'57 Stepside, Big Window Project

[87Lowrider]

I bought this truck for $150 and a 286 Computer in 1989 while I was stationed in Long Beach. When I returned from Desert Storm I dropped a '79 350 4bolt in it till 1997 when I parked it in the garage. 10 years later, I have tore it down to the frame and started to rebuild it.



Here's the engine compartment in 1992


The plan is to put a Heidts IFS in for the front and then send the frame off for cleaning and powdercoating. My D50 Nikon takes good pictures, but I need to resize them a bit. More to come later.

Edit 12/28/08 - I have scratched the Heidts IFS for a '78 Camaro Subframe.

[Igotachevyor2]

cool project

[55dude]

pic's, more pic's! looks like a great project.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Look's like a great project you have. Is that a Corvette rear differential?

[1-ton of fun]

he said it was a jag rear end

[87Lowrider]

It's a 73 Jag XJ6 rear diff.. I've got more pics.. I'll massage them a bit and post them asap, big plans for it.... Project is kinda stagnate rite now though.. working on a '78 Camaro for my daughter and my 87 Chevy pickup.

[87Lowrider]

I spent tonight looking at two threads from 55chevypu and CAL 58 GMC. i needed a little recharge... You guys have some amazing trucks.

I'm still working on the '87 low rider. I'll have it on the road in a few weeks with a new BBC 454 in it. Then, I can get back on the chevy....

55ChevyPU - I lived in Colton in 1990 when I bought my '57. I pulled it back to Kentucky behind my 1990 Ford Ranger. It had a blown up 283 in it. I put a 350 in it after I got back from Desert Storm in 1991. I still have the motor in my '86 Jimmy after all these years.



Kenny

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by 87Lowrider

I spent tonight looking at two threads from 55chevypu and CAL 58 GMC. i needed a little recharge... You guys have some amazing trucks.

Kenny

Thanks Kenny! I remember back a few years ago when I was were you at right now and needing my battery re-charged. Sometime it seems as if their never going to get done.

[DavesRide]

Cal 58 GMC recharged me. Since I have seen his progress I have found the door panels, inner fenders, grill from top to bottom valances, and the left front fender, and maybe the glass (big window) of my 1983 '56 barnfind. Just a few more pieces and I will be doing a build here. Rock on with the progress. I understand the hurdles. I think that devotion will pay off in almost any endeavour. The most important thing is that you show everyone the PICS. That way we can be as excited for your project as you are. David

[55dude]

Originally Posted by DavesRide

Cal 58 GMC recharged me. Since I have seen his progress I have found the door panels, inner fenders, grill from top to bottom valances, and the left front fender, and maybe the glass (big window) of my 1983 '56 barnfind. Just a few more pieces and I will be doing a build here. Rock on with the progress. I understand the hurdles. I think that devotion will pay off in almost any endeavour. The most important thing is that you show everyone the PICS. That way we can be as excited for your project as you are. David

DUDE! show us your pic's of your 56' sounds like its due for some ....?

[87Lowrider]

Thanks guys... I appreciate the boost. I've got an engine swap to finish in the next couple weeks. It's over on the 73-87 forum. After that I can clean up the garage and finish up the camaro for my daughter and get on the '57. Got lots of plans for it. I'll post more pics asap!

[87Lowrider]

ok guys and gals, here are some pics of the initial teardown in 2002. I didn't have my digital camera at the time so some of the pics are pretty grainy.

This is a LA built truck that I picked up in Riverside in 1989. I drove it until 1997 and parked it for 8 years. Man, I loved driving that truck. I can't wait to get it up and running again.


As you can see, this is a very clean truck

I've done no body work on it. It's got a couple places that need work, but all in all, in great shape



In the bed is a 1973 Jaquar XJ6 suspension, I'm using the rear, the front has been discarded.

[87Lowrider]

Continued...


Started to tear down the Jaq IRS - Man what a Job!!

Interior was in excellent shape!











That's the teardown.. For the past year, it's sat on jack stands in the garage while I work on my daughters Camaro rebuild. I'll have it ready for her soon and get back on the '57.

Some plans for the '57 are;
Camaro front Clip
5.3L with Fuel injuction (750 hp)

[Daniel U]

Sounds like another nice project!

[87Lowrider]

thanks!

[87Lowrider]

Got the frame stripped down and started mocking up the rear suspension.

[bensimmons_05]

I like the transition from the film to the digital age. Can't wait to see this come together, great job so far!

[87Lowrider]

Thanks Ben,

I like my Nikon.

Well, I hit a crossroads this week on another project of mine, a '78 camaro build.



I'm going to take the sub frame from it and mate it to the '57. The subframe has been completely rebuilt with new brakes, bushings, motor mounts, 2" lowered springs, etc. Scrapping the rest of the car unless I can find someone interested in taking it off my hands.

So, I'm moving up the '57 to first in line this winter.


Kenny

[entourageguy]

Cmon Kenny that's it for an update after a year? .......

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by entourageguy

Cmon Kenny that's it for an update after a year? .......

Dang dude, it's been a CRAZY year... seems like just last week when I was talking about all this. Everything is still waiting patiently in the garage. We've had one of the hottest summers in history this year so the garage was not somewhere I wanted to be. I had enuf heat in '90-'91 to last a lifetime.

It's finally cooling off and I'm planning on getting the camaro finished and out of the way. Then, it's back on the '57.

Thanks for the nudge!!!


Ken

[87Lowrider]

Here we are another year gone by and she's still waiting patiently in the Garage. But the '57 project is officially ON. Time to clean up the garage and giterdone!

[meter swinger]

Nice read. A co-worker sat on 55 bel-air for 25yrs. He got it done three years ago, and its the nicest one ive ever seen first hand.
Im sure youll git r dunn. Whats the plans for the front end? Still camaro?
Posted via Mobile Device

[87Lowrider]

yes.. we decided last night to scrap the camaro build and use it as a donor for parts (Sub frame, engine and whatever else I can use). Still doing the Jag rear end and an overdrive tranny. Air bags of course. Lots to do to get this thing going again... I'm a computer guy by trade but automotive is in my blood from generations of family members... stay tuned!!

[87Lowrider]

OK, 48 hours till the garage is clear of the Camaro.

I removed the sub frame and have it ready to start prepping for the '57 frame... I found a couple good threads here to help me with the install.



The suspension and brakes have all been rebuilt.

[87Lowrider]

Here's some pics from '92 when I first brought her home from CA. I actually dollied it home from CA to KY. Ford told me that my '90 Ranger wouldn't handle it all the way home. It did, no problem. Almost lost it in Memphis when the bolt loosened up on the bumper. Just barely caught it.







The garage is finally ready for the re-start of the '57 project... more pics to follow.