My project 55 begins

[B17CRX]

Here are a few pics. Its a 1955 BBW long box with a '59 283 v8 and 4spd





And now the tear down begins....





-Joel

[Daniel U]

She looked pretty good before you tore it down. Did she drive?

[Kim57]

Welcome to the site Joel.
Looks like a real clean truck to start with.
What are your plans for it?
Kim

[GRIMSS]

Looks like a nice project. What's your plans?

[B17CRX]

Originally Posted by Daniel U

She looked pretty good before you tore it down. Did she drive?

Yeah, I drove it home and around town a bit. It has the standard rust issues, rear cab corners and front cab corners. The plan is to have the body blasted to remove the rust and the minor filler work the previous owner did. I want to keep it as stock looking as possible on the outside but about 3 inches lower with a drop axle in the front and drop shackles in the rear. Disc brake kit up front and new master cylinder. It has a 12 bolt rear end already swapped in so I plan to leave that alone, though I may upgrade to a posi later. The 4spd truck transmission is useless for modern speeds so I'd like to find a ATM to replace it. The 283 is strong so I'm planning to just freshen it up a bit. Just your basic cruiser with some attitude.

-Joel

[B17CRX]

So I have been able to play around with my truck last weekend and now I have removed EVERYTHING from the cab. Thanks to Zepreserve and my trusty air impact gun I was able to remove all of the cab mount bolts with out cutting and the cab is free from the frame. After I get back from my hillclimb race I will be taking the cab in to be blasted so I can tackle the rusty spots.








-Joel

[Daniel U]

Looks like a few patch panels are in your future. Don't be discouraged. It will be beautiful when she's done.

[72BlckButy]

Wow... great looking '55!

Good luck with the build!

[CAL 58 GMC]

Welcome to the 50's club and this forum! Other then the floors she looks to be not bad on the outside. Keep those pictures coming and ask any question you might have, there's a lot of knowledge here we are all willing to share, so ask away!

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

Welcome to the 50's club and this forum! Other then the floors she looks to be not bad on the outside. Keep those pictures coming and ask any question you might have, there's a lot of knowledge here we are all willing to share, so ask away!

Truck is in really good shape. Runs great to.. Joels my neighbor. ahaha...

Let me know when your heading to the blasters, i will send some more stuff with ya....

[Hawking74]

Quick question as you have both referenced blasting, but it would be nice to get anyone's opinion as well.

What is the typical going rate to blast the cab, inner/outer fenders, doors, bed and frame assuming that the disassembly is complete?

Blast only? Would you have the same firm primer the components too?

Just looking for general concensus.

In Ft. Worth and have several options, just need to know what the typical rate is.

Thanks to all.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Hawking74

Quick question as you have both referenced blasting, but it would be nice to get anyone's opinion as well.

What is the typical going rate to blast the cab, inner/outer fenders, doors, bed and frame assuming that the disassembly is complete?

Blast only? Would you have the same firm primer the components too?

Just looking for general concensus.

In Ft. Worth and have several options, just need to know what the typical rate is.

Thanks to all.

THats going to change greatly depending on where you are living.
I had a front grill, 2 door hinges, one door, and 2 fenders blasted. With some sand and some plastic media and it was 225 bucks. They didnt offer the priming service. That would of been awesome.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks like shes in pretty good shape congrats...

[B17CRX]

So I had some friends over this weekend and we picked up the cab and moved it to my trailer. One person on each corner made it easier than cake. I took it to the blasters in the morning and its due to be picked this weekend all fresh and clean and ready for patch panels. The frame is pretty naked now, but that just means that its all the better to clean up and work on the suspension. Without the body in the way it should go pretty quick.





-Joel

[mylow53]

your starting the funnest part short of the first drive. bare sheet metal repair... can't wait for more picts

[Jebb1978]

I like your style, I wouldn't mess with it much either. Looks like a great find.

Originally Posted by B17CRX

Yeah, I drove it home and around town a bit. It has the standard rust issues, rear cab corners and front cab corners. The plan is to have the body blasted to remove the rust and the minor filler work the previous owner did. I want to keep it as stock looking as possible on the outside but about 3 inches lower with a drop axle in the front and drop shackles in the rear. Disc brake kit up front and new master cylinder. It has a 12 bolt rear end already swapped in so I plan to leave that alone, though I may upgrade to a posi later. The 4spd truck transmission is useless for modern speeds so I'd like to find a ATM to replace it. The 283 is strong so I'm planning to just freshen it up a bit. Just your basic cruiser with some attitude.

-Joel

[Silvius]

It looks like you have a great start...that will be a nice one.

[B17CRX]

Well I got my cab back from the blasters and the floors and cab corners were pretty much as expected. The left front cab mount that I was sure would need to be replaced is actually in a lot better shape and I can save it, but there is some extra work to be done around the top of windshield and some un-expected patch work that will be needed around the interior vents up under the dash. Over all I think it came out pretty clean for a 53 year old piece of steel! I also built a frame on casters so I can spin the cab 360 degrees and move it around in my garage by myself. It puts the cab at a nice height to work on as well.












-Joel

[hammerdog57]

I was just wondering what it cost you to blast the cab and what media did they use? sand? I have to get my cab blasted. I am just worried about warping the larger panels using sand. But i do like the way sand knocks the surface rust off.

[B17CRX]

Originally Posted by hammerdog57

I was just wondering what it cost you to blast the cab and what media did they use? sand? I have to get my cab blasted. I am just worried about warping the larger panels using sand. But i do like the way sand knocks the surface rust off.

Mine was 370 for inside, outside, and under and they used a combo of sand for the rusty bits and plastic media on the painted areas. The shop I used charges by the hour so less rusty parts would take less time and cost less. I am glad I went this route as the time I saved over doing it the hard way was well worth it!

-Joel

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by hammerdog57

I was just wondering what it cost you to blast the cab and what media did they use? sand? I have to get my cab blasted. I am just worried about warping the larger panels using sand. But i do like the way sand knocks the surface rust off.

Those prices vary eveywhere. I sent my 71 cab in the same time Joel sent his 55 in. His was 370. Mine was 350, but they did my core support, and a box full of other stuff. Really just depends on where you are. A good shop will use whatever media is best for the situation... NO soda. either sand or plastic.

[hammerdog57]

Just wondering what your plans were for fixing the rust above the windshield? I have a 55 big window cab with the same rust at the top of windshield. Cab needs new steps,cab corners etc. My plan is to try and find a cab with good metal above windshield (about impossible to find) cut it out and replace the rusted metal on my cab. Has any one done this? Pics of repair?

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by hammerdog57

Just wondering what your plans were for fixing the rust above the windshield? I have a 55 big window cab with the same rust at the top of windshield. Cab needs new steps,cab corners etc. My plan is to try and find a cab with good metal above windshield (about impossible to find) cut it out and replace the rusted metal on my cab. Has any one done this? Pics of repair?

Plans are to try and weld the holes up. I personally dont think that is going to cut it. What im recommending is that we cut the bad metal out, put new metal in............... We will see.. Joels the man with the plan on that....

I cant wait to see this thing... WOOOT.. excited...

[B17CRX]

Originally Posted by hammerdog57

Just wondering what your plans were for fixing the rust above the windshield? I have a 55 big window cab with the same rust at the top of windshield. Cab needs new steps,cab corners etc. My plan is to try and find a cab with good metal above windshield (about impossible to find) cut it out and replace the rusted metal on my cab. Has any one done this? Pics of repair?

I am going to try and spot fill one at a time, but if it proves too much it'll be a cut and patch. its fairly minimal compared to the lower corners. Time will tell.

-Joel

[hammerdog57]

Here is a pic of my cab with same rust problem in eyebrow above windshield. (only worse) Metal below roof edge is rusty and real thin in places. Truck is sitting in a barn at the farm for now until i find a cab i can cut this area i need out of. Rusty metal below eyebrow has to many complex areas to try and hand shape patch panels to fix. Plan is to drill spot welds on roof edge and replace inner and outer roof header panels.