J.M. Laflamme Build (55 2nd series 3600)
 

I after many years have decided to do a build in memory of my dear grandfather.

We all love old cars and after his death in 2004, My uncle and I (his son) Decided that doing a build would be a great idea in his memory.

I acquired a 1955 2nd series 3600 that I traded a guy for my hunting quad.

After reading all of you guys builds, I finally decided on the road to take. My uncle I call "uncle pecker head" and I have chosen to buy a donor truck and put the truck body on a newer chassis.

addicted2dunes and his build has inspired me to get a move on and make my grandfather proud.

here is how I got her.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

So we got the donor home and got to town on her.

I forgot to take pictures of the donor before it went "convertible"

donor is a 1992 chevy 1500 1/2 ton 2 wd...

or like some precise peeps would like to call it... 131.5 wheel base... lol

but here goes nothing!!! :metal:

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

stripped the 55's cab bare and started cutting the floor out.

we decided to merge the new firewall and floor to the 55's cab.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

I think today we fitted the cab on about 50 times or so. cutting and fitting and trimming and throwing things and hammering and cutting.

mostly throwing things...lol :lol:

We found out that the length of the new cab was about 2.5 inches longer than the 55's. So with that said, we would marry the rear of the cab and give the firewall a 2.5 - 3 inch stretch.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

more fitting to get the cab to sit right.

notice the last pick of the rear of the cab, I pulled the sheet metal over the donor's floor which allows the whole body to "drop"

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more progress today :chevy:

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sanity check on the front fender wheel spacing... GULP!

pretty happy so far as to how the fender fits.:waah:

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final pics ending the night.

pretty sore and tired, but feel great with how she is starting to look. ;)

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

What year and model is your new frame ?

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

1992 chevy 1500 with a 8 ft bed. 1/2 ton

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Nice work
What kind of bed will you use with your 131.5 wheelbase frame ?

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i am planning to use a step side box and fabricate a utility tool box with side doors that will fill the gap between the cab and the bed.

I have a good image in my noggin... lol

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

or you can use a 9 foot box step side that was on the 135 wheel base 1 ton truck

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

thanks for the input, I will look into it.

I am really undecided at this point, I have a long way to go before that gets taken care of.

Thanks again,

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

A ton of work done already....should be a great driver when its complete!

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Today we got the floor to fit better and repositioned the column.

she is fitting nicely and is almost ready to start fabricating panels. We achieved 5 inched of frontal cab leg room.

more pics to come on how we merge this into the cab.

here are some pics of today's progress...

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

a couple pics of rough fitting the doors. Then the repositioning of the column, Which is now centered over the gauge cluster.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Wow that's a lot of work. Very interesting build.
I'm curious as to why you didn't just add the cab mounts from the original frame to the donor frame?
Kim

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

The floor was pretty rusty, but could have been done that way. I thought after reading "addicted2dunes" build that merging a newer set up would be cool to do.

plus now that I have 5 plus inches more to deepen the firewall, I can now possibly use the big plastic heating unit out of the 92. heater core and all.

its working out well in our eyes so far.

only thing i have noticed so far is that I am going to want a tilt column.

thanks for looking!!!

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

If you had to replace the floor anyway then what your doing is probably about the same.
Keep the pics coming.
Kim

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

At least you're moving along a lot quicker then I am. I'm feeling pretty good after my injury and ready to get back on my project..... now you are inspiring me to get back to work. BUT, we are having rain storms like no other here in Cali. right now (of course).

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Also, are you going to run the '92 drivetrain?

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

No, I am not planning on using the 92's set-up. I am going to keep it carburated with no electronic controls. HEI Ignition at best.

I got rid of the electronic brake B.S. and grabbed a master cyl. out of a 78 pick up. Should be fine, Then I will just order a new wiring harness from painless and be done with it.

I am going to try to incorporate the 92's heater box and controls though. no AC or power anything.

I am not sure what I am going to use for a rear end as of yet, I have a 1973 350 sbc thats pretty much ready to go. If I find a good deal on an automatic tranny, then I will go that route to boot.

more sheet metal work coming up this weekend to start merging the firewall mess.

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

more work today on merging the firewall mess.

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here are a couple more views.

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Looking good..Im curiously waiting to see this come together!

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Your making nice progress.
Kim

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Thanks you guys!

Today we could not help but to go ahead and give her a 4 inch chop. :metal:

bare with me on the pics, she is in place but will get better fit tomorrow.

thanks for looking !

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

With using the 92's floor and shaving the seat frame down, you sit pretty low. It gave me about a foot of head room. More pics of the seated position coming soon.

a lot of work to do...

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Today we got the drivers side door chopped and fitted. This took most of the day, tomorrow we will finish the passenger side and start fitting the nose.

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

How far forward are you going to have to move your motor because of your firewall?

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

That's the beauty of it all.

none!

The chassis and firewall / floor are in its stock location for a 92. The whole drive train fits in its stock location.

It "appears" to have lost 5 inches in the engine compartment, but in reality it has not at all.

I think I know what you mean though, If you have a stock 55 than yes the engine is 5.5 inches forward from where it would be if the truck sat in its stock position.

What I did lose was 5 inches of the front frame, which I am going to start to tackle once the cab is finished. It is tight with the steering box. Nothing unexpected, But another project for sure.

Thank You for your post.

I hope I answered your question.

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Yes thank you for the info!

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I see that you had to cut the back of the cab for clearance,how close is the back of the cab to the rear frame mount?

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Very good question,

It's close almost no clearance as of now, but should be fine after the final trimming. It sure does give it a different look though.

Thanks for looking!

Brian

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Brian
Thanks for the reply! I keep waiting to see how you finished out the back of the cab.As I stated before,Im interested in this swap as I have a spare 96' frame in which im thinking about a swap.

Greg

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Greg,

The nice thing about dropping the 55's rear cab panel over the newer floor pan is it allows it to drop. It also allows the cab to sit correctly on the 92's floor pan.

Once I get all the sheet metal done, I will remove the cab and turn her on its back. Then I can take it to the final trim and roll it or butt it. Then It will look a lot higher for sure!

Since your interested I will start taking more detailed pics.

I have been leaving a lot out.

If there is any particular pics you would like, Just ask and I will take them for you.

Thanks for looking!

Brian

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Brian,
I appreciate what you are doing and offering. Im sure Ill be asking for a few pics along the way! Id imagine the extra leg room gained by using the 92' firewall and the 5" filler will be nice for sure!

Greg

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

I will have to mock up a pic for all to see, dropping the seat frame 4 inches you sit low or shall I say, you feel low.

funny how I am using the stock floor and bench seat for mock up and still cut out the lower frame for the drop out of the stock seat.

It works guys...

I will get some fun pics soon!

If this storm stops anytime soon we shall be able to make progress.

keep your eye on this, more who know what know to come.....


ta da......!!! or .... uh oh! to come...

thanks for looking

Brian

Re: J.M. Laflamme Build
 

Subbed...i'm diggin' it! :metal: