J.M. Laflamme Build (55 2nd series 3600)
 

I after many years have decided to do a build in memory of my dear grandfather.

We all love old cars and after his death in 2004, My uncle and I (his son) Decided that doing a build would be a great idea in his memory.

I acquired a 1955 2nd series 3600 that I traded a guy for my hunting quad.

After reading all of you guys builds, I finally decided on the road to take. My uncle I call "uncle pecker head" and I have chosen to buy a donor truck and put the truck body on a newer chassis.

addicted2dunes and his build has inspired me to get a move on and make my grandfather proud.

here is how I got her.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

So we got the donor home and got to town on her.

I forgot to take pictures of the donor before it went "convertible"

donor is a 1992 chevy 1500 1/2 ton 2 wd...

or like some precise peeps would like to call it... 131.5 wheel base... lol

but here goes nothing!!! :metal:

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

stripped the 55's cab bare and started cutting the floor out.

we decided to merge the new firewall and floor to the 55's cab.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

I think today we fitted the cab on about 50 times or so. cutting and fitting and trimming and throwing things and hammering and cutting.

mostly throwing things...lol :lol:

We found out that the length of the new cab was about 2.5 inches longer than the 55's. So with that said, we would marry the rear of the cab and give the firewall a 2.5 - 3 inch stretch.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

more fitting to get the cab to sit right.

notice the last pick of the rear of the cab, I pulled the sheet metal over the donor's floor which allows the whole body to "drop"

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

more progress today :chevy:

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

sanity check on the front fender wheel spacing... GULP!

pretty happy so far as to how the fender fits.:waah:

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

final pics ending the night.

pretty sore and tired, but feel great with how she is starting to look. ;)

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

What year and model is your new frame ?

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

1992 chevy 1500 with a 8 ft bed. 1/2 ton

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Nice work
What kind of bed will you use with your 131.5 wheelbase frame ?

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

i am planning to use a step side box and fabricate a utility tool box with side doors that will fill the gap between the cab and the bed.

I have a good image in my noggin... lol

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

or you can use a 9 foot box step side that was on the 135 wheel base 1 ton truck

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

thanks for the input, I will look into it.

I am really undecided at this point, I have a long way to go before that gets taken care of.

Thanks again,

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

A ton of work done already....should be a great driver when its complete!

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Today we got the floor to fit better and repositioned the column.

she is fitting nicely and is almost ready to start fabricating panels. We achieved 5 inched of frontal cab leg room.

more pics to come on how we merge this into the cab.

here are some pics of today's progress...

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

a couple pics of rough fitting the doors. Then the repositioning of the column, Which is now centered over the gauge cluster.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Wow that's a lot of work. Very interesting build.
I'm curious as to why you didn't just add the cab mounts from the original frame to the donor frame?
Kim

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

The floor was pretty rusty, but could have been done that way. I thought after reading "addicted2dunes" build that merging a newer set up would be cool to do.

plus now that I have 5 plus inches more to deepen the firewall, I can now possibly use the big plastic heating unit out of the 92. heater core and all.

its working out well in our eyes so far.

only thing i have noticed so far is that I am going to want a tilt column.

thanks for looking!!!

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

If you had to replace the floor anyway then what your doing is probably about the same.
Keep the pics coming.
Kim

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

At least you're moving along a lot quicker then I am. I'm feeling pretty good after my injury and ready to get back on my project..... now you are inspiring me to get back to work. BUT, we are having rain storms like no other here in Cali. right now (of course).

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Also, are you going to run the '92 drivetrain?

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

No, I am not planning on using the 92's set-up. I am going to keep it carburated with no electronic controls. HEI Ignition at best.

I got rid of the electronic brake B.S. and grabbed a master cyl. out of a 78 pick up. Should be fine, Then I will just order a new wiring harness from painless and be done with it.

I am going to try to incorporate the 92's heater box and controls though. no AC or power anything.

I am not sure what I am going to use for a rear end as of yet, I have a 1973 350 sbc thats pretty much ready to go. If I find a good deal on an automatic tranny, then I will go that route to boot.

more sheet metal work coming up this weekend to start merging the firewall mess.

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

more work today on merging the firewall mess.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

here are a couple more views.