Kabwe's aka Bam's build

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Bam, I really like that Green you put on your Truck. I highly doubt that you will lose it in a Crowd! Keep up the good work

Well thats the point isn't it.lol Thats the green after the clear has been cut with 1000 grit so its dull, wait until I bring back the shine it really will be hard to miss me.lol

Thanks buddy

[wally_245]

Wow, I just finished reading all 88 pages of your build in a couple of days and you are amazing and your work is truly inspiring.

I just bought a 59 that has a 55 front clip already installed (I would actually prefer the original, but what can you do). I am not doing anywhere near the amount of work you have done, as this 'isn't a project' (as my 'project' is my 68 Camaro), but I may steal ideas here and there.

I'm in Thousand Oaks, but I commute to Culver City, so maybe I will see you around.

Again, amazing work, and thank you very much for taking the time to post all of this. I have been saving pictures and copying bits of the instructions/tips you have posted for future reference.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by wally_245

Wow, I just finished reading all 88 pages of your build in a couple of days and you are amazing and your work is truly inspiring.

I just bought a 59 that has a 55 front clip already installed (I would actually prefer the original, but what can you do). I am not doing anywhere near the amount of work you have done, as this 'isn't a project' (as my 'project' is my 68 Camaro), but I may steal ideas here and there.

I'm in Thousand Oaks, but I commute to Culver City, so maybe I will see you around.

Again, amazing work, and thank you very much for taking the time to post all of this. I have been saving pictures and copying bits of the instructions/tips you have posted for future reference.

Thanks for the compliments man. I took a look at your truck and it seems to be ahead of the game. Keep posting picks.

[wally_245]

Thanks! I actually have a question about your old rear fenders. For the bolts you welded to the box with the washers. Did the washers create any kind of gap between the box side and fender?

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by wally_245

Thanks! I actually have a question about your old rear fenders. For the bolts you welded to the box with the washers. Did the washers create any kind of gap between the box side and fender?

No it did not, well at least there was no noticeable gap. Remember the rear fenders also have a weather strip that runs between the fender and the bed. I don't run them but I was planing on running rubber washers for anti squeak on each bolt before I switched to a fleetside bed.

[wally_245]

Originally Posted by BAM55

No it did not, well at least there was no noticeable gap. Remember the rear fenders also have a weather strip that runs between the fender and the bed. I don't run them but I was planing on running rubber washers for anti squeak on each bolt before I switched to a fleetside bed.

Awesome, thank you for replying. I didn't realize their was weatherstripping, that makes sense.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by wally_245

Awesome, thank you for replying. I didn't realize their was weatherstripping, that makes sense.

No problem, I always try to reply to questions directed towards me. Yeah a lot of people don't run the weatherstripping I wasn't going to if I kept the stepside.

[dsraven]

hey Bam, are you getting any progress on your truck? would love to see a pic. maybe get me inspired to work on mine. you're always coming up with something cool and innovative.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by dsraven

hey Bam, are you getting any progress on your truck? would love to see a pic. maybe get me inspired to work on mine. you're always coming up with something cool and innovative.

Hey man thanks for asking. I've been taking care of all the small stuff lately. I wish I could have gotten some painting done, but its been cold and raining in Cali lately so that set me back. I finally made my driveshaft and got it balanced, and playing with the tune of the LS engine, another big change thats coming is I order some more wheels.lol

When I switched to the fleetside bed I no longer liked the 18x10 in the rear (did not fill up the wheel well enough) so I ordered some 20x12's. I'm just waiting on them to be made. I'm so glad that when I setup my rearend and tubs it was setup to run inch wide wheels 14's. No mods needed to run the 12s. I needed wheels for my 55 210 so the 18x10 will go on the car so it all works out.

[dsraven]

nice forward thinking when those tubs were built. it's great when a plan works out, eh? (Canadian, lol)

[BAM55]

Well once again I could not leave well enough alone. The more I looked at the truck the more 20x12 in the rear kept on calling me. So I decided on new shoes for the project. I thought 20's in the rear would look better with the Fleetside bed. So I went with 18x7 front, and 20x12's rear.

[dsraven]

wow, you were right! that's shiny.
looking good overall. do you get time to work on it enough so you may be driving it this summer? I try, don't think it's gonna happen, again.

[dug224]

Love the look of the large tires/wheels. Man, I've been gone from this stuff too long. I did not even know you converted to a Fleetside! Looks great.

[RockinKees]

Very nice!!
I like it

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by dsraven

wow, you were right! that's shiny.
looking good overall. do you get time to work on it enough so you may be driving it this summer? I try, don't think it's gonna happen, again.

Actually, the only thing stopping me from driving it now is finishing the paint and of course glass. The doors are pretty much ready for paint I want to do one more primer and blocking session. The rain we had here lately has slowed me down a lot.

All the mechanical are a go. The engine, trans, wiring, and the hydroboost brakes are all working properly. Man let me tell you the hydroboost is great if you are not doing it you should consider it. I got my hydroboost out of a Chevy Astro Van in the junk yard. I barely have to touch my brakes and it stops on a dime. I drove it down the alley with no doors. It was fun.lol

As for the summer I'm shooting for it. I hopefully will be driving it with only interior work to be done.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by dug224

Love the look of the large tires/wheels. Man, I've been gone from this stuff too long. I did not even know you converted to a Fleetside! Looks great.

Thanks man, I just had to have that 7 inch lip on the rear, it was calling me. The only set back for me was tire choices for a 20x12 wheel. Not may choices, I wanted more meat (sidewall), I got the biggest I could afford at this time. The better choice and only other choice would have been Mickey Thompson Sportsman 29.15.20 but at $414.00 a tire after the price of the wheels I could not justify it. But I will be getting them later on down the road.

Originally Posted by RockinKees

Very nice!!
I like it

Thanks

[Rods57]

Looking very nice...keep it up.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by Rods57

Looking very nice...keep it up.

Thanks buddy.

[lowdownstar]

Originally Posted by BAM55

Well once again I could not leave well enough alone. The more I looked at the truck the more 20x12 in the rear kept on calling me. So I decided on new shoes for the project. I thought 20's in the rear would look better with the Fleetside bed. So I went with 18x7 front, and 20x12's rear.

love it!!!

[slammed57]

Wheeeeew! nice bam.. excellent choice. as for the side wall that you mentioned, i personally think it looks good the way it is unless you wanted more of that side wall for a pro street look which is a killer look as well.... either way look good.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by lowdownstar

love it!!!

Thanks Buddy

Originally Posted by slammed57

Wheeeeew! nice bam.. excellent choice. as for the side wall that you mentioned, i personally think it looks good the way it is unless you wanted more of that side wall for a pro street look which is a killer look as well.... either way look good.

Thanks man, no pro street look but another 1 inch of side wall would be nice. The wheel diameter with the 335/30/20 right now is 27.9 the Mickey Thompsons Sportsman 29.15/20 would put me at 29 inch diameter that would fill up the wheel well really nice. Well you have Mickey Thompsons so you know.

[Indian113]

Looking Good Bam! Nice choice of wheels and tires, I normally don't care for Big Wheels but your sidewalls really Help.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Looking Good Bam! Nice choice of wheels and tires, I normally don't care for Big Wheels but your sidewalls really Help.

20's are not consider big anymore.lol 22's are becoming common now.lol
I normally would not go any bigger than 18's but for the look I'm going for the length of the fleetside bed calls for it.

[Indian113]

I know us Fat OL Boy's that grew up on 14/15's think anything other than that is Big! LOL Still yours looks GOOD, I would drive the Wheels off of your Truck if it was Mine with a Huge Smile the whole time.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by Indian113

I know us Fat OL Boy's that grew up on 14/15's think anything other than that is Big! LOL Still yours looks GOOD, I would drive the Wheels off of your Truck if it was Mine with a Huge Smile the whole time.

Thanks man, and I hope to turn this frown to a smile soon by driven this thing.