Project: 1957
Chevrolet Truck
Status: In-Progress
History and Facts
Design
Part of the "Advance Design" style introduced after World War II, the 1957 Chevrolet truck had a sleeker, rounder look than previous models. It featured a taller cab with in-cab steps instead of running boards, integrated headlights in the fenders, and a wrap-around windshield. The truck also had redesigned bed fenders that were carried through to the next generation.
Engine
The 1957 Chevrolet truck came with either a 235-cid six or a small-block V-8 engine, both with an open driveshaft. It also had a Power-Jet carburetor for better acceleration and protection against vapor lock, and exhaust valves made of high-alloy steel to resist heat and corrosion.
Transmission
The truck came standard with a column-shifted 3-speed manual transmission but also had the option of a floor-shift 4-speed manual or Hydramatic automatic.
Options
The 1957 Chevrolet truck was available with a variety of options and accessories, including power steering, a tilt wheel, metal visor, spotlights, chrome wheels, stereo, and seat belts.
Other features
The truck had a full three-person seat, and the gasoline tank was moved from the passenger side of the bed to an upright position. It also had a "step" between the cab and rear fender to help with access to the bed.
Fabrication
with Chris
-
Custom-built spacers for the rear cab to adjust the angle.
Core support mounts.
Lower Column mount.
Marked and trimmed back roll pan sides to end even with fenders for better reveal.
Welded and shaped the roll pan side joints to smooth out edges and to give a seamless transition face of the roll pan to the sides.
ECU and harness
Front drive kit.
Built out ECU, Fuse/relay, and gauge ECU mounting panel.
Modified and mounted fuse block to be hidden under the dash but still easily accessible.
Mounted and started picking through the harness for EFI and Gauge tie-ins.
Fabricated center dash drop.
Custom panels for corner vents.
Made fully sealed, self-clamping lower column mount.
High amp wiring.
Mega fuses.
Adhesive-backed cable keepers to hold wiring, then riveted once the harness gets pulled back out.
Dash switches and wiper motor.
Added accessory circuits
Radio remote wire and dome light wiring.
Updated fuel system
Vacuum booster
Trans cooler
A/C system
Cut out the ashtray frame and found a position for best fitment then welded the frame back into the dash.
3" V-band collectors that transition into 2.5” when the exhaust turns parallel to the frame.
Custom-designed fuel tank
Threaded plates for cable hold-downs.
Air scoop.
Drilled and tapped chassis for hardware.
Fuel hard lines and made supports for the center of the run.
Starter wire, starter trigger, starter battery, and alternator wires.
Removed stamping for original gas pedal mounting then drilled and cut firewall for new floor mount pedal assembly.
Mounted front bulkhead mount for trans cooler plumbing, drilled and tapped frame.
Removable plate for inside cab passthrough to give access to lines. Made cover plate to hold grommets and lines.
Made stub-out fuel lines from fuel rails
Drilled and tapped frame, mounted bulkhead standoffs for transcooler lines.
Bent and flared hard lines.
Replaced hardware on fuel and vacuum lines with stainless buttonheads
Soft lines for transmission
Terminated Alternator on maxi-fuse.
Welded in kick panel recess, metal finished edges, and painted
Made rear passthrough harness and loomed to termination point under the cab.
Stereo and accessories.
Made mount and set Amp power fuse in the passenger kick panel.
Set up condenser on new core support, worked out line routing, and punched a hole through grille side fill panel into inner fender area.
New radiator mount: tacked-in mounts and modified as needed for fitment before fully welding it in.
modified fan shroud to work with new radiator mounts.
Fully mounted radiator and fan together and installed on core support.
Fan and A/C clutch control wiring under the dash to relay and kick panel.
Pulled apart factory A/C harness and cut it down to size.
Mounted relay and circuit breaker under the dash and wired into A/C Harness
Made Guide Bends for A/C Hardlines to mirror with Stainless line.
Made aluminum Scoop for the trans cooler.
Drilled and Tapped chassis for wire runs on the passenger side.
Chased Leaks in the brake system, reseated and tightened.
Laid out and mocked up courtesy light switch on driver’s door. [Push-in style will not work]
Ordered 55-57 passenger car oval face to put in upper door frame like corvettes and Bel Airs
Made bracket for A/C Dryer and hung on the car.
Rear chassis harness. Broke-out fuel tank wiring loomed and heat shrink transition
Drilled and tapped frame.
ran wiring to the rear of the chassis and clamped in place.
Removed broken tap from chassis and repaired hole.
Pulled roll pan ran crossover wiring.
Drilled and tapped frame.
Cut down clamps to size and install.
Found suitable license plate light for roll pan and prewired.
MORE TO COME