This is actually my Friend Bob's build, but I'll be keeping this thread updated on how the truck is coming along. He's building this truck with his Wife Shannon, and with the help of their, and our good friends Chris and Anna, along with my Dad and I.
3.23.14: Bob's grandpa bought this truck back in 1964 for a whopping $250! His grandpa had the truck all this time until he passed away a few years ago. His grandma kept the truck ever since. She told Bob one day he can have the truck, but only under 2 conditions. The first, and most important one being that he can have the truck but he can NEVER sell it. And the second being that he has to take her for a ride in it. After some time, Bob finally decided it was time to go get the truck from Grandma's house to get started on it, and to get it going to take Grandma for a ride. So on March 23rd of this year we finally got the truck over to Bob and Shannon's house. This was the first time I got to see the truck in person, and it looked like it was in pretty good shape, especially for the age and sitting outside for the last few years.
3.25.14: A couple of days later it was time to start tearing this thing apart. At this point, the idea for the truck was a little ford small block, maybe a 347 stroker with stack injection. And for suspension, and IFS front end and a 4 link in the back. So We started tearing it apart to see what we had. We got the bed off after some grinding and "finessing". Also got the doors and most of the front sheet metal as well. Actually ended up being a pretty productive night. Even had some members of the local PD come by and admire our hard work after a neighbor called and complained about us working late.
3.26.14: Bob and Chris finished removing the body and sheet metal. They got it all torn down and down to the bare frame and ready for what we thought was going to be an IFS front and 4 link rear setup.
5.1.14: At this point we were starting to really talk about a game plan and ideas for the truck. My original idea was to leave the truck looking the way it does, and put an IFS in the front and a 4 link in the back. And for powertrain we were thinking a 347 stoker with stack injection still, the transmission was always up in the air. After not getting any reply back from an engine builder I started thinking of other ideas. And that's when the idea of going with the GM LSA connect and cruise setup. I ran the idea by Bob, never thinking he'd go for it, but it did spark his interest. So that was the idea for a little while. Then he got the itch to go with a Coyote 5.0 engine, possibly with stack injection or a supercharger. He found a good deal for a Coyote with stacks and a 6 speed trans, and that was the new plan. After contacting the company for an answer to a simple question, and being treated like a burden on them, he said screw it and we ordered the LSA package immediately. During all of this powertrain talk, as a group we decided to sort of go all out with the truck. After talking with Justin from Scott's Hotrods about a bolt in IFS, and a few other things, Justin mentioned why not go with a full chassis. And after talking about it as a group, we figured that would be the best option and decided to go with it. And after having numerous conversations with Justin at Scott's, and him always being more than happy and willing to talk and answer questions, we decided to drop the truck off with him for some body mods and bodywork in general. So on 5.1.14 we loaded up the F1 after work on a Friday and headed down to Scott's. We got into LA early Saturday morning, slept for a few hours and then headed over to Scott's to meet up with Justin. It was pretty cool seeing the cars there, and for Bob, Shannon, Chris and Anna to see his work. I was already aware of their work and recommended them, but still super impressed with the work in the shop.
6.8.14: Over the past few weeks Justin from Scott's has been constantly giving Bob updates. The truck was sent out to media blasting 2 days after we dropped the truck off, and they got it back pretty quick. Unfortunately the truck had a bit more rust and general damage than we and Justin thought originally. When taking the truck apart, they noticed the bed was in pretty rough shape. So Bob ended up having to buy a new bed and have it sent to Scott's. Also the floor, fenders, and the other usual suspects have the usual damage seen after blasting. So Justin and his guys are fixing all that now. We have to get new lower fender extensions for the front. Justin said they were too damaged to repair at a reasonable cost, and it would be cheaper to buy new. The LSA has been at Scott's for a while now, but I don't have any pictures of that just yet. Here are some pics of the chassis and the metalwork the guys at Scott's have been up to.
6.14.14: Today Bob got an update from Justin at Scott's. He sent him some more pictures of the bodywork and fender repairs they've been doing. Looks like they're getting a lot done on the truck. Also he sent a picture of the PRC radiator and condenser combo setup for the LSA engine going in. Thanks to Justin for making sure they sent an F1 radiator with the right inlet outlet configuration for an LSA. At the time when we ordered the radiator from Justin, the engine was going to be a Ford, so thankfully he ended up getting us the right radiator for the LSA hose configuration. Bob also got some of the Billet Specialties stuff in today. He got the outside mirrors along with the interior rear view mirror. Yesterday we also ordered a stainless grille, front bumper, and a few more items for the front end. We should have those later this week hopefully. Anyways, here are some pictures for you guys.
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6.19.14: We got another update from Justin earlier this week. Just some more metal work being done. Looks like they're getting close to finishing the metal work on the front and rear fenders, then hopefully the more exciting metal work will begin on the bed, firewall, cab and floorpan. Bob also got the finned valve covers in for the LSA. Part of the idea for the LSA is to make it look old school, and try to make it not look like an LSA. We'll see how it turns out, we've got some ideas. These valve covers will be the start.
6.23.14: We got an update from Justin @ Scott's over the weekend. They got the new bed in last week and got it all mocked up on the truck, along with the cab. Looks like everything is coming together nice. They finished up most of the metal work on the fenders. Justin say's the firewall and floorpan are cut, and will be going in this week. So we should have another update soon!
6.26.14: We got another update from Justin a couple of days ago. They finished up the firewall on the truck. Turned out pretty sick. They did a very minimal recess to the firewall for clearance, and to keep a lot of interior room. Here are some pictures of the finished firewall. The floors are next, and should be completed tomorrow or Monday.
7.2.14: We received more updates from Justin. The floor is all buttoned up. They did an awesome job. They did a very small trans hump to keep as much foot room as possible, and the truck didn't need any driveshaft tunnel even with the ride height being really low. We're looking at a 4" ride height at the front of the running board, and 6" in the rear. They're now working on shaving the drip rails, shaving the gas door, and a few other things. So we should have another update pretty soon.
7.10.14: Another update from Justin. Last week they got the original gas filler hole and fresh air scoop welded up and metal finished. They also got the drip rails finished as well. Next up they're going to be working on welding up the bed and doing to some modifications to it for the roll pan. After talking with Justin, we didn't want just a basic roll pan welded in. Justin and the guys will be doing some work to the bed to accommodate the idea in mind. We should hopefully have another update next week sometime.
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