Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

I stopped by the body shop yesterday and looked at the back of the cab. The picture is an illusion, thankfully. It's not a dent.

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

I see your point... makes perfect sense. I figured as much on the dinged up parts. They've already separated all the pieces to minimize that. The doors got broke down today and sent out for blasting as well as a bunch of other small parts.

I'm going to the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville next month to look at various ideas.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/9...0b931e62ea.jpg

This is a board members (should know his name) truck... I love the overall look of it. It's BadAss!

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Welding in the Jag IRS...

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/9...4e41033469.jpg

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Jag IRS is in...
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/9...8220e8a469.jpg

A closer Look
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5332/9...da8dcc86e0.jpg

Got the '78 Camaro Clip tacked in as well
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/9...927f5bfeb4.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5327/9...1cc6460904.jpg


Won't be long before tear down and off to the blaster and powder coating... :metal:

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Looks like it should work out real well.
Kim

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

This guy is not a fab kinda guy.. will be glad to get it back and start working on some of the main systems, then give it back to 'em for body work and paint... /Ken

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Sold my '86 GMC Jimmy today... proceeds go to the '57 fund...

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

First mock up with Jag IRS...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/9...a442ae6cbd.jpg

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Looks good.
Kim

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

I wish I had it ready for next months trip to AZ...

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

patience grasshopper :D

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

ROLLING CHASSIS!!

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/9...da30ca5578.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/9...66f077800f.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/9...8486684fa7.jpg
Got the clip welded in, nice and strong.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/9...56d175e7bf.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2811/9...f9a1bded37.jpg

Nice and LOW!

Should have it fully assembled for test fitting by the end of the week.

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Nice.
Kim

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

I stopped by the body shop yesterday to check on progress.

So far they've mounted the Jag rear suspension and the front clip from the Camaro.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/9...fe7f734d1c.jpg

She's back on her own feet for the first time in 16 years!

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2844/9...8acdc3274f.jpg

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

87Lowrider congrats on the milestone!! keep up the good work

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Thanks. I'm going to the Street Rod Nationals tomorrow in Louisville KY. Gonna pick up some goodies for the truck.

All the metal work on fenders and the hood is done. First assembly is next week, check tire clearances and wheel sizes, and other stuff, then disassembly and off to powdercoating for the frame.

.. I'll have pics later. :metal:

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

think twice about that for a full custom truck
unless you've run the brake lines, mc, fuel lines, fuel tank motor mounts, ect...
you will be welding on the frame again and again
recommend you paint your frame, touch up paint is easy

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Thanks for the tip... I remember reading that here some time ago. I'll make sure and discuss it with the body man on Monday.

Meanwhile, at the Nationals in Louisville today, I picked up my third brake light (to be mounted flush, just below the back window) as well as two LEDs for my front turn signals/parking lights. The factory turn signals have been removed, holes filled & prepped for the LEDs to be installed.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/9...59dc19425a.jpg

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

I would pass on the powdercoat and use the money towards the interior. Some good quality paint applied will last and your gonna drive it so that makes touch up way easier but it's your truck.

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Thanks, I know for sure that I want the frame cleaned up and treated to slow down any rust build up. You hear all the time about "Powdercoat" this or that so I automatically ASSUMED that was the way to go. I'll defer to this groups knowledge on this one though. :metal:

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Here's the smoothed front fenders.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/9...54d872ec69.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2848/9...1b565d696c.jpg

And the firewall.. there were 64,000 holes in it (when it snowed outside, it snowed inside - no joke) Now, it's nice and smooth. Don't like the original factory design missing but that's fine.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/9...5848c10c9d.jpg

And finally, a couple butt shots;

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/9...7a205014b0.jpg

Notice the reinforced frame since modifications had to be made to get the springs to sit properly. That's 1/2" plate.. on both sides as opposed to boxing the inside of the frame rail.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/9...06e1309235.jpg

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Looking good.
Kim

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Thanks!

To date, we've gone from this (in 1992)

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6215/6...6318580715.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6055/6...cb34c93cce.jpg

To this (today) ... shop just texted me this pic;

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/9...36f7256917.jpg

It's a truck again! That's a static drop. Jag in the rear and Camaro in the front. Still playing with wheel / tire sizes though. Amazing what a little "Attitude Adjustment" will do. /Ken

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Looking very clean so far.

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Thanks, another thing I just noticed is they've started smoothing out the dash as well...

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/9...a49289ecde.jpg

Still got the glove box to close up....

Got big plans for the new dash ... stay tuned!!

Here's a teaser...

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5467/9...3883deb325.jpg

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Looking good.
Kim

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Got the Dawg house assembled. Wheels and sheet metal line up nicely with the Camaro Clip installed.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/9...e8382b7847.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/9...a15bf50f7e.jpg

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

If possible, get a pic of how the front core support mounts were made. Im about to make mine. Curios how they did yours. Mine is z'ed 3.5 inches. Makes the steering box in the way of the mount.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

OK, I'll snap some shots next week when I deliver my rear bumper and some other parts for them. These pics were text'd to me today by the builder.

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

... and the work continues.

Here's the factory Grill
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/9...4dfa53b4cb.jpg

Mock up of the new version
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/9...7f36c48cdb.jpg
Notice the holes under the headlight area... those are for the LED turn signals and driving/parking lights.

Dash is smooth now and notice the area below the back window for the third brake light to live... plus closed up the fuel filler on the side.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2816/9...0d25789518.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9...ba12bcef25.jpg
Mocking up gauges, AC vents, etc.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/9...a20d4d53fe.jpg

Here's a couple other frontal shots.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/9...3e07ab2da7.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/9...5c3854f7ea.jpg

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Wow, you do awesome work! You have a really large workshop! What other projects do you have going on a once?
dne'

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Looking good.
I'm doing something similar with my grill.
I just haven't figured it out yet.
Kim

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Thanks, I'll pass it on to the builder (not me). I've turned the body work over to a local shop here in town (good friend of mine though). I'll get the truck back at some point to do drivetrain and interior. I'm a techy not a fab/body work kinda guy.

I'll share the end solution. We discussed it Saturday and have an idea on how. /Ken

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Nice to see that you are making progress, the stance is looking good!
I am planning to use a Jag irs on my 57 panel, so I'm curius if if you had any trouble with it?! Did you have cut out of the inside of framerail to make room for the springs?
Did you use the xjs 6 axle (61" wide)?
Would love to see more pics of it
Best of luck with rest of the build!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

It went in pretty simple but I purchased a mounting kit from CWIINC.com before they fell off the face of the earth. Yes, they had to cut a notch out of the bottom of the frame rail for spring clearance. If you look closely at the pictures, you'll see they reinforced the frame with 1/2" plate to keep it sturdy. Yes, it is the 61" model from a '73 XJ6. I'll be getting more pics of it soon. It won't be long though before the frame goes off for blasting / painting.

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Got some new goodies for the truck;

New column
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/9...a4fc2256_c.jpg

New Gauges
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/9...e19d394a_c.jpg

Probably install them here
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/9...d5187cef_c.jpg

Additional LED's for the rear
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/9...4b73efbb_c.jpg

New LED Tail Lights
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/9...46c462d7_c.jpg

Gonna remove the old ones, smooth out the holes and paint the new ones to match the exterior color.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/9...3ee7476a_c.jpg

Still trying to decide on exterior color. I'm looking at a candy similar to this or a REALLY dark midnight blue.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/9...9ca6750f_c.jpg

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Sweet truck!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Nice gauges. What brand are they?

Rich
my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

Re: '57 Stepside, Big Window Project
 

Looking good.
Those are some nice gauges.
Kim