The project I've always wanted!!!

[FresnoK5er]

This was my fathers truck. I rode in this truck as a kid. My father recently passed away and I now have a project that he never got to finish. I've always wanted this truck growing up. As you can see it is in pieces and mostly unfinished but it as a rebulit 396 big block and a camaro front clip. As you can see from the back my father did a custom roll pan back in the mid 70's. It's kinda cool for back in the day but it will be removed. I plan on painting it a gloss jet black which is my fathers request. I plan on doing a lot of chrome to accent the black. It's going to be a few years before I can do much to it. My wife is headed back to school to be an RN. I love the 55 big window chevys!

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[HotRodPC]

I'd love to see this turn into something. Did you by chance mean a Cameo front clip for this? It would be awesome to find a Cameo bed for it too. Nice Project. Get bizzy wit it !!! Post often of progress.

 

[Manbearpig]

Already love this thread

 

[Old77]

NICE!!! I'm in to see how great this truck turns out

 

[89Suburban]

 

[GreaseDog]

i love that body style. just don't see them around here very often.

I'd love to see this turn into something. Did you by chance mean a Cameo front clip for this? It would be awesome to find a Cameo bed for it too. Nice Project. Get bizzy wit it !!! Post often of progress.

no, you can clearly see the frames spliced together in the pic of the truck in the garage. a Camaro or Nova front clip (subframe, stub frame, etc) is a very common swap/modification in the hot rod and classic truck world.

 

[Old77]

no, you can clearly see the frames spliced together in the pic of the truck in the garage. a Camaro or Nova front clip (subframe, stub frame, etc) is a very common swap/modification in the hot rod and classic truck world.

...and is that truck already lowered? It looks like the rear is sitting pretty low already

 

[animal]

Looks like it will be a great project.

 

[HotRodPC]

i love that body style. just don't see them around here very often.

no, you can clearly see the frames spliced together in the pic of the truck in the garage. a Camaro or Nova front clip (subframe, stub frame, etc) is a very common swap/modification in the hot rod and classic truck world.

Ahhh yes, oK a frame clip. Yes those are common for updated suspension. I just assumed fenders hood etc, which was also fairly certain Cameo is just a bed option.

 

[GreaseDog]

yup. you assumed correctly.

 

[FresnoK5er]

Yes it has a Camaro front sub frame graphed onto the frame. The back is lowered because back in the 70's my dad added a car rearend and springs to the back to get it lower. I don't know why he did that exactly but the rearend and springs will be hacked off and a 3 or 4 link added with an airbag suspension. This will be a top notch resto mod truck. I know the 55 chevy truck has been done a million different ways but this will be one million and one different ways. I can't wait to start on it but it will be a while before I can do much to it. I am going to keep the 396 but am leaning towards the 700r4 over the TH400. I still need to figure out what rearend to use. I want disc brakes on the back for sure. Suggestions????

 

[f1shman]

My suggestion would depend on what you plan on doing with that big block. If you plan to keep the engine mild for basic street use and cruising I would suggest running a GM 12 bolt. If you are looking at doing something more extreme with the truck, a Ford 9 inch might be the better choice. Both of these axles have good aftermarket support. There are also factory disc setups that will fit them, although some of the 9 inch late model factory setups might require an axle with the newer style big bearing ends on it.

 

[HotRodPC]

I sure hope you intend to keep the 396 mild if going with a 700r4 and at that, the 700r4 needs to be built right. I am not against putting a 700r4 behind my 454 in my 84, but I also know this is a mid 80's smogger motor and most 396's back in the day will have more hp/torque right out of the OEM box than the mid 80's 454 out of the OEM box. Also, for weight reasons and what the vehicle is going to be, I think I'd go with a small block. Maybe a nicely built 383 stroker. JMO though.

 

[Old77]

 

[FresnoK5er]

The drivetrain I've decided on. keep the 396, go with a built 7004, older Corvette IRS. It will have an Airbag suspension as well. I have other "secret mods" that will be cool as hell and make the truck stand out. I can't wait until I can start on it, but again, it will be a while.