57 GMC, frame swap, 4wd, 454 big block, 4 speed

[Old57]

Thanks! These 16x6.5 wheels with these tires are pretty much even with the fender lip, and I have K20 axles.

[Old57]

Yesterday afternoon, I worked on the bed. I removed all of the cross rails, bed strips, rotten wood, etc. out of the step side bed, and also heated and scraped off the old under coating on the sides under where fenders were. Then I measured for the size to cut out the ribbed steel floor out of the 80's square body donor bed. I got it all cut to size, and ready to start lining it up and mounting it in the 57 bed. After I get it mounted, the bed and rear fenders will go get media blasted and sprayed in aircraft primer like the rest of the body. I'll be spraying the bed liner on the bottom and inside the bed, and inside all 4 fenders like I did on the cab floor and bottom. When I moved all of my parts out of the way to get the bed rolled out of the shop, I had to take a picture of the fenders and doors sitting how most people want them to sit, vs how mine sits

[joedoh]

if you are mounting the bed floor where it fits best (fender alignment) dont forget the angle strips on the inside of the bed sides, they will hit the floor!

when I do a stock metal floor I hang the bed over the frame first then silde the bed floor across the frame till it bolts in, then raise the bed to fit with jacks. never takes more than a couple hours to get it tacked.

I like your lowrider haha

[Old57]

Yep, this floor and cross sills bolt and fit directly to the 73-87 frame. I'll mount it to the frame like normal, and I'll set the bed at whatever height it needs to be for lining up the steps and the bottom of the cab. The wheels will fit in the fender wells like stock, because I already shortened the frame to the stock wheelbase to work with the long bed. It'll all look like it came from the factory when I have it done and mounted. And there is quite a difference in the lowrider stance vs my 4x4 stance haha

[6BT 56]

Love what your doing. I'm thinking hard abt pulling mine apart this winter and putting on the same frame . Using the original frame it just doesn't drive a nice as I'm sure yours will. Going to read thru your build again to learn more abt how much you shortened frame and your cab mounts.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Love what your doing. I'm thinking hard abt pulling mine apart this winter and putting on the same frame . Using the original frame it just doesn't drive a nice as I'm sure yours will. Going to read thru your build again to learn more abt how much you shortened frame and your cab mounts.

My truck is a long bed, and I used a long bed K20 donor, but I still had to shorten the frame 8" to get the right wheelbase. I Z-cut the frame and also plated it over the joints. I've taken it around the neighborhood, and it does ride good and steer easy.

[Old57]

I welded up some small splits and fixed a couple rusted spots in the mounting lips of the rear fenders. I also removed the angle strips in the bed, welded up the old fender holes from the 60's fenders, then laid out my 57 fenders and marked/drilled holes for them to mount on the bed sides. I had to cut out 2 areas of the tailgate top rail and hammer out some dents, then welded and blended it back in. I took it all to get blasted and sprayed in primer last week. I should have it all back any day now. I'll get the bed assembled and mask it off for the bed liner to be sprayed under it and in it.

I also cut out the "S" bend in the SM465 shifter, and welded it back together with 1 simple bend so it fits how I wanted it and clears my leg good. I wanted to use the flat transmission cover instead of the humped one, because I like how it looks better. I got a new steel reproduction cover, and needed a small hump made just over the shifter top of the transmission, and cut a slot for the transfer case shifter. I was getting ready to dig through my metal pile to make a small hump, then I noticed an air cleaner cover I had from a Harley-Davidson. I held it up and looked at it, and it was the perfect size for what I needed. I cut it up and welded it into the transmission cover, then cut the shifter hole. It fits great, and after I spray the cover in bed liner to match the rest of the floor, it will look pretty good. I'll get 2 small boots for the shifters, and it will be perfect.

[OutlawDrifter]

Nice work repurposing parts. One of the many reasons I don't like throwing stuff out.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Nice work repurposing parts. One of the many reasons I don't like throwing stuff out.

I hear ya... I hang on to anything that I might use later for something. Just 2 weeks ago, I hauled off a load of scrap that had steel, tubing, old parts, etc. that I've had for 15 years and didn't use, then I needed one of the pieces 3 days after I hauled it off!

[Black_Sheep]

You put the Harley air cleaner to good use, this has been a fun build to watch...

[Old57]

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

You put the Harley air cleaner to good use, this has been a fun build to watch...

Thanks Black Sheep, and I gotta say your truck is absolutely beautiful! Congrats on getting it wrapped up and taking it on the maiden voyage.

[Black_Sheep]

Originally Posted by Old57

Thanks Black Sheep, and I gotta say your truck is absolutely beautiful! Congrats on getting it wrapped up and taking it on the maiden voyage.

Thanks, I'm hoping to get some miles on it before the snow flies...

[Old57]

Does anyone have the correct distance the bed sits behind the cab? I plan on mounting it where it looks right, but I'd like to know what it was from the factory to help judge it.

[vintovka]

Nice build. I wish i could have close to what you have done. It hurt to read about the leak issues. Been there done that still a nightmare. Will be looking forward to seeing the end product. Good luck!!

[Old57]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Nice build. I wish i could have close to what you have done. It hurt to read about the leak issues. Been there done that still a nightmare. Will be looking forward to seeing the end product. Good luck!!

Thanks vintovka, it was a kick in the gut about the rear main leak, but I fixed it in a few hours on a Saturday, so it was back to normal progress after that.

[vintovka]

I see you chose almost the same heater as me. I went with the 3 vent unit. 2 for heat and one for defroster due to our ocean front weather. I used part of a 3m 777 spray glue cap as a spacer and some inexpensive vents from Jegs. They fit right in the heater outlets on mine. I will say these new heaters will drive you right out of the cab they put out so much heat. Heater block valve a must. Remember this is a military vehicle so its field expedient in nature.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by vintovka

I see you chose almost the same heater as me. I went with the 3 vent unit. 2 for heat and one for defroster due to our ocean front weather. I used part of a 3m 777 spray glue cap as a spacer and some inexpensive vents from Jegs. They fit right in the heater outlets on mine. I will say these new heaters will drive you right out of the cab they put out so much heat. Heater block valve a must. Remember this is a military vehicle so its field expedient in nature.

I almost used that exact heater. I ended up using the Vintage Air compact heat/defrost unit. It has ports on the top side to each defrost register, and a powered door on the bottom that opens up all the way for heat, part way open for heat/defrost blend, and closed for defrost, and an electronic valve for flow of antifreeze to the unit. Yes, they will get downright hot in the cabs if turned all the way on!

[vintovka]

Shoulda bought the vintage air one. Mine is too big and ugly.

[joedoh]

I love the flat floor with the sticks poking out, really looks like it should, I dont really care for monster trans tunnels myself. plus carpet is a lot easier on a flat floor.


looking good!

[Old57]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I love the flat floor with the sticks poking out, really looks like it should, I dont really care for monster trans tunnels myself. plus carpet is a lot easier on a flat floor.


looking good!

Thanks joedoh. I like the flat floor. I plan on using plain black rubber floor mats over the bed liner on the floor.

[Old57]

I picked up my bed, rear fenders, tail gate, and bed floor from getting media blasted and primed in aircraft primer late Friday afternoon. I have a couple areas on the fenders with some pinholes to fix, but for the most part, there were no surprises. I hoped to get going on assembling and fitting the bed this weekend, but I just didn't have time. There's a few dents in the ribbed steel floor that I'll knock out before I spray the bed liner.

[jjzepplin]

Just when I thought it couldn't get much better. That bed looks to be in fantastic shape! I may have to unsubscribe before I see the final product as I think I may be falling in love. I will never find one so I may be OK.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Just when I thought it couldn't get much better. That bed looks to be in fantastic shape! I may have to unsubscribe before I see the final product as I think I may be falling in love. I will never find one so I may be OK.

jjzepplin, thanks... the bed is a long bed, which is what I wanted to use. My original long bed had a lot of rust in it, so I sold it to a local rat rod guy. I found this bed on the local Craigslist, and it was on a farm truck that didn't see much road use. It was a really nice 60's bed, so the fenders were different. I sold the nice 60's steps and fenders and ended up only having 75 bucks in the bed after that. I welded in the holes from the 60's fenders, and marked/drilled the holes for my 57 fenders. I know it helped me in getting this bed cheap by it being a long bed, because everyone wants a short bed. I wanted to keep the long bed to use the truck, plus I think it looks good by being 4x4 and sitting higher with the long bed.

[jjzepplin]

Brilliant! (in my best British accent)

[Boshears]

Nice build.