Project PT-57, 1957 Truck, Built By Hot Rod Jim's

[rat_rod_russell]

I just wanted to introduce our 57 Chevy truck Project PT-57. This is going to be the test bed for our 55-59 Chevy and GMC trucks to C4 corvette suspension. The PT-57 will be replacing the shop truck so it will have plenty of power, gas mileage in the mid 20’s and an automatic transmission. We will also be going for the best ride and since the truck will see trailer duty as well as daily driving use by Jim, Billy and I so we’ll be equipping the car with air ride.

I’ll start posting updates as the build evolves and updates are available. Check out the project page and see where we are now.
http://www.hotrodjim.com/projects_shop_57_truck.php

Quick Run Down
LQ4
4L80E
Air Ride
C4 Corvette Suspension
C6 Z06 Corvette brakes
345's out back with 275's up front.
Air Brush work everywhere

Thanks to Ben and Hermance Design for the rendering and some of his ideas for the truck. Click here for a larger version of the rendering
http://www.hotrodjim.com/immages/pro...dering/l-1.jpg

Thanks
Russell Alexander
Hot Rod Jim’s

	Air Ride Now known as Ride Tech. Air Ride Suspension & Much More

[1971CHEVELLE]

cool project!!!can't wait to see more

[ADaughen]

Truck looks menacing. Great canvas for the concept.

I'm not sure I would do teeth around the grille, but I have to see the finished product to say one way or the other.

[LMDGUY]

looks like it goin to be a great build. I really like themed builds

[Chevrolaine]

Cool! Can we now expect a dogfight between F-Bomb and PT-57? LOL

[Paul_J]

I love it! Keep us posted on progress. Lots of build pics PLEASE!!!!!

[Boyd]

Love the theme. It's gonna be a cool truck. Gotta ask though, are the pipes coming out of the sides of the hood for exhaust or air intake or are they non-functional?

[rat_rod_russell]

Originally Posted by Paul_J

partial to the flying tigers.

This is a from a photo shoot of my 57 Chevy Black Widow I just sold. The Jacket the girl is wearing is mine. I got it from my grandfather when he died. It and one statement from my little brother is what got this whole thing started.

[rat_rod_russell]

Originally Posted by Chevrolaine

Cool! Can we now expect a dogfight between F-Bomb and PT-57? LOL

Only if corners are involved. That'll be the only way I'd stand a chance. PT-57 is going to have a Cam'd out LQ4 I might get a wild hair and stroke it out later. Like Steve said, finished projects are no fun. Everything else on the car will handle, exhaust, transmission, rear end, tires so I might. But first and foremost PT-57 is going to be a touring car and shop truck.

Originally Posted by Boyd

Love the theme. It's gonna be a cool truck. Gotta ask though, are the pipes coming out of the sides of the hood for exhaust or air intake or are they non-functional?

The hood exhaust will open iinto the car for heat exhaust of the engin compartment. I wish I could have done the exhaust up there but I wanted to keep it street legal. The side pipes are functional with no baffles of muffling just strait out. There will be electric cutouts to a full exhaust out the back for daily driving. and the Bombs on the back, those are the air tanks for the air ride system.

Originally Posted by Paul_J

I love it! Keep us posted on progress. Lots of build pics PLEASE!!!!!

Here are some quick ones of where we stand right now.



The first mock up to figure out clearances is done she's appart getting body work right now. I'm working on somemore photos right now.

Later

	Air Ride Now known as Ride Tech. Air Ride Suspension & Much More

[78 Type-LT]

nice build

[Young Gun]

why are you choosing to go with c4 components as opposed to c5/6? is there a suspension advantage they hold on a larger car?

[rat_rod_russell]

Originally Posted by Young Gun

why are you choosing to go with c4 components as opposed to c5/6? is there a suspension advantage they hold on a larger car?

Performance bang for your buck. We have a shop where we build swap chassis using corvette suspension. This one is going to be our test bead. C5/C6 you have to narrow, and buy lots of other parts to make it work. The C4 is a direct swap thanks to the width. This way we can sell a guy a frame only, he finds a corvette suspension (84-96) and then its pretty much a bolt together. Remember these trucks started with a straight axle front and rear with manual steering box and all wheel drum brakes. The C4 is a night and day difference for these trucks plus our frame used with C5 sized tires will lower the truck 11.5" from stock.

Prices
C4 stuff you can get for 1k front and rear.
C5 stuff starts up in the 2k range and you still need a custom rack, narrowed CV shafts, and lengthened torque tube. I've done 2 lengthened C5 conversion projects and 2 shortened.

On the C5/C6 note I'm working on a differential adapter that will take the transmission out and make it a stand alone diff. That for another project when I get this finished.

[Young Gun]

defintiely makes sense. Should be a good build! If I get up near austin any time soon I am gonna have to check out the shop

[rat_rod_russell]

Originally Posted by Young Gun

defintiely makes sense. Should be a good build! If I get up near austin any time soon I am gonna have to check out the shop

The shop's just off I-10, I live here so feel free to stop by whenever.

[rat_rod_russell]

With the new equipment we’ve obtained and the addition of the laser cutting to our arsenal we’ve decided to scrap the original frame for several renovations making it stronger and simpler to build. The easier to build the frames the lower the price will be. We’ve started over with the design taking everything to the computer to so we can look at every aspect of the chassis. This is how we will start playing with sizes and reference them to clearance on the car. Next we’ll take the corvette suspension geometry and plug it into Suspension Analyzer and then find the specific angles and mounting points of for the suspension that will best work for the trucks.




Parts have been rolling in steadily and work is progressing on the body. The Air Ride bags have been here for some time and we’ve been playing with them but the Air Ride 4100 Level Ride System just got here. You can see the details these guys go though to make sure you have everything. It never ceases to amaze me the quality in each box. You can see the considerably longer bags in for the rear pivot system. The two aluminum bottles on the corner are going to be 2 of the bombs for our bomb racks. These will be sealed and plumbed to act as air tanks for the air ride system.



These are the tires going onto the PT-57 so we can put all this effort to the ground. The right is a 354/35/R19 for the rear and the left is a 275/40/R18 for the front. (no it’s not the actual tire for the front but I couldn’t get to it right then.) And a little reference for the guys who’ve never seen a 345 in person.



<br><br><br>The Transmission got painted then we noticed the case had that ear cracked on it, taped it with a hammer and chased it down. We’ll clean it up and patch it back up later. The motor and transmission goodies all came in a few days ago too. The custom PTC torque converter, custom cam, dual valve springs, titanium retainers, all the gaskets and bolts that would need to be replaces also come with Thunder Racing's swap kit all shown here.





The 6.0 is in another chassis having headers fitted right now but the next set will be the same. We get the LS1 Street headers from LG Motor Sports then modify them to clear the transmission. Their tight and clear the steering linkage beautifully, plus there stainless.




-Russell

	Air Ride Now known as Ride Tech. Air Ride Suspension & Much More

[Paul_J]

I passed through Luling Last Wed. the 15th Going to S.A. If you guys don't mind having visitors I'd like to drop by sometime.

[ProMav71]

That thing is going to be sick!

[rat_rod_russell]

Originally Posted by Paul_J

I passed through Luling Last Wed. the 15th Going to S.A. If you guys don't mind having visitors I'd like to drop by sometime.

Sure, if the door's open stop on in. The truck's in shambles right now spread all over the shop. If the door's not open stop anyway, I might have closed it to keep the wind out while I'm welding.

-Russell

[srh3trinity]

That is cool, great concept. I'll have to watch this one closely.

[hdesign]

Thanks again for letting me help out Russell....I can never pass up a chance to work on projects like this.