Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Here's a bit of history of my mom's '54 Chevy truck in relation to my '54. When I bought my '54, I had no idea that my mom was so fond of it. Sure, she told me she liked it and even taught me how to drive (I was 16 at the time) with the manual trans. I also didn't know she liked the long bed. Even more, I didn't know she'd ever buy one for herself and want to restore it. So when she bought a short bed '54 and asked me what I did with my long bed chassis I about choked. I had cut it in half to make a trailor. So the search was on for an Advance Design longbed chassis. As of now we may have found one in the Sacremento area. I traded her bed sides, so no worries there. I also traded her my grill for her's as I wanted a chrome one and my original didn't lend itself to that. She'll be using the carbed 305 from my '84 Camaro and a 700R4 trans with a 10 bolt rear. She's going to be going for a different look than I am planning on, but it should be a clean driver for her. Well here's a few pics of her "rough" start. My brother will be doing most of the work ( BTW, no start date set as of yet) and I'll be docummenting it for her as she's not "comfortable" with forums. Enjoy!
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...rontmoms54.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...riversside.jpg

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

So its all in the family huh? That's really cool

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Wow, I wish my Mom was into classic trucks. That's really COOL!! :metal:

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Yeah, this shot was at my brother's place the day I traded her bed sides and grill. My brother's got a few projects himself. I guess he'll be going to get the chassis this weekend.:)

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

cool

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

that's pretty cool !:ww: keep us posted to the progress!!

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

:phat:

Cool story, I will watch for progress.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

That's awesome, Daniel. My dad passed the "old car bug" to me and I hope to pass it on to my children.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

UPDATE:The longbed chassis for mom's '54 is being sand blasted this week. Pics to fallow....

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

cool... cant wait to see the build

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

My dad did the same for me and my brother when we restored his original owner '68 Plymouth Road Runner. I've always been a Chevrolet guy though? Anyways, I hope to pass it on to my son.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

My brother/father ordered the Must.II front end yesterday for my mom's '54! Pics ASAP.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

wow nice progress. So is it going for a long bed street llok?? sounds really neat!

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

My mom likes the look and stance of the 3/4 ton longbed, so there will be plenty of room for wheel travel, lol. It will have an updated feel to it without the solid front axle, and stop better with 4 wheel disc. She just wants a clean driver. She's selling her Caddillac when it's finished.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

WOw good luck and it sounds like a meanningful project

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

My brother stopped by my place today with my mom's '54 sitting on the longbed chassis she wants. He installs the Must. II front this weekend. Here's a few pics:
Front end:http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0339.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0340.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0341.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0342.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0343.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0344.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0345.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0346.jpgand this is the most rust damage inside(Pass. side floor pan) After reviewing the pictures, it looks like there will be a bunch of bondo and rust to remove.
Enjoy! Daniel U

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

I could sure use some measurments from your cab firewall to the front of the frame horns, and a second one from the bottom of the firewall, at the toe board at the frame to the front of the frame horns.
I am trying to place the engine mounts on the frame without the cab in place, and yours is where mine would be if I had the cab removed from my running truck!

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

I'll measure on Sunday when the welding is finished. They put the cab on for a second measurement. I'll get back to you then.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Thank You, when ever you get around to it !!

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

A few teaser pics until it's all welded in:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0360.jpg
Long bed box
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0361.jpg
Factory(ish) running hieght
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0368.jpg
9 bolt Borg Warner 3.27 rear w/posi & disc.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0366.jpg
Front end shot
I'll get those measurements as soon as it's welded in all the way. Right now it's just tacked up for mock up. It should roll out Sun. night on 4 wheels:metal:

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

My brother just got a 50 GMC truck last week. He'll be joinng the site soon.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

That's the rearend I have in my 48. It works great, although new gears are a little pricey.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Yeah, the 9 bolt rears were built in Australia. She(mom) is fine with the gear ratio of 3.27, so the inside wont be messed with too much. They seem to be in good shape. The brakes will need lots of work, but we new that. Not bad for $200.00 though. GM said the 9 bolt rears were supposed to handle up to 300 hp. The H.O. 305 she's going to be using out of my '84 Z/28 wont ever make that much hp. Though it will be a big step up from the factory inline 6.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

:agree: ..Thats a great story !! keep up the good work & keep us posted...:metal:

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Here's some pics of what's been done to the front and rear as of yet. Anyone following my build thread will recognize the long bed sides.lol The rear 3/4 ton trucks had leaf springs that mounted on the oustide of the frame rails. The new 1/2 ton kit mounts inside. She likes the look and stance of the 3/4 ton, but wants it to ride more comfortably. And this will be a daily driver for her. Also, it's sitting on 14" GM factory rally wheels from my dad's '70 El Camino. We're trying to talk here into a 16" wheel with wide white walls.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0393.jpg
side shot
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0398.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0395.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0394.jpg
A view from above without the hood and motor.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0396.jpg
bed from the rear
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0397.jpg
bed from front