My 55 chevy truck finally back on track...

[sginphx]

I started this project a few years ago but put my camaro before it and am now hitting it hard to finish. Started with a stock frame with mustang II front and 4 link rear, LS1 and 4L60 and started to do a fair amount of body mods. It is now having the finishing bodywork and paint finished and I have purchased a C4 frame from Russell at Nerd Rods and can't wait to see this come together. Decided on running a 480HP LS3 in lieu of the LS1. Russell is swapping the independent rear from a dana 36 to a 44 and still need to decide on trans. 4L65/70 or 6L80? anyone with info appreciate the help!

[sginphx]

In the beginning16382516382616382716382816382916383016383 1163832

[sginphx]

Nerd Rods frame. Russell is repowercoating it and the tank a charcoal color and swapping the 36 for a 44 rear163833163834163835163836163837

[sginphx]

At paint now..have a few adjustments because of new frame and finishing touches and then paint...can't wait!163838163839163840163841163842163843

[Jaymzz]

Nice project! Don't know a whole lot about transmissions but just had the 4l70 rebuilt in my tbss and the builder let me know they are very close to the same as 4l60's and if I plan to run anymore HP down the road I need to swap to a 4l80.

[myth]

I have no input on transmission selection from a track/autocross stand point(I run a t56). But from a cruiser stand point the 6l80 will be way more fun on the street. The gearing is better then a 4l60/70 and you have 2 over drives. I have had a 4l60, 4l80 and a 6l90 in my daily driven fullsize and I can say that one of the best things I have done is swap to a 6 speed automatic.

[sginphx]

Getting new parts in...164356164357164358164359

[sginphx]

480HP LS3 came in and trans guy is building the 6L80. Just shipped the PCM to PSI to get the ECM/PCM matched. Inner fenders from Rod Nerds came in. Getting closer....164537164538

[sginphx]

Should have frame in 2 weeks, ordered my TMI I terior today, harness and headers should be in in a few weeks and then the fun begins!

[sginphx]

Painter got the placement down on the Kindig handles thrown at him last minute164779164780

[sginphx]

Frame is loaded and headed home! Special Thanks to Russell and his dad Jim at Nerd Rods!!165045165046165047165048

[sginphx]

Where to start..after getting the frame back I decided to change colors. Tore the frame down, new bushings, hubs and bearings, Wilwood brakes and got it reassembled. Motor is in but still have to paint intake. Painting the6L80 now and then it goes in...167020167021167022167023167024

[Sbeck09]

New color combo looks pretty slick and definitely a notable change from most frames.

I wanna see this thing in person! When do you think you'll have it up and running?

[sginphx]

Thanks...body is at painters...still LOL. Should be ready in 4-6 weeks and then it starts going back together. Anytime you want to see let me know..frame is at my shop in central Phoenix.

[sginphx]

Got trans painted and installed167582167583

[sginphx]

Driveshaft and headers done167634167635167636

[Motoracer838]

That's lookin' good, next time I'm down in the valley (I'm up in Show Low) and have a bit of time, I'd like to see it.

Joe

[sginphx]

Getting the exhaust polished and exhaust hangers polished and painted.168704168705

[sginphx]

Well. Got the body on the new frame. A few small mods and ready for paint169020169021169022169023

[Motown 454]

Wow this is going to be amazing! The drive train looks great in the frame. I can't wait to see it in paint.

[pittpens24]

That's sick - what's your rocker clearance at ride height?

[sginphx]

Thanks for the compliments! Not sure ride height as it was only on the new frame to check clearances.
Update: Schott wheels are here. Body almost finished and cab has color!172878172879172880172881172882172883

[pittpens24]

Looking good! I am starting a '57 3100 p/t build for my wife. Just ordered a chassis from No Limit. Any tips you could offer would be much appreciated since your build is coming out so clean.

[Alwhite00]

Beautiful color choices. Great workmanship.

[aventino68]

Beautiful fuel tank, how many gallons is it and how did you come to that shape, I’m assuming it’s custom fabricated. Also how well did the inner front fenders fit? Nice build, love the small touches everywhere.

[sginphx]

Thanks for all the kind words. Tank is 16 gallons. More paint work done. Working on heat shield and started rear bumper174402174403174404174405174406

[sginphx]

Have the back of fenders Raptor lined. Thanks to my friend Tony rear bumper is ready for chrome174709174710174711174712

[sginphx]

Starting to go back together...175596175597175598175599175600

[sginphx]

A little more...175803175804175805175806175807

[Jimbo1367]

GReat truck. I'm glAD YOU WENT WITH the 6spd over the 4spd. You do know they sell the real large window conversion, right? thats the only thing this is missing.

[Vimes]

Can you go into more detail on what you did on the fuel tank, and what sort of protection it has in case of a drive shaft failure? How many gallons does it hold? That was very interesting looking.

[Motown 454]

This is looking great! I love the color.

[sginphx]

Jimbo..live in Az so actually like the small window here
The tank is a mid frame mounted 16 gal. There is a driveshaft loop you can see in 1 of the frame pics and we made heat shields for the tank to protect from muffler heat.
Got the steps on, 1 pc glass and nurelic PwC kit in, column in, dynamat in and working on A/C now...little be little177070177071177072177073177074

[Vimes]

Thanks for the response.

[sginphx]

Bumper brackets mocked up. Room for final adjustment. Shaved bumpers back from chrome shop.177341177342177343177344177345

[Motown 454]

Nice work it looks Great.

[sginphx]

Thanks Motown!

[sginphx]

Wiring/stereo started, bracket and battery/storage box back from powdercoat and installed 178278178279178280178281178282178283

[Bobbywracing]

Bitchin Truck

[mbuenavides]

It seems like you are having so much fun with this project. I can see the progress on every update and I am excited to see the finish product.

[sginphx]

Thanks guys! Wiring mostly done. Wooferbox, console and door panels started. Taking it to finish a few last items.178535178536178537

[C Presley]

Very nice truck. Bitchin!

[sginphx]

Got her started finally179216

[sginphx]

Got the carpet. Floor mats and seat in. Off to finish console, door panels and speaker box.179410179411

[mbuenavides]

It looks nice, I really like the leather seat.

[sginphx]

Working g more on the bed, figured walnut, a/c panels and misc stuff180084180085180086180087180088

[sginphx]

More done. Interior is done. Getting ready to finish wood. Going in for touch up and buff. Can't wait...180618180620180621180622

[sginphx]

Thank You. Just realized I never updated. 185767185768185769185770185771

[C Presley]

Dude just a Bitchin Truck! Very nice build!

[Jaden Young]

OMG, that looks like a well-maintained classic truck. The exterior, engine bay, and interior look intact.

[hotrod56]

Nice!! So how do you like the Corvette suspension? Where did you get the side view mirrors?

[sginphx]

Thank everyone for the kind words! Love the ette suspension!! More than I thought I would. I used mirrors from a 2018 mustang and cut the arms to fit the doors.

[Motown 454]

What a beautiful job you did on this, I love it! I love the distressed leather and the wood in the bed finished up amazing.

[pittpens24]

Truck looks amazing! Kudos for not doing a red oak bed - looks awesome! Sending you a pm

[lnirenberg]

What kind of wood did you use for the bed?

[sginphx]

Thanks everyone! Extremely happy with how it turned out. Bed wood is figured Walnut

[lnirenberg]

Beautiful

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Beautiful