Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Doors completely stripped and ready for latch install. "

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Latch install. Both sides are finished. Tomorrow I'll work on getting the Bear claw solenoids installed and front end disassembled. "

Passenger Side

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

DRIVERS Side

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Spent all day today working on Cecil's front suspension. Not as low as I'd like it. But w the the huge front tires its about as low as it can go and still turn."

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

More Photos

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"New ride height with the rear drop springs... NAILED IT!" "New ride height is 7 3/8" I'm expecting it to drop to just under 7" after all the weight is on it and it's driven for a little bit."

I agree Chris, I think you nailed IT!

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

Initial cut on the bedsides. Gonna need a little more still I think!""

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Mark line for next cuts tomorrow."

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Nice update, and truck is looking sweeeet...Jim

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Thanks Jim. I made the second cut today. Got the bed pretty well aligned. I'm going to replace the 3" blocks with 2.5" blocks. Its dead level right now, but I'm worried that once the bed floor etc. Goes in it will sit low in the rear.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

It's amazing to me how fast you get things done. Fast and good don't usually go together but you've got it nailed.

What's going on with the Plymouth that I see in the pics?

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

I'm not seeing spacers on the front wheels. Am I missing them or does the width and offset of the front wheels make them unnecessary?

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Yup, no spacers. The wheel and tire size, combined with the ride height means that even with 1.25 spacers it would hit the outer fender lip.

Thank you for the kind words. I take great pride in my work, something a lot of shops seem to have forgotten. The 48 Plymouth is another customers car. I am re-doing all the scary wiring and welding from the last "mechanic".

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

"Final cuts made for tire clearance with a cutoff wheel. Next the bed will get mocked up. "

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

Bed in it's final resting place. Me likes!

I like as well Chris!

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKTMANGS:

Bed cross sills welded in. Tomorrow I'll center, shim, and bolt it in.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

Core support modifications in progress. Once it's cut down and trimmed out, it gets mocked up on the front end. Tomorrow the hood will get set on and used to square the front end before the core support brackets are mounted. Then the hood comes off and the radiator gets mocked up and lower mounts built.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Really taking shape...Jim

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Skymangs:

both of the bed sides had stress cracks from previous spare tire carriers. I cleaned them up, filled the holes, welded the cracks, and started the re-patina process

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

More Pics:

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Thanks Shawn for taking the time to post these. Thanks Jim.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

Final fitment of body complete. Now to make those running board brackets.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

SKYMANGS:

Here is how I make sure everything is true. Level and measuring tape. Gaps are very important to the finished product, especially running board to cab.

Re: Cecil the 1953 5 window / S-10 / 5.7 TPI
 

Looking better each time...Jim