Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[Dan in Pasadena]

July 28, 2016

Can anyone tell me which of these holes I need to keep for the stock tailgate and stock tail light mounting?

I want to fill all unused holes and I can't remember!

It SEEMS like the three holes above the two lowest ones in the first picture are factory, but if so what were they for? On the lower photo, it again seems like the three holes above the larger, main tailgate pivot are factory, but why do I need them?





Any/all help appreciated. Thanks, Dan

Status Update for the Record
The painter has completed all repair work on the bed sides and we met to finalize locations to be drilled to mount the angle strips on the bedside so that holes will be primed. We counted six locations for bolts into bedsides. One in each stake pocket and the other four will be hidden by the fender later.
This leaves one angle strip hole NOT having a corresponding bolt through the bedside - which is fine because I will never carry any significant weight in the bed and I don't want a visible bolt/nut through the beside exterior.

[Rude Dude]

Dan one the end of tailgate I only have one were the trunion bolts through you have 3 additional holes someone drilled.

[Rude Dude]

Your top picture has additional holes also. the holes should line up with rear most cross sill and light bracket

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Rudy! I'd given up hope anyone was going to answer my question. I figured the three holes were extra above the tri ion hole but they looked nicely done so o wondered if they could have possibly been factory?

[Rude Dude]

Dan
I keep a copy of Factory Assembly Manual 55-59 in garage. I bought it used on Ebay for ten bucks it really comes in handy when I get stuck on how things go back together. I think they have them at the all the parts suppliers and Amazon if you want new copy around 25-30 dollars. Very helpful for us old farts with short term memory!

[ChuckDriver]

Yep I agree, don't think you need the ones above the tailgate mount!

[Dan in Pasadena]

August 17, 2016

Probably some of you will criticize this but here's the latest:

Painter advises my body work is complete*. We're 2-3 weeks away from shooting color but once I get it painted I don't have a completed chassis to sit it on!

I haven't exactly "procrastinated" as much as real life happened. Last weekend we held the memorial service for my mother; she passed at age 91-1/2 after being in hospice care since January and me driving from LA (I'm working on the Metro Crenshaw project, for you locals) to Orange County every other day to visit, bring her things, etc. The cost of her care has been split among three siblings but it was high and not knowing how things would shake out I was unsure of funds while also having no time.

All this leads up to yesterday. I have found a fabricator I intended to have install my IFS and flip my rearend (that DOES sound weird) Yada, yada, yada, he asks, "...what drive train are you putting in this beautifully painted truck? Not some smoking old 283, are you?" I actually laughed out loud telling him mine wasn't "smoking" but I do have a 283/350TH and I already know it has a weak cylinder. The conversation switched to power plants/transmissions and I am now considering an LS3/4l80e power train.

Yes, expensive. There, said it.

I turn 62 in December, I plan to retire when I turn 63. I've had an agency car for the last 10-12 years, completely paid. I'll need a daily after retirement and the rationalization I am drugging myself with is that the '55 will be it. Therefore, the cost is about equivalent to buying a nicely optioned new Silverado, or Hylander Hybrid(my agency car)....

So if I commit to this -and right now I am thinking I will - my new-in-box Fatman Fabrications IFS kit will be for sale as will some other stuff I have gathered for my build. I will go with C4 IFS using Flatout crossmember - something I kinda wanted anyway before finding the Fatman kit.

Feel free to comment, criticize, or...you can hand me some more crack for my pipe and tell me my rationalization is right on! Mom's passing made me face mortality a little more and if I can swing it, well WTF!

*= Adding driver side gas filler door to rear fender.

[Kim57]

Sorry for your loss.
As far as the tuck goes it sounds like a great idea to me.
LS power and vette suspension is very cool.
I often think about what I would do if I could turn back the clock but I'm just too far into it at this point.
Kim

[Valarius_Starchaser]

Best update ever on the truck LS for the win!

As far as your mothers passing sorry she had to go deepest condolences to you in your families time of grieving

[Advanced Design]

So sorry to learn of your Mom's passing.

The rationalization would be what makes you happy and fits with your financial goals. The 55 will be really nice and if it works for a dd, that is icing on the cake. Maybe you could still build the 55 nice, then find a dd that fills the need and is in the budget. Might be better than stressing over the nice 55 getting door dinged in a parking lot.

[Flysocal]

Sounds great. ls3/4l80 is a huge step up. Get what you want but just a consideration: a 5.3/4l60 would make a really nice DD in a truck. You could still run the Fatman ifs I think. I decided to change direction slightly with mine. Switched from an ls1 to a 5.3 with LL comp cam. I have want to drive it daily and want it to drive and pull like a truck.

[ricott]

I normally don't comment, but I would second the argument for finding a low mileage 5.3 motor/tranny pullout from a Chevy truck. These can be had a lot cheaper, and if you are getting a pullout with 75k or less, you should have100,000 worry free miles. Once the bugs are worked out, you will be so glad you went with the LS engine. My son and I built a LS powered 1966 GTO that for the last several years has been a daily driver. I have been from Memphis to Idaho/Montana and back - and the car drove like a dream. With the corvette suspension, you will never get out of the truck! Good luck with your project - it is looking great.

Ricky

[ChuckDriver]

Sorry for your lose Dan.

Wow, a 180 reversal of plans, I like it!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi everyone. Hi JJ,

First, thank so much for the kind words about my mom. She was a helluva lady. She's the reason my family moved out of East L.A. - a tough neighborhood even in the mid 50's. She thought there would be too many bad temptations for a boy - I was 18 months old. And that's the reason our family has prospered. All the kids/now adults are well educated, good careers. The next generation - my kids age - are full of college degrees, even an attorney (my daughter I'm proud to say). ALL because of the determination of one woman. Mom was a force, but a kindly, loving force.

The builder I'm using also said the 5.3 would do everything I want except provide "follow on power." I said, "What's follow on power?" His reply is that 9 of 10, 4.8 and 5.3 LS conversions he does, the owner comes back in a year or two saying they wish they had "just a bit more power." He said to give them what they want it's about $1000 from him. But the 6.0 is only $500 more in the first place from him. He replaces all rings, bearings and seals on all the LS swaps he does. He will do a Hime job if it needs it. He warranties them too unless they're a forced induction build; mine won't be.

PS: His claim on the 4l60 is they have some cast parts in them, even a couple(?) plastic parts in them. He prefers to use the 4l80's. Says there are numerous upgrades that can be made to the 60 for increased HP but only a few for the 80. Again, the price differential is minimal, the granny's are rebuilt and he warranties them. I feel pretty good about using the 6.0/4l80 combo.

[Russell Ashley]

Dan, I'm sorry to hear about your Mom, but it seems that she lived long enough to see her children do well and make something of themselves. That had to be a blessing for her and the best thing that children can do to make parents happy.

I agree with Ricott, I think a 5.3 with a 4LXX would be my choice. More power than a stock 5.3 has would only make your rear tires wear out faster, LOL. They are surprisingly inexpensive around here and make good power in stock form. I have one in my 2002 Suburban and it moves the Suburban around surprisingly well. It has 185K miles and still runs and sounds like new.

[oldman3]

Dan, like the rest, sorry to hear of your mothers passing. Sounds like a great lady. My son and I have installed 4 LS 5.3's in different cars and trucks. That have all ran great and get good gas milage...Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Russ,
Thank you for your condolences. Mom's are the toughest. I guess at some level mom's are still "mommy" to us. At least she was to me.

The fabricator; Mike, just did a round trip to Bonneville last weekend in his own truck with an LS3 in it and claims he got right at 22mpg. I don't know if he's "marketing" to me (probably!) but it sounds consistent with what I've read online about these engines when they're stock.

[BlueJeep]

Mine's been averaging 22mpg with a mix of city and highway driving. Stock 5.3/4L60e, 3.50 rear end, 235/75R15 rear tires on 87 octane gas. Last tank was mostly city driving and was 20.5mpg. It is very do-able, however I believe the 4L80 will drop a couple mpg's from what I'm seeing.

[ChuckDriver]

Dan, check out the October issue of Street Rodder, it has a article on a LS 5.3 cam swap that netted a 70 HP increase!

[ptc]

Dan - late reply... but sorry about your Mom! - lost mine many years ago and still miss her --- missing everything in my life and her grandkids growing up. Now I have grandkids!!! thats life.

and the truck? ---- Make it what YOU WANT---- life is too short to take short cuts, live it FULL and ENJOY every moment like its your last. Life will just be better that way!

Truck is looking good!


p

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks for the kind and thoughtful words PTC. It's exactly the thoughts you mentioned about life being short etc. That made me pretty much decide just go ahead and do what you want, spend the money if need be, it's a one time thing.

I'm more than a little surprised that many of the the opinions seem to be in favor of the 5.3 over the 6.0. I guess I thought it would be the opposite. Guys trying to talk me into the highest performance or "more exotic" set up.

[Flysocal]

Take a look at blue jeeps setup. The way the truck intake with the vortec cover fills the engine bay looks good to me. The car intake looks too racy for a truck but that's only my opinion. Guys have been able to fit 4l60s into ADs with no firewall mods not sure about yours. 4l80s need tunnels. But a ls3/4l80 will be a kick ass setup no doubt! Can't wait to see more progress. Can you recommend a local painter? I should be ready for paint in 6-8 months I'm doing my own body work.

[Rude Dude]

Sorry about your loss Dan but we move on with the loved ones in our hearts and memories. I recently lost a younger brother who took his own life battling booze addiction. Mom lost him and a sister and brother in a week real hard on that old woman but she moved on.
Now on your truck your worst than me. I would say get frame and engine sorted out first than paint and upholstery last. I know you have the truck at painters but are you not afraid it will get scratched when put on the frame? Well I am little different both mine haven't left the premises and I rather do stuff a little at a time now that I am retired.
The 5.3 motor is a good choice, the 6.0 does eat a little more fuel when punch computer or not. The guys say oh I get 22 mpg, yeah on a cool day with the wind behind your back. The choice on LS motor is good and tranny can't beat, now you will need a new rear end with 3.73 gears to go with over drive tranny. More changes what a nightmare well you will be happy once it done but don't get to crazy a daily driver gets beat up more than a trailer queen.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Flysocal & Rudy!

Rudy, I feel terrible for your mom and for you. Your losses were huge. Losing my mom was hard but she lived a very long life, most of which was good. Only the end months in hospice was terribly hard for her. She couldn't deal with losing her independence and some dignity. But if we live long enough you can bet we'll all lose independence and someone will be feeding us...and worse. I'm glad the hard time is over for her and she rests peacefully.

As to the truck, I can't really say I LIKE the looks of the coils on the valve covers, huge intake/plastic cover things. I've seen guys make them look better but I'm not sure "looks good" applies. Maybe I'm too old school, I like the look of a raw aluminum intake manifold, a finned set of valve covers, air cleaner and Chevy orange otherwise - yeah I know, you young guys are rolling your eyes, lol.

[Nut Case]

Dan

Sorry for your loss, mothers are typically the hub of the family wheel, in my opinion. For me the good memories are the thing that I have focused on that has helped me adjust, with my mothers passing.

It's your truck make it what you want, Ive never heard anyone say " I wish I had used a smaller engine".

Keep on keepin on

Nut Case