57]

The interior looks great.
Kim

[jbclassix]

awesome build!

[renegade6]

I've had a bit of free time on my hands to do some more thinking. The big question now is sound system. Which radio and where am I going to put the speakers.

I thought about a hidden audio but, the reviews aren't all that hot. I saw on another board that some folks have used marine radios and found some good alternatives that are cheaper and probably better than hidden audio but, use the same concept. I really don't want to cut the dash up any more. The control panel will go in the glove compartment and the main box under the seat.

This is what I'm thinking about using.

[BC Toy chest]

Renegade6 gr8 job, please keep the pictures coming. Like your interior.

[edge]

Like your build, good looking truck for sure.

[renegade6]

I've finally decided on a stereo. I have some free time to shop on line and decided I may as well do it.

It will be a while until I can install it. Now, to decide what speakers, where and which amplifier.

[bajabob]

nice work, how does everything work so far ??? Anything you would do different if you had the chance ???

[renegade6]

Where do I begin...

Just a few thoughts:

-Not put the AC vents in the dash and instead, put an extension on the bottom of the dash for the radio and AC vents.
-Use a different parking brake. I would have rather kept the original style or used a commercial truck style that is on the floor next to the seat.
-Use aluminum AC lines instead of the rubber ones. Same goes for the AC lines from the bulkhead to the evaporator.
-Put the sound system in before the upholstery. Not undoable now but, just makes it a bit harder to do now.
-Put the side windows in and modifications to the doors before it was painted. When I put them in, I ground off a spot of paint that will have to be redone.
-Hung the doors and adjusted them before final paint.
-Used a different firewall port for the wiring. I have a billet one now but, I'm not wild about it.


That's it for now but, I'm sure I'll think of more regrets later.

[spike38]

Great looking build!

Spike

[57picupnewbie]

Awesome build and thank you for your service, stay safe and God speed! I love some of your ideas. The paint color is wonderful. I will be following your thread. I contacted the place that made your headliner to see if I could have one made. I am in GA, so droppinng off my truck is not an option. Now, I would like to do something for you.
If you look at my thread, you will see that I am dedicating in honor of two of my buddies that we all lost in Iraq & Afganistan. It is also to all who has served, been a POW/MIA/KIA. Michael, my buddy that was an EOD tech, that was killed in September has a scholorship fund set up in his name here at our local high school. I started making Paracord Survial Bracelets to raise money for his scholorship fund, the Wounded Warrior Program, and to help with my dedication build. I send troops deployed free bracelets when asked as long as I can. I would like to send you one. I need your wrist size. Just measure with a string until it is snug. I will add an inch for comfort as I weave it. This is Desert CAMO. Send me a good mailing address to hannond@windstream.net. Here is a picture and thanks again for what you are doing.

[waybad]

how much are they, my neighbor kid deploys back to Afghanistan soon,I would like to get him one.
ktchct@yahoo.com
thanks TC

[56taskforce]

Brandon It is very nice I hope my 56 turns out this good
I got to ask for more info on the elimination of the wing windows though I have only been able to briefly read through your thread as I got to get to work so sorry if you covered that and I missed it. I would like to eliminate the wing windows on two of my trucks my 56 and 64. again great work!!!

[renegade6]

Originally Posted by 56taskforce

Brandon It is very nice I hope my 56 turns out this good
I got to ask for more info on the elimination of the wing windows though I have only been able to briefly read through your thread as I got to get to work so sorry if you covered that and I missed it. I would like to eliminate the wing windows on two of my trucks my 56 and 64. again great work!!!

I purchased a glass kit from Classic truck glass. The instructions for eliminating the vent windows comes with it and it was pretty easy to do. Just make sure you inspect your glass as soon as you get it to make sure it isn't chipped or anything ...

[renegade6]

Originally Posted by 57picupnewbie

Awesome build and thank you for your service, stay safe and God speed! I love some of your ideas. The paint color is wonderful. I will be following your thread. I contacted the place that made your headliner to see if I could have one made. I am in GA, so droppinng off my truck is not an option. Now, I would like to do something for you.
If you look at my thread, you will see that I am dedicating in honor of two of my buddies that we all lost in Iraq & Afganistan. It is also to all who has served, been a POW/MIA/KIA. Michael, my buddy that was an EOD tech, that was killed in September has a scholorship fund set up in his name here at our local high school. I started making Paracord Survial Bracelets to raise money for his scholorship fund, the Wounded Warrior Program, and to help with my dedication build. I send troops deployed free bracelets when asked as long as I can. I would like to send you one. I need your wrist size. Just measure with a string until it is snug. I will add an inch for comfort as I weave it. This is Desert CAMO. Send me a good mailing address to hannond@windstream.net. Here is a picture and thanks again for what you are doing.

Thanks.

[renegade6]

Finally ordered and received my steering wheel. I looked forever until I found something that I would like. Didn't want a complete custom billet one but, something more conservative.

Con2R has some pretty good options and they were able make a custom horn button with a center cap emblem from a 59 Impala.

Now, just to get home to install it.

[Kim57]

That's very nice.
Kim