Projects 1957 Chevy Pickup

such a sick truck, kind of wish I had of got one like it sometimes!

 

Thats what I do haha! I drive the piss outta it. Thanks!

 

Thanks man!

 

It should be painted by the end of summer, but now sure how Im gonna go about doin it, like who will paint it or who can show me how to use and borrow the gear. Any suggestions/thoughts?

 

practice painting on something small, then paint it yourself. aint all that hard to do. i just got done painting motorcycle parts for a friend, base / clear coat. after wet sand and polish i was amazed that i was able to make it look that good.
your truck is coming along nicely....

leonard

 

If I had to equip to paint it myself I totally would! Haha.

 

I want to swap out that drivers side door for one thats in better shape before I paint it. Anyone got anything? I have fenders I can trade and I can also trade pinstriping work. Lemme know!

Cheers

 

Ive been doing body work for the past few weeks whenevr I get the chance.



I havnt decided what I want to do next. My choices...

Transmission swap....I have a turbo 350 laying in my dads wearhouse, it needs to be gone through. But the old 4 speed is doing fine right now.

Paint...It needs paint, but its not neccasary.

Lower it more...I have a a c-notch kit for it. Im considering maybe putting bags on it. But flipping the axel may get me as low as I want it. Than its just a matter of getting the front end lower.

Any input here? Thanks!

-CRawford

 

looking good taylor.
if i had a 4 speed, i would keep it.
i flipped my rear and its pretty low and i have not c-notched my frame, but will need to one day.
up front you could always take a few leafs out, if your running the stock leaf pack.
good luck.

 

Thanks! I have the automatic already, so I might as well use it. I already pulled leafs outta the front. How low do you think it will go with 4" drop mono leafs and a flipped axel?

 

hard to say how much the total drop would be taylor. i guess you just gotta do it to find out.
i took 3 of the 6 out of mine in the front, with a 3" dropped axle, and i cant go any more.

 

Same here. No lower. You can always notch the frame in the front if your oil pan will clear the axle/tie rods. You can also flip the front axle on top of the springs. This will also require a notch.

Recipe for as low as possible:

FRONT...
Dropped axle (3" or 4")
flip the front axle (~4")
monoleaves or remove leaves (3" or 4")

REAR...
Flip the axle (5"-6")
monoleaves or remove leaves (3" or 4")
blocks if neccessary (1"-4")

This should have you VERY low. As low as anybody would want a driver to be anyway (and probably lower than most would like to drive around in). The frame in the front and rear will have to be notched. With the drop axle in the front and lower leaves, you will need to modify your pitman arm/steering arm/tie rod mounts to reduce bumpsteer and clear your big tires.

Keep up the good work young gun!!!

 

Sweet! Thanks for the info. Im gonna be flipping the rear axel for sure. I think that'll get me low enough in the rear. Im looking at Sids dropped axels right now. I think thats the solution for dropping the front....

 

Finally swappin out transmissions! Pickin up a gennie shifter for the automatic on Saturday. Hopefully it will be done by 4th of July....

 

You will be stoked with the new trans

 

Hell ya! By the way your door panels are done, I can drop em off when I get off work sometime if ya want....

 

I ended up 6 inches down from my axle flip. I suggest doing the flip first and then using either a longer leaf spring shackle or 1" to 2" blocks if necessary AFTER you see where the flip leaves you.

 

Thats the plan....Flip it and block if neccasary. But if you got 6" I think that would plenty drop for me.

 

Parts parts parts!

 

This weekend Ill have had the truck for a year! Rad eh? Just loaded it up for the big transmission swap. Bout time!

 

So it turns out the trans I had was a TH200, not a TH350. Crap! No biggie I got my hands on a TH350 completely rebuilt. Looks like Im gonna have to put off that dropped axel for a lil while though....

 

Well then don't drop the rear yet...unless you want a tail dragger.

 

I like ass draggers....

 

Transmission swap almost done....should be back on the road tonight!

 

My project came to a halt because I can't find anyone locally to shorten my driveline. Talk about frustrating! I have a buddy with a machine shop up here that says Sac Driveline picks up and drops off at his shop, but he won't be in to work and his business is closed next week. Another 2 1/2 weeks wait to take 2 inches of of a dang driveline...

 

Geez thats frustrating! I just got mine back from my transmission buddy tonight. Had a blast! I drove the shit out of it!

 

Just tripped across this thread again and (not trying to jack it) wanted to post an update. Paint is the DP blue epoxy, Oak and black walnut on the bed, still looking for a '57 hood, but road worthy now. We're working on a half hexagon "doghouse" to go over the top on the kegs that will match the bed pattern with the boards running vertical rather than horizontal.
Glad to see your progress.
RB

 

Very cool!

 

Well....I was out havin' fun with the new trans, and had a total electrical failure and lost all power. Completely dead, no lights, wouldnt turn over, no nothing. So me an dmy buddy pushed into the center divider so it we werent blocking traffic. A drunk guy rolled up, he wasnt much help. Than a cop came, and he gave us 2 road flares. I only used 1, so now I got an extra flare to play with! Than Bad Bob happened to drive past in his truck, and he kept our spirits up while we were shit outta luck stranded. AAA saved the day and I went home on a flat bed and rolled it into the garage. Just another thing to fix, no big deal.

 

KILLER Patina. Get 'er running and drive the Hell out of it.

Enjoy,
VR&C.