Project '54 5W Chevy HELP PLEASE!!

[Daniel U]

So here's a pic of what the back end of my bed will look like without the chrome rear bumper. I took this at a show I went to this last weekend here in Paso. I will be using the rear bumper, stock tailgate and taillights as well. Notice the finished bed ends! The roll pan will be used in conjuction with the chrome bumper (with the dip) to hide the new fuel cell from view. I'm not nuts about the way roll pan looks, but hate the idea of seeing the gas tank and can't decide where else to put the liscence plate anyways. I like subtle mods that you might miss. Stuff Chevrolet would have thought of if they were thinking about style and not farm equipment. Also the rear bumper brackets will be filled and powder coated.

[dwcsr]

Budget?

[55ChevyPU]

My truck is only up to about 15k *Including the 5k my brother bought it for and all the useless crap he had for it as well*, pays when you have friends in high places and do all the work yourself! I figure 800$ for paint for the bed, $1000 for the 4-link $1000 for fat tires and rims and who knows how much for interior crap. Can I just leave the interior how it is now and get blacked out windows ?

[caino59]

Originally Posted by 55ChevyPU

My truck is only up to about 15k *Including the 5k my brother bought it for and all the useless crap he had for it as well*, pays when you have friends in high places and do all the work yourself! I figure 800$ for paint for the bed, $1000 for the 4-link $1000 for fat tires and rims and who knows how much for interior crap. Can I just leave the interior how it is now and get blacked out windows ?

i hear you on that one...i dont even want to know what it would cost to have a body shop do all the work that's gone into my truck...not that the guy is getting screwed on the deal - he's got a gmpp 502/502 (well, its the same thing as the 502, but built part by part since he needed lower comp. ratio to run an 8-71 blower on it...buut thats a whole 'nother story)

and then getting the sub-frame-donor car for 75 bucks - which donated the sub-frame, trans and rear end.

and it helps when you and your dad work at a GM dealer and can get stuff at reasonable prices (you know GM still makes the bedsides and tailgates for 55-8? stepsides)

I'm damn glad i know the people i know (and that my dad knows) or else my project would never be as involved as it is...

and paid only 2500 for the truck - which when we got it had a 74 vette motor in it and was pretty solid - only needed cab corners, 1 rocker, and the bottom of the driver's door needed some attention..

bah, sorry, im rambling, didnt mean to hijack the thread....but i've been stoked now that i'm finally settled into my new house and job so i can concetrate on getting this thing done!

[Daniel U]

I had originally planned on doing this '54 project myself. Unfortunately, the O.T. and the time spent in the garage didn't lend it self well to my family life. And having my family as priority over my '54, not to mention my 1st son being born, I decided to send the truck to someone I could trust. He's done beautiful restoration work on 5 different '47-'57 Chevy trucks. A real "stand up" guy that is a self proclaimed "metal artist". He has an eye for things Chevrolet should have done. Subtle things that make the trucks lines flow better. When she's(the '54) done I think you will understand what I mean. I've used to never be a fan of body mods, however, my tastes have changed some over the past 15 years. I had originally planned on restoring the truck as an original 3/4 ton long bed. Since then I decided looks, practicallity, drivability, and now (being a father)saftey are more important. So far the antenea(for looks), pass. side vent(for lack of purpose), fuel fill(for fuel cell relocation), cowl vent(for leaks), were shaved and an updated drivetrain/suspension/brakes were added. I had older doors installed to eliminate the wind wing and to have the older style crank handle (as oppossed to the push button '54 style.) I understand/respect that everyone has thier own talents, priorities, likes/dislikes, etc. That's what makes life interesting. That being said, my next project(after the wifes gets her bigger house) will be a 30's Chevy "Rat Rod" topless pick-up down low with the doors welded shut. It won't ever see a paint booth and most important, I want to do it all myself! It will be something to do with the kiddo.

[Daniel U]

BTW, the seat came in today from Glide engineering. I'll post up picks tommoro.

[pgf545]

Daniel, What did you use for a roll pan? Or did you build it yourself? I think it will look good with the bumper and can't wait to see the pictures. I am not that far yet on dad's truck but it never hurts to have ideas floating in your head.....I think????

Bernie

[Daniel U]

I used a company called Mar-K http://www.mar-k.com/ for the tailgate and rear bed piece seen in the pic.

[Daniel U]

I just ordered the power window set up for the older style door I'm running on my truck through a company called www.nu-relics.com
This will allow the look of the stock roll up handle but be P/W. The handle will pivot about 15 degrees up and down for control of the P/W. It's amazing how much $ I'm spending to look factory.

[55ChevyPU]

I think im going to steal your idea on finishing the bed rolls. I had been thinking about getting plugs but I think that looks much better.

Hope you dont mind

[84 400]

wow great start to what should be a great project!!!!!

[Daniel U]

All body modification credit goes to Paul Smeltzer from Paul's Mobile Art here in Paso. He's a great bodyman/fabricator! This mod is one he came up with when he did the white Chevy seen above. He also put a power rear window in it with the bowtie rear tail lights. Good work, just too radical for me. I do love the way the bed ends look finished though! Just like GM should've done. He also talked me into welding my cowl vent shut, but not shaving the lines. This way it looks functional, but doesn't leak. As I mentioned before, the antenea is gone and a power antenea will be hidden somewhere in/on/or behind the bed, the '54 doors were switched to the older '47-'50 to loose the wind wing, the chains for the tailgate are gone and fold up hinges will be welded into the tailgate like the factory did in the late 70's+, and some brackets will be welded to the bed and tailgate for latching them together. Other body mods include: shaved 3600 emblem(sense it's not a 3/4 ton anymore), shaved vent on pass. side cowl, and rear end treatment seen above.

[Daniel U]

Here's the cowl vent after welding...

[Daniel U]

I'm going to take some more pics tomorro. I'll post them when I get a chance.

[Daniel U]

More pics as promised....the 1st is of the removed antenea/pass. side vent. The rest show the filled bumper brackets and new hinges for the stock tailgate. Just like GM should've done.

[Hart_Rod]

Truck is looking nice! Keep the pictures coming, I need motivation to get started back on my 52.

[Daniel U]

Hart Rod, what made you decide to use the 54/55 1st series style bed on you pick up? Were they factory before you tubbed them? They are hard to come by with the original body stampings. Just curious. Daniel U

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Daniel U

Hart Rod, what made you decide to use the 54/55 1st series style bed on you pick up? Were they factory before you tubbed them? They are hard to come by with the original body stampings. Just curious. Daniel U

It had the angled ones (47-53) on it when I got it but they were rusted. I decided to go with the 54-55 to allow for more room in the bed since I tubbed it. Plus I wanted something different, since I have the angled ones on my 48.

[Daniel U]

Here's a few more pics....The new engine acessory brakets are assembled and ready for powder coating. The engine compartment is ready for final tear down. The bed latches are finished and are a couple of GM seat belt clasps. There's also a shot of my new coolant overflow tank.

[Daniel U]

opps, here's the pics...Anyone who's know if 2-4"(center),2-6"X9"(mids), and 2 10"(bass) speakers will be enough to fill my cab sufficiently with tunes? Looks like I'll have room to mount the amp under the seat. I think I can fit the highs behind the dash's grill next to the ash tray. I'll need a box behind the seat for the mids and bass. Anyone got pics of there stereo/speaker set up?

[watahyahknow]

realy nice looking truck......i love the older ones and if i had enough cash i would buy one for myself too.
realy nice idea's on the bodywork too.... tubs made out of stepsidefenders the buckle release (im not sure how this works but i find out later in the restauration i bet ) .
little thing about youre soundsystem : the tweeters are verry directional so the best place to mount them is halfway on the windowsill or in the corners , the midspeakers i would mount under the seat facing slightly up or as high as possible in the door/dash , the base you can put anywhere just make sure the box is as big as it needs to be for the speaker(s) or get a smaller woofer if you cant get the box big enough if you put the mids and lows into one box make sure you make seperate compartments or the airpressure from the lows will overpower the mids
http://www.decware.com/diyboxes.htm .... these people know there stuff and sell plans that will make youre truck go boom boom in the night or at least give you an idea on how to make it work whell

[Daniel U]

...tubs made out of stepsidefenders ...The pics of the tubbed inner fender are of Hart Rods truck. I'll go check out the link for sound help.
Thanks, Daniel U

[CAL 58 GMC]

It's all looking really nice Daniel! Maybe someday we will hokok up at paso or pismo.

[Daniel U]

You'll have to be patient with my project. Looks like you're further along with your truck than I am. But that sounds like fun. I plan on taking the '54 to Texas when I go to my friends wedding next Sept. Maybe the Texans on this site will see me cruising on the freeway

[krue]

Looks like it's coming along pretty good to me. I'm gonna have to steal some of the bed ideas for my stepside.