56 chevy pu C6/C5/LS

[windows]

I've been off and on this project and have very little progress. It's on the ground now and LS1 is installed, but a long way to go.

[Kcrain]

Looking good keep going and keep us updated. Keith

[wfo guy]

More pics and details.

[Motown 454]

Nice looking project, I like the stance.

[windows]

Thanks Kcrain.
Thanks Wayne.

Back up the truck a bit here. Pic of chassis when I removed it from the frame table. And an engine pic.

[Motown 454]

It looks like a nice piece.

[windows]

Chassis and a bit of sheetmetal.

[windows]

Before you say it, I know my front tires are install back assward.

[bonecrrusher]

Pfadt Coilovers?

[windows]

Pfadt Coilovers?

Yes. If I had known they would declare chapter 11, I would not have bought them. I don't know if I will be able to get parts (seals etc) for them. I bought them near new from a fellow who had them on his C6 Z06 and removed them before selling his car.

[windows]

I still need to paint the fronts and apply the decals. I have purchased braided stainless for the corners and will form stainless for the main lines.

[53Vipette]

Wow! This looks like a fun project! Nice progress so far.

[sdg0080]

Oh this should be fun.

[windows]

Spent some time on the beater bag and the planishing hammer this morning.

[sdg0080]

What kind of planishing hammer do you have?

[windows]

What kind of planishing hammer do you have?

I just have a cheepo unit, similar to the Harbour Freight one. I did most of the work on the beater bag, then finished it up on the planishing hammer. I'm building a mid year vette dash because I don't want to pay the ridiculous prices that people want for a scruffy old used one. More photos to come.

[796spdbu]

Cool project! I have a 58' with a 57' nose.

[windows]

Another photo of the dash under construction.

[bonecrrusher]

Pfadt is still around - they got bought out by AFE power - and you can still buy there parts.

They moved there manufacturing to California.

[windows]

Pfadt is still around - they got bought out by AFE power - and you can still buy there parts.

They moved there manufacturing to California.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info, Bonecrusher. I really appreciate that.

[windows]

Got a little bit more done on the dash.

[windows]

Arm was getting sore from beatin' on the dash pieces, so I started working on mounting the radiator.

[Motown 454]

Now That's a cooling system!

[windows]

Thanks Wayne. It's from Hendrix racing team, but was never used. I had intended to use it for a 396 big bloc, but I think it will work ok for the LS.

[windows]

Got a little more done on the dash this weekend.

[Alwhite00]

Great project.

[windows]

Thanks Al.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I love 56 chevy trucks yours is way more hitec than mine.. Can't wait to see yours done.

[windows]

Got the seats back from Red Green's Upholstery Shop. Did a bit more work on the dash and started the console.

[Motown 454]

Nice.

[Protour_Pinto]

Being from Sudbury I know exactly who Red Green is! Did you have have to drive to the Possum Lodge to pick them up or did they bring them down in one of his wacky cars? :7)

[windows]

Being from Sudbury I know exactly who Red Green is! Did you have have to drive to the Possum Lodge to pick them up or did they bring them down in one of his wacky cars? :7)

Yes, in fact he delivered them in the van with the power windows. See link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1uG6grzdUf8#

[windows]

Still working on the interior, all be it, not very quickly. Got the shifter installed and the ebrake.

[windows]

Got the right side of the console installed. Just some welding, filler and sanding to do and it will be ready for paint. Recieved my new seat skins and foam, but i won't be doing the upholstery until the rest of the interior is complete. If anyone knows a good way to lenghten an automatic shifter cable, your instruction would be much appreciated.

[Alwhite00]

I used a B&M cable on mine when using a OEM style shifter, works great.

[bonecrrusher]

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info, Bonecrusher. I really appreciate that.

Super late on seeing this - but nice parts!

Are you going to be able to get those paddle shifters wired up and working?

[wfo guy]

If you can use the associated parts, Morse 33c cables can be made any length.

[Dave B]

Nice work! Where in Canada are you?

[windows]

I used a B&M cable on mine when using a OEM style shifter, works great.

Thanks Al. I googled your recommendation and it seems like it may work.

[windows]

Super late on seeing this - but nice parts!

Are you going to be able to get those paddle shifters wired up and working?

Thanks Bonecrusher. I looked at an aftermarket controller, but it may be easier/cheaper to buy a good used 4l80e from a C6 that will enable the paddles. At any rate, i plan to get the truck on the road, then deal with the paddles at a later date.
I see you got your clutch etc. finished. Bet it feels good to get that out of the way.

[windows]

If you can use the associated parts, Morse 33c cables can be made any length.

Thank you, wfo. I'll look into the Morse 33c. I appreciate the help.

[windows]

Nice work! Where in Canada are you?

Thank you. I'm in Langley, BC.

[windows]

Dash is taking forever, but getting closer. Next will be motor electrical.

[bonecrrusher]

I see you got your clutch etc. finished. Bet it feels good to get that out of the way.

What started out as a Fuel Pump upgrade - snowballed into replacing the pump, the fuel level sensors, all of the plastic tubing inside both tanks - and replacing the the crossover tube!

I am just now getting to the engine work that I wanted to start before Christmas. Oh well - it is what it is - on to more fun projects!

[Dave Pratt]

Now that's some kool work and then some.Love the fabrication work you've done! Have you picked out a color yet?

Dave

[windows]

Now that's some kool work and then some.Love the fabrication work you've done! Have you picked out a color yet?

Dave

Thanks for the kind words, Dave. Colour.............yes, in fact I have chosen a colour. I have chosen a colour about 137 times. The last one I chose was a medium satin grey that I saw on a bmw over in North Van. I'll likely ask the Naggin' Waggin' to choose the colour. You know, they like have input.

[brawls43]

Can we get more pics of the dash please? That teaser with the cover on looks awesome!

[windows]

Haven't worked on it much lately, but got the headers fitted, a bit of bodywork at the door/roof area where I removed the crown moldings and on a day when I didn't feel up to doing any real work, I repainted the calipers and applied new decals. Also a little more work on the dash and console.

[Motown 454]

Very Nice !

[Godbolt]

Love it. Looking really good.

[windows]

Thanks Godbolt. Much appreciated. Looking forward to seeing more of your bubbletop. They stopped producing them way too soon, in my opinion. Also, I just noticed I had my brake calipers mounted on the wrong sides (actually, a friend noticed it). They will bleed easier now.

[camuchi]

That is some awesome fab work
Going to be one cool old truck

[windows]

Thanks Camuchi. Fingers crossed, I hope you're right. I've just started the brake lines and I aready hate it. I made a brake line straightener and it works great, but the bending is not enjoyable work, at least for me it's not. My patience is getting thin.

[brawls43]

I also hated the bending. Had grand plans for stuff running nicely in parallel, but that didn't fully work out. It gets easier as you get some system down.

[windows]

I also hated the bending. Had grand plans for stuff running nicely in parallel, but that didn't fully work out. It gets easier as you get some system down.

Ha ha ha. Pray tell.

[windows]

A small test sample of Corvette style interior door panel I made on the bead roller and a pic of the real thing. I will likely use spray foam on the back side of the full size units before final install. Not sure how comfy they will be, but I'll give it a try.

[wfo guy]

You're getting there. I recently bought a Mastercool hydraulic flaring tool and wish I would of bought it 10 years ago. If your budget will allow it, I recommend you consider it. :)

[windows]

Thanks wfoguy. I don't own a hydraulic flaring tool, but I have a very good bench top model similar to the Eastman unit. It's not the flaring that irritates me so much, it's the routing and bending that is a pita for me. I have limited patience for that type of work, lol.

[windows]

I mocked up the fan. Waiting for delivery of dzus fasteners, then some triming on the shroud and check it off the very long list. And a shot of the front.

[hotrod56]

We want more! What are you using to mount the fenders in front? Are u using the core support or going to make something else? Side pictures? Nice. What size tires and rims up front?

[Godbolt]

Windows you are making me want a truck.
The lines on the body of this are awesome....and that grille.... They sure don't make them like they used to. Keep chipping away at that list.

[wfo guy]

When anybody will listen to me, I tell them there is 3 items that are important to the driver: the steering wheel, the dash, the top of the hood. I believe you're going to nail it. That dash is in my top 5 picks. I know that the steering wheel decision is made by the electronics but as long as the paint is right on the hood, I think you'll be very happy. :)

[windows]

Windows you are making me want a truck.
The lines on the body of this are awesome....and that grille.... They sure don't make them like they used to. Keep chipping away at that list.

Thanks Godbolt. Btw, how is the Mustang coming along? It is such an impressive build.

[windows]

When anybody will listen to me, I tell them there is 3 items that are important to the driver: the steering wheel, the dash, the top of the hood. I believe you're going to nail it. That dash is in my top 5 picks. I know that the steering wheel decision is made by the electronics but as long as the paint is right on the hood, I think you'll be very happy. :)

Thank You, WFO. Are you putting any miles on the Ford?

[windows]

I think I need one of these.

[wfo guy]

How's the project coming? When you asked if I was driving the Ford, the answer was yes for awhile. If you check the build thread you will see it was blown apart for finishing this summer. I have almost 2400 miles on it. :)

[windows]

How's the project coming? When you asked if I was driving the Ford, the answer was yes for awhile. If you check the build thread you will see it was blown apart for finishing this summer. I have almost 2400 miles on it. :)

Good to see you're making progress. I wish I was. Too many other things getting in the way. Building a hotrod golf cart being one of them.

Before

[Godbolt]

Haha! Looks cool, but nowhere near as cool as that truck of yours.

[wfo guy]

kart looks good. :)

[windows]

Haha! Looks cool, but nowhere near as cool as that truck of yours.

You're too kind God bolt. I have done a bit of bodywork and bought a set of SS headers, but little other progress.

[Godbolt]

Headers look good. I really do love the look of this truck and the work so far is outstanding.

[windows]

Headers look good. I really do love the look of this truck and the work so far is outstanding.

Thanks man. BTW, anything new on the bubbletop? I'm anxious to see that car come to life after seeing the awesome work you're doing on the Stang.

[windows]

Anyone seen Pat lately? Not like him to be away this long.
Now that the cart is finished and a host of other distractions, I may have time to get back to the 56.157455

[dhutton]

Are you running a stock length torque tube? I am doing something similar with a 56 Cameo but had the torque tube lengthened. Your engine looks further back than mine. I retained the stock C5 engine mounts on the front cradle.

Don

[windows]

Yes, I used the stock torque tube length. I used C6 front suspension, but not the aluminum cradle. And built frame mounted motor mounts. Hopefully I'll get back to work on it soon. I haven't touched it in a couple of years. Been too busy with other things. Plus the naggin' waggin' has a list as long as your arm.

[windows]

Would like to see your truck, but the doesn’t seem to be a live link.

[rat_rod_russell]

I waiting to see how you do the pedals. That was the biggest problem with my C6 57 Pickup and I used a front mount transmission.

Exhibit A
158440

Driver placement has stopped me from doing any other C5/6/7 stuff really. That and the added cost of all the other stuff you'd need to change to make them work properly.

[dhutton]

I waiting to see how you do the pedals. That was the biggest problem with my C6 57 Pickup and I used a front mount transmission.

Exhibit A
158440

Driver placement has stopped me from doing any other C5/6/7 stuff really. That and the added cost of all the other stuff you'd need to change to make them work properly.

I used a set of 5th gen Z28 exhaust tri-y exhaust manifolds which let me use the Progressive Automotive brake pedal assembly. They tuck very close to the head. Only had to move the pedal over 1/4 inch. Using C5 cradles and torque tube. It’s an auto so no clutch pedal.

Don

Don

[camuchi]

I waiting to see how you do the pedals. That was the biggest problem with my C6 57 Pickup and I used a front mount transmission.

Exhibit A
158440



Driver placement has stopped me from doing any other C5/6/7 stuff really. That and the added cost of all the other stuff you'd need to change to make them work properly.

Super cool chassis
This may be dumb question but I see turbos a loooong way from the intake.
What about lag?? It could be glacial in turbo time?

[rat_rod_russell]

I used a set of 5th gen Z28 exhaust tri-y exhaust manifolds which let me use the Progressive Automotive brake pedal assembly. They tuck very close to the head. Only had to move the pedal over 1/4 inch. Using C5 cradles and torque tube. It’s an auto so no clutch pedal.

Don

Gotcha, Auto makes that much easier for sure. Its also easier on the driveshaft. I'm just a hard ass about driving position now so foot box room is always a consideration now to make that happen. I'll be interested to see how it turns out.



Super cool chassis
This may be dumb question but I see turbos a loooong way from the intake.
What about lag?? It could be glacial in turbo time?

Have you ever had problems spinning the tires in first gear for any V8? Turbos or not? I can blow the 275's loose in my 5.3L Suburban in first if I feel like it with 5k lbs holding it to the ground.

Turbos were small to help spooling and get more area under the curve. And turbo lag is un-noticeable in V8 cars for the most part anyway. I was more concerned with keeping the CG as low in the car as possible. Power doesn't do you any good if you can't keep it in line through the corner. I wrote a small book about it in my forum post about that truck. ( https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/54980-Project-PT-57-1957-Truck-Built-By-Hot-Rod-Jim-s )

But I have centralized the turbo and other weight on my more recent projects.

158452

-Russell

[camuchi]

That makes sense, warned you it was a stupid question. I have never had a v8 turbo car
Only 4cyl high winder.
Y’all do amazing work

[windows]

What's this all about?

[dhutton]

What's this all about?

Sorry, bit of a thread hijack/detour about similar builds.

Don

[sginphx]

Any updates on this build?