My 52 Shop Truck Build

[5150]

I bought this truck on Saturday and it's in pieces, but it's a decent start. The PO nor I know what kind of subframe is underneath it. If you guys could help identify(critique all you want) anything you see I'd appreciate it. I don't want to bag it but want it to sit as low as possible. I'm building this truck for my wife and she won't want to mess with the bags.

The motor is a 305 out of a 80-84 vehicle and the rear is a 10 bolt. I can only assume that the motor, subframe, and rear end are all from the same vehicle.

Just going to rat rod it, fix the few rust issues on the cab and put it back together is the plan for right now. I have a 250 I6 I'm going to drop in it.

[5150]

[5150]

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[MrTucker]

looks like a 70's Camaro front end...I might be wrong.

[1950 GMC]

I will be watching. Subscribed

[chev3600]

The front fenders behind the fence are from a 54-55 first series. The rest of the truck is surely older. The front clip "looks" like a 75+ GM g-body car. I believe th e front mounted steering box gives that away. And I want to say that the calipers and hardware went metric in 78. Tough call, though. I've been having a heck of a time identifying mine too.

The block casting number shows a 76-85 "305" at least according to my reference

The rear end should have a number stamped on the forward side of the passenger axle tube about halfway between the diff and drum. hard to find but use a wire brush. its there.

[5150]

Are you sure the fenders behind the fence are 54-55?

[5150]

nevermind, just saw the recessed spot for the turn signals. oh well. I'm getting 2 grilles, 8 total fenders(4 fronts and 4 rears). Maybe the other two fronts are 47-53. The gate was locked where the truck is so I couldn't get in to take pics of all the other parts. I won't pick up the truck until the first of the year.

[nickp51chevy]

I'm sorry I can't answer your questions, but I think this will be a cool build.

[smbrouss70]

Bryan, that front clip looks identical to my 79 Z28 front clip, so I'm going with 2nd gen camaro subframe.

[jjjmm56]

The spindles and upper a arms look diffrent than my 70 camaro clip . They seem to have more of a curve to them. I"m thinking maybe nova.

[PDW HOTRODS]

It could also be a late 70's Nova subframe.

[Coronas56]

It's a 2nd gen Camaro sub frame, late 60's Camaro and early 70's nova sub frames had rear steer gear boxes. I believe Nova frames in 75 moved the gear box to the rear the horns in front were much higher, I used one of them in a graft.

[Coronas56]

Nova Sub 75...........G body Clip...........and camaro's

[5150]

I wondered if the spindles were drop spindles because it sits so low to the ground. Now I know the tires are flat, but the spiindles are a total different color and look newer then the rest of the subframe.

I'll obviously know for sure when I pull the tire off.

[troy54gmc]

Hey 5150 the fenders are definatley 54-55, i got the same ones. The sub frame is not a 75 nova cause thats what i used and it doesnt look like yours. maybe camaro?. i posted a pic of my fenders and sub. hope this helps.

[Tri5Nerd]

Looks like a mid to late 70's camaro clip, notice the plastic cover around the steering box, those are seen on late 70s to mid 80.

Tri5

[chevy49]

want to sell the 54 fenders?

[5150]

yes I do, I'm going to grab the truck next week. I'll let you know something then. I'll take better pics for you also so you'll see what you are getting.

[1sik52]

Frame is definitely a early 70 camaro

[5150]

Okay, got the spindles thanks to "The Man" Tim Christian. Finally got a decent day without rain and wasn't too busy.

Thanks to Trai for coming over a few weeks ago and helping me cut the frame so the bag brackets would work. What a crock!!!! You pay twice as much for the bag brackets as you do for the 67-72's and then you have to fabricate.

Well, I got the driver's side done, but the pass side needs a ball joint. I went "Bryan" a few weeks ago when I was hammering something and nicked the ball joint on the way down. It messed up the threads. I got the old one out, but didn't feel like renting the tool to put the new one in. I can borrow the tool from my buddy Jimmy just down the road from me this week sometime.

I'm reusing everything that I can, but I did get the rotors resurfaced and got new pads and calipers. Also picked up some sway bar links today and got them on.

Here's the pics:

[5150]

Front is done and it looks awesome!!!!

[Bigblue29]

very cool