My 55 Chevy 4X4

[marc55]

I got the storage box welded in and painted the bottom of the floor.


I added some nuts to the floor for some eye bolts to use as tie downs. Also some mounting points in the front and back to mount a truck rack if I want to build one later.

[marc55]

My bed is back from the sand blaster and I decided to replace the angle bed strips. They only cost $22 but that equals 5 hours of cursing in the garage. Hard to set things up with out a helper to hold things. My mid March goal is slipping hope fully I will have the bed in primer this week and the whole thing finished by the end of the month.

[rgunlock]

A lot of work going into this bed. Looks like your bed floor mods will make it very functional. Almost 2 weeks left in March, no problem to finish!

[marc55]

It's not going to be a work truck but I am going to use it like a truck. I think all the mods was worth the extra time. I also got the bed in primer yesterday.

[marc55]

Making little progress. My front bed panel was beat up just enough I decided to replace it. I am now going on a week and a half waiting for this part.

I am also putting in a tail gate hinge and hidden latches so I was able to put in the latches.


I was going to use a hinge for my bed box door but I did not like the gap I had to cut out of the door for the hinge to work.


So I made the door removable. It just kinda forks in. I also put some nuts on the underside so I can bolt it down for a very week form of security.


I am debating on weather or not to use the gasket between the fender and bed side and would like to know what people are doing or if I really should use them.

[marc55]

The bed is assembled. I got a new rear bumper. I am going to convert the tail gate to a hinge and also need to modify the bumper mount.

[marc55]

Unfortunately not much to report. Other than my blood, sweat, and tears, scratch that blood, sweat, tears, and medical bills story. I though I got a sliver from by shoe but could not find anything. 2 days later foot pain sent me to the doctor who cold not find anything, but the next day the X-ray did. one of the 1/2" wires from my wire wheel got imbedded in my foot so deep they had to cut my foot open to get it out. The only problem I was laid up with pain because the sliver went abscess and after my foot was cut open I now have to heal from that.

I did manage to get my tailgate on and the hitch clamped in place.

[marc55]

I finished adapting the hitch and the bumper brackets so it will bolt to the frame.

[rgunlock]

Ouch! All the way through the shoe and into the foot? That sucker was flying! Bed looks great and that hitch should get the job done - nice!

[RockTonka]

Glad to hear you're back on it...those wire wheel missiles are the devil! I'll find them embedded in my clothes, hair, arms...everywhere. Well, except in the bottom of my foot...you must have been trying on that one.

[marc55]

Thanks, I usually look like a porcupine after using them. Probably didn't help it was a harbor freight wheel. It fell inside my shoe and must have gotten propped up just right I went to play basket ball with my son and bang one jump shot drove it in.
I am back on track now next week I will do my tailgate hinge and mount the tail lights.

[marc55]

Made some good progress this week. The bumper and hitch is mounted also placed my tail lights.

[marc55]

Also installed my tailgate hinge and some blank offs for the bed rail.

[marc55]

The bed is done and I have moved on to the cab. Not as much work needed as I thought. I have a couple rust holes to fix in the cab. I also need to figure out what to do drain wise with the front cab pillar. I think I am going to leave it more open with just a shield to keep road spray out. I will also fill most of the holes in the firewall. I have my seat in now and am setting up the steering column. I don't know if my seat is higher than most but as I look a pictures of other trucks it looks like a lot of people are using 3" drops. I prefer the column closer to the dash and am going to use a 1 1/2" drop. I want to make a center console but I can't make one that goes to the floor because I want to mount my gas pedal more to the right for comfort. I am 6 feet tall and leg room is just a tad short and moving the gas pedal about 4" right helps. So I am thinking some kind of roll pan that comes down and goes back to the firewall might work. The hardest project is going to be making a fake grill/vent to hide the pocket I mad in the dash. First project in the cab was making some blank off plates for the back corner they unbolt so I can clean out if needed. I gave up on doing the doors myself and took them to the sand blaster to have the jams done.

[rgunlock]

Bed turned out nice Marc. I like the hinges you put in to replace chains. Having a hard time visualizing the dash mods you are talking about. Guess I'll have to wait until you get onto that project.

[marc55]

Thanks right now it is just in my head. I just want to make a extension below the center of the dash but does not go all the way to the floor. I have a bench seat. If any one has pics or ideas I am open to suggestion.

[marc55]

I got my drop and set up my steering column where I wanted it. I still need to find a steering wheel and I will probally lower the column about another 2"


Also filled some of the holes in the firewall. left most of the higher ones for my wiring. You can see I am cheating with the washers but it worked great. A lot easier than cutting the rounds by hand.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by marc55

I got my drop and set up my steering column where I wanted it. I still need to find a steering wheel and I will probally lower the column about another 2"
Attachment 1400676
Attachment 1400677
Also filled some of the holes in the firewall. left most of the higher ones for my wiring. You can see I am cheating with the washers but it worked great. A lot easier than cutting the rounds by hand.
Attachment 1400678
Attachment 1400679

which is worst cheating or stealing??? cuz ima steal your washer trick!!! very nice build...

[Rods57]

Nice progress, the hitch looks great.

[marc55]

good progress this week. I was not liking my dash pocket. It was too big and just did not look right so I filled it in.

I also started to mock up a center console. something to hold the stereo and a small dash pocket below. Probably will mount the power window switches on it also.



Also thinking about making some kind of hidden cup holders that will slide out from the bottom.

[marc55]

I was going back and forth on what to do with my pillar drains. I decided to leave them more open with the theory that they will dry out easier and I can get in their to clean them out if stuff does get in their. So I just added some shielding to block road spray from getting in from the bottom.

[marc55]

Doors, one fender and grill mounts came back from the sand blaster. Got then in primer. Only thing left to primer is driver fender and hood.






only one small rust spot in the fender.

[marc55]

I got the passenger door and fender installed. Most of the gap is ok considering how they came from the factory.



I have a wow wow in the lower part of the front door and rocker I am going to have to deal with.


I picked up some AC vents that I was thinking about putting in the dash. Not sure how to install them their is no flange to actually pinch between the dash and back side of the vent. The difference between the hole size and bezel is about a 32nd of an inch. Still don't know what to do. I do not want to put the original stereo hole back in I want something different and useful. Right now the AC vent is winning but that also means I need to get AC. My little drop console can unbolt so I could just go with a hidden stereo and AC vents below the dash and just put the window and door lock switches in the dash. I don't know. If any one has ideas I am open to suggestions.

[rgunlock]

Nice feeling to have all clean metal in one protective coating/one color. Now you should know exactly what you've got to deal with. Looking good!

[marc55]

Started working on hanging the front sheet metal. I need to rework the lower edge of the doors. It took a day to get the front fenders and grill right. Then I jumped to the bumper and made the inner mounting brackets. It is adjustable and bolts on so replacing it will not be a hassle. The hood needs some kind of technical beat down but I had enough. Good news is I can pull the from sheet metal by myself in about 20 minutes.