My 55 Chevy 4X4

[marc55]

Just got the column today.





I am just holding it but here is the shot throughout he floor. The clearance is fine.



I can play with the floor position because my steering box is forward on the frame and it will just be a shaft and universal joint by the firewall. I am planning on using a universal pivot floor mount.

[RockTonka]

Cool, that's going to work well. I jumped a different direction today and pulled the trigger on a manual set-up...I think it'll work out OK. Keep up the progress...you've got some fun parts to keep ya motivated.

[marc55]

knocked out a couple little things today. The inner front bumper needed some help. Just used some Rustolium.

I have read several debates about por15 chassis black and rustolium. I was wondering what people are using. I was just going to brush on some Rustolium. It sounds like the Por 15 needs a lot of prep work. I just want to pressure wash and wire wheel my frame.




Also made the lower brackets for the gas tank

[marc55]

Got this off CL for $150. A 3rd row seat out of a suburban. I like the shoulder belts that are integrated into the seat. It is 48" wide. It would be better if it was just a little wider about 4" but the fit is good.

[Mr.Jones]

Good looking seat!

[marc55]

Started to make the rear mounting brackets for the seats. I cut off the factory quick release and split the factory bracket.

Then I added material to weld my support to.

Add some feet

This bracket bolts to the stock seat location and to the strongest part of the floor just need to make some bolt plates for the bottom.

[OrrieG]

Looks good, mine similar or the same out of a Tahoe, I designed it so the tilt removal features worked. Made slide out storage underneath.

[marc55]

That is nice. I almost went that way but I figured I will probably put all my stereo stuff under the seat and don't really need the access. The side panels look good also. Mine did not have them. I have been wanting to get a beed roller when I do I might make something out of aluminum.

[marc55]

Finished the front mounts today. Cut the stock mount and grafted in some 1/4 plate to match the stock floor mount location.


Fairly clean and very solid.

[marc55]

Took the front end and the bed off the frame. Boxed the front of the frame and added some supports to stiffen up the frame. I also finished welding up around the spring mounts and painted my sway bar.

[marc55]

Not much to report. Built a new dolly and pulled the cab off the frame. Stripped off all the little brackets so I can finish my welding and prep the frame for paint. Hopefully in 2 weeks the frame will be painted.

[marc55]

Got my radiator today

[Truck Guy99]

Tuning in to this build. Good lookin truck, just needs a little help. I'd go with the 350 engine at first for simplicity, then do an ls later on. If you have the cash to do an ls now, then go for it. But if your like me, you just want to make it roll under its own power while you save some cash for the big picture. Good luck, I look forward to the finished product

[marc55]

Thanks, I did a lot of thinking about LS or 350 700r combo. The wiring was my biggest concern. The more I read about LS swaps they do not sound very complicated. A junk yard pull out is not much more then rebuilding a 350. 80k on a used LS is nothing. I also have another project car waiting that will get a LS so the truck is also my guinea pig. My biggest cost concern is paint. I have pained about 4 cars but I want this one to be metallic silver which I hear is hard to paint. I don't know if I can do a quality paint job in my garage. This week will be a little test when I paint my frame.

[marc55]

Did some welding on the frame and wire wheel to get ready for some paint. Not going to crazy on detailing the frame just want to clean it up and paint it.

[marc55]

Painted the frame this morning. The hardener maid it a little more glossy than I wanted but at least it will look nice before the first wet day I drive it. I finally feel like this is a turning point in the project and now everything is forward progress. So far I have 168 hours into this and a little over half way on my 2 year goal to completion.

[Bishops Trucks]

I love the look of those trucks as 4x4's. I should have bought my Dad's '57 from him and put it on my '71 4x4 chassis. I will be watching your build. Nice work so far.

[marc55]

Thank you. This body style has been my favorite since I was a kid. The lines of this truck look so good it is one of the few that in my opinion need no body modifications. This truck has been on my list of dream cars from day one. I like cars but have always had a truck. A couple years ago a divorce wiped me out (tools and truck). My very supportive girlfriend convinced me to build a truck. We got lucky and found this on CL. I feels good to get back into this kind of stuff.

[marc55]

Put my front springs on and new bushings.




Cleaned up the diffs for some paint.



Found a broken spring on the rear. Don't know if I want to go stock replacement or get 2.5" lift springs to get rid of the blocks.

[marc55]

not much going on. I got the diffs painted. My broken spring is cutting into my sand blasting budget so I have been spending some quality time with my wire wheel.

[marc55]

Back in business. Found some springs on Craig's List. Cleaned them up, new bushings on the way. What a pain getting the old one's out. My girlfriend was tired of listening be complain about the wire wheel she has the sand blaster coming to the house on Wednesday. That's a good woman.

[marc55]

The dustless blaster came to the house yesterday and did the cab. I also got the rear leafs installed.

[mvitale27]

Marc, nice job on the progress. We still seem to be moving at the same pace!

Where did you get your radiator/shroud/fan combo? I am looking for it but don't know who sells the whole shabang at a low cost.

Also, do you have any other pics of your sway bar set up? I was just thinking about how to put sway bars on my front end and then eventually rear end.

[hopped up]

Dustless blaster? Huh? Never heard of this. You must have great neighbors ,you have a lot going on in your driveway. That's the kind of build I love. Great work so far

[63 & 64 Bowties]

I used to have some videos from one of the companies who sell those dustless blasters. I can't find it. But, those things are amazing. No heat, no dust, and very fast. They're way too much money to buy unless you're planning on starting a blasting business.