1957 Chevy Truck

[retdet1]

Heater core will be on my list of things to do over the winter. Thanks for the info.

[57chevyman]

no problem

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

correct, the headlight switch doesn't turn on the interior light like its supposed to , but it does turn on the headlights taillights and dash lights, so I didn't want to mess with it... the toggle switch was easy to add after I already had the door switches done.

the headlight switch would most likely work for the dome light if I attach the dome light wire... is it difficult to do?

chevyman the dome light has a 12+ hot wire to the light and the headlight switch grounds (12v-) the circuit.
the picture is a 55 chevy sedan headlight switch, it wires the same as the trucks of that era.
the left wire marked ''white-ground'' is the dome light ground wire



if you look at this picture the switch is upside down the connector is on the right
you can see the copper strip that acts as the switch and grounds it to the case

[57chevyman]

I installed a coolant overflow tank today. no more coffee cup to catch the overflow!

[OrrieG]

Looks good, another fan of Simpson connectors!

[57chevyman]

Yeah, I gotta trim the brackets and paint them black, but so far so good

[Kim57]

That's nice.
Kim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hey Frank, that overflow tank looks VERY familiar

[Dan in Pasadena]

Even our placement choice is almost identical. I like your radio choice too. I've been planning to buy one of those but I didn't know it had blue digital. I'd prefer green for my truck, naturally.

When you say you used speakers in the original location, but you used two I'm not really understanding where you put them. Are they very near each other in the middle?

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Even our placement choice is almost identical. I like your radio choice too. I've been planning to buy one of those but I didn't know it had blue digital. I'd prefer green for my truck, naturally.

When you say you used speakers in the original location, but you used two I'm not really understanding where you put them. Are they very near each other in the middle?

I did some research, and I think the retrosound radio that I got is made better than the custom autosound... I read that the green background ( not green numbers) on the autosound is a little too much and its not dimmable...... retrosound may have a new model where you can choose what color you want the display to be.

the two speakers were already in the truck above the rearview mirror..... its made by autosound specifically to fit in that spot. they sound good, but no bass at all. I put a powered kenwood subwoofer under the seat and the stearo system sounds great now

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks. Are the two speakers in the old style sheet metal housings?

[57chevyman]

Yeah it's all one assembly with two speakers

[57chevyman]

[57chevyman]

is my rear suspension a 4 link?

[Kim57]

Those look like some ones attempt at traction bars. I haven't seen any 4-links with leaf springs.
Kim

[57chevyman]

I haven't seen it with leaf springs either. Guess I have a unique setup. There's also a rod that attaches to the read end, you can see in one of the pics

[msaintg]

both of those bars are fighting against the leaf springs. You may not notice any problems on a 2x4 vehicle, but they will cause a lot of problems (especially the one going across) on a 4x4 vehicle that wants and needs articulation of the suspension. Basically, the bars want to move in an arch and the leaf springs only want to move up and down. (yes the leaf springs will move the axle slightly forward, but will still bind with the bar because the pivit points are different.) I guess it was set up that way to reduce axle wrap because of the tall blocks.

[57chevyman]

The suspension is very stiff. On a smooth road it's fine lol

[57chevyman]

I love getting deliveries for the old truck...got some nice goodies...

[Kim57]

Shiny new parts. Very nice.
Kim

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by msaintg

both of those bars are fighting against the leaf springs. You may not notice any problems on a 2x4 vehicle, but they will cause a lot of problems (especially the one going across) on a 4x4 vehicle that wants and needs articulation of the suspension. Basically, the bars want to move in an arch and the leaf springs only want to move up and down. (yes the leaf springs will move the axle slightly forward, but will still bind with the bar because the pivit points are different.) I guess it was set up that way to reduce axle wrap because of the tall blocks.

4" is usually the maximum recommend lift block, any higher can roll over. But since I assume it is not subjected to the stressed like put my truck thru off-road (4" lift on the back) it is not an issue. That bar also negates the shocks doing anything useful, I would suspect it rides "different" with the read essentially almost solid axle and independent front??? It has obviously worked ok for 10 years, but you might want to look at some rearced rear springs to get rid of the bars and lift blocks.

[57chevyman]

It's a 5" lift block. It works for cruising around the neighborhood.
I few things on my list are
Upgrade the brakes to a dual MC
Find a 55-66 bed
Relocate gas tank ?

[LordDevlin]

nice truck...

those side window visor things kinda jumped out at me. I drive my truck in the rain and these might come in handy when I want to still keep the windows down as I dont have ac. They might look good on my truck painted the same as the body.

Where did you get them? Or were they already on the truck?

Elliot

[57chevyman]

Thanks! Those visors were on the truck when I bought it. They're available in parts catalogs for around $30 for the pair

[rambler]

just saw this post.. love the truck !