Freddy's '52

[1952ssr]

I've posted some pictures on the site but now since there's a build thread I gonna give you guys the full story. I got rid of my Typhoon thinking I was out of the hod rods for good. Well my pastor told about Killbillet.com so I checked it out. Next thing I known I've bought a 1952 and began to build. This truck is in memory of my Father-in law who past away in 2006. It started its life as a longbed but I changed it over using a short bed trailer my F-I-L had. I've been working on this a little over a year and a half and went the S10 route, then got me a LT1/4L60 from a Z28. My wife bought me a Weld 100 Christmas before last and I have taught myself to weld (which my dad was a welder by trade) so I think it came naturally.

[56ClassicTruck]

Originally Posted by 1952ssr

I've posted some pictures on the site but now since there's a build thread I gonna give you guys the full story. I got rid of my Typhoon thinking I was out of the hod rods for good. Well my pastor told about Killbillet.com so I checked it out. Next thing I known I've bought a 1952 and began to build. This truck is in memory of my Father-in law who past away in 2006. It started its life as a longbed but I changed it over using a short bed trailer my F-I-L had. I've been working on this a little over a year and a half and went the S10 route, then got me a LT1/4L60 from a Z28. My wife bought me a Weld 100 Christmas before last and I have taught myself to weld (which my dad was a welder by trade) so I think it came naturally.

Hey Freddy, your truck looks good thanks for your help I appreciated very much. Ya that tanks is what I need I found one for $35.00 I like the fit what are the misherments on the tank? That lt1 kooks at home there! keep those pic,s coming.

[youngrodder]

Freddy-

I too went the route of the LT1. Mine is a 95 Vette motor. I am in the final assemble stage. Let me know if you have any questions.

[IMG][/IMG]

Thanks
Marc

[56ClassicTruck]

Any progress on your truck? did you get your header on?

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by 56ClassicTruck

Any progress on your truck? did you get your header on?

Well, progress has been good, though I haven't taken any pictures (I have to charge camera batteries). I've been concentrating on the cab and have gotten the floor almost completely attached front and back (welding is a slow process), doors fitted, gas filler hole filled, L/R cowl panels mocked for attachment and brake booster/wiring hole removed from S10 and put in place on the firewall. Waiting on a PS cab corner to come from truck parts to redo the one I made a mess of trying to weld with .035 flux. Also cut the dash area from the donor cab and working with it to fit the aveo gage cluster. Here's a picture of it where I took cardboard and saw what I need to do to the dash to make it fit. The trim rings aroung the gauges are the factory ones. I am taking off work Friday and with the long weekend plan on getting a number things done. I'll take pictures to post next week.

[britnjc]

i really like the guages. are they going to fit the truck opening without trim rings? Also how are you going to adapt the wiring?

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by britnjc

i really like the guages. are they going to fit the truck opening without trim rings? Also how are you going to adapt the wiring?

The trim rings will stay, I just have to cut an inch out from between each opening. The wiring is why I have this cluster, with putting the LT1/4L60 in the truck everything is electric and buying an adapter for the tranny runs like 300 bucks. So I would have had to buy new gauges, and if you've priced them they aint cheap either. I was going to use a cluster from a pontiac sunbird and dysect it and make fit into the existing holes, but I couldn't find one anywhere (and the speedo usually didn't work or if it did, not right). So one day I was on ebay and just typed in chevrolet cluster and come across this aveo one, I sent the seller an message to measure the width on one side and let me know. It was close so I said I'll try it so I won the cluster for $5.95 and $15.00 for shipping. I got the wiring schematic off Autozone.com and was set, What you don't see that I didn't cut out of the cardboard is between the cluster up top is the screen for turn signals and bright light indicator

[1952ssr]

Made progress Friday and a little yesterday. Got the floor made welded in and inner kick panels in place, gauge cluster modified, parking brake mounted, and brake booster mocked up. But, let me ask you s10 swap guys-how far off the floor is the bottom of your brake pedal. I think mine is to high, and I noticed that I think it would hit the steering shaft when fully depressed. here are some progress pictures. Third picture shows corner still yet to place, it ordered and I'm awaiting its arrival. One picture of my dusty engine/frame, that came from grinding the back of the cab.... bondo buggy.

[1952ssr]

Progress report, got my new dash tacked in and column mocked up / booster moved lower on firewall. I spent some time Saturday just riding around HAHAHAHA, but I'm really happy at how it sits.

[britnjc]

very cool.

[56ClassicTruck]

Hey that's looks nice, how are they going to work with your harness?

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by 56ClassicTruck

Hey that's looks nice, how are they going to work with your harness?

Thanks. The speedo, tach , fuel guage and temp will work off the LT's harness. The turn signals will work from the S10 harness.

[playinsafe44]

I'm just a little confused here. Did you cut the dash between the gauges to bring them closer together and make it more visually appealing? or was this necessary to get the gauges to fit? They look great btw!

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by playinsafe44

I'm just a little confused here. Did you cut the dash between the gauges to bring them closer together and make it more visually appealing? or was this necessary to get the gauges to fit? They look great btw!

It was necessary to fit the gauge cluster. Thanks for the compliment.

[playinsafe44]

GOT IT!!! I finally understand, lol. The two gauges are one piece..... Thanks for the clarification. Oh, there's a VERY high chance I will be copying this. Thanks man!

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice build! I like the gauge and dash set up as well!

[sdailey]

Hey "Freddy"

Glad to see you still plugging away. It's looking good. Keep up the good work.

Take care,

[1952ssr]

That's what I love about this site, the ideas, motivation and help you receive from total strangers except you Shannon. But we all have one thing in common...... loving trucks.

[GMC91]

I love it man, my papa has a 53 that Ive been begging him to either sell it to me or give it to me for graduation.

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Freddy-

I too went the route of the LT1. Mine is a 95 Vette motor. I am in the final assemble stage. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks
Marc

Where did you get your AC / ALT and idler brackets, what brand are they?

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by GMC91

I love it man, my papa has a 53 that Ive been begging him to either sell it to me or give it to me for graduation.

Thanks I appreciate it.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by 1952ssr

Where did you get your AC / ALT and idler brackets, what brand are they?

I got my brackets from Street and Performance.
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/

It is their "Hot rod" set up. Not cheap but great quality. Another cool thing that they have is a power steering pump that has a reservoir built into the back side of it. Very compact and clean. Look it up on the web site.

Good luck
Marc

[blu52]

what was the fuel tank? I also have an lt1 that i'm looking to put into my 52
Thanks
Rafael

[1952ssr]

Originally Posted by blu52

what was the fuel tank? I also have an lt1 that i'm looking to put into my 52
Thanks
Rafael

It's out of a '94 Z28.

[1952ssr]

Being off on Monday spent all day getting the gauge panel welded up , radio hole filled and filling in the many holes these trucks have until I ran out of wire, picked up some yesterday and finished up last night. Hoping to lay some mud on it by Friday, sand and prime Saturday. Next comes color..... my wife and I finally came to agreement (it's taken over a year) we will paint the firewall and interior Aqua blue metallic which was ironically a chevy SSR color.