57 GMC, frame swap, 4wd, 454 big block, 4 speed

[Old57]

Originally Posted by CUCV2

Maybe I missed it but do you have any shots of the "marriage" to the K20 frame. I'd like to see how you did it.

See post #6, I used the EZ brackets. But I had to make spacers to set the cab level. I also shortened the donor frame 8" to get the 124" wheelbase I needed for my 57 long bed.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by Desert_Eagle02

Awesome build thread. Will be following. I would love to build one in the future.

Thanks!

[Old57]

I haven't done much on the truck lately with holidays and work, but I got a few more parts in. I was planning to use the brake/clutch pedal assembly from the 73 donor truck, but I wasn't happy with how it looked and fit. I searched for options, and thought about building something, then I came across this firewall mounted brake/clutch pedal assembly from Kugel Komponents. It'll fit perfect, looks clean and simple, and will fit with an 8" power brake booster and clear the clutch master cylinder. I'll add a triangulated brace from it to the dash at the column drop, and up to the cowl. I also got a high volume aluminum short water pump for the big block, a 3hp high torque mini starter, an HEI distributor and plug wires, and a straight polished stainless steering column with a column drop and lower column mount. I ordered an American Auto Wire turn signal toggle switch (PN 500148) for the dash, but it isn't here yet. That will keep the column nice and clean, and no bulky bolt on signal assembly. Today, I installed the HEI, starter, water pump, and steering column, but I didn't get pics of that. I'll get the pedal assembly in and then get a few more pics before long.

[6BT 56]

Just logged on for the 1 st time in a few years . Love,your build . I think I should have gone your route when I did my make over . My truck leaves a bit to be desired in the handleing dept. I think I have pics of my wheels on there somewhere . Same as I gather your planning. They suit these old trucks .

Great build . Keep it up.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Just logged on for the 1 st time in a few years . Love,your build . I think I should have gone your route when I did my make over . My truck leaves a bit to be desired in the handleing dept. I think I have pics of my wheels on there somewhere . Same as I gather your planning. They suit these old trucks .

Great build . Keep it up.

Thanks, I haven't had much progress in the way of getting work done to the truck lately, but I've been ordering parts to stock up for the next push on it.

[Old57]

I got my cooling fans, dual Spal 11" high output fans and shroud. I also installed the steering column and a temporary steering wheel. I got the steering u-joints installed and cut a piece of DD shaft to length. I need to mark the shaft to drill it for the set screws and remove it to do that. Pay no attention to the wiring mess and spark plug wires all over the place... that will get cleaned up when I run all of the wires nice and to where they need to go. I dropped off my wheels today to get powder coated, and hopefully will be getting tires ordered soon. I also ordered a U.S. Radiator copper/brass cross flow, triple pass radiator. It should be here Thursday, then I can mount it and the fans. Hopefully the cooling will be handled for the big block. After that, the front clip and doors will come back off to get media blasted and sprayed in epoxy primer. I also got some rolls of tubing to start making fuel and brake lines. Slow progress, but it's progress.

[6BT 56]

Looks good. I'm going to look up that pedal Assy you used. Looks like a nice piece. I'd like to do that to mine. What are you doing for wiper motor on yours ?

[Old57]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Looks good. I'm going to look up that pedal Assy you used. Looks like a nice piece. I'd like to do that to mine. What are you doing for wiper motor on yours ?

I'm really happy with how the pedal assembly fits. For a wiper motor, I don't have one yet. My truck was originally a vacuum wiper motor, and I want to go with an electric one. I've been looking at the Newport wiper motor, and will probably go with that unless I can find a better option.

[joedoh]

nice pedal set!

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice new parts and more nice work on the truck!

[Old57]

My radiator showed up today. I got the 55-57 cross flow from US Radiator, with their optima core and triple pass. I'll get it mounted in and get the dual Spal fans mounted, then I can pull the front clip off to get it and the doors blasted and sprayed in primer.

[Old57]

I temporarily fit the radiator in the truck and held the fans in place today. I made a good solid mount for the fans to the radiator. I'm getting about ready to pull the front clip and doors back off to get them blasted and primed. I still need to cut and weld a couple spots on the front of the doors and back of the fenders to get the gaps a little better first.

[Old57]

I'm not sure why the pictures keep posting sideways. They are turned right when I select them to attach to the post.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Old57

I'm not sure why the pictures keep posting sideways. They are turned right when I select them to attach to the post.

if you are attaching them from a computer, its because the computer is automatically orienting them "right side up" to view on the screen instead of showing them "as they were taken". when you attach them here, the forum software does not look at what should be the correct orientation, it only looks at how they were taken, so it will be sideways.

there are two ways to fix it:

1. when you are taking pictures pay attention to the orientation of the camera icon on the screen, if its sideways, the picture will be sideways. shake the phone/camera a little and it will reorient to "right side up". then take your picture, and it will show correctly on the computer and upload correctly.

2. for pictures you have already taken, I recommend selecting them in your picture viewer (however you upload them from the camera) and choosing FILE--->EXPORT and export them to your desktop. this breaks the picture viewer correcting the image and you will see them as sideways on your desktop (if they are indeed sideways). double clicking will open another picture editor, and almost always you have the option to rotate the picture. once you rotate it, save it (by closing) and upload from the desktop location.


eventually you will watch that little camera icon like a hawk and you will never (almost never) have another sideways picture.

[Old57]

Ok cool, thanks! I'll give that a try

Originally Posted by joedoh

if you are attaching them from a computer, its because the computer is automatically orienting them "right side up" to view on the screen instead of showing them "as they were taken". when you attach them here, the forum software does not look at what should be the correct orientation, it only looks at how they were taken, so it will be sideways.

there are two ways to fix it:

1. when you are taking pictures pay attention to the orientation of the camera icon on the screen, if its sideways, the picture will be sideways. shake the phone/camera a little and it will reorient to "right side up". then take your picture, and it will show correctly on the computer and upload correctly.

2. for pictures you have already taken, I recommend selecting them in your picture viewer (however you upload them from the camera) and choosing FILE--->EXPORT and export them to your desktop. this breaks the picture viewer correcting the image and you will see them as sideways on your desktop (if they are indeed sideways). double clicking will open another picture editor, and almost always you have the option to rotate the picture. once you rotate it, save it (by closing) and upload from the desktop location.


eventually you will watch that little camera icon like a hawk and you will never (almost never) have another sideways picture.

[Old57]

I picked up my wheels from the powder coater this morning. They sand blasted them and powder coated them in cream white. This will also be the color of my grill, headlight bezels and bumpers. I have 4 nice hubcaps like the one on the wheel that will be getting the centers repainted like original late 60's - early 70's 3/4 ton caps.

[Old57]

Joedoh, I made sure to hold my phone straight up when taking the pics, and they are turned right in my gallery, and also loaded onto my computer and turned right when viewed, but still load sideways. I'm going to see if I can change some pic settings on my phone or something and see if I can get it figured out.

[joedoh]

your latest pictures are showing as square pictures, 642x642 pixels, so it looks like you have a square photo setting turned on. either through the app you are taking pictures with or in the phone settings for the camera. check for an "orientation lock", its job is to disable the gyros so the orientation never changes.

is there a camera icon visible? like this in the upper right corner?



make sure its right side up when you take the picture. if you turn the camera sideways it should switch. I know I am repeating myself and I am sorry, but I didnt have a picture of it

[Old57]

Yes, I have that camera icon on my phone. It auto rotates if I turn my phone, but I took these pictures with the phone straight up and the camera icon straight up. I'll keep messing with it. Thanks!

Originally Posted by joedoh

your latest pictures are showing as square pictures, 642x642 pixels, so it looks like you have a square photo setting turned on. either through the app you are taking pictures with or in the phone settings for the camera. check for an "orientation lock", its job is to disable the gyros so the orientation never changes.

is there a camera icon visible? like this in the upper right corner?



make sure its right side up when you take the picture. if you turn the camera sideways it should switch. I know I am repeating myself and I am sorry, but I didnt have a picture of it

[Old57]

I got the tires today, and had them mounted on my wheels. I finally have it sitting on its own again. The tires are 255/85-r16, which is a 33x10. It has the stance I was looking for. I think it looks really tough. I need to get the hub caps repainted and then the wheels will be done. Hopefully I can get the front clip and doors pulled back off soon to get blasted and primed.

[6BT 56]

It looks great . Did you get 4x4 caps that had the hole for the hub already? I had to cut mine out . Those caps are made of quality material . Took some time to do a nice job. Keep up the great work. Stance is perfect.

[OutlawDrifter]

I'm not a 4x4 guy, but your pickup looks killer!

[Old57]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

It looks great . Did you get 4x4 caps that had the hole for the hub already? I had to cut mine out . Those caps are made of quality material . Took some time to do a nice job. Keep up the great work. Stance is perfect.

I have 4 nice driver quality caps, but I need to cut the centers out of 2 for the front. After I do that, I'll repaint the caps like factory. I'm not sure if I want to do the center bowtie in the earlier blue or the later gold yet. Thanks!

[joedoh]

outstanding! love the skinny tall look

[Old57]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

I'm not a 4x4 guy, but your pickup looks killer!

Thanks! Have you been driving yours much and getting all the little things fixed?