Totally Polished 2355 Chain Drive Unit C Simi Valley Ca 93065
805-526-4997
1956 GMC Shortbed
This week we had the cab sandblasted. As you can see in the comparison pictures, it did wonders for cleaning up some of the mess..
Fresh back from Sandblasting Chris decided it was time to remove the firewall. Instead of shaving the firewall Chris decided to just make a whole new piece.
Factory tack weld removal time
Here Chris is beginning the removal of the upper firewall area. It had some odd stress cracks so it was easier to build a whole new piece.
Removing the last pesky tack weld.
Metal removal time.
Blowing out the left over sand from the blasting.
Removing the seams on the firewall.
We will have a video up of the complete removal.
Firewall removed and ready for new installation.
Old Bent S-10 Frame
TP Certified 4x2 Frame
Here is the current frame.
Yes the passenger side hangs down. In its former life this frame had a side tilting bed. Voodoo Kustom removed the frame from a lowrider project. The truck was in such bad shape when the customer brought it in, it ended up as a parts vehicle. When you pick a builder make sure they are qualified and know how to reinforce the frame and crossmembers.
Here we have Chris cutting out one of the factory crossmembers
Chris is using cardboard to mock up a frame design.
After completing a suitable mock up Chris cuts the templates into sections for marking the steel.
Here is 20ft of 2x4 steel reading to become the frame.
The new Chop saw in action
Chris already throwing sparks with the frame
Due to the angle the new frame is going to meet the remains of the old frame Chris had to use a plasma cutter to get the cuts correct
Here we have the shorter pieces of the frame.
Two C Clamps and a 1/4" plate make sure the sections are perfectly flat before welding begins.
Chris welding tacking the sections and running full beads on the underside sections.
Here we see the new clip on the ground. The 1x1 is used for placement only and will be replaced with crossmembers later.
The s-10 frame is cleaned and any brackets removed so the new frame section will fit correctly
Close up of the weld on the underside of the notch.
Chris welding the new frame section into it's new location
Here we see the point of connection. The old frame will be pie cut and moved to fit securely with the new section
Final welding on the frame.
Finished for today. Next up rear suspension and rear end installation
