Totally Polished 2355 Chain Drive Unit C Simi Valley Ca 93065
805-526-4997
1956 GMC Shortbed
There are some videos on the Movies page of the construction as well. The latest shop project is a 1956 GMC. The webmaster picked up the first truck, a shortbed, last year and recently picked up a complete running and rolling long bed chassis. Here is the beginning stages of the project. Stay tuned as the crew turns it into body dragging idea tester.
316 V-8 with a Hydramatic Transmission
GMC #1 1956 shortbed. Rolling chassis. Some previous owner ruined the frame by attempting to install a Volare front clip
GMC #2 1956 longbed frame. Engine runs, Brakes work and tranny works.
Removing the front clip of GMC #1
Cab transferred to the new Frame.
GMC #1 after Brad relieved it of the hacked up Volare clip
Frame taped and ready to shorten
Other side
Here we see Chris breaking in a new Sawzall
Frame piece removed
Both sides removed
Nice gap
Chris chamfering the edges of the frame for good penetration during welding.
Clamps and a plate securing the two sections together ready to weld.
Side view
Closer side view
Initial tack welds
Fully welded and ready to go on the drivers side.
Fully welded and ready to go on the passenger side
End of day 1. not bad for 4 hours of work
Marc from Voodoo Kustom in Shafter California was nice enough to not only donate a S-10 frame for this project but even deliver it.
Frame #3 for this project. Complete S-10 Frame.
Here is Chris checking the fender mounting mods needed after we moved it onto it's latest frame.
New Rotor installed.
1x1 used for temp cab placement
A view of the factory step before section #1 begins. 2 inches will be taken out of the "step"
One final shot of it stock
Chris commencing the cutting.
Here is the lower piece .
Chris cutting the top line of the 2 inches
Chris test fitting the piece to see how much body modification is needed.
The piece was lined up with the outer body and tack welded.
Here is the front view.
There was a slight difference in the curve of the rear of the cab after the section.
Chris welding in the alterations.
Complete and blended into the body.
Chris decided to do a special chop on this truck. It keeps the stock door height and glass as well as stock rear glass. The only glass that needs to be custom is the windshield. It will also take away most of that factory roof bubble.
Before the cutting begins
Marked off and ready to go.
1" strip removed from the roof area
Front A Pillar notched.
Before Chris' Chop
After Chris' Chop
Completed Chop
The above pictures demonstrate the difference. Note the top of the rear window lines up with the top of the windshield. The door glass now lines up with the top of the windshield.
Time to remove the gap in the roof to the raingutters
Chris removed the top to make it easier to cut out the interior roof
A new corner piece needs to be shaped to give the roof a better flow.
Getting the corners to line up on the sides and back involved some pie cuts to allow the metal to move out more.
Panel in place
Different angle of the new corner
Welding and Grinding the windshield area.
Here is a look at the windshield area. Blended clean and ready to go.
