JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Hey Guys and girls
I"ve managed to get my hands on a a great 1956 chevy stepside truck, This is going to be my second build but this is a lot more of project compared to my last one. So i'll be asking for a hand and idea along the way.
Down to the truck
Its a 56, The floors have been all welded in and the cab corners have been lapped welded but aren't completely weld in solid. Should I be welding them in solid, the doors are the same way. The biggest catch with the truck has a new roof put on and its got a lap joint on the rear and I'm not totally sure how I the line to disappear?

Now to my parts list, I"ve got a Horton weld series IFS coil overs and tri angle four link, C notch and a chevy S10 rearend with 3.55 gears and disc brakes.

First action was getting the cab of the frame and the doors off the truck. Then planning on boxing in the chassis and before hand weld in some c chaneling to make sure the frame doesn't twist and I'm also going to put a tubing in front of the front cross member..

I'm planning to run a 5.3 Ls and still looking for a tranny for now. I'm also looking for a 6.0 too. :)
Any ideas or help is great!! Thanks for coming by!!

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Nice project! Where in Ontario?

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

North of Toronto, You?

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Kingston area. Did you get the complete truck? Buy it local?

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

it actually came out of Montreal and it is a compete truck but as basket truck really.. Your a bit of drive but great to see another Ontario guy!

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Nice looking project, good to see some other ontario guys on here, i;m from london

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

I'll be interested to see your 4 link install. I was considering the Horton stuff myself, with the Canadian dollar the way it is, I'm trying to order as much stuff from Canadian companies as I can.

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Nice looking start.
I prefer to but weld my repairs. I think it's lees trouble in the long run.
Kim

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Kim, I prefer to but them as well but I'm not going to cut of the pieces that are already done that way. its to nice of job to redo and only going to give me issues. Going to be fun at body work...

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

If it was done decently a skim coat of a high quality body filler should do the trick.
Kim

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Thanks Kim and I'm thinking that's what the plan going to have to be.

Yesturday managed to pull off the cab and the doors. It's a start for sure.

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Cabs off and doors

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

I would finish tack welding the seam solid just so it doesn't have a chance to crack in the future.
Kim

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Been doing some fender hammering and dolling to get out some big dents and now getting to the smaller ones. It's been cold so haven't been able to get up to much..

Think I can find a slapping hammer in Ontario, lmao if you do they want a arm and leg for it.. €*#^}* :( but on word and up word.

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Chassis is finally coming along, The Horton M2 front cross-member is in. After hours of measuring and making templates so we don't mess up to bad. Its in!! :) :) The instructions from horton aren't that easy but after reading them 30 times we got it figured out. So if you thinking of using this kit and got a question, I'm more than willing to explain and help out!!

Now I"m just trying to figure of what coil overs to run and the length and stuff. If anyone got some suggestions let me know. I"m new to coil overs to still wrapping my head around it.

Got around to boxing in the chassis as well. which i gotta say add a lot of weight to the chassis!

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Sounds like you're making good progress.
Kim

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

More progress as I go.. Thought it been a while and o really have to take some more pics to remember everything..

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

So the trucks been moving along :) its not rolling and starting to get going. Here some of my self taught metal work, I"m learning and wow have i learned a bunch.. The gas cap worked great and i knew i went to grade 1 for a reason.. lol Any pointers or anything i'm always open. Next up is finish off the body work and keep on moving in this hot weather..

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Looks good.
I'm self taught on all this also.
The good thing about metal is you can always start with a new piece.
Kim

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Nice build. Enjoying your sheet metal work!! dug

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Cool project!

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Thanks Guys!! It is coming along.. :)

That totally is true, Kim :)

I"ve been busy working on getting the firewall all cleaned up and no more holes. Wow is there ever a bunch and see why people weld in a new sheet... I love the look of it now :)

Got the weld line for the rear to disappear, the gas cap and the lower quarter :) Got it blocked out with 120 than 180.. Primer next.. Startin to look like a truck..

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Looking good.
Kim

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Been making some progress and starting to get a few things lined up.

Question is what grit do you guys like to sand your primer with before base coat, Ive hear to use 320 to block than use 500, Its been blocked once already with 180 after primer than reprimed which i did today.. Pics are before i primed them today..

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Subscribed.
What did you use to fill in the firewall holes.

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

I used body sheet metal and took my time welding and than did some body work its is a huge task.. A major trick i thought of when i had three holes to make is use the socket.. They come so many sizes.. Find one that fits tight than trace it... Oh a good magnet and aluminum is hand to put on the back to keep her flush help a bunch too.

Mines not perfect but i get why people do a solid sheet.. its takes a lot of work but i love the way it came out...

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Been working with block sanding the truck but looks like its the end of the season for me because weather here has gone to sub zeros. :P One more shot of primer than colour next spring by the looks of it :)

Now to doing chassis work and get that engine in!

In the mean time today got great deal on the rubber for the windshield and a brand new windshield! I"m totally pumped! less money spent on that = more to spend on the engine :)

If anyone know how to get the heated seats for a Cadillac, let me know! Thanks

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Jan 1 2017
Been trying to work on the truck in the cold but wow is sure isn't as fun. But some parts! For the ls to fit in I'm using a f body 98-02 ls oil Pan.
I got a fuel tank of tanc sink and the 1966-68 tank fits great with some trimming.
Wish I went with the bigger tank now but oh well 16 gallons is a lot..

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Update it's been a while,

Got the ls engine in the truck for now,
Made up a tranny tunnel, not the prettiest thing on the world but does the job,
Got most of the stuff primed
The doors are on and what a #*% pain that was, something was out on the step and pocket when the guy before me put them in and wow what a headache!!
Ran the an -8 fuel line down the truck,
Got the tranny mount in which I used a trailer hitch and worked awesome! Lol
Headers are on and looks like it's going to a simple hook up the m2..

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

More pics

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

On to some wood and lastly I've blocked some of the truck and have little spots like this... is this not blocked down enough or do I need to worry about that,
It's been blocked with 500 here

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Time for a update
The box is painted and the woods in :)
The cabs been painted as well and the ls engines in the truck..

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

looks great...

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Looks really nice.
Kim

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Progress update

I"ve started to run the painless wire harness for the truck, and i can i say that with a LS swap i've got a bunch of wire i dont need, that i'm hiding.. its like wire city... Still missing the ignition switch and the wiper switch.

I"ve been making the bracket for using a blazer wiper motor in the truck and its been a fun but unfortunately the old wiper motor go put into the scrap pile and its gone...:( so been playing with that..

Making a center hand console looks easy, I can tell you it sure isn't...might redo this and just make it out of fiberglass that ive worked with before... and have more talent with it....

I"m thinking of putting the transmission cooler for the 4l80e behind the front bumper on the support bar, just do the room at the rad is tight.. Anyone done this before?

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Looks awesome

A month or two behind you .....

Hows the transmission tunnel fitment - 4l60e right ? --- you had to modify it looks like

Any tips for engine install/alignment and wiring or issues hit.

Good stuff.

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Nice progress, keep it up! Not everyone comments but plenty of people are following along.

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Awesome to hear your a month or two behind,

The transmission tunnel probable didn't need as much trimming as i did because i had the tranny set a 0 angle when i did it, not a 3 degree so you might have to take out some.. I also had to trim one of the ear on the passenger side for the long tube headers to get by the 4l80E, dont think you'd have a issue with a 4l60e.

I actually rewire the original harness, did it twice once for a 5.3 and now for the 6L, think the sites lt1swap (lots of information), I totally pulled a part the wire harness, Id leave it in form it was again and leave the computer in the engine bay.. I"m going to rewire and lengthen another harness next winter to move the computer behind a seat or you could just buy a harness.. IN the end that would have been way way easier....

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

Jaws
Fandamtastic, you have been bustin your butter knives!!!!
Well done, your hood scoop has got me thinking about doing a some what similar approach. Details are still rattlin around in my brain pan, you know the ginormas pit.

well well done.

Thanks

NC

Re: JAWS 56 Chevy Stepside LS Build
 

ooooorange. such a great color for a hot rod truck.