Will's 1955 2nd Series Stepside Project

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by ChevroletWT

Thanks Gary, with back spacing and all considered I do think that a 5" wheel would clear the fender even with this rear end. Yet another reason I wish I had the stock rear end..

Thanks Luther! As far as the hood goes, mine wasn't as bad when I got the truck, which makes me believe that if I just spend some time with it adjusting at the firewall and at the hood that I can get a decent gap again.

It's amazing how much the gap can really be changed when you consider adjusting the fenders, hinges, and hood tie bar and latch.
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You would probably be ok with stock wheels. they are really skinny. I have a set I would give you if you lived closer.

[ChevroletWT]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

You would probably be ok with stock wheels. they are really skinny. I have a set I would give you if you lived closer.

Are they the stock wheels with hubcap clips?
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[ChevroletWT]

I FINALLY FOUND MY WHEELS!!

It turns out that Gary (Katrina/10) and I were able to work out a way for me to drop by his place on the way back up from Florida and get the stock wheels that he offered. Once again Gary, thank you so much!

I got going with sandblasting them, priming and painting as soon as I got back home. Today I mounted the tires up. I love it!! It is much more the look I wanted, and now the rear tires are tucked into the fenders just like they should be. The truck also handles much better with the skinnier tires. I'm super happy. ...Just rolled over 140 miles!




Next on the list is to finish the exhaust. I'll see if I can get her to a shop tomorrow, I'd just like to run my duals straight out of the back with an H pipe in the middle.

[Kim57]

Looks very nice.
Kim

[ChevroletWT]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looks very nice.
Kim

Thank you Kim!

I also got some time today to finally neaten up most of my underhood wiring. I still need to find a heater box that will work for my application and eventually hook up my windshield washer. Otherwise I'm pretty happy with the overall transformation

[Kim57]

Nice and clean.
Kim

[4dranch]

Will,
Did you see this on CL? thought you might be interested.
http://northmiss.craigslist.org/cto/3634324113.html


David

[dubie]

holy crap, nice job under the hood man. It doesn't even look like the same truck. I've really enjoyed watching this truck transform right before our very eyes.

[ChevroletWT]

Thank you so much guys!!!!

Originally Posted by 4dranch

Will,
Did you see this on CL? thought you might be interested.
http://northmiss.craigslist.org/cto/3634324113.html

Wow that looks like an awesome project, and you really can't beat that price.. too bad I don't have room or money for another right now!

[chevyboy73]

god you guys make me want one of these, some day ill pull one from a local junkyard if its still good... this truck looks great btw!

[Katrina/10]

You're welcome, Will! I'm glad you were able to use the wheels, and they look great on your truck! Tell me about the tires and hubcaps you used.

[ChevroletWT]

Thanks so much guys!

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Tell me about the tires and hubcaps you used.

Gary, the tires are made by Specialty Tires of America and they are 7.00-15LT "Super Transport" Bias Plies. They are purpose built vintage truck tires and I am super happy with their ride and handling characteristics, especially being bias ply. I also ended up running Firestone tubes in them for safety and not having to worry about the older wheels having any potential leaks. The hubcaps are simple reproduction caps that I bought from LMC truck.. I forget who makes them exactly.


Well I got the truck back today and I am SUPER pleased with it! The exhaust shop did a great job and the truck sounds just like I wanted! Nice and tame in the cab, and aggressive in the rear... just like an old truck should be. I used Thrush 17656 welded mufflers and went with 2-1/2" exhaust. I decided on that against 3" because in this case I think the smaller pipes go better with the truck. All the exhaust is nicely tucked up under the truck now the way it should be. Man I'm happy!




Of course a post about exhaust would be nothing without a video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j36ul7dquiY

[Luther Grimace]

Looks and sounds great. The skinny wheels and tires really tied it together. Is that a 57 hood?
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[ChevroletWT]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

Looks and sounds great. The skinny wheels and tires really tied it together. Is that a 57 hood?
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Thanks man! LOL yeah it's a '57 hood.. don't ask why because I have no idea! It was on the truck when I bought it. I have heard of guys swapping the '55-'56 hoods for '57s because they had much less oil canning characteristics, but can't say for sure if that was the reason.. maybe someone liked the '57 raised accents! Too bad she can't tell her story!

[Kim57]

Great job on it.
Kim

[Katrina/10]

Again, nice job, Will. I am not sure what the original tire size was, maybe 7.00 15? But the ones you chose look nice and beefy. The repro hubcaps look like the ones I have, and they have held up well. You should be happy with them.

Exhaust sounds great!

[ChevroletWT]

Thanks so much!!!

Since it is supposed to rain here the next few days I decided that would be a good incentive to get my electric wipers working. After fiddling with them for about an hour they work pretty nice! Here's a little video the ole truck doing what she does best!

1956 Chevy Truck Wiper Test - YouTube

[4dranch]

Nice job. and yeah this rain sucks were gettin.

[Russell Ashley]

Nice work on the truck, It looks great. Did you replace your wiper arms? If so, where did you get them. I bought a set of reproductions but they are junk.

[ChevroletWT]

Thanks David and Russel! Russell, I got the arms and blades from LMC truck. I'm not sure who actually makes them, but they seem to be of good quality.

[ChevroletWT]

I just rolled over 300 miles on the truck! I've taken her out on the highway and she runs 70 mph at 2000 rpm! Such a good cruiser!

I also took advantage of Eckler's Easter sale and treated the ole gal to a little bit of fresh bling!

Out with the old pitted 6 cyl emblem, in with a fresh V8!

[Kim57]

Looks real nice.
Kim

[ChevroletWT]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looks real nice.
Kim

Thanks! I took some time today to put the finishing touches on the interior.

I had a huge Sunpro tach hanging under the dash so I could know the RPMs of the 700r4 relative to speeds.. Now that I have seen about what she will do I have removed the tach to clean everything up a bit. In addition, I found a cool old 50's accessory heater box (the kind with one fan and the little doors you open to get heat). I got it installed today and bought a little NOS clamp-on dash heater switch on ebay that I hope to have soon. Here's a shot of what she looks like now

[4dranch]

Will,
If your not doing anything this weekend there's a show at Shelby Forest Saturday.
heres a link.
http://www.motorcyclemonster.com/eve...ington-TN.html

David

[ChevroletWT]

Originally Posted by 4dranch

Will,
If your not doing anything this weekend there's a show at Shelby Forest Saturday.
heres a link.
http://www.motorcyclemonster.com/eve...ington-TN.html

David

Looks like it should be a good time. I'll see if I could make it, I've got a gig that night but would love to take the ole truck up to Shelby Forest.