1955 decisions

[Azarchery]

I've been reading this forum for a while and trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can and decided it was time to register and join in on the fun. My father and I did a stock restoration on this 1955 about 12 years ago and it was my first vehicle when I was 16 and I've been wanting to take it to the next level for a while now but am not sure how I want to go with it. Ever since I was a kid and saw my first 4WD '55 I have always wanted to take this truck and make it a custom 4x4. My question is where to get the parts. I was wondering if a late 60's or early 70's (possibly '72?) transfer case and axles would be customizable enough to work on this truck...or if there is a better means of doing the conversion.

I'm still undecided as to whether I want to go 4WD with this or just beef up the power and fuel inject it with a in-frame gas tank.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me learn a ton up until this point and for any information you can help me with in the future.



Joe Kauffman
Arizona Outback

[texascowboy593]

Thats one sweet lookin ride! Welcome to the board AZ!

[poncho_villa]

The easiest and best way to make this a 4x4 is to put the body on a 70's blazer/jimmy chassis. I like it the way it is because it would be a shame to take it into the bush. If it were my truck I would go with the fuelly mod and frame tank. Just my .02 worth.

[pgf545]

Welcome Az, The cool thing is there is lots of parts available and there is a ton of help on this board. I have seen people use S-10 frames on the 47-54.1 trucks but I don't know if that would work for your truck or not. I am sure someone will kick in here soon and have some good ideas.

Bernie

[Sweet&LowPro55]

: too, .From West Michigan...... I personally would keep it 2x... Its a beautiful truck !!! I wouldn't trade my '55 Pro-Street for anything .... Keep us posted on what you way you deceid to go ..

[samcrf450]

I would keep it the way it is. It is a beautiful truck. I would buy a different truck to lift. Just try to find a straight body and put it on a different frame.

[mowdak1]

If you're truly looking for a vintage 4 x 4 AZ you may want to check this one out - 58 GMC Surburban - buddy on another forum is on the fire department there, passed the link along. It was a civil defense vehicle originally, LFD has had it since '66. Still in service at this time; they do look to retire it in the near future however. Everything is original I think it needs one hubcap lost it about a year ago resonding to a grass fire.

[solidaxel]

WELCOME, from the Southern cactus patch,
You have a very nice truck and my vote would be to freshen it up with a new power plant O/D transmission and drive it for another 50 years. Az trucks that don't have any rust are a welcome item in all parts of the country, keep it two wheel drive and buy a 70's 4x4 for the desert if you must!!!

[DennyB]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

WELCOME, from the Southern cactus patch,
You have a very nice truck and my vote would be to freshen it up with a new power plant O/D transmission and drive it for another 50 years. Az trucks that don't have any rust are a welcome item in all parts of the country, keep it two wheel drive and buy a 70's 4x4 for the desert if you must!!!

Get a beater for the brush.


And welcome Joe!

[Azarchery]

Thanks for the replies and I think you guys nailed it. I'd probably make it a 4x4, beef it up, then be afraid to take it off-road anyhow. Considering it's in great shape already I think I'll just beef up the motor, tranny and redo the interior.

My father and I also did a frame off restoration of a 3/4 ton '72 4x4 and it came out absolutely beautiful. One of the best things about it that I'm thinking of incorporating into the 55 is he got captains chairs out of a 2004 Chevy pickup and man are they comfortable. I'll have to do some measuring, but I'd definately like to make the interior as comfortable as possible.

What do you guys recommend for the front end? I've seen some decent IFS components but am unsure how tough they are to install. And just for some background info, I was a heavy equipment mechanic/welder/fabricator for my dad's underground construction company for 9 years and spent my childhood restoring Farmall tractors & cars with my dad so mechanics is pretty much second nature to me.

We recently sold my dads 55 Belair 2dr hard top at the Cruise International auction and I was really sad to see it go. I'll dig up some pictures for you guys. We went all out with a fuel injected 502, reinforced frame, Ford 9 inch rear end, digital dash (one of my favorite bits) and lots of other hop-ups. The best part of it and the other rebuilds was the time spent with dad & the knowledge I learned from his years of turning wrenches before he started the construction company.

Thanks again for the input. Now comes the research on what exactly I want to use for power & options.

Joe Kauffman

[solidaxel]

John,
Stop by Industrial Chassis on 35th and Osborne and talk to Steve about a IFS for your truck, He comes highely recommended

[Jebb1978]

Welcome from the East Valley! That truck is beautiful, what ever you decide to do with it please don't carve it up!

[Azarchery]

So now I'm trying to decide on an engine. My initial thought was a fuel injected 350..but now I'm wondering about something larger. Maybe a 396 or even 454. I've never been a big fan of the mosterous 454 but am leaning towards alot of power this time. I also don't want to spend several thousand on a motor, so maybe a larger CI carburated motor. Any thoughts?

[solidaxel]

I think you will be very happy with a 383 CID !!!

[1-ton of fun]

define "a lot of power"

383 doesn't sound like a bad choice. do some research and buy the best heads you can, you will spend most of your money on the heads, and that's where a lot of power can be made.

i am going to run a 385 sbc in my 59 3/4 ton. it has decent heads, but i want to upgrade them one day

[Sweet&LowPro55]

Originally Posted by Azarchery

So now I'm trying to decide on an engine. My initial thought was a fuel injected 350..but now I'm wondering about something larger. Maybe a 396 or even 454. I've never been a big fan of the mosterous 454 but am leaning towards alot of power this time. I also don't want to spend several thousand on a motor, so maybe a larger CI carburated motor. Any thoughts?

I've got a 396 in my '55 Pro-Street & I love it ! Just a mild cam ,Holley single plane intake w/Holley 750 duel pumper carb....MSD 6al ign w/MSD Distrib & Blaster 3 Coil.......It cruise's down the road nice ... Just my .02 Cents...........

[Azarchery]

Thanks guys...I hadn't thought about a stroker. I guess it's all a matter of preference now. When I say alot of power, it was probably a stretch for some. I would like to be in the 360-400HP range as now I'm just running a 2bbl 283. So I guess my options would be 350, 383, 396. Is it better to have a smaller CI engine and push it for power or have a larger block midrange setup? I guess it will ultimately come down to what the least expensive way to get this type of HP out of which motor. I'm not looking to cut corners to save a buck, I just want to get good power out of a reliable motor and still have the money to do IFS and interior work.

Thanks again.

[Igotachevyor2]

nice truck

[pgf545]

Joe, Engine selection comes down to what you want and what you can afford. The 383 is a great build that makes good power and won't kill your wallet. I have done a couple of them and have always been happy. Most big blocks will make torque down low and that is what makes things move. The big block is quite a bit more expensive but has the potential for larger HP and torque numbers. The other problem you might run into is space. I am doing a big block in my dad's 52 and it is kinda tight. But the only reason we went big block is because we had one out of another truck. Just my opinion...if I was doing a motor for myself I think I would do the small block because of the bang for the buck and you should have no problem making 400hp. You might also look into a crate motor which will have all the current bells and whisles. I don't know is this helps or not but if I can be of any assistance let me know.

Bernie

[caino59]

it's a tad pricey, but general motors performance parts has a very wide selection of crate motors you could drop in....plus they come with a decent warranty....

you might need to massage the firewall a bit if you go the big block route...

of course...you could always build a blown sbc. buddy of mine has a 1956, stock body, stock suspension with a 350 w/ a 6-71 blower and 2 4's....th400 and a 12 bolt with 3.73's....that mother can really light em up!!!!

[Sweet&LowPro55]

Don't have any room problem in my '55 cause it has a custom built motor area since it has a tilt front end.Lots of room to work on anthing.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Welcome to the board from central Califorina! 4x4 or 2x4 make it what you really what so you don't say "I should have" later.

[1-ton of fun]

another item that would help, it what is your budget for a motor?

for 400 hp, a sbc 350 could do that with some good heads and a matching cam easily.

[Azarchery]

Figures...the one time I don't copy my post first my session times out and I lost my post.

Anyhow, my budget is flexible I'm just looking for a cost effective engine with good power. I'm really liking the 350 idea for size and versatility. Whether it be a 350 or 383, I'm not sure yet I guess it's going to come down to the price of acheiving what I want. I've seen some pretty beefy 350 crate motors for sale in the $3,000 range but it seems like I should be able to accomplish my goal for a lot less money by doing it myself. I do have 2 350 cores right now and the ready to drop in 283 that I'll be pulling out of the truck. It only has about 500 miles on it since we had it completely rebuilt. One of the 350's is basically a long block while the other is missing the intake & waterpump. They've been sitting for several years so I'm not sure what work would be needed to get them running.

Assuming the worst that either one would needs some serious TLC, how much do you guys think it would cost to take a stock 350 and make it work? I'm not sure why this decision has to become such a nasty one for me. But hopefully I'll make the right choice. I know all of your opinions has definately helped! Thanks for that!

Once I get this figured out I'll just about be ready to finally start my own 55 project thread!

[solidaxel]

Dollar for dollar on a crate long block Vs. a machined 350 with new pistons and a bunch of head work you are going to be better off with a NEW engine. Pick your budget and look at GMPP parts list, call any machine shop and add it up!!!