Kabwe's aka Bam's build

[Indian113]

I hope your back gets better quick! I like to watch you work your magic on your truck. Just be glad your weather will let you work on your vehicles,in Iowa we are waiting on more snow-looking towards spring

[xpickup]

Kabwe. I know what you mean, I haven't worked on the 54 for 2 monthes but have been colecting parts and figuring thing out. Hope your back get better. Mine did that last year and it sucked, Couldn't move around for 2 weeks. Take it easy once you get back at it. I got some roll on lotion to put on my back and that seem to help. It was called biofreeze. Keep up the good work.

Shannon

[Kabwe]

Thanks for the well wishes guys. Last week I could barely walk, I'm able to get around now and only feeling slight discomfort. Man back pain is no joke. I think I'm just getting old.

[R.A.D]

wow kabwe how did you do that? i don't wish that on anyone. only good health take care of that

[Kim57]

Kabwe
Hoping you have a 100% recovery on your back. I've had a bad one for years (2 operations in 1998 to fuse my lower back). Take care of yourself.
Kim

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by R.A.D

wow kabwe how did you do that? i don't wish that on anyone. only good health take care of that

lol.How did I do it. I just went to sleep and woke up with it.lol It got worst as the day went on and by the morning I could barely walk. I told you I'm getting old.

Originally Posted by Kim57

Kabwe
Hoping you have a 100% recovery on your back. I've had a bad one for years (2 operations in 1998 to fuse my lower back). Take care of yourself.
Kim

Oh I feel much better now I can walk around now. I'm only experiencing minor discomfort now.

Thanks guys there is nothing like back pain thats for sure. I had it so bad that I was feeling it all down my legs. I don't wish back pain on anybody. I have a very high pain tolerance and I could not deal.

[R.A.D]

i think i'm older than you kabwe

[Kabwe]

I know your crazier from looking at your avatar.lol That is funny.lol

[R.A.D]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

I know your crazier from looking at your avatar.lol That is funny.lol

just your tipickle vehicle supplied air bags

[Fat Mike]

I know why your back is hurting. You were looking at those fat girls that RAD had posted, and the anticipation of having to move one of those women threw your back out. HAHA!

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

I know why your back is hurting. You were looking at those fat girls that RAD had posted, and the anticipation of having to move one of those women threw your back out. HAHA!

lol. Yuck. Don't remind me. The admin emailed me and told me he removed those pics and I was like thank god. That was plain nasty. Yuck R.A.D is nutz.lol

[R.A.D]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

lol. Yuck. Don't remind me. The admin emailed me and told me he removed those pics and I was like thank god. That was plain nasty. Yuck R.A.D is nutz.lol

and you said you couldn't be offended lol

"OLD SAILORS HAVE THE CLEANEST BODIES AND THE DIRTIEST MINDS"

[Kabwe]

Oh so you are talking about the patch panel I did on the driver side. If you go back to that pic you will see that I used red marker to trace my cut line. Now that fender took two patches. I done the bottom first and then I did that eyebrow patch like I did the passenger side. I cut the smallest amount of metal I can on the part that I'm patching and do all my cutting to fit on the patch panel. My theory is I can always get another patch panel if I screw up but its harder to find another fender, cab, or whatever the case may be.

You have my email send me some pics of what your working with and I can better respond.

I hope I helped.

[drivea55]

i was sooo afraid to come back to this build thread. I didn't know if i could handle seeing that again...

whooof! I will sleep tonight.

back to the truck at hand sir!!!

[Kabwe]

Not much to report its just that after buying a flaming river column and installing the column in my truck I thought it was too long. I just did not like how far it was sticking out the firewall. I thought I could live with it but I couldn't take it anymore, so I decided to cut it up. It was much easier than I thought.
First I marked where I wanted the column to stop while it was in the truck. The tape line is where it will be cut.

I looked down the DD end when I took it out the truck and notice that the DD goes all the way down the column oh now this is easy. The bottom bushing seems to be held in by two dimples so I drilled them out. I can get the bushing out later.

I used a cut off wheel to shorten the tube. When I mark the spot with the tape I used a square to mark the cut line all around the radius of the tube and then taped it so that my cut was square.

I removed the bushing using a vise and two hammers.


I then used a hand file to smooth the edges of the cut and install the bushing and cut the DD at the correct length and I’m done. This is easy and I thought someone may need to do the same thing so I posted it.


I think I like it better now.


I was completely shocked at how easy this was it took all of 30 min and most of that was measuring.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Nice job!! I would have never been brave enough to cut into a new column.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

Nice job!! I would have never been brave enough to cut into a new column.

What's the worst that could happen? I'd have to buy another new column.lol
It was so easy I was ashamed that I stressed over it. I ended up shortening it a little more than whats in that pic, only about a half inch is sticking out now.

[MrDude_1]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

I was completely shocked at how easy this was it took all of 30 min and most of that was measuring.

I really like how clean this looks. With the fasteners changed (so they dont stick out at all) it will be perfect.

Where did you get this floor column bulkhead fitting? Is this the same universal ball one I see everywhere?

Mine will be going out closer to the toeboard, but I still want that clean look.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by MrDude_1

I really like how clean this looks. With the fasteners changed (so they dont stick out at all) it will be perfect.

Where did you get this floor column bulkhead fitting? Is this the same universal ball one I see everywhere?

Mine will be going out closer to the toeboard, but I still want that clean look.

Mrdude_1,

You are correct it is the same universal mount that you see everywhere. I really wish I could have gone through the toeboard like you are going to do, but I did not have that option after the dash transplant. The one I have is a flaming river, I bought it on ebay for 70 bucks I believe. I think you can find them cheaper if you don't go with a name brand one.

[61 son of a Gun]

I have to give you props on that pancaked hood .. Looks really sweet !

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by 61 son of a Gun

I have to give you props on that pancaked hood .. Looks really sweet !

Thanks man

[project 67 sub]

looks pretty good to me, keep up the nice work

[xpickup]

Kabwe. That is the same way I just shortened the column in the truck I'm building. Excepted the Southern Rods column had 2 tubes in it besides the DD and I had to turn up a special bushing. I don't know what do if they would stop selling those .045 cut off wheels for a 4.5' angle grinder! I use them to cut alot. Look great.

Shannon

[JML55]

Great work Kabwe.

[chevyrestoguy]

That looks excellent. I am also of the thought that the column cannot extend too far into the engine compartment. I cut mine off using the same method you used, and it turned out great.

Not too many people give much thought about the placement (and style) of the steering column. To me, the column, and especially the steering wheel, are one of the most important parts of the build because every time you climb behind the wheel, it's your connection to the truck.

Have you ever driven a vehicle where the column was mounted all funky and the steering wheel was crappy? It's a terrible driving experience, no matter how nice the rest of the truck is.