mtnkowboys 57 Project

[mountainkowboy]

Well is starts, Here is what we got so far. According to the VIN the cab started life as a 3200, 1/2 ton longbed. Somewhere along the way a shortbed frame was added along with pieces of the shortbed tin. I'm not sure if all the bed parts are there but will deal with that at a later date. All in all the truck is in pretty good shape for bein 51 years old, no cancer on the cab or fenders. We picked it up with no engine or tranny so we have a blank canvas for that. We have decided to use the engine in the T-bucket for her, a Dart 383 roller/stroker with 2500 miles on it and pushin 400+ hp and about the same tq.

I have located a 350 and trans on craigslist that is still in the frame from an 82 Firebird, so I'm tryin to make a deal for the whole frame and running gear right now, and will probably use the front clip for a graph. I know that pics are important so I will post the pics of the engine and the truck will be later today.

[WIDESIDE72]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that 1981 was the last yr for the removable front sub frame on the GM 2nd gen F body (Camaro/ Firebird). I believe that 82 was the start of the 3rd gen with strut front suspension and inner fenders attached to the firewall like Mustangs.

[55dude]

82+ went unibody and had strut front suspension.

[Daniel U]

82-92 F bodies have a "K" member front end as mentioned above. I've never heard anyone use them for these trucks.

[mountainkowboy]

You guys know more about it than I do, I was kinda going by the pic that was posted and assumed that the frame that the engine/trans was sitting on was the firebirds.

[mountainkowboy]

Sorry I havent posted much on the build, it has come to a grinding hault for right now. I am still trying to get the engine and trans from the firebird, but $$$$ has been in short supply right now till I get rid of something.

[WIDESIDE72]

That sub frame you have pictured is from a pre 82 car. Would be a good candidate for a swap, but only if you have someone who you trust to set it up to the truck frame correctly and trust enough to safely weld up to drive down the freeway at 70 mph. My brothers and i did this swap on a 55 second series in the late eighties. My dad is a certified welder and it worked great. I have another 55 and if I go this route, I plan to go with a subframe that would be welded to the stock truck frame like a Fat Man fabrication set up, since it gives you rack and pinion steering.

[mountainkowboy]

I'm a pretty good fab-man, so I'm not concerned with the setup. I have a friend who is a certified welder who will do the burnin.

[nuke1]

That T has me thinkin about the one in the bush at the farm, ARGH Ideas, Too many get them out of my head.

[mountainkowboy]

Well due to the current shape of the economy the 57 will be getting sold. I hate to get rid of it, but $$$ is tight and the wife isnt gettin to many hours. I guess when times get better I'll look for another project.