Thread: 55/58 Chevy truck build

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Originally Posted by cffisher

That will keep them guessing love it

I'm not sure most people will notice it. The two people I showed the mod did not notice until I asked them did that see some strange and they both own 55-59 Chevy Trucks.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

You Sir, are a craftsman of the highest caliber.
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Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

That looks so nice! I wonder how many people will even catch the hood mod?

Thanks guys.

Got the seat back.
Here is a before pic and you can see the marks made on the seat of the changes I wanted made. I also had the seat back cut down about an inch so that is not stick up when you look through the big back window (its a pet peeve of mine).




Close up

Well I got the headliner installed. I did it a little differently because I did not want that black gasket that goes around it.

Here is a pic of the seat installed as you can see I had the seat back cut down about an inch so that is not sticking up when you look through the big back window. Like I said that is a pet peeve of mine.

I had a major set back on the project. I had it to the point of test driving it around the neighborhood and everything was going fine and I was about to start the prep for the bed and notice when I removed some tape from the doors the clear came off with it. So I started putting tape all over the truck and snatching the tape off and it was just the doors that it was happening on. Then I remembered I used some Universal Clear that was recommended but I guess it did not like my basecoat. I could not find the clear I usually used locally. So I sanded the doors and scuffed the rest of the truck (the good areas) and repainted the whole thing to ensure I don't have any more issues.

Here is my makeshift paint booth



Repainted





Got things back together

I had to move the truck the garage to start work on the bed so I drove it around the block first and took some more pics.




Here are some pics of the work I've done to the bed. I completely welded the bed and added a inner panel to smooth everything out.
I installed tubs and did a little metal fab to make a smooth transition to the angle strips.

I also smooth the tailgate and installed a 57 Chevy third brake light.

Now to grind more welds and start block sanding.
Well I been covered in dust lately but the blocking sessions is going great. This is what it looks like after the first blocking session and second coat of primer. I think I only have one more blocking of the complete bed in and out if I use a sealer, the panels will dictate that.




I decided to make my own bed wood because I don’t care for how busy the fleetside kits are with all those boards. I like the simplicity of how it looks with wider boards, so I talked to a couple of buddies of mine who done this years ago and they told me they had no issues going with wider board and their beds floors looks as good now as it did when they done it.

Use a router with a rabbet bit to create the notch for the strips.






Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.lol I have to get this bed blocked again and painted and stain and seal the wood.

Looks great Bam!

Lots of hours there! Great job! It's looking fine!

Is that bench seat stock? If not what is it out of?

Originally Posted by stovens

Looks great Bam!

Originally Posted by rspears

Lots of hours there! Great job! It's looking fine!

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by hammer-time

Is that bench seat stock? If not what is it out of?

No that seat is not stock. Its a 88-95 Chevy/GMC standard cab bench seat. They came with and without the arm rest.

Awesome work Bam! those Hazard fraud portable sheds have came a long way and seem to hold up pretty well. That stinks about the clear but at least you have it remedied now. That bed and floor turned out super!

.

Man you have been busy! Every thing is looking great, the seat, the paint, the bed, really awesome work. Sucks you had to repaint, I've had a couple paint jobs go bad, shit happens when you are a do it yourselfer. I had a v8 s10 that I painted and the clear went dull and I sanded and polished but there was no saving it, had to repaint.
You're almost there.

Looking great Bam. I'm interested in the air filter enclosure you made. Any chance you could post more photos and details about it? I'm building a similar project, a '57 p/u with LT1 power and the air filter is nearly in the same position as your LS engine.

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Awesome work Bam! those Hazard fraud portable sheds have came a long way and seem to hold up pretty well. That stinks about the clear but at least you have it remedied now. That bed and floor turned out super!

Thanks man and yes the portable shed is great for painting but even better for getting out of the sun while working on the truck.

Originally Posted by v8nutz

Man you have been busy! Every thing is looking great, the seat, the paint, the bed, really awesome work. Sucks you had to repaint, I've had a couple paint jobs go bad, shit happens when you are a do it yourselfer. I had a v8 s10 that I painted and the clear went dull and I sanded and polished but there was no saving it, had to repaint.
You're almost there.

Yeah it sucked having to repaint but I looked at it as now I can do a even better job.lol

Originally Posted by JOATMON

Looking great Bam. I'm interested in the air filter enclosure you made. Any chance you could post more photos and details about it? I'm building a similar project, a '57 p/u with LT1 power and the air filter is nearly in the same position as your LS engine.

I did not make that air filter enclosure I bought it at Summit Racing. Its a Spectre 9831 Inline Air Box. Here is a link to it https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...xoCDsoQAvD_BwE

Lot's and lot's of bueno goin' there Bam.

Thanks for the link Bam, I thought you fabricated it like everything else on the truck. lol