Projects *** Update (w/ pics) 48 chevy truck project from hell ***

Pictures from this weekend

Exhaust pipes and front bumper are installed





Electric fan is mounted and fan shroud fabbed up


And the @#$%^!*&^!!!! electric wiper conversion is complete. It took forever to get the wipers to smoothly wipe the entire glass and be timed evenly.


The flatbed works

 

Those wheels are awesome, nice truck, that thing has a nice rake to it.

 

Didn't get it finished this weekend. Looks like I'm going to Louisville as a spectator

But here are some pics that we took to send to the insurance guy.

Lowered the front bumper. Raised the rear by 1.5" Fixed my F'd up driveshaft. Did some more work on the dash.

 

thanks for posting the pics. That was fun to follow along. Great work.

 

Spectacular. I feel better knowing that I havent cornered the market for rust on my 51. Hope mine comes out half as great as yours did. Thanks for the thread. Ill say its inspirational..at least for me anyway.

 

That truck is totally tits.

 

I thought this truck looked cool when I first saw it, but ...........now, I REALLY wish that I had started with a better truck.

I have a ton of work in a sh*ty truck. If I wanted to take the next step and paint it, it would be a MASSIVE undertaking.

 

this thing is weird. i like it a lot. keep updating.

 

I finally cranked it!!!!!!

The big headers and big pipes sound killer. It idles about like a pro-stocker. A little on the loud side, but I'm gonna try it as is (well, maybe put turndowns on the mufflers).

I was worried that the 350 HP 327 cam wasn't gonna sound mean enough.


Now I need a gas pedal so I can drive it.

 

Congrats! I've been waiting to hear more about this truck!

 

Cool, let us know how she drives.

 

The picture of the dog checking under the hood is priceless!!

 

I have never liked flatbeds (normally because the flatbed are so low) , but I like yours.. Not sure what it is, but it all works. As with others the wheel choice is good (not HAMB but I like them).. have thought about buying a set for my woodie and painting the centers..

 

I've kicked around the idea of bead blasting the wheels.

 

...............workin' out a lot of the same kinks on a '49 panel. Headers a pain in the ass. My frame is clipped ['72 firebird] and was either gonna go yer route - full custom - or chopped up small block pontaic headers.

Was also interested in your steering. I too want a stock column set up....has fat ass tilt unit now. What is your stock column working with up front? are you runnin' full stock configuration or combo?

.....and yeah, those are killer fuckin' wheels!

Ed

 

I'm using the stock S-10 steering box, but Your box would hook up the same..

I cut the 48 column about six inches past the firewall. Then I trimmed the outer sleeve a couple of inches more. I put a bearing in the end of the sleeve and a collar on the shaft to keep it in place.....then ground two flats on the inner shaft so it would accept a piece of GM double-d steering shaft. A simple plug weld and I had an early column that functioned like a late model column. Do a search on here, several people have done it and posted pics.

 

That truck is pretty sweet, just sold my 3800. Looking good. Post more pics as finish things up.

 

I found a pic. The end of the column is under the brake booster. The connector piece between the box and the column is stock 79 camaro.

 

I had an un-offical first drive this weekend. It moved forward and backwards under its own power and stopped when I hit the brakes.

 

VERY cool!
My '47 runs.... doesn't move under its own power, and the brake pedal goes all the way to the floor......

I love the stance on that pickup!!! It looks great!!!!

 

Your truck is awesome. My dad has one sitting on the farm that has been there since before I was born (I'll be 40 in Feb). I've always thought it would make a great project and you really make me want to start on it.

Do you have a link to your dad's camper build? I'm starting something similar very soon.

Thanks and nice work!

 

Congratulations on the 'first drive', go AND stop, both are good things.

 

Nope, no detailed build photos of the camper.

It is loosely based on plans from a 1934 Popular Mechanics (or something like that). He tweaked the design a little.

Eventually he will do exterior molding on it to make it look like a woodie.

 

Flipper, awesome truck, appreciate the come along with me as I build pics.

Wondering if you're using a seperate adjustable brake proportioning valve?

my 55 Dodge 1/2 ton build I have a GM / Corvette non power Disc /Drum master that came with a "GM style" proportioning valve.

Wondering if it's necessary seeing that the trucks are similar in size and both have small block sized mills.

Derek

 

I finally thought to take some pictures of the painted dash




....and the second "dash" (ignition, headlight switch, wiper switch and dimmer are in the seat base)


Oh yeah, wiring is a pain in the butt!!!! I used an EZ harness. It would have been easier if I mounted the panel on the firewall....like they suggested, instead of under the seat. I had to "adjust" darn near every wire to make it work that way.

 

Great to see your rig coming along. I like the dash...hiding all the knobs etc. Isn't funny how things with names like EZ, Simply, Quik....Aren't.

 

Great to see progress, neat idea on the switches in the seat base.

 

It wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. I had to angle the switches down to clear the scooped out section that I built into the seat bottom. Actually I could have installed them flat, near fllor level...but it would have been a pain to reach.

Here is an in process pic of the switch panel.

 

You're truck is looking sharp! I hope my 53 F250 project looks half as nice

 

Fun post to follow. Would love to see VIDEO!

Oh yeah, I vote for leaving the wheels as is...