Chopped 55 f100

[HOTFR8]

I understand about the hammer and the sentimental value. It simply does not look like it is the right place to me. Yet when you post the history I can see it fits into the project in a very different and very special way.

 

[don long]

Duke55
You have an extremely enjoyable thread
I love the custom stuff on the truck
The 55,56,57 chev truck is my favorite body style
even though I own a 56 ford p/u

It's great to read the history, you should be very proud
Thanks for sharing
Don

 

[nonhog]

Beautiful work! Love the louvers!
2 questions; Any old pics of the truck?
Very interested in the exhaust set up. Run it yet? Wondering if it will have an exhaust leak "pift" pift" from your relief cuts? Or maybe I missed something.
Never seen that before, not critical just curious.

 

[Duke55]

Another cool picture. Was taken at a car show in 1965 by a friend of my grandpa's. Can see the upside down 62 rambler grille and quad head lights. After my grandpa passed away the guy stopped by my sisters house and gave her the picture. Crazy thing is this is the only old picture I have of the truck. I have seen others with the truck in the back ground but none of just the truck.



I would love to build a stand to hold three pictures and set next to the truck at shows. The three pictures would be - current, when my dad had it and when my grandpa had it (hopefully I can find such pictures).

 

[Duke55]

Beautiful work! Love the louvers!
2 questions; Any old pics of the truck?
Very interested in the exhaust set up. Run it yet? Wondering if it will have an exhaust leak "pift" pift" from your relief cuts? Or maybe I missed something.
Never seen that before, not critical just curious.

I must have read your mind about old pictures. There shouldn't be any exhaust leak due to very little restriction after the venturi's. The exhaust steps up to 3.5" diameter immediately after the venturi's. This concept is identical to what the diesel trucks have been doing to cool their exhaust from the DPF. As for running yet - no, but I have been blaming that on the lack of a switch panel to finish the wiring. That excuse has ran out so hopefully it will be running soon.

 

[Duke55]

Duke55
You have an extremely enjoyable thread
I love the custom stuff on the truck
The 55,56,57 chev truck is my favorite body style
even though I own a 56 ford p/u

It's great to read the history, you should be very proud
Thanks for sharing
Don

Don,

I enjoy following your build as well. Hopefully I will be starting a COE build next year (also hope the wife isn't reading). I have had a few lined up for about a year but have been waiting to get this project finished before I bring them home. If you get up to Lehi to see your kids sometime and want to take a little road trip, I am a little under 2 hrs north of Lehi.

 

[Duke55]

Guess posting the old pictures go me thinking about the truck history more. I woke up this morning and remembered a couple of cool stories.

My grandpa drove the chopped 50 ford car as his daily driver. Then he and a friend started racing a car on the weekends. My grandpa bought this truck to pull the race car to the track. At my dad's funeral we had pictures of this truck hanging around and my grandpa's race car friend came up and told me " I remember the weekend old Duke chopped that truck". He said late one Friday night after a race your grandpa said I am going to chop the truck this weekend. He didn't really believe him but sure as **** he said he pulled up to the shop late that Sunday and it was chopped and tack welded together enough to drive it.

I also remember when my grandpa told me his philosophy about canting the back of the cab (or roof on other chops he did). He said he does it so they "look like they are going fast when they are sitting still".

 

[MP&C]

He said he does it so they "look like they are going fast when they are sitting still".

I think he nailed it!

 

[e30bradley]

I've been watching this for months.. Incredible work!

 

[Duke55]

Not much to update since I went out of town for Thanksgiving and my kids and I have all been sick, but I did work on it last night. Installed weatherstripping and side glass. I am using the weatherstripping for a 1 piece side glass but a made a custom divider bar to keep the wing vent look and guide the glass.











It is installed but there is likely a bunch more work to get them functioning correctly...the passenger glass is really tight for some reason. Seem that it might need to be narrowed slightly.

On my way up to Idaho I stopped and took a couple of pictures of the COE's I will be getting shortly.

 

[HOTFR8]

Looking good. Will be keen to see the COE build follow this one and hear of the plans you have for the COE.

 

[don long]

That is a nice trio of old iron just begging for attention
If I were you I'd grab one or two before they get away
Nice find

 

[e-tek]

Looks like you & I were in the same boat - in more ways than one! Everyone was sick for a week here as well - during our Thanksgiving. I'm also using the same style (SoCal - right Simon? ) knobs and for similar switches: wiper and Vintage Air controls?

What are you using for window motors and how are they mounted? I'm having a little trouble getting the ones I put into the 40Ford to move up and down smoothly. Nothing's binding, just sticking somewhere - motor or tail.

Love the paint too - has it been buffed out yet? Looks awesome in the photo's!

 

[Duke55]

That is a nice trio of old iron just begging for attention
If I were you I'd grab one or two before they get away
Nice find

I will be bringing all three home. The owner and I agreed on a price and now I am deciding if I am going to pay for them out right or paint the forth cab the owner has as a trade.

What are you using for window motors and how are they mounted?

Love the paint too - has it been buffed out yet? Looks awesome in the photo's!

I am using EZ Wiring power window motors. I have modified them to straddle the inside door handle mechanism. Top end is secured to the lower two door handle mechanism fasteners and the bottom attaches to one of the inner door access panel fasteners (fully secured by factory fastener locations). If this makes no sense I can take some pictures.

As for the paint, I like to sand and buff within a couple days of spraying. When the paint is that fresh, it sands and buffs very easy. For most jobs this is more than good enough. However, since the paint will continue to shrink as it cures some minor orange peel will return. Minor sanding and buffing will be required before all is said and done on this truck.

 

[HOTFR8]

I'm also using the same style (SoCal - right Simon? ) knobs and for similar switches: wiper and Vintage Air controls?

Cross topic conversation ?

What are you using for window motors and how are they mounted? I'm having a little trouble getting the ones I put into the 40Ford to move up and down smoothly. Nothing's binding, just sticking somewhere - motor or tail.

Tried any lubrication ? WD-40, CRC or similar type product. that is what they use on new cars.

I will be bringing all three home. The owner and I agreed on a price and now I am deciding if I am going to pay for them out right or paint the forth cab the owner has as a trade.

Pay for them outright. I never like trading work for goods as so many things can go wrong. Well that is my opinion.

 

[MP&C]

The stainless window trim really sets off the paint finish!

Still haven't gotten those measurements for you, Thanksgiving weekend didn't have time for the shop.... Soon, though!

 

[Duke55]

Installed weather stripping on the doors. Used a peel-n-stick weather stripping for the first time and I have to say this stuff is awesome. If you have never used it, I highly recommend it.







After that I installed the power windows and got them functioning, however, I cracked the passenger window just before I figured out how to make it work properly. Should have new glass tomorrow,

Then I decided to make a template for the windshield. I cut a junk windshield and roped it in. It roped in easy but I am still a little concerned. The driver side top corner seemed to have a larger gap between the glass and the pinch joint compared to everywhere else (when windshield was sitting in opening without gasket). The windshield already had some cracks in it. I didn't make any more but I did make one bigger.

 

[nonhog]

Installed weather stripping on the doors. Used a peel-n-stick weather stripping for the first time and I have to say this stuff is awesome. If you have never used it, I highly recommend it.

I cut a junk windshield



Peel and stick? Source? link?
What method did you use to cut your windshield?

Loving it!

 

[e-tek]

Does that W/S rubber looks wide or is it just that the W/S is so cut down? I've seen some other customs that used a thinner seal, or one with a chrome insert to lessen that effect. Of course I'm sure you're not looking for input from the peanut gallery!!

 

[Duke55]

Installed weather stripping on the doors. Used a peel-n-stick weather stripping for the first time and I have to say this stuff is awesome. If you have never used it, I highly recommend it.

I cut a junk windshield



Peel and stick? Source? link?
What method did you use to cut your windshield?

Loving it!

Peel and stick was out of Mid Fifties F100 catalog. Said it was made in USA so I tried to find manufacture and came across Steele Rubber that makes peel and stick in various sizes and geometries but I don't think they have the same one I got (I need to re-look). Also Mid Fifties was a little less money.

I cut my windshield with a tool I built that uses a geared air motor to rotate a diamond wire ring blade. Diamond wire cuts on all sides. So far this tool is the best method I have tried (still not fun to do). Previously I tried a roto-zip with diamond bit and a die grinder with a diamond wheel. Took me about 45 minutes to cut nearly all the way around the windshield. Going to switch to a coarser blade to try and speed things up. Sorry no pictures of me cutting, I was by myself and my hands were more then full.

 

[Duke55]

Does that W/S rubber looks wide or is it just that the W/S is so cut down? I've seen some other customs that used a thinner seal, or one with a chrome insert to lessen that effect. Of course I'm sure you're not looking for input from the peanut gallery!!

Chrome insert would help if they make it, however, smaller gasket does not IMO for this chop. I considered doing a urethane in windshield with smaller gasket but the windshield is smaller then the side glass and it needs the bigger gasket to make it look closer to the same size. Dont know if anyone has ever chopped one of these things to fix this issue but I think I would if I ever chopped one.

 

[MP&C]

I guess finding a custom cab w/s stainless and then chopping that would be quite challenging. Trim-lok makes some glass gasketing like they use on manufactured fire trucks, with a separate locking insert strip. This strip is available in both black, to match the gasket, or chrome-ish, for a nice contrast. Here's the catalog page if you want to check it out. Made by others as well...

http://www.trimlok.com/cat/Locking-Gasket/Browse-All-Products_104.aspx

Here's a pic I got online that shows the gasket somewhat close-up...

 

[Duke55]

I guess finding a custom cab w/s stainless and then chopping that would be quite challenging. Trim-lok makes some glass gasketing like they use on manufactured fire trucks, with a separate locking insert strip. This strip is available in both black, to match the gasket, or chrome-ish, for a nice contrast. Here's the catalog page if you want to check it out. Made by others as well...

http://www.trimlok.com/cat/Locking-Gasket/Browse-All-Products_104.aspx

Here's a pic I got online that shows the gasket somewhat close-up...

I am fairly certain the 53-55 custom cabs never had stainless trim around the windshield so making trim would be very difficult. I am familiar with the trim lock. My 78 ford crew cab factory gasket uses it. I think that is an excellent idea if I can find gasket that will work. The cross-section of the gasket on the website looks like the glass sits directly inline with the pinch joint. I will have to take a look but I do not think thats going to work. The gasket style on my 78 would likely work but it has molded corners. Thanks for the link to that website they definitely have some stuff I have been looking for.

 

[Duke55]

Steele rubber has all kinds of useful stuff.

http://http://www.steelerubber.com/general-use-parts

Something like this may work.

http://http://www.steelerubber.com/master-number-for-extrusion-70-1261-99

 

[STANIMAL]

One of those amazing builds . Cant wait to see it driving .

 

[6 Grrrs]

Just read the entire thread. Love the story and the truck. I've always loved the 53-56 F100s. Subscribed.

 

[larry4406]

Painted in the shop I built behind my house. The shop is 44' wide by 32' deep. Has two 10x10' and one 12x10' overhead doors and is divided into two work bays and 15x26' paint booth.

Incredible work. Please provide details of your shop, shop layout, and paint booth.

 

[Duke55]

Finally back in the shop. I have had a project at work that's had me working 6 and 7 days a week for crazy long hours since before Christmas. Hopefully things are slowing down now. This weekend off was nice and needed.

Since I haven't had time to extend the bead roller yet, I decided to try making a die and stamping the recesses in my kick panels.

Milled the female side into a piece of 2.5" square tubing I had laying around and installed some alignment pins.



Welded a piece of 1/8x1" ******** another piece of 2.5" square tubing for the male side of the die.



Stamped recesses into panel to match the inside of the doors. I first tried pressing the die in the press but was getting too much distortion in the panel. So I ended up using just one swift blow with a sledge hammer (surprisingly this worked pretty good with minimal distortion).





Passenger side installed. Must have forgotten to take a picture of the drivers side.



I also fabricated and installed a linear actuator on the cowl vent (again got ahead of myself and didn't take pictures - but I will next time I take it out or am laying under the dash). Installed braided SS power steering lines and finished up wiring the dash switches and engine.

 

[Kevin54]

Duke....everything you have done to the truck is just fantastic looking, but I do have to say, the hammer for the shift knob just doesn't go well with everything else.

 

[nonhog]

Duke....everything you have done to the truck is just fantastic looking, but I do have to say, the hammer for the shift knob just doesn't go well with everything else.

It sticks out like a sore thumb, which for me is what makes it cool and interesting, nothing mainstream about this build.

My vote doesn't count but I say keep it!

 

[NASTYZEN]

I like louvers. I know how difficult it is to make them and keep every thing flat in the end. The shifter is something different, wear might be an issue though.
I am enjoying your build.

 

[Kevin54]

It sticks out like a sore thumb, which for me is what makes it cool and interesting, nothing mainstream about this build.

My vote doesn't count but I say keep it!

Don't take it wrong, And Duke, I'm not knocking it as I know it has sentimental value to you, which was the reason for doing it. I think the main thing that doesn't look right is the wood handle. The truck is far from being a "rat rod", which the wood handle would fit in with.

I think if the hammer was polished, or even chromed for that matter, then have a nice chrome or aluminum handle, then it would go with the truck a lot better. And even at that, it wouldn't take away from the sentimental value any, it just shows that you care about it so much that it was fixed up to last a lifetime. No different than fixing up the truck to preserve it as it also has a lot of sentimental value, and you care about it enough to fix it up, finish it up and preserve it.

 

[Bob Heine]

I love the truck and I also love the idea of a hammer-head shift handle. Is it possible to re-orient the hammer? You have it installed like a T-handle shifter but what about a Pistol-grip style. It can be gripped by the square head like a knob, without changing the actual hammer head. I didn't make a real model but here's my crude photo-shop rendering using one of my body hammers.

I just looked back at your hammer head and it would even tie in with the aluminum scallops on the console.

 

[pipsters]

Duke....everything you have done to the truck is just fantastic looking, but I do have to say, the hammer for the shift knob just doesn't go well with everything else.

Gives new meaning to the phrase "throw the hammer down"

 

[Duke55]

I like louvers. I know how difficult it is to make them and keep every thing flat in the end. The shifter is something different, wear might be an issue though.
I am enjoying your build.

I consider myself lucky for pulling the louvers off. I was completely amazed that the stamping process didn't deform the metal outside of the louvers. I fully expected to have to do some hammer and dollying especially when I rolled the louvered sheet over the frame (though it would crease at each louver). In the end I didn't to any hammering of body work at all on the louvers.

The shifter, I have mentioned multiple times I didn't know if I was going to use it. Just fab'd one day because I didn't feel like doing real work. I will see what it looks like with the interior in it. If I don't like it, I will fab something that "fits". If I go to an all metal shifter, I will likely have to sleeve (such as heat shrink of tubing) where is passes through the shifter panel to prevent the two pieces from beating each other up. I guess the shifter I have now is steel sleeved with wood.

 

[Duke55]

Been a long time since I posted. I have been working a crazy project at work that's had me working weekends since mid November and had this COE dropped off on the 25th of January. Its finally done and I can get back to my chopped 55. It is HOK Platinum design pearl and Cobalt blue kandy. When I get some more time I will upload some of the metal work that had to be done. Now the owner will be dropping off three of these COE's and some cash for the metal and paint work.









Hopefully progress on my truck will be soon to follow.

 

[warpedredneck]

amazing work!

 

[BoostedSCrew]

The trucks are sweet. The 55 is coming along nicely. I wish I had metal working skills like that.

 

[larry4406]

That COE is bad ***!

 

[Bigplum]

That COE is very cute , really sweet truck , what are the headlamps from ?
they remind me of new mini or beetle