SA 56 build

[Nev68]

Thought I may as well put a build thread up for our 56 3100
We bought the 56 last year after a bit of a rest from our last build (68 Camaro)

Plans are for EFI, overdrive Auto trans, Air conditioning and get it sitting a bit lower

Before



After


We are converting the pickup to RH drive.
In South Australia if you want to do any mods to a US vehicle it has to be converted to RH drive. (Our Camaro is still LH drive so it has to be basically factory stock, right down to the radio!)

Here's a few shots of the dash conversion and Front end conversion (Thanks to Romano, Mick & Scott for your help)


Dash / interior before



Dash / interior now


Front end before


Front end now


Progress is a bit slow at the moment while I get some stuff finished around the house, but we'll get there.

[Kim57]

Looks like a real clean truck to start with.
Keep the pics coming.
Kim

[_Ogre]

good to see you started a build thread.
very cool rh conversion, is that a rh drive dash?
it's black and doesn't look like a modded stock lh dash.

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looks like a real clean truck to start with.
Keep the pics coming.
Kim

Yep, it was a fairly tidy unit to start with, no show winner but more than good enough for waht we want.

[Nev68]

double post

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

good to see you started a build thread.
very cool rh conversion, is that a rh drive dash?
it's black and doesn't look like a modded stock lh dash.

Thanks, hopefully some of the build will be intersting.

The dash is the original LH unit converted to RH by a very skilled friend of mine

[Coupeguy2001]

nice progress on a really nice truck

[Nev68]

Started to fit the lowered rear springs but noticed a couple of the pins (that go through the spring eyes) had fractures in them.
Ordered some new ones, hopefully they get to me by the weekend.

[Nev68]

Finally got around to fitting the lowered rear springs and fitting some hub caps.

Here's a before


....and after with caps

__________________

[Kim57]

Looks good.
Kim

[tpimuncie]

Very Cool!

[Nev68]

Thanks.
Got to get back into it.

[tpimuncie]

WOW!! How hard was it to put speedo on pass side??

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by tpimuncie

WOW!! How hard was it to put speedo on pass side??

Well since I had the assistance of a skilled friend it was fairly easy
I can weld but I didn't trust myself on this one.
Actually took him a week or so with a lot of measuring before cutting started.
You can see that the angles of the dash are slightly different when comparing LH and RH sides.
Some filler panels were made up to make the gauge "pod" blend into the dash. (Is "blend" the right word?)

Some people make the dash out of fibreglass when converting from LH to RH, but I am lucky to have a skilled friend so my dash is all steel.

[tpimuncie]

Ahh i see! Looks great man! I have a crazy idea been thinking about doing to my dash think gonna go thru with it Thanks!!

[ChuckDriver]

Any updates on this cool truck?

[Nev68]

Not too much happening due to some home renovation work.
Just started setting the fuel tank up and installing Vintage Air AC.

[_Ogre]

live gets in the way
was hoping to see progress on this build, my truk only took 8 yrs to finish
your still ahead of my game

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

live gets in the way

I know what you mean, unfortunately(?) there's more to life than playing with cars.
I would like to see if I can get it going this year so me, the bride, and dogs can go for a spin when the warm weather returns.

[Nev68]

Been a while since I've updated but home renovations have had priority and unfortunately I've just lost my job (33 years with the same company!) so my main priority now is to get another job

Anyway still hasn't stopped me getting wood
Just sanding for a nice finish




Putting on some stain




Just fitting the outside boards for the moment to support the bed on the chassis while I run new fuel lines and add a filler pipe
I've gone for a satin finsh on the timber instead of high gloss as there will be the odd bale of hay and other bits and pieces thrown in the back (occasionally)

[Kim57]

Bed wood looks real nice.
Good luck on the job search.
Kim

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Bed wood looks real nice.
Good luck on the job search.
Kim

Thanks Kim

[Purcell69]

That shade of gray is gorgeous and goes well with the finish you have chosen for the bed. I had been thinking of something in a darker shade of gray for my build, but decided since mine will be NAPCO-esque when done, I would stick with the original turquoise and white instead.

Keep up the good work!

-Joe

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by Purcell69

That shade of gray is gorgeous and goes well with the finish you have chosen for the bed. I had been thinking of something in a darker shade of gray for my build, but decided since mine will be NAPCO-esque when done, I would stick with the original turquoise and white instead.

Keep up the good work!

-Joe

Thanks Joe, do have a build thread?

[ChuckDriver]

Nice color!