56 pro touring build

[hotrod1]

Originally Posted by butchp

What tank is that?

It is from No Limit Engineering. Rob does a great job. In fact, I have to bring it back because I need to update it with an internal pump. I did not consider that before initially ordering it. http://www.nolimitparts.com/

[hotrod1]

Well, its been a while. Been too busy to do much. Finally, we had some time.

Went to mount the bed and found that the passenger side was lower than the drivers side. The back part of the frame was the culprit. Tried to straighten it. Wasted a lot of time and effort. Got to a place where we just cut it off and got rid of it; both sides. Built a new back part of the frame. What a difference working with new and straight metal. That 57 year old frame has been fighting us from the beginning. The new stuff went so smooth, predictable, and nice to work with. If we had to do it all over again, would have started from scratch and thrown the old frame away. I know like it looks like it would save you time starting with one, but it does not. It just frustrates you and nothing really works well. It also has years and years of oil soaked into the metal which does not weld that good.

So here is what we came up with. The cross member has a cut out for the nascar style sway bar. We also like speed holes as you can see. Reduces weight and strengthens.

Still needs to be welded up.

[Kim57]

That going to look slick when it's done.
Kim

[Mechanic77]

That looks awesome!....and I have to agree, if I was to start over, I'd just throw away the stock frame and just build all new....no compromising or fighting past damage....

[hotrod1]

Originally Posted by Mechanic77

That looks awesome!....and I have to agree, if I was to start over, I'd just throw away the stock frame and just build all new....no compromising or fighting past damage....

Mechanic77. I just wanted to let you know that I admire your build. Great job. By the way, were did you get the battery box? I am looking for a good place to put mine, but am not sure. I also have a box but am not sure that it will work.

[hotrod1]

well, we got the rear of the frame almost done. Decided to build it and then attach it to the rest of the frame. The cage is a fuel tank protector for rear end collisions and also for bottoming out protection. Welding is getting a bit better. More practice makes a big difference. Now to attach it.

[Kim57]

Nice job.
Kim

[Mechanic77]

Originally Posted by hotrod1

Mechanic77. I just wanted to let you know that I admire your build. Great job. By the way, were did you get the battery box? I am looking for a good place to put mine, but am not sure. I also have a box but am not sure that it will work.

Thanks hotrod1, I wish I had your welding skills ....as far as the battery box goes, I got it here: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/AFCO-W...nch,40455.html cheap and effective....

[BC Toy chest]

Really nice, gr8 idea the welds are gorgeous. I have seen more then a few where the only thing between the car behind you and your gas tank is the roll pan. I have been smacked from the rear before so I know the advantage to having decent protection.

[hotrod1]

Thanks for the compliments.

We have been spending time to build a REAL welding table. Tired of stuff coming out less than flat and straight.

[BC Toy chest]

Regarding your cage to protect your fuel tank. Not trying to be a Debby-downer but this was what I was talking about when I made mention of... "the only thing between the car behind you and your gas tank is the roll pan".
I think we should try to be as safe as possible in regards to our fuel tanks.

[hotrod1]

Originally Posted by BC Toy chest

Regarding your cage to protect your fuel tank. Not trying to be a Debby-downer but this was what I was talking about when I made mention of... "the only thing between the car behind you and your gas tank is the roll pan".
I think we should try to be as safe as possible in regards to our fuel tanks.

Wow, that truck is beautiful! Would like to see more pics of that. Did you take that one?

I have seen that done before. I wanted to make sure that it was for some rear end impact as well as scraping and dragging from being low.

I also dont think that my tank will be that low (as the one in the picture).

[hotrod1]

Well we have been busy but got distracted again by building a tool. I love tools just like Kim. Can get enough.

Always wanted a fabrication table. Have been getting tired of fabing things that are not flat and straight. Looked around and was getting ready to pull the trigger on a new 3x4 or 3x5 plate to build a table. Just because it would be a new plate does not guarantee that it would be flat though. I answered an ad in CL for some seats and when there, saw this fab table. I asked the guy if he wanted to sell it and he said sure. I wanted the table more than the seats. Got the table home, disassembled it and took it in to have it blanchard ground. Came out nice. Working on building the frame. The top is 5/8 minus the grinding and has threaded holes every few inches for fab clamps. The old legs were welded to the top which created warping of the top, hence the grind. We will be bolting the frame to the top to make sure that it stays flat. This thing is crazy heavy. If u want to budge it, you need to use the cherry picker. When its done, it I guess it will be anywhere from 500 to 700 pounds. Just dealing with the casters is an education in itself.

[Kim57]

That is very cool.
Kim

[_Ogre]

Hey hotrod1 wake up
any updates on your build and yes... I am shouting

[hotrod1]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

Hey hotrod1 wake up
any updates on your build and yes... I am shouting

Hey Ogre:

Thanks for the shout. Have been busy doing other stuff but I am almost ready to post something that has taken a lot of time on the truck. Almost. Stay tuned.

[hotrod1]

Ok, We have been busy, but this is the next step.

We have always felt like the rear of these trucks, mainly the tailgate attachment to the bed, was an after thought from GM. It looks like they had tailgates from another project that were too big, and they figured a way to plaster it on the back of their bed. Well, we just could not take it any longer. When having a discussion with Bam, I mentioned something and he said that this would be a lot of work to french the tailgate. We did not think that it would be too bad and not too much work. Bam was right. It was way more work than we thought, and there were so many things that needed consideration than we ever dreamed of. Anyways, here is the somewhat finished product. One issue was the bumper/roll pan idea. The stock bumper looks rather big and out of proportion (personal taste) and a roll pan looked like it was not right either. We looked at SpeedbumpAutos truck, and really liked it, so we took his idea and made it our own (thanks speedbump). Here are the pics, and I know that most dont like the tailgate, but it fits the style build. By the way, the holes in the crossmember below the bed (one on each side) are for some small back-up lights.

[Kim57]

I think it looks great.
Kim

[mud.man.rj]

Very nice idea on the "better" tailgate, a plus for sure.

[69CST-V]

I like it. Nice work, I can't imagine how many hours you have in that.

[Kabwe]

Nice job on the bumper and tailgate. The heck with what others like, you like it and that is all that matters. Once again nice fab work there man, really nice.

[hotrod1]

Thanks Bam. You were right; it was way more work than I ever thought.

[hotrod1]

New motor mounts!

[butchp]

I really like your idea on the round corners, and the tailgate. I have been looking at that thing and just new there was a better way. Keep up the great work.

[Kim57]

Those are some nice mounts.
Kim