Freddy's '52

[ChuckDriver]

You've got one good looking truck for sure!

While you're under the hood you might as well pull the sticker off the battery and cut the excess length off the hold down rods. Just a thought.

[Kodiaks53]

1952ssr
You sure have a fine looking ride there! Thanks for the PM reply. I'll probably be asking more questions as I get closer to getting started on my 53 soon. First I have to finish some work on a 49 Cub tractor and then I'll have the shop pretty well open to work on my truck.

[1952ssr]

Got a few things done Saturday, one being the tranny cover. It kinda looks like something from a horror movie from where I beat the tar out it with a ball pean hammer to form the hump. Then I cut it down the center and welded in a strip of metal. I chose a simple method to fix it to the front of the cab, it has a "tongue" at the center then I cut a slit in the cab and it fits in before I put the screws in the bottom. And I'm throwing in a picture of my steering wheel too.

[watahyahknow]

if a metal fabricator would make a jump like that it would look the same , he just planes it on a english wheel or a round head on an anvil and a planishinghammer
it hides bihind the gearbox and the carpet so you whont see it once its finished

[1952ssr]

Well got the truck aligned today, and guys a word of warning. My truck was almost to low to do. Me and the shop guy had to pull out on the front of the front fenders to allow the tire reflector mounting bars to clear when he turned it left or right.

[hotrod1]

How low is too low? What is the measurement from the lowest part of the body to the ground?

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by hotrod1

How low is too low? What is the measurement from the lowest part of the body to the ground?

My running boards are 4 1/2 inches off the shop floor.

[RootBeer 6117]

Originally Posted by 1952ssr

Well got the truck aligned today, and guys a word of warning. My truck was almost to low to do. Me and the shop guy had to pull out on the front of the front fenders to allow the tire reflector mounting bars to clear when he turned it left or right.

52SSR I have a Hunter alignment machine that lets me tilt the front heads to a certain point but I run into cars that the front spoiler or the lower part of the fender gets in the way.I did alignments before the computers and still have a bubble gauge and tape measure, a toe bar is simple to make also.
I can go old school if needed.
I want to get one of these bad boys for the school but they aint cheap
http://www.hunter.com/alignment/hawkeye_elite/index.cfm

If you could find some one with this type of system(they've been around a few years) I'm pretty sure low and fenders aren't a problem since the laser beam comes from in font of the vehicle and not going across the front under the car.

Thanks for the intake tip I am going to pick up a 4"-3" adapter this weekend I racked my brain earlier this spring trying to come up with an Idea.

[youngrodder]

I had a simular problem, but all I needed to do was change to my 15" rollers so that had more room to hang the reflectors on the tires. The first time we tried it I had my 20's on.

It always feels good to get it aligned. It means one step closer to driving it when ever you like......

Marc

[watahyahknow]

couldnt you adapt the hunter setup to get it farther off the wheels and clear the bottom of the spoiler that way
you should be able to make it fit by using some roundbar and a lathe to make 4 extentions

[RootBeer 6117]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

couldnt you adapt the hunter setup to get it farther off the wheels and clear the bottom of the spoiler that way
you should be able to make it fit by using some roundbar and a lathe to make 4 extentions

watayaknow
I can probably slide the heads down on the wheel clamps and get the beam under the fenders, but in order to measure caster I have to turn the wheel 10 degrees left then right that's were I run into losing the beams. I ran a bear systems for 25 years and it had the same issues.
I did a lot in my early years with a toe bar or tape measure,I would scribe a line down the center of the tire and measure off it and used a magnetic hub gauge on the wheel bearing flange that would measure caster and camber. I kept it because I didn't trust the new computer system and would double check it or when we had a bad storm it knocked out the bear system.

[watahyahknow]

we used to run a system with elastic streched between the units one in front under the the car from left to right and two towarth the backwheels , there where verry acurate pot meters inside the devices and the reading was on them too it worked good actually , just had to rotate the wheel for the sway of the frontwheels and get the average to zero
could do tow in /out and rear tow in/out the camber caster was done with a weighted potmeter inside the devices , the measurements where allways done on a level bridge

[Vega_67C10]

Very nice job! Love the style of these trucks. I think I found my next project.

[1952ssr]

Well, spent Thursday, and a few hours Friday & Saturday working on the truck. Thursday I got my windows put into the doors, I found that a frame from a four bulb ceiling light that holds the plastic light cover works great for the channel that's inside the door (since they don't make a reproduction). Saturday picked me up a full size seat and put it in. Yesterday I got my a/c hooked up, vents located and made a bracket for supporting the rear of the a/c compressor. Here's my seat, I will be getting it recovered gray vinyl.

[Groyd]

Originally Posted by 1952ssr

Well, spent Thursday, and a few hours Friday & Saturday working on the truck. Thursday I got my windows put into the doors, I found that a frame from a four bulb ceiling light that holds the plastic light cover works great for the channel that's inside the door (since they don't make a reproduction).

Could you PLEASE explain how you did this? Or show a pic?

MG

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by Groyd

Could you PLEASE explain how you did this? Or show a pic?

MG

Sorry it's taken me this long to get this for you. The top picture is the type light I'm referring to used, and in the second you see the frame minus the one side I used. I measured the passenger door and then cut the new frame. The drivers door has a single screw about the latch then 2 screws middle ways down. The single one holds the top of the track to the door and the bottom two has a flat piece of metal which I took off and welded to the new track. Just a task of measuring and a little welding. Let me know if you need more info. I should have took a picture of it before I put it in.

[RootBeer 6117]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

we used to run a system with elastic streched between the units one in front under the the car from left to right and two towarth the backwheels , there where verry acurate pot meters inside the devices and the reading was on them too it worked good actually , just had to rotate the wheel for the sway of the frontwheels and get the average to zero
could do tow in /out and rear tow in/out the camber caster was done with a weighted potmeter inside the devices , the measurements where allways done on a level bridge

watahyahknow
was it a hunter string line system?we looked at a system years ago the sounds like what you are describing Hunter used it a lot in the 80's I didn't like it because the string kept getting messed up with something touching it and the guy that was selling it was a jerk.I bought a business in 1995 that had a john bean boat head alignment system that would shoot a beam up to a chart on the wall its was 1950/60's the alignment heads looked like a boat motor it was something else to mess with I guess I got used to the laser systems.I wasn't/ am not a big fan of hunter but they have the best system going right now IMO.
Joe

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by RootBeer 6117

watahyahknow
was it a hunter string line system?we looked at a system years ago the sounds like what you are describing Hunter used it a lot in the 80's I didn't like it because the string kept getting messed up with something touching it and the guy that was selling it was a jerk.I bought a business in 1995 that had a john bean boat head alignment system that would shoot a beam up to a chart on the wall its was 1950/60's the alignment heads looked like a boat motor it was something else to mess with I guess I got used to the laser systems.I wasn't/ am not a big fan of hunter but they have the best system going right now IMO.
Joe

i actually have no idea it been a while back i just worked with the thing

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I usually hang out in the 67-72 section but got board and figured Id check out some of the older chevys... Nice build I like how you used everything you could to keep the cost down.. Are you rolling down the road yet with this??

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

I usually hang out in the 67-72 section but got board and figured Id check out some of the older chevys... Nice build I like how you used everything you could to keep the cost down.. Are you rolling down the road yet with this??

Thanks, I have put about 100 miles on it so far and I am thrilled how it runs. Made it's first cruise-in Saturday night, getting alot of great comments. It appears to get some good gas mileage too, I have went about 70 miles on a 1/4 tank. We plan to take it to the Rod Run in Pigeon Forge and stay Thursday-Saturday. If I built another one I would buy three things 1) 48-53 truck 2) S10 truck and 3) a wrecked camaro/trans-am, then I would only have to buy very few parts. Funny you post that picture of the black GMC, that is one of my favorite AD's ever. My wife was wanting me to do mine black, but now we will leave it patina. Here's a real good picture except it needed a bath.

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by 1952ssr

Thanks, I have put about 100 miles on it so far and I am thrilled how it runs. Made it's first cruise-in Saturday night, getting alot of great comments. It appears to get some good gas mileage too, I have went about 70 miles on a 1/4 tank. We plan to take it to the Rod Run in Pigeon Forge and stay Thursday-Saturday. If I built another one I would buy three things 1) 48-53 truck 2) S10 truck and 3) a wrecked camaro/trans-am, then I would only have to buy very few parts. Funny you post that picture of the black GMC, that is one of my favorite AD's ever. My wife was wanting me to do mine black, but now we will leave it patina. Here's a real good picture except it needed a bath.

Loving this picture. CLASSIC!!!!


Looks like you've been busy and making some killer progress. Been on any backroad trips this way with it yet? I would love to see it in person one day.

Keep up the good work!

[1952ssr]

Thanks Jim, your vote does count.

Yep, Shannon I've been busy. I went as far as Dawsonville, their cruise-in is every 2nd Saturday from 5 till ?. They had probably 40ish cars there. Let me know of a show or cruise-in up your way and I'll try to make it up. We'll probably drive it leaf looking come fall up that way.

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by 1952ssr

Thanks Jim, your vote does count.

Yep, Shannon I've been busy. I went as far as Dawsonville, their cruise-in is every 2nd Saturday from 5 till ?. They had probably 40ish cars there. Let me know of a show or cruise-in up your way and I'll try to make it up. We'll probably drive it leaf looking come fall up that way.

Po-Boy's cruise in runs every third Saturday in Canton, which happens to be this coming Saturday.

http://www.poboyscarclub.com/index.html

[av8tr33337]

Originally Posted by 1952ssr

Thanks, I have put about 100 miles on it so far and I am thrilled how it runs. Made it's first cruise-in Saturday night, getting alot of great comments. It appears to get some good gas mileage too, I have went about 70 miles on a 1/4 tank. We plan to take it to the Rod Run in Pigeon Forge and stay Thursday-Saturday. If I built another one I would buy three things 1) 48-53 truck 2) S10 truck and 3) a wrecked camaro/trans-am, then I would only have to buy very few parts. Funny you post that picture of the black GMC, that is one of my favorite AD's ever. My wife was wanting me to do mine black, but now we will leave it patina. Here's a real good picture except it needed a bath.

Wow I feel like maybe I am on the right track. I have 1)51 chevy truck 2)94 s-10 chassis 3)a wrecked 1984 Camero drive trane and other misc parts! I eventually plan on a full paint job, but I will most likely run the patina for a year or two before I paint it.

I like how you used a crossflow radiator. Not sure I want to tackle a mod like that since this is my first build. Will probaby go with a mustang rad or one of the customs that can be had.

Awsome build Dude. You have inspired me to get back out to the garage.

[youngrodder]

Hows the LT1 running? I have also put about 100 miles on my truck as well. I'm still working through some bugs. I would like to have the motor scanned/programmed to make sure it is optimized for both fuel economy and performance.

Good luck with your trip to pigeon Forge.
Marc