57 build

[pugs]

Well i had started a thread about my truck before(getting my truck today)


for those that remember. well things were coming along, welded a nova clip in, chevelle rear out back and the cab had new patch panel in. overall i just wasnt totally happy with it. I had picked up this 55 parts truck


for the front sheetmetal, after taking the clip off and cleaning out the inside and really looking over it, I decided that this cab was actually better and would take less time to get into shape then the original one. so at that point i started cytting out the patch panels i had inthe cab and reinstalled them on the 55 cab, plus i did have some other floor panel patches hanging in the garage


(cab corned pics)



front cab mounts




driverside hinge pocket area(pass side is done now too)


there was some rust at top of the windsheild frame so i had cut a portion out of the other cab at the cowl area and tacked in place still need to do alittle welding and finish it off

[pugs]

I did have the original cab setup with a 54 dodge dash in it so it was also cut out and is going to be use in the 55 cab


and installed a CJ7 tank out back


will get more pics this weekend pass side lower hinge plate had to be replace also, i did start stripping down the roof tonite and plan on getting the pass side cab corner done and get it primer withinthe next week

[Kim57]

Lookin good pugs, keep up the work and pics.
Kim

[entourageguy]

I like the dash change. Adds to the personal idea.

[Kabwe]

good job man. keep the pics coming.

[pugs]

thanx guys, as far as the dash, i cut the ashtray section out of the 57 dash and welded it in where the original dodge one was, and im not sure if i want to weld the dash in or just bolt it in so it can be removed. did some more work on the truck, look how nasty the roof was on this thing




and the pass side lower hinge pocket

[pugs]

well since the fresh air vents were shot i went with ones out of a 64 chevy truck
drivers side




pass side

[pugs]

got the dash bolted down mounted the mc/booster boltedin and the steering column in place still debating on a 23" lokar floor shifter

[OrrieG]

That dash is going to be cool! Lots of folks will not know the difference but those that do will take a double or triple take. Did the ends fit or was it wider and that is where you trimmed it to match the cab?? Also, looking at the rust issues you are dealing with I have a greater appreciation of how good my cab is!

[pugs]

actually the dash was abit narrower the the stock one but i used the endes of it to blend in, will get pics this week, still nee to work on finishing it off right and make it flow together, as for rust alot of surface but the original cab i started with was alot worse then this one

[Kabwe]

Looking good pugs.

[pugs]

ok guys alittle update on the project, here's a couple of pics of the dash with the gauges in place




was out to Carlisle to the truck nats this past friday, was looking for patch panels for the front fenders, couldnt believe it none to be found. So while walking around i did find a pr of 57 fenders which were really decent and solid at the rear brace area so i scarfed them up. the pass side was abit of a mess at the headlite area, so i cut a section out of a junk fender i had here and fixed it all up. dont think it came out to bad, will get other progress pics this week

[pugs]

couple more pics, also got most of the floor and the lower rear panel in primer
the whole cab will be sprayed in grey sand amd fill primer (hopefully soon)

[poncho_villa]

I didn't really appreciate that dash too much until I saw it with the gauges. That looks real good and very functional too. Nice and easy to read.

[pugs]

that was the reason i used the dash cuz the gauges were in place and heck i only payed $30 for it all, will be working on a floating center grill sention this week

[entourageguy]

That dash will get the 55-59 guys to take a 2nd look.

Looks great.

[pugs]

found the mesh to use so i can do the floating center onthe truck grill



fender spear inthe center

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...a/SANY1208.jpg

thought about using this GMC hood to maybe to a fresh/cold/ram air setup but not possitive on the look

[Kim57]

I like the grill Pugs. I'm going for the same look on my 57. Where did you get the mesh?
Kim

[pugs]

picked up the mesh at a local weld/metal shop, dont know the cost yet as the guy i deal lets me the price of things a few days later

[pugs]

went to the local u-pull-it on Sunday morning and picked up i van tilt & ign switch


also been working on the dash trying to get the ends looking even where the 54 dash is blended to part of the stock truck dash, need alittle fenesing but its getting there

[55dude]

cool stuff so far dude! that dash really i killer!

[54 jimmy]

i think that you have a really good idea with the gmc hood. haven't seen that done before. looks great to me but that's just my 2 cents. keep up the good work.

[Daniel U]

Originally Posted by 54 jimmy

i think that you have a really good idea with the gmc hood. haven't seen that done before. looks great to me but that's just my 2 cents. keep up the good work.

I agree, that cold or cool air intake is a neat idea! Ram air into the carb or throttle body.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Nice work man!

[55dude]

time for a project update, what cool stuff have you been doing to your truck?