1950 project

[50adrod]

here is my project a 1950 that I will be doing a full custom build on. I currently have the drivetrain and suspension about complete. the cab has been blasted and epoxy primed and is in the process of getting a recessed firewall and new floors. the drivetrain is a 5.3 with a 4L60 out of a 2006 Tahoe with 52 miles on it. the rear is a TCI leaf kit with a 9 inch ford gear and disc brakes. the front is a TCI mustang II. here are some pics

in the begining


the intended final outcome

drivetrain


suspension






firewall

[Houston54]

Very nice start to the project. That will be a good looking truck when you are done. Nice chassis set up and that motor will give you great performance and pretty decent mileage. Keep posting pics.

[mylow53]

nice to see another AD come to life i couldn't help myself so i tinted you photo to where i like it... it ain't burnt amber but i like

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by mylow53

nice to see another AD come to life i couldn't help myself so i tinted you photo to where i like it... it ain't burnt amber but i like

cool, I like

[Smokejohnson]

Hey looking good. What's the 9" out of?

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by Smokejohnson

Hey looking good. What's the 9" out of?

a 1971 F-100 perfect length 60 1/4 inches, simple bolt in

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Very nice.. keep us posted.

[Kid]

good to see another AD project started. Nice looking goal to work to. We'll keep a watch for updates.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by Kid

good to see another AD project started. Nice looking goal to work to. We'll keep a watch for updates.

thanks, I looked at your build and it looks good. we seem to have sort of the same ideas. 5.3 and a ford 9 inch. I was going to go with air bags also. but the trucks I rode in did not ride that good. shock waves cound be an option for me down the road but they are a little pricey. air is cool though. what are you doing for brakes? I am going to adapt a hydroboost from a 93 Astro van. frame mounted of course to keep the firewall clean.

[solidaxel]

Welcome to the board!
You look like you have a good start on a a fun project.
Do you have your exhaust manifolds in place?
Why did you chose to remove the firewall, just to clean it up, or does the 5.3 need the extra clearence?
Keep us posted, we like photos and progress reports!!

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Welcome to the board!
You look like you have a good start on a a fun project.
Do you have your exhaust manifolds in place?
Why did you chose to remove the firewall, just to clean it up, or does the 5.3 need the extra clearence?
Keep us posted, we like photos and progress reports!!

stock manifolds would not clear the frame rail. I am going with block hugger headers, hopfully long tubes. the 5.3 will fit with the factory firewall but it was a little tight and I was going to smooth the factory firewall anyway. it just made it easier for me this way. I am also going with their inner fenders. makes for a clean look.

[solidaxel]

What bramd of headers are you going to use?
Do you have a new X-member
What brand inner fenders are you using, *****en Products?

[Kid]

Originally Posted by 50adrod

thanks, I looked at your build and it looks good. we seem to have sort of the same ideas. 5.3 and a ford 9 inch. I was going to go with air bags also. but the trucks I rode in did not ride that good. shock waves cound be an option for me down the road but they are a little pricey. air is cool though. what are you doing for brakes? I am going to adapt a hydroboost from a 93 Astro van. frame mounted of course to keep the firewall clean.

When air bags are set up & adjusted properly, the ride is excellent. We drove over 2400 miles 2 weeks ago, between going to the Goodguys show in Loveland Co. & doin the Hot Rod Power Tour. The wife didn't complain about the ride a bit, & being able to raise the front end when needed to clear dips & such when entering drives is a plus. (i'm still guilty of scraping the front bumper now & again) I don't know how some of these folks with lowered rides get around... I used a manual master cylinder from Willwood mounted on the firewall, along with a brake pedal assy. from a mid eighties suburban.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by Kid

When air bags are set up & adjusted properly, the ride is excellent. We drove over 2400 miles 2 weeks ago, between going to the Goodguys show in Loveland Co. & doin the Hot Rod Power Tour. The wife didn't complain about the ride a bit, & being able to raise the front end when needed to clear dips & such when entering drives is a plus. (i'm still guilty of scraping the front bumper now & again) I don't know how some of these folks with lowered rides get around... I used a manual master cylinder from Willwood mounted on the firewall, along with a brake pedal assy. from a mid eighties suburban.

is your 5.3 stock? how does it perform in your truck? theese AD trucks are much lighter than the new trucks. also what kind of mileage were you getting? I never thought I would ask that question

[Kid]

Originally Posted by 50adrod

is your 5.3 stock? how does it perform in your truck? theese AD trucks are much lighter than the new trucks. also what kind of mileage were you getting? I never thought I would ask that question

Stock motor with a Speartech tune on the computer. I am very pleased with its performance, very torquey with the truck intake. Been meaning to weigh the truck but have not yet. On the cruise to Colorado I kept the cruise control set at 78 MPH & got 16.5 MPG. When I slowed down to 66 to 68 MPH I started getting 20.5 MPG. Combo is a 4L60E, 373 gears with a 29.3" tall tire (295X40X20). I was hoping for better mileage. If I was to do over I would go with 355 gears.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Welcome!! Nice looking work so far. Keep those updated picture coming!

[RCbowtie69]

hey from N.C. nice start to a good looking truck keep the pictures coming like to see more of the progress as you go. friend of mine has 50 model we been working on ,it's a daliy diver, keep them old trucks rolling

[55dude]

what bolt pattern do you plan on ending up with? cool build.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by 55dude

what bolt pattern do you plan on ending up with? cool build.

I went with 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern, it is one of the most common bolt patterns so my choice of wheels should be greater.

[Kabwe]

Very nice project. I have the same engine in trans going in my truck. Good luck with you build.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Very nice project. I have the same engine in trans going in my truck. Good luck with you build.

nice looking truck I also just completed a ZZ4, 700R, power steering an power brake upgrade on a friends 56 Bel Air. I really never paid that much attention to tri fives but they are really nice cars. and if you are going to run a/c on your truck their is a company that makes a bracket to move the compressor to the upper right side. so it will clear the crossmember

[jkaylor68gmc]

Awesome, another AD truck getting built, I like it alot.

Can't wait to get to work on mine again.

[50adrod]

update, well I finally got time to work on my project. I finished boxing in the frame, then put the cab back on so I could get final placement for the engine. then welded in the motor mounts. installed my hooker super comp headers to check for clearance amd they will work fine.


clearance with the *****in recessed firewall


passenger side


driver side, the small cutout is for the crossmember, the large one for the hydroboost acumulator




motor mounts all welded in






header clearance

[50adrod]

got the hydroboost fitted tonight, it is from a 92 GMC safari van $12 at the local u pull it. TCI pedal assy and a corvette master cyl.

[Tri5Nerd]

I like the Hydroboost setup. I picked one up from the yard to put on my 55.2. I already have the regular booster in that location but will try to adapt the bracket, and master cyclinder to the booster.
Did you modify the bracket to make the booster fit?
How about the lines? I would suggest getting the banjo connectors instead of the 45* connectors. That's what I'm going to do on mine.