My Project 1955!

[Shanehenrymusic]

I recently found this forum and thought I would share some pictures of my old trucks. I'm currently working on 2 builds a 1955 Big Window (W/ Fleet-side Bed) and a 1956 small window step-side. My grandpa got me interested in the "Old Trucks" when I was 10 year old.. I've been hooked ever since. Please share your thoughts.. I've got a long ways to go on both trucks!

[Shanehenrymusic]

Here's More Pics - I'd appreciate it if anyone could tell me what front clip/rear end is on this frame. I bought a parts truck and this frame was already set up. Its been bagged in the rear - The front is a volarie but I'm not sure from what year or if the work is even done right. Thoughts???

[Shanehenrymusic]

More pics of the Project 1955... after many hours of blasting and body work.. its coming along. (As you can see in the pics, I have a fleet of old trucks..

[OKGMC4]

Lucky duck...lots of toys and a big toy box to keep them in. Lookin good...all except those nasty blue ovals in the center of your wheels. Can't wait to see more!

[Kim57]

Welcome
Looks like some real neat stuff.
Keep the pics coming.
Kim

[Shanehenrymusic]

Yeah - I have a place to store my trucks and work on them thanks to my mom - It's a 30x60 shop and its awesome! - You guys know anything about that front end??

[Kabwe]

Great collections of trucks you have there.

The volare I've done them in the past and they do ride nice and the installation is easy to do. The only thing I really don't like about them is that big steering box will make you offset your engine, part availability, and header choices. That being said it is somewhat adjustable with the torsion bars but if you really want it low I would buy the expensive drop spindles. I believe no limit engineering sales them.

[Shanehenrymusic]

Hey Kabwe - By looking at the pics of my frame can you tell if the installation of the volare clip was done right? Some people have told me it will work, others are skeptical...

[OrrieG]

A local friend had a Volare clip on a AD truck he bought, done wrong. After it pitched him randomly into oncoming traffic or off the road for the third time he got a different chassis and installed an aftermarket system. I looked at the Volare install before he sold it, to get the truck low they had installed it at an angle and cranked the A arms to the upper extreme. That did not allow for enough distance to properly set the camber, hence the extreme bump steer. Guess you just need to make sure the install allows adjustments to original manf specs.

[Shanehenrymusic]

Here's Project # 2 - 1955 Big Window W/ Fleetside Bed. Plans are to install the Flat Out Engineering front and rear kits. I already have the front and rear suspension from a 96 vette... started out with a rust bucket cab and have replaced every patch panel possible.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Shanehenrymusic

Hey Kabwe - By looking at the pics of my frame can you tell if the installation of the volare clip was done right? Some people have told me it will work, others are skeptical...

I really don't like criticizing other peoples work, but since OrrieG responded I feel more comfortable responding.

Judging from the pics he did not notch the frame and slide the volare into position. It looks like he just laid the volare under the frame and welded or bolted it in (once again I'm judging from the pics and not in person). I may still work okay its just not the way I've been taught to do them. I knew someone that done it that way and he did not like because he could not get it as low as he wanted.

Here is one I did and you can see how I notched the frame and slid it into the notch. The truck is on the road now and drives great.




Now if it were my truck I would install a GM clip and be done with it. The aftermarket is plentiful if you wanted to bag you could. You still have that option because the frame has to be cut anyway. The sky is the limit with what you can do with a GM Clip but thats just my opinion and it does not mean anything. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

[Shanehenrymusic]

More from project # 2

[Shanehenrymusic]

Thanks for the advice. I'm totally not offended - the frame was this way when i bought the truck, so I figured it wasn't done right. I don't have much knowledge of suspensions that's why I am here. What is the best GM clip? I know most people use camaro's.. is there a certain year that works better than others?
Thanks
-Shane

[Shanehenrymusic]

Here's another pic of the big window.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Shanehenrymusic

Thanks for the advice. I'm totally not offended - the frame was this way when i bought the truck, so I figured it wasn't done right. I don't have much knowledge of suspensions that's why I am here. What is the best GM clip? I know most people use camaro's.. is there a certain year that works better than others?
Thanks
-Shane

Check out this link, there is a lot of info for you.
http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs&rearend.htm

[ZR2RICK]

Here's a great build detailing a GM clip install, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...php?t=148978it helped me a lot, I ended up getting a deal on a 79 nova clip and it has worked out great.

[ChuckDriver]

Nice collection of trucks and a great space to work. Can you say "jealous"! Keep the pics coming!!

[Shanehenrymusic]

I've been getting after it the last few weeks. I finished up all the body work on my front sheet-metal.. I sprayed it with Vari-prime and then a nice heavy coat of Z-chrome Rust Defender to help with blocking. My next step is converting the small window to the large wrap around backglass.. Anyone out there know anyone who does frame work close to the Oklahoma City Area? I think I'd rather pay someone to do the subframe rather than screw it up. - Here's some pics of the progress!

[Shanehenrymusic]

More Pics - Its the mystery frame - anyone know what the rear end set-up os out of? I believe its a ford car - possibly a mustang.

[Shanehenrymusic]

picked up a cool bowtie front end panel at Mar-K products in OKC this week.. next up is that big window conversion....

[Wheelie]

That rearend looks like a ford 5.0 thunderbird 8.8 rearend

[hotrodsbyray]

Boy that rearend install looks so much better than that Volare clip.
One clue maybe - is the rearend 4 1/2 or 4 3/4 bolt pattern? I know you can have either redrilled but still may be a clue as to the rear.

[Shanehenrymusic]

I know- Its hard to believe with how sloppy the front end job is.. I plan on installing a Camaro clip.. However I'm still debating on whether I should use this frame or find another one... You think the rear will work out fine?
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[Shanehenrymusic]

It's been a while since I last posted on here. I've been too busy working in the shop the past 2 weeks! I've made quite a bit of progress on my 55. let me know what ya'll think!
-Shanw

[Shanehenrymusic]

Here's more pics - got the big window section all welded up and the bed box sitting on the frame... making some progress..

I scored this frame last week set up with a 79 trans am front clip and rear end. I plan on sitting my truck on this frame once i get my engine/trans installed..

-Shane