Bucks 55 build
 

Long story short, I found this rig on FB wher the previous owner had already started the frame work. He had a heidts mustang II welded into place and the mounts for a no-limit fat bar 4-link. The frame was then blasted and powder coated. Here she is the day I brought home my new baby.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Had to make a bunch more room in the garage, but got the frame in place and up on blocks ready to start assembling.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Picked up an 10 bolt rear end from a friend, cut all the brackets off and got into place, to mount up to the 4-link

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Also mounted up the under frame gas tank.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Heidts mustang II front end installed. Except for coil spring. Need to go get a spring compressor for that. Disc brakes going on all four corners. Power steering all mounted up.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Decided to do a little rust repair today. I don’t know how but the center of the cab back wall was completely gone from rust. It the only spot on the whole truck. But anyway out with the old in with more old, found a patch panel at a junk yard.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Had to fab a brake booster bracket and install the booster. Twisted up some new brake lines. Don’t laugh it was my first time doing hard lines. They need a little finessing but will still serve the purpose.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Forgot to add pics

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Battery box mounted

Front coils installed

Rear end painted and installed with disc brakes conversion

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Oh yeah this baby showed up today. Gm performance crate 350. Matching th350 trans in route also.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Nice start with your rolling chassis. Looks great.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

great project....Norcal?

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

hey Joe- yeah right down the road from you, Santa Rosa

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Your in my backyard !......I don't have much extra parts lying around anymore, but I have some door latches your welcome to.... They are repo's lightly used Rt and Lt.....
......Great build
Joe

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Might just take you up on that, I been thinking of doing the altman latches.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Happy Labor Day


And We’ve got a ROLLER!!!!!!

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

I have the NoLimit fat bar Currie 9" air suspension .

It's important that the track bar be level at ride height so the rear axle has the least side to side movement as it travels up and down .
You may have to relocate the chassis end to get it level .

This is mine at ride height

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

BTW you should add a drop out cross member where the original was to tie the front cab mounts together . Over time they will sag without one , then the sheet metal panel gaps will go wonky and be a bear to fix .

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Congrats....looking good.....

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

G&R I’ll have to check that out, I’m hoping the rear end comes down a bit once there some weight on it.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

G&R— how does a crossmember fit with the trans there? Do you have any pics?

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

I still have to cut and make it a bolt in like the GMC’s have then add metal to the bottom of it then cut the center down to the new metal . In other words make it deeper under the trans .

On my build the low point of the cross member was to be nine inches above the road at ride height . Since I’m adding metal to the bottom it’ll be seven inches .

The sad thing is the photos were taken the day it was finished getting the suspension installed at NoLimit back in December 2010 . After I got it home I installed the calipers and Wheel Vintiqes Artillery wheels and Coker wide white tires . Then shoved it in the corner of the shop to sit for years as I gathered a mock up cab , rad & fans support inner fenders and a 5.3 & 4L60E .
Meanwhile I spent 3 years rebuilding an Airstream , redoing my pick up trailer , new engine install (body off) in my Tahoe , currently reassembling my 66 Dart .

And there it sits ...

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Looking again at your Chassis , the trans may be low enough to sneak a flat bar over the top of it with a slight bend in it to tie the upper chassis rails together below the cab floor at the front cab mounts .
The trans cross member looks close enough to the front cab mount to aid the upper flat bar to keep lower chassis rail from twisting . This combo could be an alternative to the original cross member .

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

I always had the thought if that mid crossmember was modified to function like the original 3 piece one for a Hydromatic it would work in these types of situations. It would be able to provide support between the rails and have a center section that drops out for tranny R&R. I can't find a picture but someone may have one. Did you pull out the one between the rear cab mounts as well?

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

No it’s still in and will stay in .

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Next step exhaust——- I’m thinking either flomaster 40 series or glass packs. Any suggestions? They are going to dump right in front of the rear axel under the bed.
Also be hooked to a set of headman block hugger headers.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Flomasters would be definitly louder than the other.....If you decide to go that route I have a lightly used set of 44's if you want them......Pulled them off a new build and no plans for them...2.5" in and out......

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Damn joe you are like a parts house. If I need it you’ve got it..��

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Parts find me....lol.....anyways if you need them or a pair of Turbo mufflers https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-633252 your decision.......Just paying it forward
Joe

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Played a little dress up this morning. Got the serpentine belts all hooked up with new 140amp alternator and steering pump. CVF racing makes some nice pulley sets for a reasonable price.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Also got the block header huggers fitted up. I’ve only got about 1/4” clearance on the 1and4 cylinders, so I’m guessing I’ll need to find some shorty plugs. Also the #1 wire is about 8” short. Any one know where I can get a moroso single wire from? All I can find is the kits.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Well ****. I got excited about how well things were coming together and decided to clean up the radiator support and test fir the new cold case radiator.
Good news radiator and shroud fit and match up perfect.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Bad news fan doesn’t fit.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Looks good....You can get 2 wire kits for bikes " https://www.ebay.com/p/250464837"
Maybe it will match up.....

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Joe- not sure what your talking about. That link doesnt work. do you mean dual fan set ups?

I think im going to have to go with a mechanical fan, unless i can figure out if i can move the whole support forward an inch and a half or so.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Sorry...it was a link to Summit listing.....The item was a Moroso Red ignition wire kit for a Harley. It was 2 wires and ends that you might be able to replace your short wire with. Something I've done before..
Joe

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

got it, thats a good idea ill give it a look, thanks

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Also I went back to a mechanical fan....I just didn't get the cooling I expected with electric, Plus my A/C is colder at a stop.....

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Got the ol rig flipped upside down to fix the rusted cab corner, and replace both rockers. The rockers and steps aren’t rust just bent up beyond the point of wasting time to fix. Other than one corner the underside looks surprisingly good for a almost 70 year ol truck.

Re: Bucks 55 build
 

Come to find out that the corner was repaired with some old school lead. They filled about half way up the back corner of the cab. So gonna have some grinding to do to get it all fixed properly.