[KrucksGarage]

 

[427sleeper]

You're a VERY ambitious man! Lookin' good, can't wait to see more progress!

 

[oldjunkster]

Thanks for all the pics. WOW! What a find! I am following your posts/progress.

 

[Icantdrive55]

Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing! Need to get me a mini excavator.

 

[KrucksGarage]

Thanks fellas, I'm having fun with it so far. I'll keep things updated. I'm looking forward to getting the floors and trunk work going in the body and getting it mocked back up on the chassis. Going to go for mini-tubs in the rear, which should plane up nicely with the springs and frame rails. Can't get much tire under these in factory form. I'm looking around for a drop center 55-59 1/2 ton truck front end if I can find one around here that makes sense to buy. Otherwise I'll round one up, or a straight tube axle, through Speedway. Lots of parts to still get.

 

[stewartwhite]

Great project and progress, your mini–Track Hoe makes short work versus conventional tools and nice that it fits in the shop. Go with the 1/2-ton truck axle it's worth the time and adds to the details for a great gasser project there has to be an old logger's or fisherman's truck out there somewhere. I don't know how the quality of the seam welds on your frame but on mine it looked like a junior high student got loose on the first day of welding class, it was bad. We ground out a lot of welds that barely had penetration and burned over a spool of wire redoing the entire seams top and bottom and it did strengthen the frame.

Here is a picture of my drilled 1/2 ton 3100 axle with a fabricated 3/8" thick raised steering arm for a level drag link.

 

[KrucksGarage]

Great project and progress, your mini–Track Hoe makes short work versus conventional tools and nice that it fits in the shop. Go with the 1/2-ton truck axle it's worth the time and adds to the details for a great gasser project there has to be an old logger's or fisherman's truck out there somewhere. I don't know how the quality of the seam welds on your frame but on mine it looked like a junior high student got loose on the first day of welding class, it was bad. We ground out a lot of welds that barely had penetration and burned over a spool of wire redoing the entire seams top and bottom and it did strengthen the frame.

Here is a picture of my drilled 1/2 ton 3100 axle with a fabricated 3/8" thick raised steering arm for a level drag link.
View attachment 387225 View attachment 387227

Oh man, thanks for the compliments and what a cool project you have going there! Yea I do love the vibe of an old-skool-cool dropped front axle. I was taking to Sid's about their products and info just the other day. Pretty costly to get the parts shipped for the upgrades and repairs depending on what I can find. I can do it all myself if I can find a good donor.

Couple questions for ya that might help me:

1. What's the year of the source of your front end, was that out of a pre 55, or 55-59? I think the 55-59 are overall somewhere close to 3" wider than the earlier generation. Any source info on locating a front dropped axle would be helpful. I think I'm on the path but any advice is welcome with the parts and pieces to make it all work.
2. Did you drill the beam yourself? What was your method?
3. What are the parts and pieces (parts list....?) for your hub assemblies.
4. Are there any Chevy truck applications that ran the 5 on 4.75 bolt pattern or does everyone swap to car spindles/hubs/brakes to get the pattern lined up?
5. What front leaf springs did you use?
6. What's your steering arrangement?

All things that will help me along the way, love to discuss what other guys are doing. I'll look at your profile to see what info you have out there too.

Super cool 55 gasser! Thanks....

 

[KrucksGarage]

I got the spring pockets welded in at the front of the rear springs. Shackle hangers are getting welded next. Have the leafs mocked up in place. I'm going to test the factory ones to see the difference in shackle angle. These are definitely stiffer and come up shorter than the factory worn out ones.

 

[stewartwhite]

The axle I have is from a 1958 3100 the 2X4 rails are pushed to the outside of the stock frame rails which aligns right up for the springs and axle stay away from pre 55. These gasser projects require a lot of fabrication I have a machinist buddy who drilled the axle lightening holes on a Bridgeport Mill it makes a difference. Speedway has all sorts of truck brake kits I went with Spindel Adapters, Bearings, Races and Rotors but I wanted Wilwood Calipers and used GM Metric Rotors for a roller. I forgot to say I am originally from Seattle and see my father who lives in Shelton there is a pasture full of old trucks on the way out to his place I will ask my little brother if there are any Chevy trucks in the mix.

My old BBC Blown 57 Gasser/Street Freak I sold it though:

 

[KrucksGarage]

The axle I have is from a 1958 3100 the 2X4 rails are pushed to the outside of the stock frame rails which aligns right up for the springs and axle stay away from pre 55. These gasser projects require a lot of fabrication I have a machinist buddy who drilled the axle lightening holes on a Bridgeport Mill it makes a difference. Speedway has all sorts of truck brake kits I went with Spindel Adapters, Bearings, Races and Rotors but I wanted Wilwood Calipers and used GM Metric Rotors for a roller. I forgot to say I am originally from Seattle and see my father who lives in Shelton there is a pasture full of old trucks on the way out to his place I will ask my little brother if there are any Chevy trucks in the mix.

View attachment 387256


My old BBC Blown 57 Gasser/Street Freak I sold it though:
View attachment 387255

Awesome!! Thanks for all the great info on parts and dimensions, I'll keep all that in mind. I love your 55 build. Thank you for looking into the truck axle, it appreciate that! And holy smokes what a badass 57! I would love too see more pictures of that car!

Kruck

 

[KrucksGarage]

 

[KrucksGarage]

 

[KrucksGarage]

So the spring pocket conversion is wrapped up for metal work. I have the factory rear end mocked up to look things over. There's a good amount of shackle angle but all the dimensions are inline with every instruction set I found from the different conversion kit makers/suppliers so hopefully once she's weighted it'll all come into spec. These are more arced, stiffer, and 5-leaf springs, but they're almost identical on eye to eye length so we'll see. If not.... It's just a hunk of metal, I can fix it! Now hopefully I can track down an axle and get to business on the front end. Other than that, almost time to order up floor and trunk pans and a set of wheels tubs.

 

[E34croak]

WOW!! That is an amazing story and a tremendous amount of work. Looking forward to your progress sir. Well done.

 

[KrucksGarage]

WOW!! That is an amazing story and a tremendous amount of work. Looking forward to your progress sir. Well done.

Thanks! So far so good!

 

[KrucksGarage]

These obviously aren't shots of the same side of the car, but in looking back, the drop angle of the shackle isn't too much different, especially noting that the new setup is on and empty (unweighted) chassis. I remembered there being a forward angle but wanted to go back to see how much, fortunately I had taken this picture. After reviewing this, I think it'll come into spec just right after assembly. 👍

 

[noisy neighbor]

Thanks for the play by play on the spring pockets! On my list of to-do's for sure. Missing a couple parts of the puzzle, right now. Like a 40x60 shop!! Following.

 

[KrucksGarage]

Thanks for the play by play on the spring pockets! On my list of to-do's for sure. Missing a couple parts of the puzzle, right now. Like a 40x60 shop!! Following.

Thank you, glad you checked it out and hope my info helps! Let me know if you want to discuss anything. Yea the shop is a nice thing to have but believe me I've done a lot of projects in the gravel and sometimes under tarps in the northwest rain!! I feel spoiled now, but I'm ok with that haha!

 

[55TCB]

Great pictures,good luck with the build.

 

[KrucksGarage]

Well I think I have decided to let these cars go.

I grabbed a lot of parts and cut up the wrecked brown 2-door belair post car. So there's not a ton there but still a few usable parts. I have the 283 engine that came out of it which can go with it but I am keeping the Dearborn 3-speed that someone swapped into it, and the bell housing. I do have another 283 that came out of my hardtop project that's coupled to a three speed with overdrive (with cable included) that I could sell as well.

I haven't taken anything from the blue 210 4-door besides the corner windshield trim pieces that I needed, so it's pretty complete. Floors are toast from sitting outside for I believe 25+ years, and dinner panel rust here and there. Otherwise maybe a fun project car to the right person?

I'd like to sell them together if there's someone local that's interested. I'm not interested in shipping, local sales only at a "make offer" level. Knowing there's probably a lot you can't see, any ballpark ideas on value?

I'm working with my friend on titles still, he inherited all the estate that they were part of so there's a few death things that had to be worked out but they were titled in his father's name so I'm just waiting to get that part settled.