Topic: 1954 GMC ON 2007 TOPKICK CHASSIS W/302

[DerekFrohlich]

2014 march 29, I first saw this truck online and had to go check it out, i always wanted to build a big low and mean truck just like this.


and sure the cab corners were rotted off along with the cowels, but how could anyone turn away from such a beauty!


2014, April 14, So like any sane person i drove it (yes it ran) onto the ramp truck and got it to the shop.


First things first, after taking out the fuel tank and seat, stripping the cab of most of the flammable material i got to work on the cab corners. They came out glowing.


After that i set my sights on fixing the gap i left, making a pie slice for the corner by the door.


and welded up the fuel door, the fuel tank will not be riding behind the seat ever again.


Now to get to those rotten cowels! i started by removing the grill/bumper that are deceptively heavy.


Getting smarter, with the fenders.


Look at that stroke!!!


Time to cut the cowels apart, removing the outer from the inner. here it is all cut up.


Now to fill the gap, i started by throwing some new steel at it.


and even more new steel! gosh did they pretty up something fierce. wish more people could see this (you cant really with the fenders on)


One more shot of the inside, just for you guys!


Now to get into that inner door plate this is what it looked like!


A little but of bending forming and welding, taking out the corners around it as well ( more work than i care to describe) it transformed to this.


Now what, Wait! I KNOW! how about a 2007 c4500 Topkick chassis with disk brakes sporting 19 inch rims! thatd be just perfect!


carefully we took the forklift and moved the cab from the old fire truck chassis and set it on the topkick. and just for fun threw the fenders on there.


But how do we get this truck low and mean! Not pictured i took the front leafs and ran them under the axle, lowering the front 9 inches, on the rear i took out 4 leafs, and raised the holders one bolting position after cutting them down flush with the frame.


Another view of the leaf holders.


After centering the front axle on the leafs and getting new U bolts made up our front grill/bumper it didnt want to fit. but with a chop here and there. we made it.


lowering the front fenders on the frame.


And we are ready to notch the frame for the cab to line up with the fenders!


and now its August 19, 2014. im sure iv left some things out. but this is where im at! such a journey.


chopped the frame to lower the cab, wow does it ever make a difference!


boxed in the rails with some 1/4 inch plate. just tacking it in place for now.


all tacked up and fitted!


maybe tomorrow ill toss the cab in there for on last check and weld er up! that hole-saw was fun!


August 22, is today and this is what iv gotten done so far

[DerekFrohlich]

ummm crap the images are quite large. is there any easy way to fix that, does anyone care? ill take the time to redo it if needed. just a little nudge in the right direction needed is all. enjoy!

[hotwheels]

Dang, that looks awesome.

[lowboy]

Great progress. looks great too. Thats how I did the boog bugs frame except I used channel instead of plate 

[hotwheels]

Wow, very impressive.

[DerekFrohlich]

set the fenders hood and cab into the notch, squaring it all.


its so satisfying seeing it come together like this. even if im no where near complete.

[hotwheels]

That is lookin good

[hollisc10]

Moving quick...you will be driving before to long!

[hotwheels]

Was hoping to get around to getting mine ready, but my work schedule won't allow it. Very jealous.

[DerekFrohlich]

Sept 3rd
Making the cab mounts! NO i refused to just weld a sqare tube to the frame and call that a "Cab Mount" so i did this. step 1 templates


Just a little bit of bansaw work and sheer work on some 11 gauge hot roll ending us at step 2


Step 3, clamp it to the table, cold bend it like a dumb ass and then grab the torch for ever other one and make life easy. all tacked in place.


step 4, The hole saw for my cab-mounts! much fun would recommend.


then i centered the cab on the chassis, bolted the mounts to the cab, tacked them inplace and lifted the cab off.


Then to weld it all together! ill cherry it out some before i throw the cab back on. but! im really happy with how its turned out so far


Power Plant time!!! I just picked up a Cummin's 5.9 all mechanical !!!!! !!!!!!



Here it is beside a 396 big block hahaha

[lowboy]

looking good  like the mounts Check the settings on your camera I had to adjust mine down as mine were so big that my internet would time out before they were done.Thrills of living in the sticks (no cell service either)

[DerekFrohlich]

Sept 9th.

Front crossmember ( it also set's up the fender/grill height. )

First a little free hand plasma cutting!


Then a plate so i can bolt the rad support to it


but the holes are in the wrong place so i had to redrill em, and add some material


mounting and getting the proper height was difficult. but well worth it


when i push the hood down the gaps are almost perfect. (i took out the locking mechanism)


that green around were im going to cut the fenders so i can widen them, this is the make it or break it moment.
however iv moved the tape around sense this picture.



some of the other action in the shop, i work in a paradise.

[hotwheels]

Hell yea, lookin good

[DerekFrohlich]

Sept 14,

Now for the big show guys!

i finalized my tape lines


and then i cut it up


and mocked up were the fenders should go
 

and just like that presto, they are filled in

[oldskool49]

Looks good. 1 thing that you might try is after down loading the pictures into your computer is to go into that album, right click on the picture that you want to post and it should give u a drop down  box with options, 1 being re-size, click on that and you get another drop down. Take that from 100% to 30% and that should give you the best size for posting. Click on the red x and say yes to save.

I want to know what that is that is on the lift ??