1948 Chevy Project

[tylordurben]

some of you may remember my build of a 1950 GMC:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=289540

currently a new client dropped off his 48 project truck in hopes to pick it up as a driver. unfortunately some of the work has already been done and will need revisiting, however it is in my eyes a good start. the old cab and sheetmetal will sit atop a S-10/Blazer frame. plans are to mimic the same "look" as the 50 GMC, full air-ride suspension, 350 motor, auto trans, power disc brakes, power steering all the modern goodies, however retaining the look and feel of the old truck. follow along if you like for i will update as this project moves forward step by step.

as arrived:


new parts:


195/75-15 on 15x6.5 smoothies:


stock s-10:


dropped spindles, no springs (future airbags) still need to trim spring cup to drop 1 more inch:


looking better:


thanks,
Yaril

[63 & 64 Bowties]

If this turns out like any of your other builds, this is gonna be awesome.

[tylordurben]

well the 4-link pan-hard bar and rear bag brackets had arrived (thanks DW welderseries.com) and they look great as always! so im also building another S-10 frame for another AD truck build, but thats just the frame by itself, so i get to do this job twice!







think im not going to make this one lay running boards. im about 1-1/2" off the ground and content, even though i got some motivation in the background...



till next time.

[ratty 46]

Nice ....... I'm in.

Ratty 46

[LEEVON]

Nice, I like that 4-link is it S-10 specific or their universal one? I talked with DW the other day, super nice fellow. I'm gonna use some of their stuff. Wish I still lived in Miami so I could stop by and see this in person.

Leevon

[bjcaldwe]

I love the style of trucks you built. I had sent an email question on your site, but I will just ask it here.

On Ozzy's GMC what cross member, and what rims did y'all use?

Thanks in advance.

[tylordurben]

Originally Posted by bjcaldwe

I love the style of trucks you built. I had sent an email question on your site, but I will just ask it here.

On Ozzy's GMC what cross member, and what rims did y'all use?

Thanks in advance.

sorry i had not gotten back to ya, i usually try and handle my e-mails on the site once or twice a week.

Ozzys mII is from e-bay. customer purchased so i got no info on it other than the busings it brought for the a-arms are garbage. they already blew out with mearly 2K miles. rims are 14s, main thing if laying out is the goal, is to run 26.5" tall tires, im sure you can research but of my head thats the biggest that will fit in the fender and layout. granted i didnt trim the rear inner fender support.

good luck!

[bjcaldwe]

No problem, thanks for the info.

[355bullet]

tylordurben
I didnt know you can sit those trucks on a s-10 frame.
Is the wheel base the same or needs mods?
More info please!!
thanks in advance....nice GMC too

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by 355bullet

tylordurben
I didnt know you can sit those trucks on a s-10 frame.
Is the wheel base the same or needs mods?
More info please!!
thanks in advance....nice GMC too

Take a look at some of the s-10 build threads on this board, there are probably a dozen active right now and many more older ones too. Some use the original engine and drive train, others use SBC with newer drive train.

[355bullet]

Did some research found a kit.
Crazy how this bolts up!
www.ad-engineering.com

[tylordurben]

update!!!

set the panhard bar at ride hight 0 degrees:


metal to box frame for frame bag bracket and strength:


looking good, only frame shock brackets left to fab:








close up:


sitting pretty:


more to come...

[Kid]

looking good, love the wide whites & chrome on these old trucks! By the way, nice welds too

[tylordurben]

thanks i try. always love your truck too man!

bit more progress for today...

shock tabs finished



air tank mounted



even got my SBC 283 with 350 trans in the truck for mock up purposes





steering column will be next.

[ratty 46]

Nice progress!!

Ratty 46

[nuke1]

nice ride, keep up the progress!

[tylordurben]

steering looks simple enough, going to order the 3/4 double D joint before i trim the column any more.

[OrrieG]

It looks pretty close but I would order two. These old trucks flex and move between the cab and frame and you might get binding if you only use one joint. Two will give you some flexibility in length too.

[tylordurben]

while i wait on the steering and brake parts, thought i would move forward inside the cab.

stock dash:



removed 2 knobs right of gauges and filled an additional hole:



also worked on the trans hump, paper template:



welded and seam sealed, also took care of a couple other floor issues:

[nickp51chevy]

Great build. I love the trans tunnel!

[Microsoft Paint]

That is awesome. Loved your other build (builds actually the stuff on KCW and the hamb too).

[rollinrooster]

Super nice work!!! Here is a pic of mine sitting on an s-10 frame.

[tylordurben]

thanks everyone!!!

finally some essential parts arrived.

worked on the automatic shifting do-hickey. took apart the original 3 on the tree selector and welded it so that only 1 selector moves. cut the other one and rounded it out, you have to keep it cause is supports the shaft. with a universal shift rod kit and a little trimming we have the stock column / shifter now working an auto trans:



steering is connected. using some 3/4 DD, a DD universal joint and a column bearing. in the pics it is only mocked up:



inside the cabin it will all appear stock:



including the accelerator pedal. a cheap spoon pedal and an angle bracket puts the spoon just behind the stock pedal, now the push style original pedal can pull the carb linkage:



last thing will be the brake pedal. that is going to be in form of a CPP kit with booster on firewall. nothing crazy, just something that will work.

[OrrieG]

Looks good. How are you handling your brake pedal? Firewall conversion?

[tylordurben]

yup, like i said above i ordered a CPP firewall booster assembly. i have a plate to reinforce the firewall as soon as that comes in. when i build these trucks using the stock frame i like to keep it under the cabin like stock with the stock pedal. i might simply cut and weld the actual pedal so it looks original.