Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

I just ordered the new gauge from Speedhut. Shawn is graciously allowing me to use his truck as a test bed for some new Idea's I've been kicking around. I plan on replacing the original speedometer head with the new Speedhut electronic speedo. I will re-use the original faceplate, and have my graphics shop custom make me a vinyl decal to replicate the original look of the speedometer, but match the Mph marks of the Speedhut gauge. The new vinyl decal will go to 90mph, as the original did. The new speedo will have integrated bright and signal indicators as well.

If this works out as well as I expect, it will be my new standard for LS swaps.:cool:

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Went by today to see Chris and see how Cecil was progressing. It was nice to get my gloves a little dirty and help him test fit the cab on the S-10 chassis. Chris has some ideas to get him to an overall goal of 7 inches off the ground. Stay tuned.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

I'm definitely tuned in. This thing is going to be nice!!! I do have a couple questions. First off I think it was mentioned that the target height was going to be 5" above the ground. Why did this change to 7". Secondly what would be the lowest you would recommend for a static drive height 5"? 4"? etc? (when I say height I am referring to running board above the ground) is this what you are referring to also? Lastly there was mention of having to "get creative" to get it this low. What are the obstacles when shooting for this height? Gas tank? tunneling? radiator? raised bed floor? any others?

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Not sure if Chris will be able to chime in on what the lowest he would recommend for a static drive but I know that his Son's truck is only about 4 inches. Main reason we are having to change our goals is because of the massive tires I am running. With the 18x8s and 20x10s I have 29 and 31 inches of tires and wheels. Gas tank will be an issue if we go much lower. Chris is going to get the drop spindles in this week and then we have decided to go with a drop in the rear In addition to the 3 or 4 inch blocks. Looks like we will have to raise the bed a 2 or so inches but I don't want the bed much higher as I still want it look like a bed and not a wooden tonneau cover.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Shawn didn't mention that I cut an additional inch out of the cab mounts this morning. That makes the forward stands just over 2" off the frame. Any closer we will run into trans and fuel tank clearance issues. I'm going to order a set of drop springs for the rear to suck it down some more. May go with 1" drop springs up front as well. I'm still shooting for 5", but I dont want to kill the ride just to get it low.

Lowest I would recommend would be 4.5" clearance at the front edge of the running board. Any lower, you will start to have speed bump problems.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Thank you guys for the responses. I appreciate it. 4.5 it is!!! lol. I'm anxious to see how this thing turns out! For mine, I have 3" blocks for the rear and 2" spindles up front. I also have some drop leafs and drop springs for the front that I wasn't sure if I was going to use for that same reason. I don't want it to ride poorly.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Obstacles are bed height, pinion angle, trans clearance, steering shaft geometry, and ride quality. I was considering "Z'ing" the back half, but it would have raised his bed height too much. As it stands, once the drop springs go in the rear, the frame will need to be "C" notched.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Remember Steve that your overall tire height really alters your ride height. PM me for my number if you would like the formula for 4.5" ride height.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Chris, I see you have the shop full already. What's the deal with the AD with the I-ROC wheels in the rear. Is that a plymouth sedan, your also working on???....Jim

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

The AD belongs to my buddy Chris. He's doing all the work, just using my shop, tools, power, and heat... Yup, He's a user! Lol

The other one is a 48 Plymouth Deluxe with a Caddy 472 and some hoakie work on the Camaro stub (lots of flex)... Guess what I'll be fixing?

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Chris aka SKYMANGS has been busy this week so I am going to post verbatim what he has said straight of his facebook page

I will note his comments with indentations and quote marks. I want to make sure and give him all the credit for this wonderful work he is doing on Cecil

"Mocking up the driveline. Always a challenge to get it perfectly centered, and level. Tew motor mounts are bolted on, snd I use 1/2" ID 11ga. Tube and 1/2" bolts to mount it to the frame."

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Once I'm happy with the placement, templates are made for the uprights. They are cut from 3/16" plate and tacked I n place. Then the driveline is yanked to seam them in."

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Chris:

"Here's the driveline in position with the motor mounts all seemed in. I use a jackstand to keep th he tailgate in place, until I can get the trans cross member finished."

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"This is how I do the cross member. First I cut the passenger side, then I trim the driver's side to clear the frame rail. I weld 1.25 11ga. Boxed to create a new shelf. Then I trim the passenger side piece I cut off to fit and re-weld it together."

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Then the cab goes back on to double check clearances. Tomorrow I'll start working on the brake booster/pedal assembly and steering column."

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Once again I want to give Chris all the credit. He did all of this last Sunday, plus still found time to work on a 48 Buick. Chris you are crazy good and crazy fast. Trust me he has finished up a lot more but I am don't have time right now to post it up. If you cant wait go over to his facebook page, otherwise I will try to get it up tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks again SKYMANGS!

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

What did the motor come out of? I have the same exhaust manifolds and trying to find a Y pipe.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

This motor is our of 5.7L 87 IROC Z28

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Brake pedal assembly modified and installed. Booster/master located and mocked up. Still no drop spindles, were supposed to be delivered today."

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS

New steering column, I build all my own brackets. This is the upper bracket being made.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

Seat base coming out. Last shot is the drivers floor pan. Rust goes all the way under the seat base. I'll be picking up a new pan later this week.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Upper bracket finished. Building the lower bracket. Last one is column installed"

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Thanks for taking the time to post these Shawn. I'm having a blast building your truck!

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Nice update guys, looks good...Jim

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Altman ez latches arrived today. They look like a really nice setup"