54 PB dropmember build

[whiteheadcycle]

Well after selling my 72 for family reasons, I've been itching for a new project! So about 1 1/2 years ago I pickup the 54. While waiting for Nate to release the dropmembers, I've been collecting parts as deals pop up. Now that I have my dropmembers I thought I would start my build. It's going to be a little slow, but it will get completed! Here's a few pictures from the day I brought her home.

[whiteheadcycle]

Better pic

[whiteheadcycle]

I'm kind of a one man show, so I built a gantry lift and started the teardown.

[whiteheadcycle]

Cab coming off

[whiteheadcycle]

Frame completely stripped-

[whiteheadcycle]

Quick cab stand-

[whiteheadcycle]

My $800 score!

Complete bed with tailgate and fenders
2 doors
2 oem grills (1 Chrome - 1 paintable)
1 Set of running boards
1 bumper filler
2 bumpers
2 front windshields (1 new - 1 used)
2 front fenders

And a bunch of misc.

[oldman3]

^^^you stoled those parts for that price....Jim

[whiteheadcycle]

I'm running a Ford Explorer 8.8. I had the leftside axle tube shortened so I can run one length axle on both sides and to center the center section. Here's a rebuild pic. Not messing around everything brand new.

[whiteheadcycle]

Axle complete-

[whiteheadcycle]

5.3 and 4l60e I pickup on my birthday.

[whiteheadcycle]

Now that I'm somewhat caught up, here's the good stuff.

I ran into a small issues with the new front rail fitment. Nate has installed the new rails on 4 frames and said he has not had this issue. This is the first 54 frame so maybe it's a 54-55 thing? My frame has a triangle stamping that is right were the new front rails bolt up.

All the guys with 54-55 can you take a look and see if you have this triangle stamping and let me know? It would be much appreciated!

This is the driver side, about a foot in front of the front body mount.

[whiteheadcycle]

Spoke with Nate and he's going to make some new rails that fit around the triangle stamping. Here's the front dropmember assembled with mods to the front rails to get them to sit flush.

[whiteheadcycle]

One more pic of the front

[whiteheadcycle]

Did some work on the rear notch fitment last night and found another small problem. The 54-55 had a smaller hump over the rear axle due to gaining 2" of bed space in those years. So the front of the new notch does not fit the contour of my frame. As you all know, Nate is a standup guy and is taking care of any problems!

[whiteheadcycle]

Inner view

[whiteheadcycle]

Originally Posted by oldman3

^^^you stoled those parts for that price....Jim

Yes I did! The guy was super nice and held the parts for me. He had people offering over $1500 and he still stuck to his word. That's hard to come by anymore!

[whiteheadcycle]

Tonight I ran into yet another small issue with more frame stampings. This is were the rear cab mount bolts to the frame and right were the new trailing arm crossmember mounts need to go. Can you guys look at your frame and see if you have this stamping? I'm guessing is a 54-55 thing once again.

[84blaze]

Subscribed.

After seeing all this nice porterbuilt AD stuff recently its making me want to trash my S10 frame and go this route.

[whiteheadcycle]

Originally Posted by 84blaze

Subscribed.

After seeing all this nice porterbuilt AD stuff recently its making me want to trash my S10 frame and go this route.

I had a s10 frame done with Michigan metal works arms, little shop no notch steering, the hole nine.... But I really wanted another dropmember truck. So I sold the frame and waited. Even with fitment problems I'm glad I did.

[whiteheadcycle]

I also bought this 49 last year from a old high school buddy for $400. It will be the next build and will be getting a front dropmember also, but I will be building a wishbone setup for the rear.

[youngrodder]

Your PB install looks familiar...Ha ha
Nice progress. Keep at it.

Yes the PB quality and service are both top notch. My painter could not get over how nice all the parts are. I think it's a good value for what you get.

Marc

[Coach529]

Looks like an awesome build. I will be following along.

[whiteheadcycle]

Thanks guys! I scored a 13" cpp big brake kit on eBay for a smoking deal awhile back, and finally got the calipers painted black. Turned out pretty good.

[ptc]

Looks like a cool build - keep on going!!!