My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Other friends stopped by on the following weekend, so I put them to work helping me put the cab back on the frame and dropping the engine and trans back into the frame.

I then put in the exhaust headers. After making a slight adjustment to one of the motor mounts, the headers seem to fit just fine.

I am very happy with how the firewall looks behind that engine and don't regret all the time and effort spent to get it to that point!

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

After spending the better part of a day filling the remaining holes in the cab floor and grinding all of my welds on the inside of the cab, I measured the location of the steering column penetration through the factory firewall and drilled a small hole through my new firewall and pulled a string from the rough location of the future steering wheel through the new firewall into the engine bay. After making a small adjustment to my pilot hole, everything seemed to be lining up nicely, so I cut the 2-1/4" diameter hole and inserted the new steering column.

The rear primary exhaust tube on the driver's side seems to wrap around the steering column nicely. Check out the third picture below.

I ordered the tilt column, so I know I will be able to adjust the steering wheel location inside the cab.

It looks like I need to order a 10"-12" straight extension to install on the end of the steering column and then install my first u-joint heading forward toward the rack and pinion. Then I would have a straight shot to the second u-joint attached to the rack and pinion.

I have not seen a steering linkage extension that connects directly to the column. Do they make such a thing? I know I would prefer to avoid a third u-joint in the linkage from the end of the column to the rack and pinion. I would have a straight shot if the end of the column was closer to the ground by 10"-12".

How far should the 30" steering column extend past the firewall into the engine bay? Any feedback would be much appreciated. As with everything else on this thread to date, I have never done any of this before. Guess it's time to do some more internet research!

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Looks good Dave! For steering information, check out page 26. http://borgeson.com/Images/100th_Catalog.pdf

Borgeson provides really good information on measuring for and putting a steering shaft system together.

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Looking good.
Kim

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

I like the smoothed dash. Truck is looking great!

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

I love my SUMMIT! -- I have the Patriot fenderwell headers, they are very well put together.... if you want to get rid of that column You just let me know what you want for it. Im ready to bite that bullet and need to get it done and can probably live with a dent.... if not Ill pass it on too. ;)

I think you can get up to a 36"-38" colum Ive seen out there. Check the flaming River and IDIDNTDO IT web sites,,,,

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

As always, the forum members come through with some much-needed education. Thanks Doug for helping me out - yet again!

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Thanks again for the compliments!

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

PTC, I will hold onto the column for a week or two more, just in case UPS changes their mind and wants it back. Otherwise, I'll be in touch to work something out.

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Nice work Dave!
Beautifull dash!!

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Did you have the passenger side smooth dash metal fabricated or did you purchase ready to install? Great photo documentation. Makes it fun to follow.

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Dug224,

I purchased the blank dash panel from Brothers Truck Parts. It fit very nicely. Definitely worth the money.

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

After moving the firewall hole about 1/4", the steering column linkage seems to be working. It binds a bit in one spot, but I think that is because I don't have all of the set screws installed. It should be fine.

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

I did not get the hood media blasted with the rest of the panels because I was nervous about warping the metal. I sanded through several layers of paint, primer and body filler to get down to clean metal.

There are only a couple of spots that need to be cleaned up a bit.

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Here's the hood back in place after getting it down to bare metal. I also reinstalled the bed so I could work on it next.

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

I pulled some bucket seats out of a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse from the local salvage yard. I built wood bases to mock the seats up. After being reupholstered, I think they will work out great.

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

The tailgate didn't make it to the media blaster either, so I had to sand on it for a while also. It also seems to be in pretty good shape.

I installed the roll pan under the tailgate. I first had to cut a section of the rear cross sill out to make room for the license plate indentation.

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

I want to keep the factory rear bumper and thought the roll pan would work nicely to hide the gap from the bottom of the tailgate to the top of the bumper.

I cut slots in the bottom of the roll pan to allow the bumper brackets to pass through. After some trimming, checking for proper fit and then trimming again, I was able to install the rear bumper.

My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

It is definitely looking more and more like a truck! Too bad I can't take it out for a drive!

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Moving right along, and looks good...Jim

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

You're making good progress.
Looks real good.
Kim

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Nice!!
You've done a lot of work lately!

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Nice work Dave! I noticed a vibration reducer at the steering shaft connection. Planning the same for the Burb and I think it makes a difference.

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

Dave Your doing about the same thing I did on my truck . One thing you might keep in mind , you might put your floor in before you mount the rear roll pan permantely . It would a lot easier getting to the floor bolts. Nice work you are doing. Rich
There are some pic here. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=576185&page=4

Re: My 1955 Chevy 3100 build
 

I really like the roll pan/bumper idea. Where did you get your roll pan?