56 task force on 80 1/2 ton frame pictures

[56hotrodred]

Things are moving slowly on my build as I am now fully engulfed into the wiring. Slow going but I now have the AAW fuse panel in and am starting to hook up individual circuits.

The wiring under the cab is secured and covered with braided loom and cable clamps. That alone took the better part of a full day!

In the 2 photos you can again see the Ron Francis Ramjet wiring in the cab behind the seat, still not hooked up to main control unit as I am waiting for some individual wire clamps/tie-downs to fasten them down and keep things neat back there!

You can also see the beginning of the AAW install with as much Dynamat on the firewall as I could stick down.

I am leaving a fair bit of slack in the wiring to the dash so in the future I can take it out and basically set it on my lap, when I have a seat in, to look on or work on things. It looks like I have room under the dash for the extra wiring that is a result of this slack.

So far I am happy with how far the Dynamat has gone. I know its expensive but I have about $200.00 invested in it so far and that has covered the firewall and the roof. I will need more to do the floor and will have to talk to the body shop, as they still have my doors, about making sure the insides of the doors get something also. I can't believe how it took the tin can sound out of the roof!

I am running into a few issues that I don't know how to deal with yet!

For one I see that I have a wire identified to go to the electric choke! I don't have an electric choke with the Ramjet 350!

Do I just eliminate that wire? Do I totally remove it?

I am also trying to figure out the electronic speedometer! Not sure at all what needs to be done there!

Might have to email AAW and/or Ron Francis to see how that goes.

I am sure there will be more questions for both companies.

Sometimes the answer(s) presents itself as you move to the next step or otherwise look ahead at the instructions.

One example of that that made me feels stupid is that when I was running Ron Francis wires in the engine compartment I installed a wire to each the water temp and oil pressure gauges but low and behold those wires are included in the AAW classic update kit. I had to look ahead a step or two in the instructions when all of a sudden I had 2 sets of wires for each of them. Kind of a duh moment.

I am sure there will be more as electrical stuff has always mystified me!!!

[joedoh]

what a great color!

[56hotrodred]

Originally Posted by joedoh

what a great color!

Thanks a lot. I think it looks even better in person than a picture.

[56hotrodred]

I have been wrestling with things electrical and it has been a steep learning curve.

Luckily American Autowire has a great support staff, actually have only been dealing with one guy, named Josh, and he is really knowledgable and helpful.

Ron Francis help has also pulled through a couple of times.

I have to stop working on electrical things and get the truck ready to send back to the body shop before we head to Arizona. Most of the major stuff has been figured out and I don't want to hook up stuff like front headlights, turn signals, rear lights and brakes, etc until I get it back in the spring.

I was going to try to get it running before it went back to body shop but have now decided against it because I won't have time to work the bugs out. I fear someone at the body shop firing it up and something happening.

Tomorrow I get the front fenders back from the metal guy and will be able to put them and the hood back on. I am taking him the back fenders to massage back into perfect shape. The body shop only has to clean, spray epoxy primer, put very little mud on and final prime. Should keep costs down some as metal guy is less expensive then body shop.

The seat is temporary but should get me buy for the meantime. Also visible is a rag over the master brake cylinder. I am bleeding it before moving out to the wheels. I at first had it elevated in the front and the bleeding did not seem to be working very well. Now that its level it seems to be working better but will let it sit over night and pump it up a bit more tomorrow. I also have the steering wheel on and think it may be too close, but only buy an inch or so! I am going to leave it for now until I get my new seat and see where it all ends up then.

I am pretty happy with the results so far.

[Rickysnickers]

You've really done a nice job a nice on this project!

[dsraven]

looking good.
just curious on the air filter location. do you drive in wet conditions much? could "inhale" some water like that.

[56hotrodred]

I actually have a 3-sided metal box that fits over the air cleaner only leaving it open on the top and front. I may even close the top in. Should be good.

This one won't be driven in the rain on purpose anyway!

[56hotrodred]

Getting ready to bring the truck back to body shop before we head south. I had a delay in getting the front fenders as my metal guy accidentally filled in the emblem holes! Anyway their back in and I have the front fenders home now.

Working like crazy to get a bunch of little stuff buttoned up... so much little stuff to do... but I am now prioritizing what actually needs to be done now!

I gave up on trying to get it running and feel its better anyway that its not!

The front fenders turned out amazing.

May have to lower it a bit down the road but for now it will be just fine.

[56hotrodred]

Well big day today, in fact the last few days have been big or at least long days!!!

I was working on getting the truck ready to take into the body shop - about an hours drive from here.

Had a few issues with getting the brakes to work and the power steering filled up with fluid and then stopped several leaks after they were fill. Both had their own individual issues that took a fair amount of time.

The brakes I never did get working but I believe that is due to the old front callipers that I continued to use for mock-up. It looks like they have seized up or something or just dried out. They have been sitting dry for quit some time. I did not want to change them over to new ones yet as I am going to get my mechanic, before he inspects it prior to registration, to change the rotors and callipers and check all my front end work prior to alignment. Having him check it all over is a good idea I think.

The power steering, without engine running, was just to get some fluid in and get ride of leaks. That I did but then I could hardly steer it! I ended up removing most of the power steering fluid and at least you can steer it now. The guys at the body shop thanked me for that one as it makes their lives much easier.

When we get back in late March I will take rear window in and we will put both front and back windows in. I will do side windows when I get it home after I get some hush mat or something in them.

Anyway here is a picture of it outside for the first time and another with it loaded up. Notice no snow on the hills!!! Pretty nice winter so far but it has been really windy lately.

[Kim57]

Looks great.
Kim

[56hotrodred]

Thanks Chris and Kim.

I am pretty stoked right now and hope to have it home in a week or so.

Im estimating about 85% done but know the last 15% is going to be the hardest.

Might pull a mechanic friend in to remove pinion nut and shaft so I can go larger u-joints and bigger diameter driveshaft. Need to make a new driveshaft anyway. While he's here I may have him help set timing and prime oil and just look it over.

He will be getting it for the final inspection before registering when I am going to have him check front end and align all the new parts I installed up there.

Still also a fair bit of wiring to do as I left that un-done on purpose before it went and sat in the autobody shop for many months.

I am going in this week as soon as the box and rear fenders are painted and on so I can see the almost finished product!

I have a truck load of parts for the body shop including side windows, inner door hardware, door and window handles, rear window and more...

[oldman3]

Been following your build for awhile, just haven't posted. Very nice work and truck is looking great...Jim

[geezer#99]

Nice truck!
Brings back memories!
I built a 56 back 20 years ago. Lots of work! Used part of an 80 gmc frame.
Sold to a guy from Smithers BC. Last I heard it’s still ripping up the streets with a blown 427.
Looks like soon you’ll be cruising the dub!

[56hotrodred]

Thanks a lot Oldman and Geezer.

I am getting excited it has been a long 12 years since I started but I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Finally sent a bunch of stuff off the powder coat. I am powder coating the bumpers, grille and other pieces a silver colour, the same or real close to the ralley rims. I don't want to much chrome!

[Rickysnickers]

You've done a really nice job!!

[56hotrodred]

Thanks very much Ricky.

[Ronzo]

Any updates?
Ron in Lethbridge...

[56hotrodred]

Hey Ron in Lethbridge. Well a bit - the shop In Coaldale sent me a couple of pictures last night. The box should be ready for paint today or tomorrow.

I will see what photos I can send.

[56hotrodred]

Here are the latest updates.

You will note that I am having the shop paint the CHEVROLET letters on the tailgate silver the same colour as the rims, bumpers, headlight covers and grille. They will cover them with some "sticky letters/decals" I bought on-line and then paint the tailgate - then remove the decals.

I also had them fix up the steering column that I scratched up pretty bad when installing it. Thankfully they did not have to remove it again.

I also see that they installed the door handles that I gave them for mock-up but I have new handles with locks and keys ready to go in. I have my Tacoma loaded with stuff to go in when I get the word.

I am busy in shop removing all the stuff left laying around after my 12 year long build process. So much stuff that I may have to start selling extras!

One other note that I have not talked about but I have also been working on the oak boards for the box floor. I have rubbed Tung Oil on the boards and they look really good but that stuff takes a long time to dry. I am running a fan in the shop during the day to keep air moving and it seems to be helping. No rush on them though as I have a bit of work do on the rear differential and drive shaft when I get truck back.

Just got word that final paint on box in next day or so.

[71'tahoe]

Wow! What a beautiful truck! I just gleaned over the whole build. I really like everything you've done to the truck.

[56hotrodred]

Thanks very much 71'tahoe.

Its driving me nuts it being so close to coming home!

[oldman3]

Looks good...Jim

[56hotrodred]

Hey thanks Jim.

[56hotrodred]

Heres the last of parts painted.

Now basically waiting for rear window to show up in Montana and I will go down and pick it up. Its currently somewhere north of Las Vegas and should be in Babb, Montana on Monday.

Then I will take it to the auto-body shop in Coaldale and hopefully then can get right on it.

My powder coating should also be done next week so could be a big week.

[rgunlock]

Wow, looks great and you must be so excited to get it re-assembled!