56 Cameo build

[tbrown5079]

Installed the 2" drop spindles. Love the stance! Downside is I found a bad ball joint so I got all 4 Moog balljoints for under $90 from Amazon with free shipping. One more project.

[Kim57]

Nice stance.
Kim

[tbrown5079]

Finally picked the tires. I thought I would have more choices, but 15" tires are a thing of the past. Happy with the stance, but I think a bumper tuck is in order.We are going to stick with the painted bumper, weld the bolts in, and narrow it a bit. Haven't decided whether to paint it red or argent silver to match the wheels. Anyone have Chip Foose's number?
Finishing up under the dash and steering column. Going pretty well, I have been putting it off because it can be frustrating.

[Kim57]

Looks good.
Kim

[ptc]

Nice build - good to see another one nearing completion!

[tbrown5079]

The hood brace would not clear the air cleaner so my buddy made a circle out of 5/16" steel rod and I made a gig to keep everything in place. worked out ok.

[Kim57]

Nice fix.
Kim

[tbrown5079]

Took the bed to the painters except for the insides. Instead of filling the dings with bondo and trying to get them straight I am going to glue aluminum panels to the sides. It worked well on the tailgate so I'm hoping it works well on the sides.
Steering column is almost done except for putting on the horn button. Mounted and wired the horn today so maybe I can finish tomorrow!

[Oldtruckwelder]

Nice build, great skills !!
I let a cameo escape me years ago and enjoy seeing the progress you are making.
JT from SC

[Kim57]

Nice wheel.
Panel looks good.
Kim

[tbrown5079]

Gluing the panel on isn't as easy as it sounds. We had to make sure there are no high spots which meant shrinking the metal to stop the oil canning. Really neat process, but it works. Spent today grinding down to bare metal around the edges for a good bond. Tomorrow we will borrow the glue applicator from the local body shop to finish the deal.

[hotrod1]

What process did you use to shrink it? I have seen videos on the tube. Can you enlighten us?

[tbrown5079]

Found the highest spot, heated cherry red, hammer and dolly around the outside of the heat spot, then quench with a wet rag. The extra metal sinks down in the hotspot. Kept working around using a 4' level to check the progress. Take your time.

[tbrown5079]

Got The bed back from the painters. He did an awesome job. I need to decide what to put under the cameo sides to seal them to the bedrail. I'm going to check with the local pickup cap dealer to see what they use to seal the caps on the bottom.

[Kim57]

Looks great
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Very nice!

[ratty 46]

Now that looks slippery ... and very RED - NICE.

R46

[tbrown5079]

After many years with long days and nights in the garage, ( with a little help from my friends ) I put the plates and insurance on the cameo. Now it is time to enjoy. Wish me luck! Thanks to all who have given advice, information, and words of encouragement. Tbrown

[Kim57]

Looks great.
Congrats.
Kim

[oldman3]

Yes congrats on the finish, sweet looking ride...Jim

[ptc]

Wow very nice to see it all finished! Hope you can make a little video of it running and driving along.... Its a great looking truck.

Enjoy!!!!

[tbrown5079]

Thank you all. Took it to the gas station and one trip down main street. Don't want to get too excited until I get the front aligned.

[tbrown5079]

Hey Guys, been a while since I last posted, so I wanted to let you all know how the truck is doing and what changes I've made. I took the 2" drop spindles because the front settled down and it was too low. Also changed the original oil pan to a Holley from Summit. It lines up with the crossmember. I scored on a set of chrome rear bumper ends so I sprang for a chrome front bumper and hood ornament. The local fab shop is bending me a piece to match the ends and we will make a steel rear bumper. Just finished wiring up the neutral safety switch and backup lights that comes on the 4L60E. Thanks to Nova 71 on the LSX swaps site. Made a hood prop up rod from parts from a junk yard. Lots more little projects, but really enjoy doing the little improvements one at a time and not having the truck down for more than a day or two. Tbrown

[tbrown5079]

Here is the new look.

[oldman3]

Very nice...Jim