Re: Backyard built 55
 

Haha good things I hope. These aren't truck pics but just more of what I do. Just work anymore I used to enjoy it along time ago.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

butiful welding is tig welding stronger than tig or stick. I have a tig welder but have a hard time welding with it, would need a lot more practice

Re: Backyard built 55
 

I'm assuming you ment is tig stronger than mig or stick? As long as you use the proper fit up and procedure I.E a gap for proper root/bead pass, quality weld with no porosity, cold lap, insufficient penetration, and the right filler wire or rod then they are all strong. We use tig on pretty much everything because of the cleanliness and we do alot of crazy strange alloys. Mig is super fast and easy to use so it's in alot of shops, tig is slick so if you want to show out use it, stick rod can be used outside in the wind. They all have their good and bad.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Ok sorry for getting off topic. Axle coated, brakes back on time to move on, again still waiting on good weather and free time from the blaster. I haven't seen rain like this is years, damn El Ni·ño. With the rusted out tank in the cab I decided to use the opportunity to move it put back. From the advice of many on these forums and Facebook pages I picked up the 22 gal fuel tank from a 1965 mustang from Cjs pony parts it comes with a sending unit. Eventually I'll be running Dakota digital so I can set the ohms to the ford settings so it read correct. The fuel tank is a no brainer I trimmed maybe 3/8s of an inch off the bottom rail and it slides right in. I used two pieces of angels to fasten it to the sides of the frame instead of the bottom.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

So the sand blaster isn't going to make it and I needed to continue on.. I headed for town to pick up 4 new wire wheels and a couple tiger disc so I could do it the hard way. Really it turned out pretty nice few rough spots on the frame that I could grind down smooth but I didn't see the point it's not a gonna be in magazines or win any shows. I also removed the spring hangers to coat behind then and rebuilt them with all new parts. It'll be 4 linked one day so I probably didn't need to but while it's apart might as well.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

It's all looking good and you're making outstanding progress! Kudos on pulling it off outside also; that's aggravating enough on its own. Keep it up.

Dan

Speaking of working outside, here's a 57 Bel Air chassis I was working on several winters ago LOL

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Big Dan I'd almost trade for the snow right now, day after day 108 no shade tried working at night but then the bugs eat me up haha.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

After I got the frame coated I ran brake and fuel lines. I went with a combo of AN push lock and 3/8 hard line both. So time to put the cab back on the frame to see what else I can do to make alittle progress. I installed new body mounts as well, I'm not gonna lie something as simple as just setting the cab on the frame can help you stay motivated if nothing else it'll dang sure make you smile.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Cabs on time to work on the bed alittle. It didn't have any floor left obviously and the angle strips were completely rusted gone. Instead of ordering new strips I already had some angle iron so I'll just use it. The bed floor will need to be tubbed and raised so I'm not concerned with it. I got a mint 1997 silverado bed for next to nothing so I'm going to use the floor and tubs kinda kill two birds with one stone. The wheel covers still need cut down and narrowed a bit but I think it's gonna work. If I never drill another spot weld in my life I'll be OK with that. Anyone have input on like a seam sealer or something to put around this like the factory uses? I also know the pictures aren't in perfect order, I put the angle and cross sills in with the frame unpainted but the bed floor after coating.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

I use some type of 3M sealer like this below.

Many someone will chime in with the Perfect sealer.

Link: https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/pro...All%20Products

Just make sure you can paint over it.
If it says it will stick to paint and primer that's what you are looking for.

That bed floor looks Great:metal:









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Re: Backyard built 55
 

Moved back to the front half, I just jump around when I get tired of one area haha. Time to trim the inner fenders to fit the camaro A arms. They aren't perfect but they fit for now one day I'll get some new ones cut them and weld a flat lip around them to clean it up.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

With the inner fenders in place for now I put the top end of my motor together yes I did it in my man cave haha. Gonna test fit to see where it lands there's 18 holes in the subframe from years of motor swaps. Guess what none of them were right I mean it fit but was touching the fire wall on the passenger side so I welded up all the hole and scooted it 3/4 of an inch forward.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

https://youtu.be/MnR5asr0C70
Hopefully that link works after I got my motor positioned where I wanted it I had to test fire it. I ran hot to a toggle for my HEI and ran a push button starter from the battery, and I just used a new gas can with a hose to my pump. In the clip I did the test fire I also spliced in a short idle clip with exhaust after I did the cam break in period. The headers I used were hammer modified hookers off my 71 c10 haha they worked but not great. I have some new stainless though I got them swapped out as well.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

damnit man ... your red firewall is making me want to paint mine some crazy color before i assemble it!

looking good!

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Appreciate it bud I wanted it to look rough until I pop the hood or the doors. Right nows the time for you to do it haha. What's the exterior color gonna be on yours?

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Video link worked.


You remind me of someone ;)


I am subbed to your channel:metal:

You got it going on. :chevy:









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Re: Backyard built 55
 

Let's see where are we? Pulled the motor back out to put my new transmission and torque converter in and then reinstall everything to set my transmission crossmember. The youngest girl wanted to help daddy. I also forgot to post my radiator core support mounts. You can see in the pictures they are pretty rudimentary but they work, I assembled everything on the front to make sure they landed in the right spot before welding them out.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Simple two piece tab.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Great Progress:metal:

That is some good looking welds:chevy:














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Re: Backyard built 55
 

Been a couple weeks since I posted got alot done. With the motor and Trans in its final resting spot I'm buttoning up all the small stuff I also built my own drive shaft. Made power steering lines with AN fittings an PTFE hose, swapped to AN fittings on my transmission and using pushlock hoses, mounted my new aluminum radiator, trans cooler, and electric fan. I also put down some kilmat, got a new trans tunnel, mounted my lokar shifter, laid some carpet in it and man does it fit terrible. Probably the last time I use that company, anyways what else oh yeah throttle bracket and cable along with gas pedal put new rubber between the inner femder and cab mounted my dipstick, stripped some.thread haha, and re finished my hood hinges. Think that's about it but who remembers.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

More pics

Re: Backyard built 55
 

I didn't realize the new trans tunnel was fiberglass when I ordered it oh well, feels sturdy.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

the weave on the drive shaft :metal:

rest is fitting up quite nice too, just bangin stuff out.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

coming along really nice your welding skills are top notch. Great progress. Steve

Re: Backyard built 55
 

I apologize in advance as this may sound like a stupid question. How did you measure for the shifter and make the hole so tight so that it just fits? There's a gaping hole in mine for the floor shifter, that was already there.