Left coast 54 5 window

[Daniel U]

Hi there from CA. I bought my 3600 longbed '54 Chevy p/u in 1991 when I was 16. I bought it for $1,200 and all it needed to run was a carb rebuild. After I rebiult it, I drove it around stock for 2 1/2 years. I got tired of head aches(due to the fuel tank in the cab)and taking the back roads when traveling out of town(due to the high rpms/gears). Shortly after, I bought my 3rd gen Camaro as a daily driver. So the truck sat for almost 15 years before I got to start on it. FFW to today: She sits on a 1/2 ton short bed chassis with an updated boxed front end with independent suspension, power steering, 4 wheel power disc and a 10 bolt posi rear. I'm using the power train from my old 3rd gen Camaro I had totaled when my wife was rear ended on the freeway(A blessing in disguise, upgraded to an 88 IROC). We bought the Camaro back from State Farm and used the Trans/rear end for the '54. I sold the 305 to my mom (for $100 to use on her '54). I bought a rebuilt 4 bolt main 350 long block with all the polished aluminum goodies for the engine and got a sweet deal ($200) on a used TPI intake with 2 computers. I just bought all my chrome for the outside/inside and am ordering the "Glide Engineering" seat tommoro. I need to find some nice lap belts for it still.(Help please!) I'm using a "Walker" after market radiator. The Vintage Air is mocked up. All body panels, cab, and chassis were soda blasted and etch primed. The bed is almost finished, and 90% of the body work is done(Shaved the passenger side vent, antenea, fuel fill neck, welded the underside of the hood to prevent the rattle when you shut it, finished the bed ends, removed the chain for the tailgate and welded the 70's+ style tailgate hinges, and removed the 3600 body emblem.). The old door latches were ditched(due to the fact that they popped open from time to time) for the more modern "Bear claw" style. I also traded the '54 doors for the older '47-'50 style without the wind wing. I have a $30K budget as that's how much a new Chevy p/u would cost today. I plan on this being a driver, and never see a trailer. Did I mention I love Chevys Thanks for reading this and any help/suggestions from more experienced gear heads/builders is appreaciated and welcome. Keep you eyes open for updates. Hope to have her done by Jan.'07

Build thread link: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212753