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

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