Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BOOB · 02-11-2009, 02:08 PM

Whats up guys. I agreed to do a LOT of work on my buddy's '52 Panel. It currently has a stout 454, stock (blown) rear end/suspension and a Monte Carlo front clip. I'm still trying to figure out what year model the clip came from.

My job is to convert the rear end to a 4 bar/link 9" Ford and mini-tub to fit 12inch wide tires, stabalize the "floating" front end by either converting to coil-over or updating bushings and springs while maintaing the mildly lowered stance and re-wire the entire thing.

I want some opinions on the rear suspension. Is the Panel's rear identical to the trucks? If so I found a four bar kit from TCI that bolts right in. Will it give me a few more inches on each side? Any other kits I should look into? I'm capable of fabricating my own but would much rather buy a kit for lack of time.

I've always used Painless for my wiring needs but I'm open for suggestions.

It should be a simple project but I'm not familiar with the '50s era aftermarket. Any opinions on parts or places to research will be a HUGE help.

BOOB · 02-12-2009, 01:19 AM

Anybody?

**mr48chev** · 02-12-2009, 01:47 AM

As far as I know the frames are the same except for the brackets that the Panel body are mounted with.

The Monte Carlo front end could be one of three styles
The 70/72 Which has the caliper bracket that bolts on the spindle.

73/77 With the one piece spindle with built in caliper bracket. Not real popular for subframe swaps

78 and up which is now quite popular. These are the metric units and I believe they have metric threads on the bolts and lug bolts and that would be the quick way to tell. Plus they are smaller than the 73/77 units.

BOOB · 02-15-2009, 11:44 PM

Cool, thanks for the front clip info. It's actually my biggest issue right now.

BBEEP · 02-26-2009, 05:08 PM

My panel has/had 10 inch wheels on the back with a stock 57 Ford 9-inch (about 56 inches if memory serves) I cut the wood floor and pushed in the inner fender with my sledge-o-matic and then built 'storage' minitubs inside. Ran a 295/50/15 EASILY. Need pics? I just updated it by changing the aluminum 15's to chrome Foose 18's & 17's and changing out the aluminum Briz bumpers to stock chrome.

BOOB · 02-27-2009, 02:00 AM

Well, the project has turned into a complete custom 9" from Currie, Comp. Eng. Ladder Bars and wishbone and QA1 coilovers for the rear suspension. So that pretty much takes care of that. I plan on posting a pretty thorough step by step as I go along. I'm starting in a few weeks.

BOOB · 10-13-2009, 10:44 PM

So I completely f'd up the step by step part. I JUST finished everything up. I will have some pretty good before and after shots pretty soon. I'm proud of myself. I wore out a couple sets of strings on my plumb bobs checking everything for square. It's pretty slick. I'll post 'em ASAP.

Bigblue29 · 10-13-2009, 11:00 PM

sweet cant wait to check it out

BOOB · 10-24-2009, 12:41 AM

I'm done with the chassis. I'm just finishing up some stuff under the hood. Here's some cool before and afters...

BOOB · 10-24-2009, 12:45 AM

The new fuel cell....

BOOB · 10-24-2009, 12:48 AM

The bars....

BOOB · 10-24-2009, 12:52 AM

inside...

mylow53 · 10-26-2009, 01:32 PM

nice work i like the tubs
GT

BOOB · 10-26-2009, 06:02 PM

Thanks!!! I'm pretty slow at posting pics. I'll put some of the entire vehicle up asap.

**Dieselwrencher** · 11-06-2009, 06:13 PM

Congrats! Very nice work!

NONHOG · 11-06-2009, 11:51 PM

Nice work !

02-11-2009, 02:08 PM	#1
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project Whats up guys. I agreed to do a LOT of work on my buddy's '52 Panel. It currently has a stout 454, stock (blown) rear end/suspension and a Monte Carlo front clip. I'm still trying to figure out what year model the clip came from. My job is to convert the rear end to a 4 bar/link 9" Ford and mini-tub to fit 12inch wide tires, stabalize the "floating" front end by either converting to coil-over or updating bushings and springs while maintaing the mildly lowered stance and re-wire the entire thing. I want some opinions on the rear suspension. Is the Panel's rear identical to the trucks? If so I found a four bar kit from TCI that bolts right in. Will it give me a few more inches on each side? Any other kits I should look into? I'm capable of fabricating my own but would much rather buy a kit for lack of time. I've always used Painless for my wiring needs but I'm open for suggestions. It should be a simple project but I'm not familiar with the '50s era aftermarket. Any opinions on parts or places to research will be a HUGE help. __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

02-12-2009, 01:19 AM	#2
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project Anybody? __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

02-12-2009, 01:47 AM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,713	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project As far as I know the frames are the same except for the brackets that the Panel body are mounted with. The Monte Carlo front end could be one of three styles The 70/72 Which has the caliper bracket that bolts on the spindle. 73/77 With the one piece spindle with built in caliper bracket. Not real popular for subframe swaps 78 and up which is now quite popular. These are the metric units and I believe they have metric threads on the bolts and lug bolts and that would be the quick way to tell. Plus they are smaller than the 73/77 units. Last edited by mr48chev; 02-12-2009 at 01:55 AM.

02-15-2009, 11:44 PM	#4
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project Cool, thanks for the front clip info. It's actually my biggest issue right now. __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

02-26-2009, 05:08 PM	#5
BBEEP Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EUGENE, OREGON Posts: 504	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project My panel has/had 10 inch wheels on the back with a stock 57 Ford 9-inch (about 56 inches if memory serves) I cut the wood floor and pushed in the inner fender with my sledge-o-matic and then built 'storage' minitubs inside. Ran a 295/50/15 EASILY. Need pics? I just updated it by changing the aluminum 15's to chrome Foose 18's & 17's and changing out the aluminum Briz bumpers to stock chrome. Attached Images

02-27-2009, 02:00 AM	#6
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project Well, the project has turned into a complete custom 9" from Currie, Comp. Eng. Ladder Bars and wishbone and QA1 coilovers for the rear suspension. So that pretty much takes care of that. I plan on posting a pretty thorough step by step as I go along. I'm starting in a few weeks. __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

10-13-2009, 10:44 PM	#7
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project So I completely f'd up the step by step part. I JUST finished everything up. I will have some pretty good before and after shots pretty soon. I'm proud of myself. I wore out a couple sets of strings on my plumb bobs checking everything for square. It's pretty slick. I'll post 'em ASAP. __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

10-13-2009, 11:00 PM	#8
Bigblue29 Thanks 'til you're better paid Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 257	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project sweet cant wait to check it out __________________ -Luke 1950 Chevy AD 3100 pickup 2000 GMC Sierra 1970 Jeepster Commando

10-24-2009, 12:41 AM	#9
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project I'm done with the chassis. I'm just finishing up some stuff under the hood. Here's some cool before and afters... Attached Images __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

10-24-2009, 12:45 AM	#10
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project The new fuel cell.... Attached Images __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

10-24-2009, 12:48 AM	#11
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project The bars.... Attached Images __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

10-24-2009, 12:52 AM	#12
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project inside... Attached Images __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker Last edited by BOOB; 10-24-2009 at 01:00 AM.

10-26-2009, 01:32 PM	#13
mylow53 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: thousand oaks, California Posts: 732	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project nice work i like the tubs GT __________________ Greg 1953 chevy 1/2 ton 5 window, chevy 350 330 horse 700r tranz, lowering spindels mustang 2 frount. ford 9", airbags on 4 corners . purchased in 1983 for $325 while in high school http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=215079&page=5

10-26-2009, 06:02 PM	#14
BOOB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 95	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project Thanks!!! I'm pretty slow at posting pics. I'll put some of the entire vehicle up asap. __________________ 1970 Short/Fleet C-10 (Project) -Slammed and Tubbed 1955 Cameo -Straight six, Turbo Hydro option 1955 BelAir 2 door post -All original down to the oil bath air cleaner 1964 Corvette -All power A/C 327 4 spd. tanker

11-06-2009, 06:13 PM	#15
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project Congrats! Very nice work! __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*



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11-06-2009, 11:51 PM	#16
NONHOG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Marana, Arizona Posts: 3,457	Re: Need advice on a complete "52 Panel project Nice work ! __________________ "I feel the need for speed!"... as soon as I am done with my nap.

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