Chevyrestoguy's '55 build

[chevyrestoguy]

Fat Mike-
The lower links are 2"X2" square tubing, .120 wall. I decided to turn it on it's edge for a "diamond" shape compared to the normal flat square look that everyone goes with. I debating whether to put lightening holes in it with oval tubing but that would be a ton of work and it might look a little too over-the-top.

Panelman55-
I don't think I'll go tilt bed, but I've got an idea to have the bed floor on hatch struts, hinged in the front and latched in the rear with flush mount aircraft latches.

I've been real busy shoveling rock every night after work until dark, so I haven't done much on the truck. I have been working on the factory gauge cluster converting the manual gauges to electric and still making it look factory. I don't want an oil pressure line or water temperature capillary tube coming through the firewall, and I don't want an amp gauge. What I'm using is all factory stuff, easily found in any wrecking yard. I'll post pictures when I'm through.

[Fat Mike]

Looks very good. Keep the pictures coming and thanks for the info,

[496 chevy]

That truck looks totally badass. keep up the good work cant wait till I can start on mine.

[VA72C10]

Awesome build and fab work!!!

[57HotTruck]

Love to see good craftsmanship. and it appears very clearly in this thread. Thumbs up.
Love your front bumper

[67chevy1series]

this build is great i will follow along .were cali guys

[pipty6]

great work.

[Rude Dude]

I Dig this build keep posting!

[chevyrestoguy]

Had a real busy holiday season, and actually got a lot of stuff done around the house. I even had a chance to get some time in yesterday on the truck. After we finished the suspension, the truck has sat in the garage while I pondered how I was going to install the bed. All of the suspension components have taken up the places where the original bed mounts used to be. I finally got tired of contemplating and fired up the cutoff wheel. I made a bet to myself that by yesterday evening, the bed would be in position. This is only temporary until I can design the permanent mounts, but not seeing the bed on the truck was killing me. Here's some shots:





I'm expecting a package in the mail in the next few days, and when it shows, I'll post up pictures.

[BC Toy chest]

SWEET !! She's really coming along

[Kabwe]

Looks great. Love it.

[Tri5Nerd]

I like it alot, she's really sitting low, can you post some pics of the inside of the bed, I want to see what you did with the bed and frame.

Tri5

[Kim57]

Looks sweet.
Kim

[kgmunro]

That truck looks great...I would love to take it for a drive looking like that. I like the grille bar you made and also the front bumper.

[ChuckDriver]

It's coming together nicely!

[pinecrest]

Looks like a blast! You'd better leave that bed open to show off that beautiful work! Art & function meeting in the middle.


And HOLY CRAP... dude can rock a welder!!!

[chevyrestoguy]

Well, the package I have waited a long time for finally showed up on my doorstep. I saved for a long time and sold a few parts to finally get them. They are absolutely beautiful. I'm like a kid at Christmas.





ET Fuelers, 16X12 with a 5.0" backspace. I will be mounting the tires on Saturday, and I'll post pictures when I get 'em bolted up.

Now I'm going to look through my parts pile to see what I can sell so I can buy the fronts!

[BC Toy chest]

Love those wheels. Are you going with the ET spokes out front?

[chevyrestoguy]

Not sure just yet, because I don't know how they'll look on a truck. Those wheels look good on a '30s-era fenderless street rod.

ET also makes a wheel called a Dragmaster, which looks like a spindle mount Halibrand, like they used to put on the Funny Cars from late '60s/early '70s. I think that's what I'm going to go with. I think it'll look wicked on the front.

How's your truck coming along? I like it alot.

[BC Toy chest]

I know which on you are talking about good choice and not a lot of folks use that one, you will have a really different look.

[ratty 46]

Kick ass build. Your the next door neighbor I'm looking for!

Subscribed!

Ratty 46

[Kim57]

Nice looking wheels.
Kim

[46deluxe]

http://wheelvintiques.myshopify.com/...cast-02-series

These small window early halibrand look wheels would also work with 60's drag styling. I think I've seen them on a Jimmy Smith or Jeff Norwell art rendering.

[chevyrestoguy]

Funny you should mention those.......Those are my second choice! I'm still not completely sold on the tiny windows, though. They look killer on a '40 Willys gasser, though. But, I am going with a late 60s drag theme, and they might be just the ticket.

Another choice might be a Halibrand Sprint with the standard window size. Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

[Fat Mike]

What size tires are you going to run? Any clearance issues when laying out? Those rims are bad a$$!