1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Hey since I'm bored I figured I would bring my project over here to this forum. I started it back in january while I was at school and have been slaving away on it since.

Started out as a 1950 3100 that i picked up for 200 bucks since I needed a project for school.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...-13-25_207.jpg

It was mostly complete but had some bad rust issues on the cab. While I was at school in Rapid City I came across an awesome junk yard. The guy had about 3000 cars that were almost all 70's and older. I picked up a clean early 55 chevy cab.

At first I was just going to step notch the original frame and throw a nova stub frame up front. But as i got into it I decided to hell with that idea and ended up just using the nova stub and build the rest of it from scratch.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...-27-55_269.jpg

So I striped it down and took about 100 different measurements from the old frame.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...6-11-24_57.jpg

Then I had the stub frame sandblasted and ordered some tubular control arms since the original ones were shot.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...-51-06_980.jpg


http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...-42-47_192.jpg

Here she is on the frame jig mating up the stub to the frame rails I built.


http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...-50-50_446.jpg

Since i'm on a budget I had to stay cheap with the wheels. They are 17x9 cragar soft 8s.

IMG]http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l562/chrislehmkuhl/2012-02-02_15-51-06_980.jpg[/IMG]

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...54284710_n.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...80252390_n.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...48659844_n.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...21774834_n.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...60368715_n.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...15268594_n.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...52356853_n.jpg

Here is after I got it back home and had most of the body on it.
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...-18-31_126.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...66432003_n.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...62681528_n.jpg

Then I started to rip the body back off to finish the frame and send it off to powder coating.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...36547578_n.jpg

This is right before tearing it down and hauling it in.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...07180236_n.jpg


Just got her back early this week.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...02140814_n.jpg

Here is where it sits as of tonight.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...32426681_n.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...54760617_n.jpg


Ill try and keep this updated. The body has to be back on and at the very least rolling when i start school in three weeks. Im going to have to bust ass haha.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Absolutely awesome truck you have there. I wish I could fabricate like that! What sort of powertrain is this getting?

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Badass!

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

That's going to be a bad ass truck!

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Cool Build!

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

You've heard it from me before, but the truck is tits.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Awesome project! I love the old stuff ;)

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

nice build!

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Awesome

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Very nice!!

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

that's sweet.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

What's the power plant going to be?

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Sweet, don't touch the body, it's perfect as-is.

I vote LS7 dry sump.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Cool project!

Did you mean to have the rear coilovers pointed totally straight up and down, as opposed to angling the tops in towards the center of the body? Seems like that might have some adverse handling effects.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Very nice. I have to work on my 51 truck

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Nice nice nice!

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Thanks for all the comments. I have a 5.3 for it eventually but being the truck has to be done and get ready for paint in a couple weeks im just going to build a 327 for now with a 4 speed. Within the next year or so it will get the 5.3 and most likely turboed with a t56.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Oh and on the coilovers i wanted to angle them in but my teacher wouldn't let me and the room really wasn't there to do it easily.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Well we started assembling the motor today. i was torquing the rod bolts and had about three done. Then went to torque the next one and snap. Arp bolts are on the way

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

you should tell your teacher to learn a thing or two about suspension.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

I say redo the suspension so the shocks are angled. Did he give you a reason to why he would not let you angle them?

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Not really just said i couldnt do it. I may change it one day but ill see what happens the way it is.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

I should mention i left the school due to it being a total rip off. Dont ever go to hot rod institute

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

It's been a long time since I have updated this. Unfortunately not a whole lot has been done. Heres some pictures.

Rear Suspension all done
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...547578_n-1.jpg
Even the Fiance was out helping me on the truck
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...389307_n-1.jpg
Floor tacked in.
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...TruckFloor.jpg
Fuel Cell mount
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...681528_n-1.jpg
Frame all together for the last time before powdercoating.
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...meprepaint.jpg
Back from the powdercoaters.
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...kuhl/Fram2.jpg
Starting assembly
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...TruckFrame.jpg
Decided to get some wilwoods for it.
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...ruckbrakes.jpg
Front ride height. Excuse my buddy being an idiot.
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...432003_n-1.jpg
This is the worst of the rust on the truck
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...A537A2D797.jpg
I made this inner cab corner
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...A50DD87674.jpg
Outer tacked in
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...A514F86A7E.jpg
http://s1124.beta.photobucket.com/us...ml?sort=3&o=14


Thats pretty much up to date. Havent touched the truck since probably november of 2012. Been to busy with my business/building a house/shop and planning a wedding. Hopefully ill be able to get some work done on it soon.

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

I realize i have alot of the same pictures. Oh well

Re: 1955 Chevy 3100 Build
 

Wow....thats super icey!