 2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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05-14-12 11:37 PM - Post#2226019
When I went looking for parts for my '55 half ton stepside, I found a pair of '55 Viking fenders and grill, so stuck 'em on the truck and they fit the cab and hood perfectly....
Left is the truck when I first found it, then with the Viking fenders and new bed....
In those pix the axles still needed to be narrowed a bit to tuck the tires (barely) back under the fenders, which I did....
This is what it looks like today:
I originally set it up with a '70 Olds 455, a 4L80e tranny and transfer case, Ford axles front and rear, put it on the road ten years ago. It really was a work truck, got used to haul pumps and motors to job sites a lot, but I kept it clean and lookin' good the whole time. Couple of years ago the motor went south on me, and I've been busy working on a couple other rigs, so it's been sitting while I completed the other jobs. Now I'm back on this truck.
At the moment the motor is out, I've rebuilt it, and am fabbing some parts to convert to a cross steer setup. The original steering setup I put in has a very short drag link and any bump in the road has a very bad bump steer problem to the left, into oncoming traffic, not cool at all!
Will post pix as I work on the new steering setup and get it back on the road.
Have a home page for this truck, but haven't posted there in quite awhile. I'll post there as well as I make progress.
Aloha,
Willy
LINK to '55 4x4 home page....
Slow Old Man = Fast Old Car
Picture Trail
2Loose
Chevys: 55Hardtop, 554drgasser, 554x4truck,
58prostreettruck, 57Olds, 70BuickGS
Avatar: Bill Stinson |
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 Don57
"7th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1156
Age: 62
Loc: Illinois
Reg: 04-28-00
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05-15-12 04:11 AM - Post#2226042
In response to 2Loose
Looks great Willy!
Don
Happy Birthday to all the 1963 cars and trucks that are 50 years old this year. Get your car a present!
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jk56chevy
"10th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 820
Age: 56
Loc: maryland
Reg: 02-27-05
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05-15-12 06:14 AM - Post#2226085
In response to 2Loose
Very cool!!! I like it!
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Bel_AirAmerica
Senior Member
Posts: 651
Age: 56
Loc: Evansville,Ind.U.S.A.
Reg: 05-09-02
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05-15-12 08:43 AM - Post#2226148
In response to 2Loose
 That's a bada$$ lookin truck,but I think it looked good even before you painted it.
Rick
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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05-15-12 08:25 PM - Post#2226359
In response to Bel_AirAmerica
Yeah, it did look kinda cool when I was just fitting parts together.... My wife insisted on me painting it, and insisted on choosing the color, so we went to the PPG paint store looking at color charts, and she takes the blue chart outside and matched one color to the sky, so I call it "sky blue".....
Once I get the bump steer problem fixed, it's an easy truck to drive, with A/C, good stereo, overdrive, my wife was driving it a lot, but the bump steer problem scared her a bit, so needed to fix that. The motor was pulled right from a Toronado and stuck in the truck, cleaned it up and painted it a bit is all. Wasn't too surprised when it spun a rod bearing, as it did have a lot of miles on it. But it ran good until that happened, had a lot of bottom end torque....
Typical of those Olds 455's....
Now that we're both retired, we've talked of shipping it to the mainland, putting a good comfy camper on the back, and doing some "holo holo" (travel just for fun....) around the country, maybe even up to Alaska....
And who knows, maybe even a fifth wheel camper rig, that's be fun....
That truck would tow it no problem....
Aloha,
Willy
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drummertom
Member
Posts: 1804
Age: 59
Loc: Durham NC
Reg: 09-03-06
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05-22-12 07:00 PM - Post#2228781
In response to 2Loose
ME LIKEEEEEEE!!
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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05-26-12 12:34 PM - Post#2230053
In response to drummertom
Added some pix on my cross steer conversion mod I'm doing on this truck....
Aloha,
Willy
LINK to new page....
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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05-30-12 10:44 AM - Post#2231482
In response to 2Loose
Pulled the right side apart and took the steering knuckle to a machine shop to get it precisely drilled and tapped for my new steering arm....
Then pulled the left side apart and removed the old steering arm, it did not want to come off, finally had to resort to the acetylene torch and literally burn it off of the steering knuckle, here it is all cleaned up and ready to go back on...
More pix here (LINK to my page....)
Aloha,
Willy
Slow Old Man = Fast Old Car
Picture Trail
2Loose
Chevys: 55Hardtop, 554drgasser, 554x4truck,
58prostreettruck, 57Olds, 70BuickGS
Avatar: Bill Stinson |
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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06-02-12 05:09 PM - Post#2232675
In response to 2Loose
While I am waiting for the machine shop to drill and tap the right side steering knuckle for the new steering arm, I notched the left side frame rail for clearance for the reoriented pitman arm and the ball joint nut:
I cut the original 12" long drag link in half and prepped the two pieces to insert and weld into a longer piece of heavy wall pipe. The final length will be around 36", exact length to be determined when the right side of the axle is back together with the new steering arm on it...
Our "Old Dudes Racing" shop has a Smithy, a small lathe and milling machine, very handy for jobs just like this one....
LINK to more pix and details....
Aloha,
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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06-06-12 10:59 AM - Post#2234030
In response to 2Loose
Milled the top of the right side steering knuckle smooth to get a good match to the new steering arm, then drilled and tapped and mounted the new steering arm.....
I'm now shopping for new dust covers for the ball joints, 4 on the drag link/tie rod, and 4 on the steering knuckles, then it will go back together....
Aloha,
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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06-15-12 12:49 PM - Post#2237481
In response to 2Loose
Started putting the front end back together with the new steering arm in place.....
Aligned the front knuckles straight ahead, also the steering box, got the new drag link measured to fit and welded up.....
And pulled the motor apart to check a couple of things before putting it back in the truck....
LINK, scroll down for latest pix.....
Gettin' there....
Aloha,
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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06-16-12 03:05 PM - Post#2237931
In response to 2Loose
Well, I made the new steering arm too long! With the steering wheel turned lock to lock, each side is still about 10 deg (maybe more) short of where it was before I did this mod.
Two ways out of this, a longer pitman arm, or a shorter steering arm. Luckily, I think I can drill a second hole on the steering arm closer to the steering knuckle and solve this problem. I hate to give up turning radius! The stop nuts on the back side of each steering knuckle where they hit the axle on full turns are still where they were before I made the mod, now they don't come close to making contact when the steering wheel is all the way over, left or right about the same.
So, looks like I'm going to pull the steering arm and drill another hole for the drag link ball joint!
At least that should be pretty easy to do!
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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06-16-12 07:50 PM - Post#2238033
In response to 2Loose
Worked on finding the spot to drill and shorten the steering arm today....
(LINK to more pix....)
Aloha,
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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07-27-12 05:49 PM - Post#2252807
In response to 2Loose
It all came together looking good, now to road test it, but first I am going to rebuild the brakes, finish putting the motor back together, that will take a little longer.
Aloha,
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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08-06-12 09:01 PM - Post#2256625
In response to 2Loose
Spent today breaking down the blown olds short block (the 55 gasser thread). Just have to pull the crank and separate the pistons from the rods. And I started cleaning the blower heads, (expertly ported by Johnny here on Maui), to put them on the 4x4 55 truck. Olds 455 there, it will like the increased air flow. The gasser heads can just "get more pulley" if it is needed...., as those heads are out of the box Edelbrock, which are pretty good....
Pix soon, have patience....
Doncha think this has bumper sticker appeal?:
"NEEDS MORE PULLEY...."
Willy
Slow Old Man = Fast Old Car
Picture Trail
2Loose
Chevys: 55Hardtop, 554drgasser, 554x4truck,
58prostreettruck, 57Olds, 70BuickGS
Avatar: Bill Stinson |
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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08-11-12 09:19 PM - Post#2258316
In response to 2Loose
Tried to post more pix on the truck motor's rebuild with the blower motor ported heads, but some of them didn't take, think I am out of memory space at the CT server....
Here's my page #4 on my truck rebuild website:
http://2loose.chevytalk.org/55fourxfour4.html
But the motor is coming back together....
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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08-26-12 09:56 PM - Post#2263497
In response to 2Loose
Went thru the brakes, needed to put rebuild kits in the front calipers and rear wheel cylinders, and had to order a new master cylinder, honed the old one "endlessly" and the rust pits just would not come out, got one and the rebuild kits from one of our CT advertisers, Bob's Classic Trucks. Parts were good! The calipers/cylinders at the wheels were in good enough shape to hone and rebuild though.
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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09-14-12 09:54 AM - Post#2269597
In response to 2Loose
I've been using a remote, hidden, vacuum brake booster on my two Chevy trucks, a '55 and a '58, for 10 to 12 years now with no problems...
As I have been working on this '55 halfton 4x4, I thought I'd show the master cylinder and slave vacuum master cylinder setup. They are back in the truck, the system got bled yesterday, and I have good solid pedal feel.
Here's a schematic of how this system looks:
Here's a top view of the remote slave vacuum master cylinder, visible is the large vacuum port, the bleeder screw, the outlet connection (facing up) to the brakes on the end, and the inlet connection on the side that comes from the actuating master cylinder....
With the outlet on top like this I have not had any problems getting this master cylinder to self bleed all the air out when filling the system. The actuating master cylinder should be bench bled before installing to make sure all the air is out of it....
I bleed this system by slowly pumping the brake pedal, keeping the master cylinder filled, with the bleeder screw at one wheel at a time cracked and a tube on the bleeder with one end submerged in a container with brake fluid. I don't use a vacuum bleeder with this setup. It helps if two people can do this, but I did it by myself yesterday with no problems. With my 4x4 truck, even though the two master cylinders are under the floor, they are still above the brakes, so it will self bleed pretty well by itself, I just choose to help it along....
Another view.....
On one side is a filter system for the ambient air that goes in/out on the non-vacuum side of the diaphragm....
Here's the stock under floor master cylinder for the '55 Chevy half-ton pickup, and the slaved remote vacuum booster master cylinder...
It's been difficult to get a good shot of the actual installation. If I get one I will post it.
Aloha,
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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10-04-12 11:16 AM - Post#2276509
In response to 2Loose
I'll try to get some pix. Seem to have lost a lot of the bolts to mount the front brackets (alternator, AC, power steering pump) so am having to size and chase that down, as well as the bolts for the BOP motor to chevy trans adapter plate for the rear. Also need the longer dowel pins for the tranny with that a adapter plate. And figure out what spacers and where they go for the torque converter and flex plate and starter to make that adapter all work. Pix to come....
Aloha,
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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10-16-12 09:05 PM - Post#2280416
In response to 2Loose
Had some time to work on the truck motor a bit, had to fit on the trans adapter (BOP to Chevy), which required longer dowel pins, spacers for the torque converter, at the six bolts and at the TC nose, it all took awhile to get it right....
Then I had to work out alignment problems for the v-belt pulleys and the alternator, power steering pump, and A/C compressor, nothing lined up! Took quite awhile to find what was needed, fab the spacers, get the right length belts, and get it all right....
Couldn't find the dist. hold down clamp, so had to fab one....
Still need to do a couple of things before it can go back in, but I am getting there....
LINK to my page....
Aloha,
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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10-18-12 12:49 PM - Post#2280854
In response to 2Loose
Added some paint to the dizzy clamp I fabbed:
amazing how much difference small things like that can make....
And put the fuel pump on, it hit the Edelbrock head, had to grind a clearance in the head, but not a biggie !!!
LINK to that web page...
Willy
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3866
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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02-18-13 02:35 PM - Post#2318217
In response to 2Loose
Trucks been running great, slight rough idle, nice rumble from the exhaust, runs great!
But I knew I had limited clearance from the new cross steer drag link, and sure enough, the drag link was bumping on the frame on the right side if I hit a hard bump!
So time to notch the frame and reinforce it....
LINK to more pix....
Tested it out on some rough terrain, no problem now!!!
Aloha,
Willy
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