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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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All I know is a ton of people have commented on negatives of drop spindles. I just know its simpler for me to change the springs and keep the OEM spindles. that and the spindles might cost more? Springs were under $200 |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Great! Now my front end is going to fall apart... haa, i hope not.
Price wise i think the springs are cheaper, it does cut down on clearance. I will have ro look out for those issues. Thanks Posted via Mobile Device |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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Are you still building on the Donor chassis? that truck, the fabrication is truly fantastic! to use the whole firewall from the donor, that's a ton of work! Very unique build! And although its my personal belief that a vehicle built after 1935 should not have a chopped top, you did a VERY nice job with yours! Not my taste but I can differently appreciate your fab work! I am complaining about replacing my cab corner, and here you are ripping almost every sheet mental panel on the truck apart!! haha. Very cool build! How hard is it to have a custom windshield made for the chop? |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
We are lucky enough to have a local company thaat specializes in custom glass work. If nor for that i would not have gone there. New glass come spring.
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Very cool drivea55, can't wait to see the new glass go in!
I spent the last 24 hours spending money haha... Bought new RetroSound Apache radio (backordered! :( ), headers, hood hinges, a used heater fan assembly for the deluxe heater and an old used deluxe control, and alot of misc. parts Gearing up for a war against my truck! trying to buy everything i can think of so I can stop worrying about having enough extra $ for the project. In case anyone cared, i took a photo of how well the light from the sylvania silverstar ultra bulbs look. its a bad photo from my iPhone but its all I had on me... http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2-06-12004.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Cool!
Its always nice to spend money on the truck. Posted via Mobile Device |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Well I had a couple hours during the weekend that I was able to dedicate to the truck, so I took the opportunity to install my new Hotchkis front lowering springs for my "Firebird".
I'd be lying if I didn't say I was extatic with the result. Not only with the drop but the handling, I also bought new bushings and installed the 1 1/4" sway bar. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! The original springs were horribly tired, the entire truck swayed in turns. Now, almost ZERO body roll between the new stiff springs and sway bar additions. I can honestly say it turns/handles like the '78 Formula Firebird that the subframe originated from. simply awesome. the overall drop after the springs was almost exactly 1.5", making the truck ALMOST dead level, making me very happy. Here are a few pics BEFORE SPRINGS: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck056.jpg AFTER SPRINGS: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck133.jpg Install photos: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck103.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck104.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck102.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck107.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck108.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck130.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck132.jpg Before measurement: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck115.jpg After measurement: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck136.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Very nice dude!
that made a heck of a difference!!!!!!!!!!! |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
oh BTW,
You jinxed me!... joking of course. After our chat about springs or drop spindles, I noticed rub marks on the inner front rims. :( I had to indeed trim the lower control arm. GM made these way too big anyways... thanks for the heads up! |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
I thank you for that!
you bringing it up helped me figure out what was going on. funny 16" rims too... ah well all is good. back to your build! lookin good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Looks real nice.
Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Got my very own box with a heart on it today!!!!
and to sound a little less girly, it was labeled Hooker. Headers that is. I hate spending money, but not as much as I like getting new parts!! My cracked exhaust manifold/MAJOR exhaust leak on the drivers side will no longer be an issue of mine after the weekend if all goes well. The headers are just the solution, as the long tubes will set me up an easy strait shot to install the rest of the exhaust. I might not get the mufflers on this weekend, but sure hope to get the manifolds off and these bad boys on! Took a photo of how crammed the poor inner-exhaust ports are on these pontiac heads... http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck143.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck144.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...vyTruck145.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Very nice.
Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Woo Hoo!
new parts!!! :smoke: |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Save the side of that box for your wall art.
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
well, today was a case of taking three steps forward, and one step backwards...
after removing the starter, clutch linkage and oil filter assembly off my pontiac engine, I forced the headers into position and started the tedious task of bolting the headers on. after slowly getting each bolt in, I put the starter back in, only to find my clutch linkage is going to interfear with the long tube header. I will spend a few days thinking about how I will build a new bracket to connect the clutch fork to the pedal fulcrum, it shouldnt be very difficult its just frustrating because it was all woring fine before the interfearance by the headers... I am also waiting for my oil filter housing gasket, yay for my odd-ball pontiac having speacial order parts hah... $2 gasket... but its gonna take 3 days to show up... anyways, here are some bad quality photos of the headers in position. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/IMG_3051.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/IMG_3050.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/IMG_3045.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/IMG_3047.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/IMG_3048.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/IMG_3049.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Looks like a tight fit.
Good luck on getting it all to work. Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
man, it was a bear getting the headers up into position...
and thanks! ill take all the luck I can get haha... |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Haven't had a ton of time in the last few weeks to work on the truck, but did manage to get my clutch issue resolved. After installing headers, my clutch fork pivot rod went forward, and strait into my header. Instead of hacking up my OEM parts, i ordered repop rods to modify.
After chopping off the end of the rod, I had a friend weld it back together rotated 90 degrees and at a camber similar to the original, and then shortened the second rod so that it would compensate for the angle pivot rod now facing the rear of the truck instead of the front of the truck. When all was said and done, it clears the headers! I dont have an installed photo because it was dark, but here are the modified brackets to make my clutch work again... http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...utchFix001.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...utchFix002.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...utchFix003.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...utchFix004.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Necessity is the mother of invention. Nice job.
Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
To anyone who cares, here is a photo of the clutch linkage installed. Works great, simple and effective!
Only other thing i did this weekend is tweek the timing and carb adjustments, now I am waiting on exhaust parts to get this thing quiet enough to drive again hah... A Side note!! Anyone using the original style clutch linkage, and buys a reproduction elbow that bolts to the fork, the tabs that hold the rod on the elbow are not tall enough to keep the rod on, I had to weld bumps on the tabs to make them taller, and it works perfect. My original elbow never had this problem, but I didnt want to hack up the original part just in case, so i bought the Repo part and found it needed a little work... You can see in the photos of the elbow that there are welds on each bump. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2photos002.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
So... I haven't made a ton of progress lately, been waiting on parts and been busy with life... along with bad weather.
A break in the weather allowed me to sandblast and put some rust converting primers on my heater housing/motor probably just going to paint the parts satin black and if my heater is done getting recored by friday I might be able to put the heater together this weekend. Someone welded the original holes for the heater up on my firewall so ill have to redrill. Anyone know what size spacers are used on the inside studs for the heater mounting? Also, I know a rubber band is used for the blower-to-heater box, is the same used for the cowl-to-blower? http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos002.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos006.jpg Blower still works! http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos005.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos013.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos016.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos017.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos003.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos008.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos009.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos010.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos012.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos018.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...rPhotos021.jpg I blasted and primered the box too but for some reason don't have photos. Ill get some up when I paint everything... |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Looks good.
Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
You did a really nice paint job!
Ray |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Thanks! The paint in the previous heater photos were primers, today I finally had a sunny afternoon and was able to put a few coats of rattle can paint/clear coat on the heater parts. At first I started with a low gloss, but the interior of my truck was much too glossy for it, and it stood out very bad so I re-shot the parts in gloss and then clear coated them.
Because it was only a dollar more per can, i went total overkill and used 500 degree engine paint... The heater core leaked alot in a past life causing alot of rust on the box, which is primarily why I chose to put 5 layers of paint and a clear coat on the box. No more rust... Photos of the painted pieces... will probably upload some more after I get my core and assemble the box http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/photo1-7.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/photo2-8.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/photo3-6.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/photo4-3.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/photo5-3.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Not alot of progress, no photos to show, just bolted my mufflers on this weekend and drove the truck around, sounds 1000% better without the exhaust leak, and with the engine timing better set (was WAY too retarded last time i drove it) being able to rev over 3000rpm without the engine sounding like it was going to explode was great!
older flowmaster mufflers off a friends old mustang sound mean behind the 400 pontiac! (I think they are the standard 40-series) As soon as I get my heater core from the radiator shop though I'll get some photos of the box assembled. |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Work is continuing to overpower my time, however I was able to install my new stereo. I went with the Retrosound Apache radio and am happy with it. It won't be easy to navigate through all my folders of music on my usb drive but it fits the stock opening and plays either SD cards or USB Thumb drives so thats all i need. I don't have speakers installed yet but when I figure out what I am doing with those ill post some photos
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...k/04-26-12.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
my stereo has an usb plug up front
the thought of a 2'' thumb drive sticking out scared me until i found these short ones... newegg.com skipping cd/dvd are a thing of my past no folders, just 16gb of random rock and roll :D http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/...063-TS?$S300W$ |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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the Retrosound unit i installed has a 'dock' that is wired into the rear of the unit, so I will either mount the USB/SD card receiver in the ash tray or glove box for nice hidden access |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Looks good, just want to say this jogged my memory on Retrosound. Thanks
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Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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it also has RCA inputs and outputs for amps and other random audio sources you may have like an external computer running audio, or a cd changer or whatever... having the mini sterio input on the face and on the usb/sd adapter, along with a usb and sd reader, i wouldnt see any reason to use any other audio sources... but the RCA input still allows for it. maybe if you wanted to run a DVD player through the head unit?? but i'm not putting that much tech in my truck, just a SIMPLE sterio for now, MAYBE subs/amp in the future... I'm a technology buff and so having such an old car with so much old technology I like having one piece in the truck that is totally modern and up to date with current trends (aka USB/SD memory to hold MP3 instead of CD or CD Changers...) again, once I get some speakers and mount them, and mount the card reader ill throw more photos up! |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
nice little head unit, here is a link to the usb/sd remote
if you get to the sub and amps check out my interior build i blended my enclosure into my console but the base unit would fit in any tf truck http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...erior3-1-1.jpg i can't remember if you shaved your cowl vent or not but these were easy to make too http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...0610091505.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
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I will be retaining my cowl/vents so the full kick panel isn't a 1st option, but I was thinking something similar... although my free time lately will likely have me buy the ABS speaker molded kick panels for sale through all the truck parts houses |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Life has been keeping me busy but i am getting a little time here and there for the truck... I FINALLY got my heater core (re-cored) back and assembled my heater box, i dont think i have a final pic of it but here is one of the core in the box... also broke down and just bought the ABS molded speaker kick panels, and im glad i did. so simple, and so clean... and they fit in and saved me hours of work... I'll have to cut the pass. side if I want the clean/fresh air vent from the deluxe heater but thats not an big deal at all...
Also cut my new vent cables to size and hooked em up, they fit GREAT it the throttle and wiper spots between the lighter hole on the dash. I like how they look and it keeps em from hanging under the dash, and I dont expect them to interfeer with a wiper assembly but ill deal with that when I get to it hah... Sun was bright so my phone-camera struggled... sorry... Next steps are to blast/paint my vent grills, re-drill the welded up heater holes, install heater, and fix my faulty hydraulic brake switch so I can lower my brake pedal away (the firewall switch requres the pedal to be too high up for my taste, so i installed a hydraulic switch but it failed out of the box... ) http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos003.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos002.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos001.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos024.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos023.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos021.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos020.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...2Photos019.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Every little bit helps.
Looking good. Kim |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
been a while without an update... main changes: I finally welded my gas-cap hole closed, and welded a small hole in the roof from some previous owner's project (was in a hurry over the weekend so didnt take photos) but the big news for my truck is its new back-half...
after slowley collecting parts to rebuild my bed I stumbled across an add on CL that was 150 miles from my house... - so I jumped on it and i'm glad i did. my bead was trashed, as you can see from my photos in my build, I found a good set of fenders, a new tailgate and bought other parts, but was still going to need a TON of work on my bedsides and new steps... - so the decision was easy. PLUS, i was thinking of painting my truck red, however now without any further thought needed I will be trying to get the remaining bodywork/prep needed this year and painting my cab/doors/front end white... the photos will be the obvious reason as to why hah... here is my new purchase... i was able to buy an entire bed (minus wood/strips) including bumper(which i needed) from a man converting his 59' to a fleet. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...703_122211.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...703_122201.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...703_122151.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...703_122144.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...703_122046.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...703_122046.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...703_122254.jpg above photos from seller, below photo from the bed in my yard (had to remove pass. fender to get it in my trailer heh... http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...8-12Photos.jpg |
Re: My Build - 1955 2nd Series Short Bed Stepside
Nice find on the bed.
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