My 1957 Chevy Panel Van Restoration

doc_auto wrote:

get it back. lol. you get them tie rods on yet?

No.. Haven't found the time yet to get the Tie Rod end installed yet.
Hey !!! I'd luv to get a place out in the country again. Maybe some day.

Hey, nice progress so far on this project. I bought a 56 panel over the winter, and am starting to look for the big items that I will need. My rust isnt nearly as bad as yours on the cab area, the inside is in great condition, the rear doors are beautiful. My big missing piece is some source for patch panels for the bottom 6 inches from the drivers door back to the back bumper.

Do you have a source? If not, I may have a local custom fab shop build me 100 feet of patch panels out of 20 guage steel. You want some? I see you have little left there as well.

Robin

Hi There Nerdboy70
Welcome to the forum.. I haven't seen your Introduction thread yet.

I'm OK for body patches. Thanks.
If the bottom of my panel van needs any I'll just pu some replacement panel for a Cameo box.
Tkx any ways

In2Trux wrote:

For the past few months (winter mths) I've been working on the frame.
-I grinded, sanded, and painted the bare frame.
-All the brake lines and fuel lines have been replaced and reinstalled with new clips.
- I dropped the rear suspension 3" I did this by flipping the front leaf spring mounting bracket.
- I did the frt leaf spring bracket flip the same time I moved the rear axle forward 3.5" from a 118.5" wheel base to the 1957 wheel base of 114"

FRONT LEAF SPRING BRACKET. UPSIDE DOWN




REAR SHACKLE MOUNTING BRACKET. Moved forward 3.5"


All this chassis work is being done in my single car garage

Question for ya guys.
I've had a change of plans on my chassis. As you know. I want my 57 chev panel van to have a late model chassis for better handling and for simply having accessibility to parts for it.

ANYWAYS my question. Can I convert this 89 Chevy short box chassis from a 2wd to a 4X4 chassis. I've done a lot of work to this frame. I would hate to have to get another frame just so I can have 4X4

do you want IFS or solid axle?

IFS would be fine for now. If I decide to go off roading. I'll start the planning for a solid frt axle

i think you could get away with it then. its gonna take a boat load of work but if you feel that you have put enough into that frame already then go for it. your best bet would probly be to get a whole front 4x4 frame section and weld them together.

I think I will just try and find myself a 2500 4X4 instead of trying to find all the chassis crossmembers and components to make up a 1500 4x4 chassis.

yeah its a little thicker frame and all.. i thought you were slammin it?

Ya, I was gonna slam it. But now I've had a change of heart. I enjoyed the all wheel drive of my Volvo V70R and now I'm having a blast with the 4X4 on my 07.5 Silv duramax.
When this restoration is done... It's gonna be an everyday driver.