Mike's 50

[MIKESAD50]

I have been on this forum less than 6 months. It is a wealth of info, plus very talented people and nice trucks.
Been wanting an old truck since my teens (25-30 years ago). Really liked the 53-56 Fat Fendered Fords, always like the 5 windows also. very good friends grandfather had a green 5 window, not sure of the year but thought it was cool also.

Fast forward a year or so ago I decided I was going to have a 5 window truck. Found a truck on Ebay, bid and won. It was close to my parents home in NorCal. took it and dropped it off, ( while they were out of town).
In the process of looking and figuring out what I wanted to do.
I decided on going with an Art Morrison Sport Chassis, and the LS3 Connect and Cruise engine and trans set up.
Not the way most go about it, but I want reliable and fun to drive, and will be my daily driver.
Plan on the body is to keep it the way it looks in the pictures for the most part.
Hopefully this will be on the road quickly.
The first pictures are what was shown on EBay then what it was when I dropped it off in parents yard.









Haven't spent much time with it yet.
chassi it came with is gone. had been clipped with something, not sure but was cust all the back under the cab.
Overall seems very solid. Front floors have been cut up but the rest seems ok. will update as it goes. l would appreciate anyone's tips and advise.
Been a Mechanic on Volvo's for 25 years. Now own my own shop. But I Have little to NO body / FAB experience. learning welding as I go.
More to follow.

[oldman3]

Welcome to the site, good luck with the project and keep posting...Jim

[MIKESAD50]

Got the first of the shipments. front and rear Wilwood Brakes
Picture of the Front.
Rear are 4 Piston with internal Parking Brake

[MIKESAD50]

So after the wait the chassis showed up last Thursday the 10th. got it unloaded and racked.

[MIKESAD50]

Some more of the pictures. looking forward to getting the Body down to the shop and also the motor and trans combo.

[MIKESAD50]

A couple more.
Once I get the body and motor/ Trans Combo will get rolling again. Hopefully it will be pretty quick going

[YahamaR1]

awesome chassis... Wowwww

[ghettoluxury]

That is the best chassis on the market. I have seen it perform on the auto cross and it is fantastic.

[MIKESAD50]

8-18-14 Drive train showed up, I went with the LS3 Connect and cruise system.

Next day work on 1st test fit and suspected would need a different oil pan and possible exhaust manifolds/headers. Confirmed those thoughts.

Ordered a Holley Oil Pan and a set of Gibson Headers (not sure if they will work). Any comments on Holley oil pan if you have used, good or bad?
So install is on hold till next week when Pan should be here.

Working on a gas tank and leaning towards a No Limit tank, any comments on Fuel tank from No Limit?

Will have exhaust Manifolds for Sale if any one is interested let me know.

Also purchased a champion 3 row radiator no picture yet.

[Black93GT]

I'm using the holley pan on my '67 Camaro. Fits perfect. I tried the GM muscle car swap pan but its simply the oil pan from the H3 truck. Hangs far too low... much lower than the crossmember. It might be ok on these trucks... but that holley is much better option.

[Advanced Design]

Really nice start with the Art Morrison chassis and the conect and cruise package. Looks like you started the brake lines too. Are they stainless steel?

Looking forward to the build.

[STOCKISH]

looks awesome so far man, can't wait to see more progress!

[MIKESAD50]

AD, they are stainless. pre bent from Art Morrison. not a bad kit don't like the rear pipe that goes across rear shock cross member and may redo the one.

Stockish, thanks Hope to get this on the road pretty quick.
Look forward to driving it.
wish my sheet metal looked as good as yours.

[alaska gasser]

That will be a sweet driver!

[ChuckDriver]

Wow, gonna be a nice ride for sure!

[MIKESAD50]

Last week ordered new Holley oil pan and a set of headers, tried a set of Gibson, looked good but didn't fit.

Removed the headers and tried again, found the motor mounts sent with the chassis didn't work. stopped at Auto Zone and bought a set of Energy Suspension mounts.

Mounted the Motor and transmission with no problems.

Went ahead and mounted the radiator support with the Champion Radiator, Shroud and 16in. Electric Fan

Sorry the pictures suck (cell phone) not sure why it flips pictures on their sides, not that way when posted.

[MIKESAD50]

A couple of pictures of the Dash Grille and Glove Box Door cleaned up and ready to install.

[Advanced Design]

Nice! Paint or powdercoat for the chassis? What accessory drive will you be using?

[MIKESAD50]

Advance Design, Haven't decided on Paint or powder coat yet, leaning towards paint.

Went up to NorCal This last weekend and picked up the bed, rear fenders and front bumper, I think.

Got the bed on the frame and made Initial cut for tire clearance, hung a Fender to take a look.

looks ok, think the rear wheel/tire combo needs to be wider.

Next need to get the cab and front sheet metal down from NorCal soon.
Also got the headers and they fit nice.

[FarmerSid]

Looks good! That is a beauty chassis. What tire and rim size are you running now? Any pics of the cutting you did for tire clearance?

[MIKESAD50]

FarmerSid,

I'm running 18x8 Boss 338 front with 255/35/18 and 18x9.5 with 295/35/18

[FarmerSid]

Thanks man! Looks like you could fill the wheel well out a bit more. I don't think you can get the 338 any wider than 9.5" unless you go to a 20". I'd like to run the same 18" wheels but with a bit more side wall.

What are you going to go with for tubs?

[b.sharp]

looks like your rear end is a little narrow and if it was a little wider you would have not had to cut the bed sides. All in all it the progress looks good though.

[ChuckDriver]

That looks nice!

[neatm]

Build is looking good. It's almost a shame to cover that chassis up!