57 chev - Canadian eh! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

truck4canuk · 09-26-2010, 10:33 PM

I have been pokeing around on the site for months - there's a lot of knowledge and good looking metal here! Some of you guys are crazy smart when it somes to working on these old beauties!!!

Early this spring I imported to Ontario Canada a southern cali 57 chev. It appears to have had at leat 20 blue paint jobs and numerous other 'partial (and sometime not proper) adjustements' done/made to it. She has a small V8 and some cool chrome work, but is definietly a bit rough...
After king pins, a little wiring, and rear brakes she was on the road for the season.
while driving, I have (with some help from good friends!) compelted the following...
- test and fix the round heater core - also got the blower working again.
- replace the wiper motor
- replace the welded (poorly) 10" with a very nice 9" ford...and replace the entire rear suspension (springs were heated and bent to lower the truck)
I have also pruchased, and will be installing front disk brakes and a proper crossmember with motor mounts (the same welder had his way with that... nasty!!)
"Ol'blue" has gone to the body shop - for at least part of the winter for straigtening, stripping, and painting. I have a couple of decisions to make and I am looking for some guidance or suggestions...

- In the engine bay, we are using the seam on the fire wall as the 'division line' were the body color (yellow) and the engine bay color (black) meet. My mechanic friend is suggesting that re-wiring is a good idea, and I agree... so do we hide the wires below the flat portion of the file wall or do we leave it relatively stock...?!? is there any benifit beyond cosmetics to moving all the wires?
Oh yeah, so if we make the wiring change, do we move the battery?!?

I consider what we are doing now to be the 'middle' step in the transformation of this truck. Once painted, and a bit safer(mounts and brakes), I will be putting logos on the truck for my business, and prepping myself mentally and financially for a more seroiusly modified stage where I hope to seriously blurr the line between street and strip...

my concerns are that I do not buy/payfor/do something now that I will have to rip out or change in the next step.

the other thing we have been batting around is steering. I really don't mind manual steering, but my wife does!
I really don't want the 'clutter' behind the front axle that I see in most of the after market kits. Is there an 'assisted' system that would retian most of the stock characteristics - and steering?

Kim57 · 09-27-2010, 12:09 AM

Kim

entourageguy · 09-27-2010, 08:41 AM

Welcome to the site and yes we like pictures. Where in Ontario are you located?
I'm not too keen on the yellow colour though....

EVBuilder · 09-27-2010, 03:17 PM

It will be cool when its done.

truck4canuk · 09-27-2010, 05:02 PM

strange as it may sound, i had to get to the computer that i have my pitures on... here's a couple...
I am from Ingersoll Ontario - and you entourageguy?
... in the back ground you can see a bit of my friend's 63 - also yellow - no relation

Kim57 · 09-28-2010, 11:24 AM

Nice looking truck.
Kim

truck4canuk · 10-17-2010, 09:58 AM

I haven't posted in a while...so I will do a quick update...
Old blue is at the body shop - and we have found that the front end has definitley been "hit". the whole front end is slightly off - to the driver's side... Matt (body guy) this is not a big deal. He will put her on the rack and give it a tug...
my hood is very thin... and the member that the hinges bolt to is - well - wrecked! it has been twisted, cracked, cut, welded, bent and anything else that could be done...
the wireing - just to the headlights had been cut and 'fixed' four times! bare wires and electircal tape will not cut it in Ontario, so a harness "looms" (yuk yuk) in my future!
we pikcked up a used hood from Bill's Truck Shop here in Ontario, but it isnt going to work for me either! Bill's guys are great and are looking for a new hood - we will work that out...
Also got a new tinted windhield (Sweet!), the cab corners (in and out), a NEW GRILLE!!! and a complete seat frame...

who can tell me about wiring harnesses?
obviously I am going to be driving this truck, and I need a few creature comforts... but what should I be looking for or avoiding???
My buddy Craig is going to help with the wiring, and has suggested taht we hide it under the bottom of the fire wall - cool idea!

Atomsplitter · 10-17-2010, 01:34 PM

Welcome from Newcastle, just down the road from Bills!
Have you ever considered a bolt in IFS from a Crown Victoria?

Scott52 · 10-17-2010, 01:40 PM

look into buying a wiring harness kit, there are some nice kits out there

truck4canuk · 10-18-2010, 09:28 PM

Atomspliter;
I know (as does my wife) that if I don't set realistic goals (her words) for "completeing" the truck I will get WAY over "budget".
For now, I am quite happy with the solid front axle with upgraded brakes. I have been thinking about power steering, but that's not really too important right now either. I really want to get the truck on the road with our company colors next year... Once it has run around as advertising long enough, then I will start looking into different non-stock options...

Atomsplitter · 10-19-2010, 09:56 AM

If your looking for another place for used parts check out Clarks in Omemee.
http://www.clarkessoutherntruckparts.com/about.html

truck4canuk · 10-19-2010, 09:39 PM

Thanks Atomsplitter, I apprectiate the link!

truck4canuk · 10-19-2010, 10:23 PM

I have found that summit has some decent generic wiring harnesses. Should I go to 18 or 12 circuts?? why???

jimig1 · 10-19-2010, 11:12 PM

I bought a 18 circuit i plan on running A/C and power windows so it is going to depend on what you want to run in your truck. I also though that it would be better to have extra then not enough.

truck4canuk · 10-21-2010, 09:15 AM

ok... why do wiring harnesses vary so much in price!!!

I know that "you get what you pay for" but I have seen 21 Circut harnesses for 174.00 on e-bay from 'business' vendors, to over $500 from sites like LMC...

I need some advice - please!!!

p.s. any body know where I can find a REALY GOOD Hood???

jimig1 · 10-21-2010, 09:21 AM

I bought a 18 circuit painless harness from yogi's they had the best price that I had found and at the time they had 10% off and painless was giving a rebate too

here is the link to the one that I bought http://www.yogisinc.com/Detail.cfm/-...96/product.htm

Scott52 · 10-21-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truck4canuk

p.s. any body know where I can find a REALY GOOD Hood???

try putting a parts wanted add on kijiji, worked for me when i needed 2 running board brackets, the guy wound up having a hood better than mine and both doors that were rotted but complete with all hardware and trim that i needed

raycow · 10-21-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truck4canuk

ok... why do wiring harnesses vary so much in price!!!

I know that "you get what you pay for" but I have seen 21 Circut harnesses for 174.00 on e-bay from 'business' vendors, to over $500 from sites like LMC...

The main difference is whether they are plug 'n' play or require you to re-use the ends from your stock harness.

Ray

truck4canuk · 10-22-2010, 06:04 AM

thanks for the advice guys!

Nomadjunkie · 10-22-2010, 01:49 PM

check out bills truck shop in courtice Ontario he seems to have decent prices and being in Ontario shipping is real cheap compared to shipping in from the USA.
Posted via Mobile Device

truck4canuk · 10-22-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomadjunkie

check out bills truck shop in courtice Ontario he seems to have decent prices and being in Ontario shipping is real cheap compared to shipping in from the USA.
Posted via Mobile Device

I have been and will continure to deal with Bill's - they are great guys!
that is where my used hood came from...

I am also a registered client at a parcel pick up location just over the border from Sarnia, they charge $5.00/box/month - virtually any size box too!
that way I can pick up and deal with teh border myself. Duty and HST only - brokerage and cross border shipping is where the big costs come in.

Also, I have friend that has fanily and friends in Michigan; haven't 'used' that connection but ios really helps for knowing who is good or not so good from their perspective!

truck4canuk · 10-22-2010, 08:03 PM

By the way... Welcome, and thanks for viewing Nomadjunkie!!

truck4canuk · 10-25-2010, 08:41 PM

ok... I hope this dosent break any site rules...
I cant get what I need from a Canadian veondor - and both LMC and Tuckers have the hood in stock that I need.
I was wondering if anyone has dealt with both of them, and if a price variance is outweighed by quality for either one of them...( I will not say who is cheaper!)

jimig1 · 10-25-2010, 08:58 PM

I used LMC truck many times when I was working on my 87 burb and they were really good I never had a problem with them. I found that LMC prices can be high but I never had a problem with them and you get what you pay for.

wigadore · 10-26-2010, 08:27 AM

I personally love Tuckers. I frequent the Las Vegas area to visit family and I love visiting their store and talking to their staff. I always find what I am looking for or they will source it out for me. They have even found me original parts off a field truck so that I don't have to purchase OEM and their prices have always been fair.

LMC I have only purchased once from them and they where good to deal with. No real person...but easy process.

09-26-2010, 10:33 PM	#1
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	57 chev - Canadian eh! I have been pokeing around on the site for months - there's a lot of knowledge and good looking metal here! Some of you guys are crazy smart when it somes to working on these old beauties!!! Early this spring I imported to Ontario Canada a southern cali 57 chev. It appears to have had at leat 20 blue paint jobs and numerous other 'partial (and sometime not proper) adjustements' done/made to it. She has a small V8 and some cool chrome work, but is definietly a bit rough... After king pins, a little wiring, and rear brakes she was on the road for the season. while driving, I have (with some help from good friends!) compelted the following... - test and fix the round heater core - also got the blower working again. - replace the wiper motor - replace the welded (poorly) 10" with a very nice 9" ford...and replace the entire rear suspension (springs were heated and bent to lower the truck) I have also pruchased, and will be installing front disk brakes and a proper crossmember with motor mounts (the same welder had his way with that... nasty!!) "Ol'blue" has gone to the body shop - for at least part of the winter for straigtening, stripping, and painting. I have a couple of decisions to make and I am looking for some guidance or suggestions... - In the engine bay, we are using the seam on the fire wall as the 'division line' were the body color (yellow) and the engine bay color (black) meet. My mechanic friend is suggesting that re-wiring is a good idea, and I agree... so do we hide the wires below the flat portion of the file wall or do we leave it relatively stock...?!? is there any benifit beyond cosmetics to moving all the wires? Oh yeah, so if we make the wiring change, do we move the battery?!? I consider what we are doing now to be the 'middle' step in the transformation of this truck. Once painted, and a bit safer(mounts and brakes), I will be putting logos on the truck for my business, and prepping myself mentally and financially for a more seroiusly modified stage where I hope to seriously blurr the line between street and strip... my concerns are that I do not buy/payfor/do something now that I will have to rip out or change in the next step. the other thing we have been batting around is steering. I really don't mind manual steering, but my wife does! I really don't want the 'clutter' behind the front axle that I see in most of the after market kits. Is there an 'assisted' system that would retian most of the stock characteristics - and steering?

09-27-2010, 12:09 AM	#2
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! Kim

09-27-2010, 08:41 AM	#3
entourageguy Yellow truck club Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Barrie Ontario Posts: 2,080	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! Welcome to the site and yes we like pictures. Where in Ontario are you located? I'm not too keen on the yellow colour though.... __________________ ................................................................ Brian ...... My hub garage address http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/59apache I gue$$ everything has it'$ price ALL GONE NOW *59 Chev Apache* *PRAISE THE LOWERED* 350 700r lokar shifter power MII front end, shockwaves tilt, 4 wheel discs 4-link and bags 10 bolt limited

09-27-2010, 03:17 PM	#4
EVBuilder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ingersoll Ontario Posts: 271	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! It will be cool when its done.

09-27-2010, 05:02 PM	#5
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! strange as it may sound, i had to get to the computer that i have my pitures on... here's a couple... I am from Ingersoll Ontario - and you entourageguy? ... in the back ground you can see a bit of my friend's 63 - also yellow - no relation Attached Images

09-28-2010, 11:24 AM	#6
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! Nice looking truck. Kim

10-17-2010, 09:58 AM	#7
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! I haven't posted in a while...so I will do a quick update... Old blue is at the body shop - and we have found that the front end has definitley been "hit". the whole front end is slightly off - to the driver's side... Matt (body guy) this is not a big deal. He will put her on the rack and give it a tug... my hood is very thin... and the member that the hinges bolt to is - well - wrecked! it has been twisted, cracked, cut, welded, bent and anything else that could be done... the wireing - just to the headlights had been cut and 'fixed' four times! bare wires and electircal tape will not cut it in Ontario, so a harness "looms" (yuk yuk) in my future! we pikcked up a used hood from Bill's Truck Shop here in Ontario, but it isnt going to work for me either! Bill's guys are great and are looking for a new hood - we will work that out... Also got a new tinted windhield (Sweet!), the cab corners (in and out), a NEW GRILLE!!! and a complete seat frame... who can tell me about wiring harnesses? obviously I am going to be driving this truck, and I need a few creature comforts... but what should I be looking for or avoiding??? My buddy Craig is going to help with the wiring, and has suggested taht we hide it under the bottom of the fire wall - cool idea! Last edited by truck4canuk; 10-17-2010 at 11:00 AM. Reason: typos and data

10-17-2010, 01:34 PM	#8
Atomsplitter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 514	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! Welcome from Newcastle, just down the road from Bills! Have you ever considered a bolt in IFS from a Crown Victoria?

10-17-2010, 01:40 PM	#9
Scott52 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: hamilton, ontario, canada Posts: 36	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! look into buying a wiring harness kit, there are some nice kits out there

10-18-2010, 09:28 PM	#10
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! Atomspliter; I know (as does my wife) that if I don't set realistic goals (her words) for "completeing" the truck I will get WAY over "budget". For now, I am quite happy with the solid front axle with upgraded brakes. I have been thinking about power steering, but that's not really too important right now either. I really want to get the truck on the road with our company colors next year... Once it has run around as advertising long enough, then I will start looking into different non-stock options... Last edited by truck4canuk; 10-18-2010 at 09:28 PM.

10-19-2010, 09:56 AM	#11
Atomsplitter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 514	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! If your looking for another place for used parts check out Clarks in Omemee. http://www.clarkessoutherntruckparts.com/about.html

10-19-2010, 09:39 PM	#12
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! Thanks Atomsplitter, I apprectiate the link!

10-19-2010, 10:23 PM	#13
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! I have found that summit has some decent generic wiring harnesses. Should I go to 18 or 12 circuts?? why???

10-19-2010, 11:12 PM	#14
jimig1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 614	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! I bought a 18 circuit i plan on running A/C and power windows so it is going to depend on what you want to run in your truck. I also though that it would be better to have extra then not enough. __________________ 55 2nd series Chevy Pickup 2019 Chevy Equinox(Daily driver) 2011 Chevy Malibu (Wife's car) MSRA Member I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. -George Carlin

10-21-2010, 09:15 AM	#15
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! ok... why do wiring harnesses vary so much in price!!! I know that "you get what you pay for" but I have seen 21 Circut harnesses for 174.00 on e-bay from 'business' vendors, to over $500 from sites like LMC... I need some advice - please!!! p.s. any body know where I can find a REALY GOOD Hood??? Last edited by truck4canuk; 10-21-2010 at 09:29 AM.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

10-21-2010, 09:21 AM	#16
jimig1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 614	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! I bought a 18 circuit painless harness from yogi's they had the best price that I had found and at the time they had 10% off and painless was giving a rebate too here is the link to the one that I bought http://www.yogisinc.com/Detail.cfm/-...96/product.htm __________________ 55 2nd series Chevy Pickup 2019 Chevy Equinox(Daily driver) 2011 Chevy Malibu (Wife's car) MSRA Member I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. -George Carlin

10-22-2010, 06:04 AM	#19
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! thanks for the advice guys!

10-22-2010, 01:49 PM	#20
Nomadjunkie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 31	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! check out bills truck shop in courtice Ontario he seems to have decent prices and being in Ontario shipping is real cheap compared to shipping in from the USA. Posted via Mobile Device

10-22-2010, 08:03 PM	#22
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! By the way... Welcome, and thanks for viewing Nomadjunkie!! Last edited by truck4canuk; 10-22-2010 at 08:03 PM.

10-25-2010, 08:41 PM	#23
truck4canuk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 37	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! ok... I hope this dosent break any site rules... I cant get what I need from a Canadian veondor - and both LMC and Tuckers have the hood in stock that I need. I was wondering if anyone has dealt with both of them, and if a price variance is outweighed by quality for either one of them...( I will not say who is cheaper!) Last edited by truck4canuk; 10-25-2010 at 08:43 PM.

10-25-2010, 08:58 PM	#24
jimig1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 614	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! I used LMC truck many times when I was working on my 87 burb and they were really good I never had a problem with them. I found that LMC prices can be high but I never had a problem with them and you get what you pay for. __________________ 55 2nd series Chevy Pickup 2019 Chevy Equinox(Daily driver) 2011 Chevy Malibu (Wife's car) MSRA Member I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. -George Carlin

10-26-2010, 08:27 AM	#25
wigadore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 75	Re: 57 chev - Canadian eh! I personally love Tuckers. I frequent the Las Vegas area to visit family and I love visiting their store and talking to their staff. I always find what I am looking for or they will source it out for me. They have even found me original parts off a field truck so that I don't have to purchase OEM and their prices have always been fair. LMC I have only purchased once from them and they where good to deal with. No real person...but easy process. __________________ 1949 GMC Pickup A lack of planning on your part... ...does not constitute and emergency on mine. Last edited by wigadore; 10-26-2010 at 08:28 AM.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.