Chevyrestoguy's '55 build

[troy54gmc]

Man ramen noodles and jack in the box tacos. that brings back good memories. im glad to see im not the only broke one on here.

[glos55]

AWESOME BUILD!!!!!!!!!! I love every ounce of it!!!!! Love the wheels!!!!! I was ready to buy you the fronts just to see them on it.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Love those wheels nice choice..

[chevyrestoguy]

Thanks, guys. I openly accept any offers from people wanting to buy my front wheels. In return, I will wear a T-shirt with the donor's face on it at all car shows and events. In every interview, I will mention the donor's name at least 3 times, and ensure that if there's a camera around, the T-shirt will be in plain view.

I am currently accepting sponsorships for engine parts, a driveshaft, wiring, interior components, belts/hoses/tubing, paint, and most all, fuel.

Seriously, thanks for the comments. I am currently trying to sort out the aftermath of a car wreck I had about 2 weeks ago, and I haven't had time to even look at the truck. I t-boned a drunk driver who made an illegal u-turn in front of me and totalled my Civic. I hit him at about 50mph, and I'm still feeling the effects, especially my sternum and lower back. In all of this, I'm just glad that I wasn't seriously injured. The little Honda took a solid hit, but did it's job incredibly well. This weekend, I'm on the hunt for another Civic. With today's gas prices, fuel economy is #1, and knowing the Honda reliability and crash worthiness, it's a great choice. Once I get through this mess of insurance, rental cars, and paperwork, I'll be back on the '55. It's been real crazy at work lately too, and that makes for a very hectic time for me.

[BC Toy chest]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

Seriously, thanks for the comments. I am currently trying to sort out the aftermath of a car wreck I had about 2 weeks ago, and I haven't had time to even look at the truck. I t-boned a drunk driver who made an illegal u-turn in front of me and totalled my Civic. I hit him at about 50mph, and I'm still feeling the effects, especially my sternum and lower back. In all of this, I'm just glad that I wasn't seriously injured. The little Honda took a solid hit, but did it's job incredibly well. This weekend, I'm on the hunt for another Civic. With today's gas prices, fuel economy is #1, and knowing the Honda reliability and crash worthiness, it's a great choice. Once I get through this mess of insurance, rental cars, and paperwork, I'll be back on the '55. It's been real crazy at work lately too, and that makes for a very hectic time for me.

WOW! Thank God it wasn't more serious, I know about those back issues myself from a car wreck. Take your time, I know we all get a little anxious when our project has to take a back seat to everything else. If I come across anything I think you might be able to use for your build I'll pm you. Hope you have a speedy recovery and things work out at the job.

[glos55]

WOW! Just read your post, Glad you were not seriously injured!!!! Sorry you are going through all this now! I hope everything works out and you can get back to your Bad A$$ 55 Keep us posted.

[kustombrad]

Yeah, he's a little beat up but I'm sure if everyone bought something really cool for his truck, he would feel a whole lot better! Lol
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[Kim57]

The accident sucks. Glad you weren't hurt seriously.
Kim

[hotrod1]

Hey, I forgot to ask you today if you built all that beautiful artwork in the rear of your truck with stainless or just p&o steel.

[chevyrestoguy]

Everything back there (so far) is mild steel. Stainless is really expensive and can be hard to work with because it doesn't like to bend very easily.

The brake lines will be stainless, but other than that, probably nothing else.

[Kabwe]

Chevyrestroguy,

Will you please get to work on your truck, I've been waiting for updates. I know, I know you are working on your parts truck.lol

No really man I just stop in to say whats up.

[hotrod1]

Well I am not stopping by to say whats up. I am stopping by to tell you to get back to work on the truck that everyone wants to see. We are dying for more beautiful fab work.

[chevyrestoguy]

I look at that poor thing every time I go out in the garage. I'll be back on it soon, I promise. I know you guys want to see progress, and so do I. I made a promise to myself not to have too many projects going on at the same time, and honestly, I need a beat-around truck, and the '64 will fill that need.

Brad is in the final throws on his '49 (see his thread "Project No Buck$), and when he gets it on the road, I have the feeling that I'll want to get mine on the road, too. Honestly, I'm getting tired of going to shows and looking at everybody else's stuff. No offense to anybody, but shows are much more fun when you bring your own vehicle.

[xpickup]

chevyrestoguy, I have not seen your build for awhile. I know what you mean about going to the shows and not having your truck there. Last week I almost bought another chevy (1948) truck just to drive but after thinking about it I decided that I should just get mine on the road. There were things that I did not like and figured I would pull it all apart because I like things done right. It would have been nice to drive something this year but I could not fit all 5 of us in a truck! Can not wait to see what you do next. I love the builds as much as the finished pictures. Keep up the great work.

Shannon

[hotrod1]

Hey Chevyrestoguy:

Where have you been? We want to see progress and pictures!

Question? How did you mount your bed with all the stuff going on back there? Any pictures?

Thanks

[chevyrestoguy]

I've been hanging in the 60-66 section while I'm building my '64 C-20 shop truck. I've been working on it every weekend, and right now, I'm in the process of stripping my '79 Suburban donor truck to use the suspension under the '64. As soon as the '64 is road-worthy, then I'm back on the '55!

My bed isn't currently mounted, but I posted on your thread with a few ideas that I might use.

I've also been real busy at work, and have been going back to school at night to further my degree. I'm at a point at work where my boss says that the only way to move up (translation: more pay, job security) is to get more schooling. I've been working here for 21 years, and now my degree isn't good enough anymore. Beats being unemployed, though.

[65Pickup]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

I've been hanging in the 60-66 section while I'm building my '64 C-20 shop truck. I've been working on it every weekend, and right now, I'm in the process of stripping my '79 Suburban donor truck to use the suspension under the '64. As soon as the '64 is road-worthy, then I'm back on the '55!

My bed isn't currently mounted, but I posted on your thread with a few ideas that I might use.

I've also been real busy at work, and have been going back to school at night to further my degree. I'm at a point at work where my boss says that the only way to move up (translation: more pay, job security) is to get more schooling. I've been working here for 21 years, and now my degree isn't good enough anymore. Beats being unemployed, though.

Good luck with the schooling upgrade difficult choice but livelihood comes first.
Can you explain what your salvaging for your '64 and how easy those parts mount to the truck. I want aftermarket but my budget may not allow it. I'm now running close to 600 hp, but still have a juice pot and drums, dropping another $1500-2000 would not be a popular option right now...h-ll anytime in the near future. Thanks Mike

[65Pickup]

I just found the comprehensive post on brake options, look before you post questions right...sorry for the last post.

[dougminton]

I like the retro drag look. subscribed
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[lowdownstar]

Kabwe told me about your build and how nice it was coming out, He wasn't kidding your truck is cool as sh!t! I'll be watching for updates and lots of pic's

Thanks Ray

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by lowdownstar

I'll be watching for updates and lots of pic's

Thanks Ray

Aw man we've all been waiting for updates. Either he does not want to share or he has abandoned us. Its one heck of truck even though he has abandoned us.lol

[chevyrestoguy]

Nice spin move, Bam! Man, this is a rough crowd over here in the 55-59 forum.

Yes, I have neglected my 55-59 brothers because I am two-timing you with my '64 shop truck build. I'm making good progress on the '64, and hope to have it as a roller by Christmas. I only get time to work on it during the weekends, and even that is limited because the house always needs some attention, too. I really need a beater truck, and this '64 will fit that need perfectly. My problem is, I can't leave well-enough alone. I'm going through the suspension right now, and it's the typical, "while I'm here, I might as well rebuild this....". The rear suspension is almost done except for setting the pinion angle and welding the perches. The front suspension is torn down and I'm doing a few tricks to make it drive better. After that, I need to make brake lines, install the brake booster and master cylinder, install the steering, mock up the motor/trans, build or buy a trans crossmember, set the pinion angle, and hang the exhaust. After that I'll re-ring/re-bearing and re-gasket the engine, finish painting the chassis, and start doing the final assembly.

I could NEVER build a "rat" truck. 30 years in the aircraft business has ruined me.

Trust me, my local buddies have been ripping me HARD about the '55, too. By the time I get done with the '64, I'll be sick of working on it, and I'll dive head-first into the '55. I have a ton of things to do on it, and I have some new ideas I want to try. The rear suspension turned out way better than I expected, and now I'm committed to doing that same quality on the rest of the truck. If I didn't, it would be like wearing an Armani suit with Wal-Mart house slippers. Just doesn't work.......

[fat56]

absolute awesome build, love the bag setup and the big fat tyres.

[chevyrestoguy]

fat56-
Thank you for the nice compliment. I have been following your build as well, and I am extremely impressed with your fab skills. That's some top-notch work you're doing. Love the artist's rendering!

I live in the next town over from Victorville, where your truck came from. I can't say I ever saw it running around. There's some stuff I've worked on running around in your country. We've got some buddies outside of Melbourne (Lara Lake) who we deal with for sending stuff over there named Justin and Turk Klos. If you're into customized semi-trucks, those guys are pretty well-known in those circles. They always wanted Ford pickup trucks, but we've turned them into Chevy guys. They finally saw the light!

[Fat Mike]

How much lift do you have in the rear with your cantilever setup? Any pictures of it aired up and also slammed?