55 Chevy C-4

[Az. Hank]

I,ve been lurkin for awhile and haven't gotten around to a build yet. I'm an over the road truck driver so this is going to take some time. I'm out on the road between 320 and 340 days. I do get to do a drive by sometimes and usually have to fix stuff on my tractor when I'm at home.
I picked up a 59 Chevy truck back in 07 and had a 84 C-4 I was going to cannibalize for this truck but I came across a 30 Model A Coupe and that just did it for me. So I decided to sell the Vette and 59 and concentrate on the Model A.

[ATTACH]1338542[/ATTACH

[Az. Hank]

I can't seem to get the attachments to work. They only let me attach four and then I can't back out to add more. I'll get it figured out.





Now fast forward to now. I've been wanting another truck as soon as I sold that one. Sooooo low and behold I come across a 55 on Craigslist close to home. Knowing that I shouldn't I go and hook up the trailer and go look. A few hours later I tell the wife "Look what I found" she just rolled her eyes and said did'nt you sell one of those not to long ago?

[Az. Hank]

The plan for this one is C-4 suspension front and rear using FlatOut Engeneering brackets. I started looking for a doner Vette and found a guy parting one out up in Vegas so I went and looked at and we struck a deal for the parts I wanted.
I didn't really want to mess with the whole car my time at home is very limited. Also the same reason I wasn't going to fab my own brackets. I was going to buy the front and build the rear myself but in the end I decided my time was more important used elsware.
Got ahold of Don at FlatOut and ordered the parts they were here in two days.

[Az. Hank]

I started the teardown so I can get going on the frame when I get time. Motor was a smallblock Chevy and a turbo. Those are going south as this truck was sitting outside and they are most likley filled with sand. (It didn"t have pluges in it and the intake was just sitting on top of the block) I wasn't planning on using them anyway. I'm thinking LS and an automatic for the powerplant.
The rear fenders have to go those are some funky tail lights. I just want to go back to the traditional look. Chassie will be all rebuilt and I want to do the "Patina" paint job leaving some dents and stuff but fixing anything big or rotted out.
Oh I want to put it on ShockWaves so that when I stop at the parts store or something I can blow the bags and sit it right down on the ground. Here's where I'm at now. It's going to be a long build. My biggest problem is when I'm driving I have a lot of time to think.. LOL









Everytime I click the paper clip or the arrow it gives me a dropdown of my attachments then when I move my mouse down to the one I want to select it disapperes?

[Kim57]

This is going to be a nice build.
keep the pics coming.
Kim

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Kim57

This is going to be a nice build.
keep the pics coming.
Kim

I agree, I'm along for the build...Jim

[BIGglaSS]

Nice Project! Subscribed.

[Russell Ashley]

Looks like it already has a Chrysler front suspension installed. That's a good suspension but the Vette will definitely be an improvement.

[Az. Hank]

Yup, is's got a Volare under it. And a Lincoln 9" with disks. Also picked up a bed for the fenders and a 55 hood & grill. I just wanted the fenders and they didn't want to remove them so they gave me the whole bed.







The front fenders are going to need some work they pop riveted patches on the inside of both eyebrows so I'm sure the outside is all bondo. Going to keep an eye out for a nice pair. They show up on Craigslist from time to time.

[lv2tri2]

I would like to talk to you about the bed. I sent a PM.

[Az. Hank]

I got a little time tonight to take the Vette front end apart. Started cutting the Volare suspension out, WOW what a butcher job. I got side tracked and had to help the wife out with her project so I'll finish up tomorrow. I want to get the front end tacked in I have to pick the semi up in Vegas on Wednesday, then it's back to work.

[Advanced Design]

Great start to an interesting project. And a lift outside...how cool is that? I am tagging along.

[Az. Hank]

Today wasn't very productive (football) Got the Volare front cut out. There is not much left of my frame and the drivers side is twisted. I think I'm going to go back to where it's strait and cut it off and weld in new steel channel.

[Az. Hank]

Here is what is left and the old Vette crossmember and the new.

[Kim57]

Looks like a great white took a bite out of your frame.
That vette set up is going to be much nicer.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

A very big bite for sure! Gonna be one cool truck when you are done, keep posting pic's!!

[Az. Hank]

Thanks for the roses guys. Made a cardboard templet of the frame rails and took a ton of measurments. I'm not sure where the center line of the front end is going to be. It didn't look right before I started. I think it was to far back so I'm going with the measurments from Flatout for a starting point then I'll tack everything in put the sheet metal on and stand back and look at it and adjust from there.





To late to turn back now...



Finished and now the fun begins.

[Kim57]

Looks good.
Kim

[oldman3]

Looks similar to what my son and I had to repair on a 48 Fo#d coupe, don't mean to mess up you thread but here's a pic of what we ended up with using a MII front end...Jim

[Az. Hank]

Not at all oldman3 I welcome it. Can never see enough pictures.
I just finished up tonight. Started putting it together to check everything for fit and found out the guy that I bought the front end from lost one of the special spacers on the upper control arm. I texted him and he said he would look around. Well that didn't matter as I was assembling the right side I realized the upper control arm is bent. That ruined a good day.

[Kim57]

That sucks having parts that are no good.
Hope it doesn't set you back too much.
Kim

[oldman3]

Bad news on the bent arm....Jim

[Az. Hank]

Found the parts on E Bay last night. It can go together for now to mock everything up. I'm running out of time for this time at home so once I'm happy with everything it will come back apart and get cleaned up and rebushed.
Hopefully next time I can get the rear end in and done. I'm going to notch it with the 2x4 channel and drop it I'm still not sure how the ride height is going to come out.

[Az. Hank]

Just a quick look.







Looks good to me, I think it's in the middle. What do you guys think.

[oldman3]

It looks close to center, did you check the wheelbase front to back. It could go forward just a bid, but maybe its the the rack, will rear be lower later??...Jim