Re: Long Time Coming......
 

I went out in the garage Tuesday night and got the rest of the front suspension installed.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/10/IMG_5268.md.jpghttps://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/10/IMG_5272.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/10/IMG_5273.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/10/IMG_5275.md.jpg

And then for the first time was able to put the rolling chassis on the ground. I also got the painted gas tank in as well.


https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/10/IMG_5277.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/10/IMG_5278.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/10/IMG_5279.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/10/IMG_5280.md.jpg

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That's one good looking frame!

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Looks really good. It's a great feeling to get it on its wheels isnt it.

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Nicely done!

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Thanks guys. This has definitely been a fun project so far! This frame was a lot of work but I am pleased with the outcome.

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Been a very busy day in the shop with lots of progress. I started by tapping all the holes in the frame for the brake lines and the fuel lines as well. With that done I screwed the brackets to the passenger side frame rail that holds the -6 an fuel line fittings. I also took the time to install the fuel pump in the gas tank so I can start making the flexible fuel intake and return lines to it.
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5300.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5301.md.jpg

I work alone, and got so wrapped up in the process that I never stopped to take pics of the work while doing it. I had a lot to do today and wanted to get some specific things done and needed to just hammer down.

With that out of the way I installed the flex plate to the engine, then the torque converter onto the trans shaft. Then I mated the engine and trans together. I then got them installed in the chassis. Then I unboxed the newly made driveshaft that I custom ordered from Denny's Driveshaft.
Next step was to install the custom exhaust I made a few months ago and had high temp powder coated a charcoal grey.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5308.md.jpg
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https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5302.md.jpg

With all that done I dropped it off of my scissor lift and rolled it outside so I could do a good cleaning of the garage.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5315.md.jpg
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https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5324.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5325.md.jpg

I now want to change gears and get going on the cab and bed. So I put the chassis on some skates and rolled it over against the wall for the winter. I covered it to try and keep it somewhat clean while making a mess on other parts.
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5327.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5328.md.jpg

And with everything all cleaned up for the day and the ground still wet I thought this made for a good picture. This is where I do all the work.
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/12/IMG_5329.md.jpg

Re: Long Time Coming......
 

Thanks guys. This has definitely been a fun project so far! This frame was a lot of work but I am pleased with the outcome.

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Chassis, engine, exhaust, etc. looks great...Jim

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Wow. Just read all of this to date. I admire your skill and perseverance.

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Thank you!

Thanks for checking my build out. Appreciate the comments. Most every Saturday is mine to get out into the shop and play with the toys. After 30 years of marriage my wife knows I need this time to decompress and be productive in some way. It's great having her support.

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Not much to report this week. I have been body working the fuel filler on the bed fender as well last the rolled pan. I will post pics but will make it part of a bigger post when I paint them which hopefully will be this week or next.

In the mean time I got my subscription copy of Classic Truck Performance in the mail last week. It took me a few days before I had time to go through it. I was shocked to see a pic of my oquarebody in the coverage for the Syracuse Nationals. I traveled to the show with my good friend that owns the blue Ford named Carlos that are the two lead photos in the coverage. My truck can also be seen in the background of the second pic of his truck as we parked together in the Designer Dozen area having both been nominated.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/20/IMG_5378.md.jpg

https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/20/IMG_5379.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/11/20/IMG_5381.md.jpg

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With the long Thanksgiving weekend behind us I was finally able to get back into the shop. My bed is "done" for now and waiting for me to take it to the booth to spot the color in a couple areas and then matte clear the entire thing. Once that happens I will make another post on finishing the fuel filler, the last steps on the rolled pan and the paint process.

Todays post is a shorter one and will focus on the new Dynacorn front inner fender wells. I had top notch them for the front suspension. Doing so left a simple cut of an opening that looked very unfinished to me. I took some round stock I had and bent it to shape and then welded it fully around the perimeter. With the help of some body filler this will now give not only strength to the panel opening, but also create a nice radius there as well. Much more pleasing to the eye I think. This is just the first coat of filler down and sanded roughly to shape it. One more coat to finish it off then primer. Hope you agree.....


Oh, lastly... on each fender well there are two holes that are there that also have a Bump out to them. They are towards the top and front of each one. It's been so long since I took the truck apart I don't remember what they are for. Can anyone remind me please?


https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/12/03/IMG_5453.md.jpg

https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/12/03/IMG_5454.md.jpg

https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/12/03/IMG_5455.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/12/03/IMG_5456.md.jpg

https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/12/03/IMG_5457.md.jpg
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Re: Long Time Coming......
 

Great Idea about the addition of round stock on the inner fenders.:metal:

About the holes you mentioned.

You have some pictures starting on page 1 Post#32

Hope this helps ;)

You have a great documentation on your build.:chevy::chevy:

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Thanks! Lol... I guess I should have gone back and looked within my own thread. At least now I know I can weld those holes up.

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Very nice work indeed. Thanks for sharing.

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Very Nice!!!

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On my inner fenders on the 57 I rolled the edges over to be at a 90 deg with the panel. I also plan to make some stiffeners, fore to aft, on the panels because my cutaway section is quite large. Not a MII or camaro suspension so there are some parts that sit taller off the frame. Anyway, when all saints and done I will attach some rubber flaps like a lot of newer vehicles use.

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Thanks Guys!

Thanks. Your plan makes great sense and will work great I assume. I did this very same mod on my last project and ended up with very little splash or mess in the engine bay when driving it. So for me this is clean and simple enough to call it a day and not go farther with it as you plan.

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I hope you guys don't mind me sharing a little "off topic" stuff here. I'm a small town guy with a regular job during the day and a shop in my back yard where I play with hot rods. So for us home builders to get ink is cool to me that the mags are showing stuff from us and not just the big name pro builders. Should be ok...right?! If this is a problem I can delete.


I meant to post this up previously but just realized I hadn't. In my travels I have made many friends and connections within the hot rod world. A few of them are print magazine people. I am friendly with a few of the team from In The Garage Media that has a few titles out including Classic Truck Performance, Modern Rodding and All Chevy. One of my previous project vehicles got 6 Paiges of ink in Modern Rodding back in 2020, something I am super proud of. Since then I have had a few technical articles in the queue for print with that magazine. The first of which came out a couple months ago. In this one I modified the rear fenders on my friends 35 Ford.

These pics are the result of that first article:


https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/12/04/IMG_5473.md.jpg
https://j.hmjimg.com/2022/12/04/IMG_5475.md.jpg
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Don’t delete it, it’s fine. You do nice work, it’s ok to show us it was in print.

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nice job and a good showcase of how to french something. congrats too, beautiful.

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Thanks for sharing.

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Thanks guys. I appreciate the support.

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I have read most of your build. You are very talented. I bought my truck a year ago and then have had 5 hand and shoulder surgeries since then. Finally time to get started. You have several good ideas that I like. Questions- Post #101, 1st photo shows what appears to be a positive and negative something on one of the supports. More info on those please? Also, if you mentioned the tire sizes, I missed that. Would you mind sharing?

Re: Long Time Coming......
 

Thanks for the comments and interest in the build. I’m more than happy to share details and information, to me that’s the entire purpose of a build thread.

So the positive and negative lugs you see are in the forward cab mount. The reason for them is because the battery will be right behind the cab mount and will be difficult to access for service such as a jump start or battery tender. The battery itself will have two positive and two negative cables coming off of it. One each to these lugs, then one ground to the chassis and one to the starter. With the lugs like this I will have real easy access to them for a battery tender or whatever I need.

The rear tires are 29x12.5x15’s on a 10” wide rim. The fronts are 225/65/15 on a 7 inch rim.

Hope this helps answer your questions. Feel free to ask more if need be.