Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Daniel, is that the CPP leaf spring setup? It looks like the one I put on my dad's truck. He was looking for a more level ride height and that looks exactly what he is looking for. Looks like you are making more progress than I am though. Hopefully I can get down there next weekend and weld the floor in. Keep posting progress to keep my butt moving...lol.

Bernie

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

I'm not sure what rear kit was ordered, but the front is from TCI with the stiffest front springs they had. A lot of the front fender gap will go away with a V8 and 700R4. I'll ask my brother which rear kit he ordered for the leafs. He's coming over with it tommoro afternoon. We're pulling glass, and interior/gauges, and anything else before soda/sandblast.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Daniel, A little trick on the glass that I learned the hard way. That rubber gets so hard that you can't remove the glass so we cut the outer ring and removed the glass. I broke one side of the windshield before I figured that out. We were going to replace the rubber anyway so it was no big deal.

Bernie

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Thanks, that's how I did mine, but my rubber seal was much more plyable than my mom's trucks windows are currently. I appreciate the heads up though.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

I helped my brother on my mom's '54 today. The glass, rubber for the door jams, and gauges/ignition/choke/etc. are out. The floor pans and fenders will be replaced to save time. The cab has plenty of bondo and rust to keep my brother busy. The bedsides are in fairly good shape. She'll need new front and rear bumpers too. Between my old '54 doors and her's, she has enough to make a pair. Here's a few pics from today:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0447.jpg
Clear firewall
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0446.jpg
No glass
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0445.jpg
My brother Tim pulling the last gauge cluster out.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

The rear leafs are from TCI and are a 1/2 ton.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Mom's truck went to soda blast this morning. It should be bare metal by this Friday. If I'm not at work, I'll post some pics.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

I only got pics of these parts, but the rest of the cab and bed are at my brothers. Blasted and ready for prime and body work.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0479.jpg

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Here's a few pics of the naked cab and a few more parts(:whine: pretty rough):
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0507.jpg
My old nose cone:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0514.jpg
Brake stuff:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0513.jpg
Passenger side from outside:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0508.jpg
Driver's side:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0509.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0510.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0511.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0512.jpg

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

I must have found mine in the same field!!!

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

And to think, all you AZ and Cali guys think you have all the best sheet metal. :lol: JK. I found my 52 in Rockford, AL, just north of Montgomery. It's about as clean of body that I've seen. Here's some pictures. All original cab corners, floors, cowl, doors.............:metal:

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Yeah, we knew it was rough, but the exterior was hidden with body fill. We knew the floor boards were pitted, just not that bad. For time sake, my brother may end up working with the original cab and replacing the fenders. As it is the floors and cab corners will need attention. The rest of the cab is riddled with "whooptee do's" as my brother put it. If my mom did'nt need a '54(her birth year), we would've found another truck. So my brother is pushing for an Oct. finish date for her bithday. Very optimistic, I say. The good news is she's not concerned with all the details I am(A/C,CC,PW,booming stereo,leather interior,etc). So it will kinda be a "plain Jane" '54. But that's what she wants. She's even planning on keeping the starter on the floor. :c2:

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

I talked to my brother today. The cab is black with an etch primer used on bare metal applications. Here's some pics:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/momscab1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/momscab2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/momscab3.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...kprimer054.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...kprimer055.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...kprimer060.jpg

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Hey Rob, not all of the Az and Cali. lived there all there lives here from the looks of mine it came from the snow belt for most of its life!!! The 55 GMC that I have I am the second owner and for fact it lived its entire life here, and it shows

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

The black etch prime really shows the flaws in the body. (Pics above^^^^)

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Ain't nothing a good body man can't fix, :D.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

I'm going to wait until Daniel and his brother finish theirs, them I am going to ship them my cab, as they will well experienced and should take half the time to replace the sheet metal !!!!!!

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

My brother is the right man for the job. He does beautiful work. His 1st complete was a '70 Dodge Charger 500. Though it wasn't worth as much as the 440 or Hemi, it never made it to the crusher. When he finally posts his own truck you'll have to have him email you some pics. A near flawless paint job. I was very proud of him. That was before his ASE Cert.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

My brother stays pretty busy. He's doing a '66 Mustang after my mom's truck. He's got at least 10 projects of his own that need attention.It must be nice to be single sometimes:)

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

I just got off the phone with my bother. He said the toe boards are in and he's working on the floor now. I should have some pics by the begining of next week.

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Here's a few pics of the new floors installed. I didn't take the pictures, so what you see is what you get. Sorry.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...iel_U/d20a.jpg
firewall
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...iel_U/16d3.jpg
Driverside firewall
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...iel_U/eaf0.jpg
new floor on driver's side

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Here's a few shots of my mom's '54 long bed. My brother got the motor/trans. in for mock up. The cab has ben coated inside and out with primer. The patch panels inside are nearing completion. Once the motor mounts are welded in, the chassis goes to powder coat. The motor seen here is a crate GM motor rated @ 280 hp. The trans was rebuilt. Here's the pics:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/100_0689.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/100_0681.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/100_0685.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/100_0687.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/100_0683.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/100_0684.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/100_0682.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/100_0686.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/100_0688.jpg
Enjoy!

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

It's looking good Daniel, thanks for the update.

R

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

Daniel,
I just noticed your toe boards and they look like they are much easier to install than the B1tchen products I have, what brand are they?

Re: Mom's '54 project build thread
 

My brother told me they were from Golden State Pick-up parts. I stopped by and took some more pictures of it. He got one of the cowl pieces in and a door hung. They're using newer style OEMish latches and strikers. After I took the pic we mounted the cab and marked where to cut for the trans tunnel. Enjoy!
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0768.jpg
The pass. side door hung.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0769.jpg
Inside with new guts.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0770.jpg
Pass. side jam
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0771.jpg
Batterey box
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...U/100_0772.jpg
Driver's side cowl removed