Backyard built 55
 

Hey guys just thought I would post up my on going 55 build. I've been working on it daylight to dark for the last 2 months. There's alot of things I will change later right now I'm just trying to get it ready for the c10s in the park in September not sure if I'll make it, but we will see. I am also not a paint and body guy but I give it my best shot.. I'll try and post everything in order from start to where I am now.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

This is the subfrane I bought for the swap best I can tell its a 1975 camaro

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Looks like junk but I got it where it needs to be

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Started grinding the frame to try and clean it up but found a local guy that did mobile blasting so I had him come clean the subframe.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

After I started assembly on the subframe it was time to move to the body. I know I know everyone hates fake patina well I like it I wasnt in love with how it looked before but the more I spray and sand the more I'm liking the look, which is good considering it's mine.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

I started preparing myself to cut the from half of my original frame off. Not gonna lie I read every forum and watch tons of videos before I started ots a little intimidating but wasn't really hard. Fighting the rusted bolts and original rivets was the hardest part. My wheels also came in, who's not gonna throw one up under there just to see how it looks.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

It's been raining and raining and raining with the ground so soft I didn't want to mess with the frame so I jumped in the cab. It left alot to be desired haha. Worked in sections doing one part at a time until I got everything sanded primed and painted. I lost most of my interior progress pictures do to breaking my phone.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Coming along nicely, keep at it and you’ll be driving it in no time .

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Git Er Done !

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Got the interior painted and the floors coated also picked out the seat design quoted from my local interior guy. 650 for vynil or 1200 for leather. What do you guys think is leather worth double the price?

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Given that choice I would pick leather without hesitation.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

With the interior painted I moved onto tacking in the frame under the truck with the sheet metal installed. I used the template everyone uses and mine was a little far forward so I trimmed another inch off of it and it looks alot better to me.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

With the subframe all welded I removed the cab to have the rest of the frame blasted. While I waited I moved onto the firewall, again I'm not a painter I use a cheap gun and pre mixed paint. Once I got everything removed and sanded I laid down some black epoxy primer over the bare metal, then laid down my black then the red. Oh yeah and thank God I have a front end loader.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Looks great...Your moving right along. I really like those wheels.

Keep it up

Marc

Re: Backyard built 55
 

contrast for the win, that red really stands out. love it.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

I can stare at this all day! Does it come in Poster Size? and how long did that take to grind so nice, LOL ha ha

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...1&d=1622475224

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Haha I'm confused theres no grinding on those welds. That's tig welding it comes out pretty smooth. This is what I do at work, I posted it on another page on here this morning. I've been welding 15 yrs.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Thanks tried to be a little different on wheels than boss 338 or riddlers. They are 2020 zl1 camaro wheels here's a better stock image of them.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Yeah, I thought they looked like late model Camaro rims but I was not 100% certain..

Marc

Re: Backyard built 55
 

That’s some nice tig welding sir.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Let me see where were we ? I think about the trip to Rogers, AR to you pull it slavage yard. I got an 8.8 rear axle out of a 2001 ford explorer limited disc brakes, limited slip, and 3.73 gear for 175 bucks. It took me and my dad about 35 min to remove I also took the drive shaft so that I can have a new one built to match my trans and rear end I watched alot of videos read alot of forums before I cut down my axle. I removed 2-7/8" from the driver side to center my pinion between the frame rails and so I could use another passenger side shaft.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

i've had a lot of great luck narrowing 9" axle housings like that, drive shafts, and even narrowed an axle shafts like that with good results.

being able to use a stock short-side shaft to center the pinion is a huge win!

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Agreed! I was going to have Moser build me some shafts with chevy bolt pattern but after narrowing I already have to tub my bed while still running a spacer.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

yeah, you can wait til you twist a shaft off at the starting line :devil:

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also, your pipe weld porn makes me feel things.

:flag:

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Haha good things I hope. These aren't truck pics but just more of what I do. Just work anymore I used to enjoy it along time ago.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

butiful welding is tig welding stronger than tig or stick. I have a tig welder but have a hard time welding with it, would need a lot more practice

Re: Backyard built 55
 

I'm assuming you ment is tig stronger than mig or stick? As long as you use the proper fit up and procedure I.E a gap for proper root/bead pass, quality weld with no porosity, cold lap, insufficient penetration, and the right filler wire or rod then they are all strong. We use tig on pretty much everything because of the cleanliness and we do alot of crazy strange alloys. Mig is super fast and easy to use so it's in alot of shops, tig is slick so if you want to show out use it, stick rod can be used outside in the wind. They all have their good and bad.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Ok sorry for getting off topic. Axle coated, brakes back on time to move on, again still waiting on good weather and free time from the blaster. I haven't seen rain like this is years, damn El Ni·ño. With the rusted out tank in the cab I decided to use the opportunity to move it put back. From the advice of many on these forums and Facebook pages I picked up the 22 gal fuel tank from a 1965 mustang from Cjs pony parts it comes with a sending unit. Eventually I'll be running Dakota digital so I can set the ohms to the ford settings so it read correct. The fuel tank is a no brainer I trimmed maybe 3/8s of an inch off the bottom rail and it slides right in. I used two pieces of angels to fasten it to the sides of the frame instead of the bottom.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

So the sand blaster isn't going to make it and I needed to continue on.. I headed for town to pick up 4 new wire wheels and a couple tiger disc so I could do it the hard way. Really it turned out pretty nice few rough spots on the frame that I could grind down smooth but I didn't see the point it's not a gonna be in magazines or win any shows. I also removed the spring hangers to coat behind then and rebuilt them with all new parts. It'll be 4 linked one day so I probably didn't need to but while it's apart might as well.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

It's all looking good and you're making outstanding progress! Kudos on pulling it off outside also; that's aggravating enough on its own. Keep it up.

Dan

Speaking of working outside, here's a 57 Bel Air chassis I was working on several winters ago LOL

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Big Dan I'd almost trade for the snow right now, day after day 108 no shade tried working at night but then the bugs eat me up haha.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

After I got the frame coated I ran brake and fuel lines. I went with a combo of AN push lock and 3/8 hard line both. So time to put the cab back on the frame to see what else I can do to make alittle progress. I installed new body mounts as well, I'm not gonna lie something as simple as just setting the cab on the frame can help you stay motivated if nothing else it'll dang sure make you smile.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Cabs on time to work on the bed alittle. It didn't have any floor left obviously and the angle strips were completely rusted gone. Instead of ordering new strips I already had some angle iron so I'll just use it. The bed floor will need to be tubbed and raised so I'm not concerned with it. I got a mint 1997 silverado bed for next to nothing so I'm going to use the floor and tubs kinda kill two birds with one stone. The wheel covers still need cut down and narrowed a bit but I think it's gonna work. If I never drill another spot weld in my life I'll be OK with that. Anyone have input on like a seam sealer or something to put around this like the factory uses? I also know the pictures aren't in perfect order, I put the angle and cross sills in with the frame unpainted but the bed floor after coating.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

I use some type of 3M sealer like this below.

Many someone will chime in with the Perfect sealer.

Link: https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/pro...All%20Products

Just make sure you can paint over it.
If it says it will stick to paint and primer that's what you are looking for.

That bed floor looks Great:metal:









.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Moved back to the front half, I just jump around when I get tired of one area haha. Time to trim the inner fenders to fit the camaro A arms. They aren't perfect but they fit for now one day I'll get some new ones cut them and weld a flat lip around them to clean it up.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

With the inner fenders in place for now I put the top end of my motor together yes I did it in my man cave haha. Gonna test fit to see where it lands there's 18 holes in the subframe from years of motor swaps. Guess what none of them were right I mean it fit but was touching the fire wall on the passenger side so I welded up all the hole and scooted it 3/4 of an inch forward.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

https://youtu.be/MnR5asr0C70
Hopefully that link works after I got my motor positioned where I wanted it I had to test fire it. I ran hot to a toggle for my HEI and ran a push button starter from the battery, and I just used a new gas can with a hose to my pump. In the clip I did the test fire I also spliced in a short idle clip with exhaust after I did the cam break in period. The headers I used were hammer modified hookers off my 71 c10 haha they worked but not great. I have some new stainless though I got them swapped out as well.

Re: Backyard built 55
 

damnit man ... your red firewall is making me want to paint mine some crazy color before i assemble it!

looking good!

Re: Backyard built 55
 

Appreciate it bud I wanted it to look rough until I pop the hood or the doors. Right nows the time for you to do it haha. What's the exterior color gonna be on yours?