55 Chevy LS build thread

[Fummins04]

Hello to all the members here! New to the forums and the build..Figured I'd join the party and post my build as it goes. Won't be the fastest build but should be lots of fun and learning along the way!

Been in search of a older Chevy truck for a while now finally found a good deal locally..Picked up the truck just this past weekend Dec. 15,2014.. Basically I'm starting with a solid shell.. Cab,bed,hood,rear window and side windows are all there.. Frame is factory.. However someone already installed some kind of mustang II front end which is a plus! As well as supplying me with a ford 9in and C- notching the rear as well and welding tabs for the 4 link. However I plan to cut the rear out and redo it all my way because I'm not satisfied with previous owners welds and design.

So plan of attack is to start at the back and work to the front to make a solid rolling chassis then go to front along with brakes n steering! Any insight please share ideas info before or along the road of this build! And bare with my while I try to figure out how to upload pics from my phone

[Fummins04]

Hopefully the attached picture will post/load

[Fummins04]

Here's a picture of the frame before I loaded it onto the trailer

[Fummins04]

As we loaded the cab onto the trailer to bring her home!

[Fummins04]

And one more pic before we get started on the build! Progress pics will be added as well with info

[58CameoAZ]

Good Luck with the Build!
Looks you are off to a Good Start.

Allen

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Looks like a nice solid truck to start with.
Kim

[Az. Hank]

I like the ride height sitting on the trailer.

[Fummins04]

So looks like I had a few things come in for the truck so far. Rear Air bags here

[Fummins04]

Also picked up my motor for this build. 05 5.3 102k miles from Georgia. Needs a bath!

[Fummins04]

4 link bars n brackets

[Kim57]

Nice stuff.
Kim

[Daze57]

good lookin build!

[Fummins04]

Managed to Work on the truck all weekend. Had my buddy stop by n lay down some nice beads for me n made some nice progress!

[Fummins04]

Here's the old if you wanna call it, C-notch we cut out.

[Fummins04]

Here's how the truck sits as of Sunday night. 4 link, bags, and brackets installed. Few small things left in the rear to do like shock tabs n cut the bed clean to clear a new set of rims an tires and such. Back to work for the week, hopefully get back on the truck over the new year.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[Fummins04]

Been a few weeks but figured Id update here. Got the motor mounts welded in and dropped the cab down on the motor n tranny to make sure everything fits. Will need to tunnel inside the cab for the transmission and make a trans mount still.

[Fummins04]

Here's a picture with the ground clearance

[Fummins04]

Ordered new upper an lower control arms from speedway rather then dealing with pressing new bushings in my existing control arms. Also ordered my disk brake kit to switch it to 5 lug to match the rear 5x4.5 pattern. Next step is to install all that front end stuff along with the bags. Currently waiting on all my air fittings to do that too! Slowly but surely coming along!

[Advanced Design]

Looks good, especially with the truck pan higher than the cross member.

[Kim57]

That's going to be low.
Kim

[Fummins04]

Well I know it's been awhile but been super busy. Finally had a lil time I figured I'd get back on here and update the build! Ended up scoring a 58 big window fleetside Apache. Ended up putting the 55 Chevy on hold since the 58 was further along as far as being a complete truck and more of what I wanted anyway!
Here she is waiting to be loaded up to come home!

[Fummins04]

Finished up the frame and here it is back from Powdercoat and assembly started

[Fummins04]

Got the fuel cell,air tank,and rear components in.