[G&R's57GMC]

I know this is going to seem silly to you but what you have is the V-8 from the factory. The Part your looking for is called the Upper Baffle Extension.

There is also a Lower filler panel extension and a lower baffle brace. I don't think they reproduce any of them.

Most trucks were 6 cylinders and the radiator mounted to the cross member. On the V-8's they used the extension panels to move the radiator closer to the engine.

Unless your building a numbers matching correct restoration you don't have to set the rad back and you can use a crossflow rad and electric fan or a fan shroud and a clutch fan.

On my build I'm using a 5.3 L V-8 and a 2000 Camaro Rad and fan assembly. (see pic's I'm using as a guide for my build)

[LDO]

Thanks G&R, it just looks like it's missing something (it is) with that gap there. Maybe I'll just make something since it's so impossible to find. Funny, you can practically build one of these trucks from a catalog 'cept for one little panel!

[Kinger57]

Hello everyone,

I have a 57 chevy 1/2 ton, in way worse condition than most of the great trucks I've seen here, and joined this board with a fistful of questions, but after reading this thread (which is awesome by the way) most of my questions have been answered. I'm sure as I get more involved with the rebuild I will have more questions.

I am looking forward to getting to know you guys.

I will eventually get some pictures for those of you about to ask!

Keith

[banjodr]

Originally Posted by Kinger57

Hello everyone,

I have a 57 chevy 1/2 ton, in way worse condition than most of the great trucks I've seen here, and joined this board with a fistful of questions, but after reading this thread (which is awesome by the way) most of my questions have been answered. I'm sure as I get more involved with the rebuild I will have more questions.

I am looking forward to getting to know you guys.

I will eventually get some pictures for those of you about to ask!

Keith

Welcome aboard!

[BmoreChevy55]

Been awhile that I've posted but the truck has been coming along as budget allows. I wanted to get your guys take on this potential buy, looks like a good deal but need some additional opinions. Some things to keep in mind, guy has no way of showing me it runs as it's in storage. I'm not sure if the heads are "unleaded ready".

Thanks for the help!

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/pts/2529322128.html

[garretthes]

Risky but not a bad price. Is it really supercharged or is that just an aircleaner?

[ShadetreeTim]

That's just an air cleaner. Unless I knew the guy was reputable, or I could hear it run, I wouldn't buy it.

[evilbeef54]

hey guys alright a couple of short deployments later, im back and might actually have a couple of months to get some work done on my truck...

the old rear end is still in waiting to come out, i have the 12 bolt rear waiting on me to grind off all the mounts and line it up and get it in and have someone weld on the new spring perches, i think i have someone that can come do that, here's where im stuck...

since the rear is already going to be out and needs new mounts welded on i was concidering trying to lower the truck from the stock suspension height now. I have seen where you can mount the rear end on top of the rear leaf springs like this:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=442586

if this is a good safe way to do it it looks like this would be the perfect time to do it since i will have to be doing new mounts on the rear anyway, but what about the front. I do not have the money, time, or experience to really do the front clip route yet, so that leaves me with either a dropped axle of dropped springs, is that correct? would something like this work:

http://www.performanceonline.com/194...ING-SET-16536/

would that be all that i needed to lower my truck the flip kit and lowered front springs? Is that correct so at this point i could lower it a bit for about $500, or should i be looking at something like this for the rear instead:

http://www.performanceonline.com/195...ION-KIT-18682/

and the same leaves for the front

or this full kit for the truck:

http://www.performanceonline.com/195...-Shocks-19057/


either of the last options would pretty much tap out my budget for right now, it will work to do the first option of the flip kit for the rear and the lowering springs for the front that would be the best money wise, if that is not going to be safe or there is going to be a lot of hidden costs involved in that and either of the last choices will work that is just doable, if there is still going to be a lot of hidden costs invoved i will just weld on the new mounts on the rear and mount it up stock and save the money for now. I would like to lower it a bit but dont want to make it unsafe to drive, and i really want to get this one back on the road.

If there is other options that will work in or around my price ranges please let me know, that is just what i have found with some searching, im not locked in to anything yet so i would love to hear other options too, thanks

[flathead49]

hey ya'll ive got a 54 chevy p/u it has a complete 58 1/2 ton running gear 235,3spd and rear my problem is i need a 3rd member for it or a complete rear end (stock 55-59) trucks been down for a week and a half and its my daily driver... help! 352-362-4124

[ogre]

Originally Posted by flathead49

hey ya'll ive got a 54 chevy p/u it has a complete 58 1/2 ton running gear 235,3spd and rear my problem is i need a 3rd member for it or a complete rear end (stock 55-59) trucks been down for a week and a half and its my daily driver... help! 352-362-4124

buy the rearend from the post above.

[ogre]

evilbeef
i bought my nflip kit from a trailer supply co. it consisted of 2 spring pads and 4 u-bolts for a total cost of $28. i reused the stock shock mounts.

i have pics of my axle flip posted many times in this thread. you will get approx 7'' drop with this flip. you will need to c-notch the frame.

the drop front axle you have linked will give you a 3'' drop. and will cost you $500. add $500 more for a mustII kit and you will have a 7'' drop up front too.
sell your rear end to the guy in the post above to buy a welder

[evilbeef54]

Originally Posted by ogre

evilbeef
i bought my nflip kit from a trailer supply co. it consisted of 2 spring pads and 4 u-bolts for a total cost of $28. i reused the stock shock mounts.

i have pics of my axle flip posted many times in this thread. you will get approx 7'' drop with this flip. you will need to c-notch the frame.

the drop front axle you have linked will give you a 3'' drop. and will cost you $500. add $500 more for a mustII kit and you will have a 7'' drop up front too.
sell your rear end to the guy in the post above to buy a welder

a mustang ii kit is really that cheap?

nds I will have a stock rear end housing that I will be you looking to get rid, the internals,.at least center section the deathly need to be rebuilt though

[ogre]

no i guess not. i looked at fatmanfab.com, best price is $1900. what they don't tell you is the steering column, mc and brake lines need to be upgraded too.

you need to decide a plan for your truck that fits your budget. maybe the best for you is rebuild the front stock suspension and install a new axle in the rear without flipping it.

this will leave you with 2 different lug patterns though.

[Oregonite]

@ evilbeef54, You might look into installing a Volare front clip. You can buy a 1980 car for $150.00 or so. (that's what mine cost) All you do is unbolt the K-member and notch your frame and weld the K-member in place. Box the frame rails. It's the perfect width. You can adjust the ride height with the torsion bars. The photo is blurry but you can see the torsion bars in front of the engine. I'm really happy with the stance and ride.

[57halfton]

Anyone have a good stock in cab gas tank for a 55 to 59 Chevy pickup kick'in around their not using ?
Thanks Gene