Clifford the Big Red Truck~~The Build

[mcmlxix]

It looks like you used the Wilwood PRO modular spindles on the Ridetech kit. Were there any fitment issues? I'm pretty sure they were on the other truck, but is there any advantage to these over the spindle supplied in the kit? I do like the sealed bearings...

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

It looks like you used the Wilwood PRO modular spindles on the Ridetech kit. Were there any fitment issues? I'm pretty sure they were on the other truck, but is there any advantage to these over the spindle supplied in the kit? I do like the sealed bearings...

I did use the Wilwood spindles. Zero fitment issues, other than needing another alignment.

I specifically ordered the ridetech kit without the spindles and brakes, as like you mentioned, I already had them.

I don't think there are any performance advantages as far as suspension/steering geometry, but my main reason to purchase was for the sealed bearing.

Bubba

[Sik66]

Very cool setup!....be interested on how you go about the hydraulic clutch conversion....adapt a aftermarket pedal or modify std style?

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by Sik66

Very cool setup!....be interested on how you go about the hydraulic clutch conversion....adapt a aftermarket pedal or modify std style?

Thanks brother.

As far as the pedal, I found a 1985 C10 hyd clutch pedal setup and will be installing the whole pedal assembly in the truck. When I get around to it ill check the bore of the c10 master cylinder and comparing it to the bore of the Camaro master cylinder. If I'm lucky they will be around the same bore, if not ill have to fab up an aftermarket master cylinder.

Bubba

[Sik66]

Yeah,il prolly try find a hyd setup out of a later model for mine.....am actually going to be using similair driveline to yours....Ls1/tr8080/12 bolt....airride front arms and 4 link rear(for airbags though/not coilovers(wish had coilover setup when I bought the airbag now though!))so I'm following with great interest how that tailshaft setup goes!...spoke to few g/box conversion guys over here and saying I need to find a t56 magnum rear housing....so I actually found that company you got your shaft off...and wondering if would work with c10?...I've even got same style gearbox crossmember!...then stumbled accross your build thread....sweet!!....keep up the good work!

[Sik66]

How's this build coming along?..any more progress?..

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by Sik66

How's this build coming along?..any more progress?..

Hey my friend! Thanks for asking. Ole Clifford had to take a back burner. Lately, I have been working on my 1957 Chevy pickup.

I have owned this thing since 1996 and I'm finally on a roll to get it done. The first pic is of when it was on the jig and we were building it. The second was when I unloaded it at my brother's shop to paint it, and the last two are when I rolled it out the other day.

Full cage, 417cu/in of supercharged LS power, six-speed, air conditioning and airbags.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

Hey my friend! Thanks for asking. Ole Clifford had to take a back burner. Lately, I have been working on my 1957 Chevy pickup.

I have owned this thing since 1996 and I'm finally on a roll to get it done. The first pic is of when it was on the jig and we were building it. The second was when I unloaded it at my brother's shop to paint it, and the last two are when I rolled it out the other day.

Full cage, 417cu/in of supercharged LS power, six-speed, air conditioning and airbags.

Why have you been hiding this from me??..lol
Nice looking truck man.

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by JohnJ@RideTech

Why have you been hiding this from me??..lol
Nice looking truck man.

Thanks, brother. The build is so long that I am kinda glad I didn't start a thread years ago. Haha, It does have a ride pro system on it. Didn't order the leveling sensors at the time cause I didn't like the look. Do yall have something else yet?

In the coming months' Ill switch over to the 47-59 forum and put some info on it there. The truck is built to turn left and right. All steel body from the 50's and I have no idea how it will react with 1000hp.

Here are a few shots of the rear of the truck, and the sheet metal cover. Its a shame all that hard work will be covered up.

Bubba

[Popeye75356]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

Thanks gentlemen. Im trying here. :-)

Ok so lots of stuff happening this last week and a half. Ill try and go chronologically.

After the front end suspension was semi complete, I went ahead and installed the motor/trans. First off, had to switch to a CTS-V pan. I really happy about the fitment of the pan AND the oil capacity. Since it holds 6 quarts, I chose not to run an external oil cooler.

Previous motor had the truck pan, it hung below the front crossmember. You can't even see this one from the front. Totally satisfied with it.

Did the truck dip stick work with the CTS-V pan? Do you have part numbers for the set up,,,,,,,,, pick up tube, windage tray etc.? I'm suffering from the same problem you had with my 5.3 pan...... FYI LOVE this build the truck looks wicked !

[Popeye75356]

One more question: Do you have a part number for your trans. cross member? Looks like it provides great clearance that I'm currently lacking.......

[Sik66]

IFS make a similair gearbox crossmember....

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by Popeye75356

Did the truck dip stick work with the CTS-V pan? Do you have part numbers for the set up,,,,,,,,, pick up tube, windage tray etc.? I'm suffering from the same problem you had with my 5.3 pan...... FYI LOVE this build the truck looks wicked !

Thanks brother!
I had to use the CTS-V pan, dipstick, tube, and windage tray. Here are the part numbers. I didn't order from Improved Racing, I ordered from my local GM dealer. Was cheaper.
http://www.improvedracing.com/tech/l...dimensions.php

Originally Posted by Popeye75356

One more question: Do you have a part number for your trans. cross member? Looks like it provides great clearance that I'm currently lacking.......

The one I bought:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...del/c10-pickup
Here is one that is similar to the one I got.
https://www.motionraceworks.com/stor...ionCrossmember

Bubba

[1957 Chief]

OK folks, bringing this one back up to the top. Finished working on the 1957 truck and now back to the squarebody project. LS Fest is in less than 4 months so I gotta get back to work.

I found a 1986 truck that will have its sheetmetal swapped on the 77 frame. It's a high optioned truck, with a tired motor. Last night we took the old brake pedal assy out and will be installing the clutch/brake pedal assy this evenin.

If you dont want to look through the thread were putting an LS3/TR6060 with the ridetech front and rear coil over suspension, in a squarebody for my son.

Ill scrounge up some pics tonight.

Bubba

[daddyjeep]

Glad to see you are back at it.

[slammed57]

KILLER look . I'll be watchin

[Sik66]

Sweeet!....back into it huh?.....did get the boyds tank fitted or did end up fouling with the 4 link cross bar?...tried body on yet?....plenty clearance for box in tunnel or need to cut?......

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by Sik66

Sweeet!....back into it huh?.....did get the boyds tank fitted or did end up fouling with the 4 link cross bar?...tried body on yet?....plenty clearance for box in tunnel or need to cut?......

The Boyds tank is extremely close, but it all worked out.
I will try the body on later this week. and I am hoping I won't need to cut it. But if it's like anything else I deal with, I will have to cut it.

Bubba

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by slammed57

KILLER look . I'll be watchin

Thanks brother. Hope I can get it whipped.

Bubba

[1957 Chief]

OK, frame is done. And moved outta the way.

[Advanced Design]

Looks good! What is the truck next to the frame?

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Looks good! What is the truck next to the frame?

Thats my grand dad's 1949 Chevy. All old school. I even put an overdrive in it from an old Bel Air. And in the very back, you can see the driver's door for my 1957 truck.

[1957 Chief]

So the last two days we have completely stripped the interior. This truck must have lived on dirt roads for its entire life. Once we got all the guts out, we pressure washed the doors and the floor of the truck. And oh what a difference it made. Will finish disconnecting the cab today from the frame and prepare to swap it on to the new frame Saturday.

[1957 Chief]

Ok so finally got around to swapping the sheet metal around. The frame that we built from nothing, was finally ready. Full Ridetech coil over suspension with an LS3/TR6060.

[1957 Chief]

Once we arrived at a friend's house we pulled the cab off. I already removed and cleaned up the threads on the cab bolts so it was relatively quick to get em out.

The biggest issue that we were gonna have is to clearance for the transmission.