'57 Stepside, Big Window Project

[87Lowrider]

Thanks, most of the major fab work is done so I should be getting it back soon to start getting it together like I want.

[fabguy]

Nice work, and good looking truck.

[izonme13]

Its been a month.....where's the updates!!

[87Lowrider]

Good question, I'll go by the shop Monday and check... been tied up with father in laws death, with before and after preparations.

I'm at the point of purchasing the drivetrain for it. GM Performance Connect and Cruise Kit (LS3 6.2 & 4L65e)... Should have it in a week or so.

[87Lowrider]

I stopped by the shop today. Didn't get any pictures but I have to go back this week and work on their computers so I'll get some then..

They did get some more smoothing of the body done, mounting of the third brake light below the rear window opening cut the holes for the instruments.


Ken

[Panelman55]

I love the look of the Jag IRS, I thought about either it or Vette, since I have a Panel truck and I didn't want to cut the floor inside. Are you thinking about airbags or is that the stance you were looking for? I know that vette irs can be put on airbags, I'm not sure about the Jag.



Panelman55

[87Lowrider]

Bags aren't really option mainly because the coils would have to go away to make way for them. I like the look of the coils, plus the ride should be awesome as well. I believe the stance/ride height is going to be excellent with the static drop as it is.

Frame should be going in for paint soon and other pieces powder coated as necessary.

Will be fitting the truck with new shoes shortly too. Probably go with torque thrusts or Coys (20/18) in Black Chrome maybe... saw them at Hot Rod Nats in Louisville last summer, look really nice. /Ken

[87Lowrider]

Stopped by the shop today to check on the old girl...

Here's some progress pics.. just about to tear down and make the frame pretty.





Driver side door and fender are smooth and line up well now. Thought we were going to have to replace the fender but they got it right.




Passenger Side just about ready for primer...


Here's a little fab work on the rear end;

[Kim57]

Looking real nice.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

Thanks Kim, hoping to get the ball rolling a little faster over the next few weeks... now, time to order the engine / tranny.

[-hooch-]

Man that rear end looks like it always belonged there. Real nice. Body work looks good too. That engine and tranny are gonna be so good.

[izonme13]

Did you get the truck together?

[87Lowrider]

Not yet. It's still at the Body Shop. We're purchasing a house right now and have had to route monies to that. But, I'll get it back on track later this fall. I'll have a 40'x40' shop to put it in too. WooHoo!! /Ken

[RockinKees]

87Lowrider, hope your is comming along!
I've read your thread just now and it's looking great!

I'm building mine with a Jag IRS (and IFS) also.
Do you have any updates yet?

[Richd-X]

Nice thread... I am also chucking a '55 Stepside together with Jaguar front and rear full suspension, struggle to find the time to start my own build thread- but thanks for taking the time to put these up!
Cold over here in the UK- so watching this makes me more enthusiastic about braving the temperature.... so I'll have to fire up the welder to warm up!

Rich

[87Lowrider]

I stopped by the shop a couple days ago. No big rush there with lots going on with other projects, mine is patiently waiting. But, it looks to be heading out to have the frame powder coated / painted shortly.

I'm still working on drive train gathering. All the body work is done and waiting for re-assembly after the frame gets pretty.

Then it comes home for me to start finishing it off. Hoping to have it on the road this summer.

Ken

[87Lowrider]

Should have some good frame pics shortly and the cab and bed are being prepped for paint... doing a deep blue exterior with saddle color interior. /Ken

[87Lowrider]

Stopped by the shop and they finally got the frame back today...

Here's what I started with after teardown and before I got all the original mounts and cross members removed;





To This;







Next week starts paint and re-assembly...

[Kim57]

Looks real nice.
Kim

[murd969]

Nice looking build. It's coming along real nice. The finished project should look awesome.

[87Lowrider]

The picture doesn't do the color justice, (the swirls are the clouds reflections) but I went and saw it in person and the darker of the two is almost black at one angle and the deepest / darkest blue I've seen when the sun hits it... I'm going with the darker of the two for the exterior and the separator stripe is a "Saddle" color for the interior. /Ken

[Kim57]

That's going to look great when done.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

Thanks,

Looking at wheel options...

What do you think?



verses

[87Lowrider]

Suspension got a fresh black coat and hung this week .. /Ken

[smbrouss70]

Looks good! I'd definitely have to go with the grey wheels.