Matshark`s 55 2nd project

[Matshark]

Here some pics of my project.

Before:



A little bit later:



And this morning:

[Daniel U]

Sweet looking truck. What are your plans for it? Stock, mild/full custom, prostreet, rod? Just curious. Looks like a solid start.

[Matshark]

I want to go prostreet.
I keep the old body, no emblems.
But the rest of it will be modern.
(power brakes, power steering,
vented disc/disc brakes, Ford 9"
35 spline gundrilled, tank under bed,
battery under bed, tubbed bed, big wheels,
racing seats inside etc. etc.
My time will be the limiting factor on how
fast the project goes on.

[pgf545]

Looks good Mat....Welcome!!!!!!

Bernie

[orgalmeister]

You got a good start there. Keep at it and don't take as long as me

Steve

[CAL 58 GMC]

Looking really good! Is it hard for you to get part over in Germany?

[solidaxel]

Welcom Matshark,

from the dry hot desert of So. Arizona!!!!!!!!

Can you ship parts form ebay to Germany, and what do they do about import taxes, od does that not apply to car parts?

[tiggerstoy]

looks good, welcome

[Matshark]

Thanks for the nice comments.
CAL 58 GMC:I buy most of the parts in the states
and fortunately I can ship them with
my friends stuff ( he is a Jeep tuner )
to germany.
solidaxel: yes there is duty (10%) and import tax (19%) on the parts.

[Matshark]

In the meantime there was only small progress in the project.
The front axle is almost ready, the wheels and tires are ready for
measuring and ordering the rear axle.

Because I got the wrong bolt pattern for the rotors ( 5*4,75 )
I ordered 2 granada rotors which had to be machined to a smaller diameter
to fit the current brake system. But I would like to got to larger brakes in the front 13" for example with 4 piston calipers.

For the rearaxle I will order a wilwood kit with 12,5" vented discs.

[Matshark]

This weekend I finally made some progress.
I tack welded the rear axle in place and installed the tank.





the next step will be to lay the brake and fuel lines
and make the engine ready for installing.

[Igotachevyor2]

great project. the lil helper seems to be having fun too.

[Daniel U]

Cool looking project. I have 13.5 in. rotors on our '99 Tahoe with 13.? on the rear. I'm sure our Tahoe is much heavier than your '55, and they're more than enough brakes with (heavy) chrome 22" wheels. The only problem I encounter under heavy braking is lack of power steering. Your '55 will stop on (or before) a dime! Keep the pics coming. Is your kiddo helping you out? Get the next generation into the hobby. We need more hot rodders out there to keep classic American metal on the road.

[Matshark]

I have 12.5 in rotors in the back and want to got to 13+ rotors in the front.
As I have 4 piston calipers at the rear axle, I will go to 6 piston calipers in the front.
The idea is to no only give it enough power to accelerate very fast, but to be able to stop even faster.

My son is helping me very much, he is already planing his pickup, even if it is a little bit early.
I believe a good percentage of his blood is gasoline.......

[lotussutol]

looks like a great project. should make for a nice ride.

I hear ya on the kids helping. My daughter (7) is in the shop if I am in the shop (unless hannah montana is on...hahaha). She keeps asking when we are going to build a pink hot rod for her and her mom since the truck I am building is mine and her brothers (he is five). I tell her as soon as this one is done we will do one for them.

[prostreeter58]

Sweet looking project.................what part of Germany are you in?

[Matshark]

Southern Germany, halfways between Stuttgart and Heidelberg.

[prostreeter58]

must be around karsrule (sp?)......I spent 8 years there and loved every min of it..........I have friends that come to visit every year around this time......if there is something you need brought to you let me know and I will see if I can assist. I tried to build some rides while I was there and it isn't the easiest of tasks......good luck with your build and keep the pics coming......

[Matshark]

Karlsruhe is about a 1 hour drive from me.
Thanks for the good wishes. As I see you live in Palm Harbor,
is there a chance to see your truck when I drive from Ft.Myers to Gainesville ?

( I have a friend in florida and I visit him once a year to cavedive with him. )

[prostreeter58]

Originally Posted by Matshark

Karlsruhe is about a 1 hour drive from me.
Thanks for the good wishes. As I see you live in Palm Harbor,
is there a chance to see your truck when I drive from Ft.Myers to Gainesville ?

( I have a friend in florida and I visit him once a year to cavedive with him. )

You would be welcome anytime...........we have extra rooms here if you need somewhere to stop over. I just might have to move a few parts....... Our friends live in Ludwigshafen and they should be here any day now. Keep in touch and let me know when you are in country.

[Matshark]

Today I installed the new hubs and brakes for my front axle.
Finally I have the adequate configuration in the front.







The next step will be to install the new steering column in the truck.

[Kabwe]

Nice. You have great project there.

[my67chevytruck]

looking very good, keep the pics coming.

[mylow53]

i've never seen a disk seporated from the hub thats pretty trick. you can just replace the disk or the hub you don't need to do both when they wear out or go bad.... nice!!!

[CAL 58 GMC]

Looking good Man! Keep those updated pictures coming, we like pictures!