WL: 52 Studebaker

[Jesse]

Alright, so I finally decided to make one of these. We (My dad and I) are about a year into this build and probably about half way done. We found this truck about 4 miles from our house in a barn. It hadn't been licensed since 1978 so Im assuming it has been there for about 30 years.
Pics of it after we drug it out of the barn and brought it to our shop
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera238.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera239.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera250.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Stud[IMG]http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera252.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera253.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera254.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera255.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera256.jpg

The Interior was COMPLETELY covered in mouse **** and still smells. The donor car was a 1998 Firebird Formula. We picked it up from an insurace auction in KS. It had an interior fire but from the firewall forward was still good. Tore out the LS1, shitty4L60E, driveshaft, rearend, and a bunch of other misc parts.
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/Photo_051707_001.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/Photo_051707_002.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/Photo_051707_003.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/Photo_051707_004.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/Photo_051707_005.jpg

Tore the truck completely down and started working on the frame...boxed, shorteded and c-notched. (Sweet temporary crossmember huh)
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061052PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061156PM.jpg

Mustang 2 IFS from Fatman Fabrications. Got the Stage 4 kit with Air Ride Technologies Bags, Polished A-Arms and a 2 inch drop spindle.
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008060842PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/Photo_081107_003.jpg

GM 10 bolt rearend with 4.10 gears and Air Ride Technologies 4-link. Also got the LS1 mounted in
Got a custom PCM made since the 98's are shitty. It was out of a 02 silverado and we had a guy take out all the emissions and tune it.
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/stude.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061434PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061342PM.jpg

It was originally a 3/4 ton truck with a long box... Cut 1 foot off the front and 1 foot off the back to make it a short box.
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008062039PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008062121PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008062215PM.jpg

Starting to get the body back on the frame and a bunch of other misc pictures
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061909PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008062300PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008062347PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061514PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061558PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061649PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061737PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061821PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/06-30-2008061951PM.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/Photo_121307_002.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/Photo_020208_001.jpg

Got the body all back on and the truck is finally driveable. These are the most current pictures I have. It looks pretty good slammed. The bags have a lot more travel than I expected.
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera267.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera265.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera266-1.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera267-1.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera268.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera270.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera272.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera273.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera276.jpg

Interior- Bucket seats from Grand Prix, Custom Ididit steering column...haven't really done much with the interior so far..the whole truck is gunna get torn down again anyway
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera275.jpg
Prettymuch stock LS1 with pacesetter LT's and 3 inch dual exhaust w/ x-pipe - no cats
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera271.jpg

That is all for now...Future Plans
2.5 inch chop and section
TSP 228 cam
PRC LS6 heads
LS6 intake
Air Conditioning from Vintage Air
Complete Tear Down (Again)
Powdercoat frame and everything else
Navy blue and champagne two-tone paint
Interior- recover seats in leather, build a center console..alot of other stuff
Thats all I can think of at the moment. I know there is a ton more stuff

[regal403]

Nice truck man.

[82355]

****ing sweet.

Martin

[Johnny]

real cool, but did you just use the 10 bolt cause it came with the car? i figure that with that much fab a ford rear would have been a better choice...

def cool tho

[Jesse]

yeah basically, I didn't know 10 bolts were so shitty untill we already had the rearend narrowed and new axles. A 9 inch ford would be nice but they are pretty pricey. Plus its not gunna be raced or anything, and its a auto

[fmstruck]

I love old lines like that. We (Dad and I) had a '47 M15 Stude that we drug out of a corn crib. It looked a lot like yours did, but it was so intact that we couldn't bring ourselves to cut it up and modernize it so we redid the brakes, got the no hp flathead 6 running and used it as a shop truck for a while.

Bitchin' Truck by the way.

[RED]

u did a really nice job looks great so far dont see too many nice lazy S's with a ls1

[Burntz]

that **** is ****in sweet so far. im really impressed

[spoonraker]

very nice

[Hibs]

****ing sweet.

Martin

[sn95.0]

very nice jesse. I still need to come down there and get a ride in that thing.

[srt-4_uk]

That looks awesome

[AWeb80]

very nice jesse. I still need to come down there and get a ride in that thing.
ya

I still need to call you and drop by sometime.......I still see you have the ol Chevy.....:woot:

[Jesse]

very nice jesse. I still need to come down there and get a ride in that thing.
ya

I still need to call you and drop by sometime.......I still see you have the ol Chevy.....:woot:

yep that's my dad's dd...that is actually next on the list!! You can also see the 73 monte carlo in a couple of the pics too

[AeroSS_87]

Your dad has had that monte forever! Truck is very well done.

[Jesse]

Your dad has had that monte forever! Truck is very well done.

yeah it was his high school car, bought it in 76 i believe

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera375.jpg

[AeroSS_87]

when did he get rid of the old keystone wheels?

[Jasen]

Nice truck....I would have skipped the tail lights though....it's the peckerwood in me.
Someday, I'd like to have a '46.

[Jesse]

when did he get rid of the old keystone wheels?

He restored it in 05 after it got totaled by the Hallam tornado

[AeroSS_87]

Oh **** it was out there? Got any pictures?

[Jesse]

Oh **** it was out there? Got any pictures?

I'll try to dig some up quick

[Jesse]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/monteaftertornado.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/interiorofmonte.jpg

[AWeb80]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had no idea that thing got crushed....I bet he was pissed/saddened...

Glad to see he fixed it though...........

[AeroSS_87]

Holy ****! wow I'm so glad he didn't just junk it after that. Personally, I'd have kept the turbine wheels.

[Jesse]

Holy ****! wow I'm so glad he didn't just junk it after that. Personally, I'd have kept the turbine wheels.

i would never let him junk/sell it...he already tried to sell it once back in the day when I was 10 but I wouldn't let him......yeah the wheels looked good on that car but they were old/discontinued and we had 2 centercaps broken on them so we got some Boyd Coddington's

[AeroSS_87]

TO haas on west O still has a bunch of those old school caps from way back in the day... at least last I checked. they may have junked all those.

[Lt4TransAm]

Nice! That truck has come along way.

[Jesse]

UPDATE!!


Front bumper on and tucked as far as possible for now......
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera404.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera405.jpg

Put on the tailgate and fabbed up a rollpan
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera400.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera399.jpg

Made some innerfenders/tubbs out of a rear chopper fender we ordered.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera403.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera402.jpg

warped a bit :pissed: but that's what bondo is for:bolt:
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera408.jpg

Just some pics I took with it slammed
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera407.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera406.jpg

Next up......Guages
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera409.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera410.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera411.jpg

[sn95.0]

looking good

[82355]

Very nice.

Martin

[AWeb80]

HOT

[AWeb80]

btw, you want to start on our 46?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/AWeb/Dad%20and%20Families%20cars/mini-mini-IMG_2845.jpg

[Jesse]

btw, you want to start on our 46?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/AWeb/Dad%20and%20Families%20cars/mini-mini-IMG_2845.jpg

haha...maybe we can run some moonshine together

[Burntz]

this thing is gonna be so insanely sick when its done. god..

lemme go grab some kleenex quick

[Jesse]

this thing is gonna be so insanely sick when its done. god..

lemme go grab some kleenex quick

thanks man... hoping to have it done by the end of winter but there is still a **** ton of stuff to do on it

[Jesse]

Another Update

Got the ac/heater all tucked in the firewall as best as we can. Got the unit from Southern Rods
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera448.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera449.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera452.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera450.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera451.jpg
gay ac controls that came w/ the unit
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera459.jpg
4X4 MODE!!!
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera453.jpg
Just some random pictures I took and some random parts that still need installed
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera455.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera454.jpg
Ididit Steering column.. custom made for this truck w/ a 3 inch drop
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera456.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera463.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera464.jpg
mmmmmmm...cruise control
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera465.jpg
super fun wiring diagram for the ac unit
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera460.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/MomsCamera458.jpg

[AWeb80]

NICE

but learn to use Macro mode.

[HINZ28]

comin together good

[Gentoo]

awesome

[Jesse]

NICE

but learn to use Macro mode.

dude, it's like a 1995 fujifilm, it doesn't have those options

[AWeb80]

OH!

LOL

[Jesse]

UPDATE!
Haven't had much time this winter to work on this thing but we are hitting it hard now... This last week we started working on the dash. We cut the old one out and welded in the new one.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera501.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera504.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera502.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera503.jpg

All primed up and guages in
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera511.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera510.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera509.jpg

Just some other random pictures I took:

Ride Height
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera505.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera506.jpg

Slammed
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera514.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera515.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera516.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera517.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/Studebaker/MomsCamera519.jpg

[sn95.0]

Looking good

[spoonraker]

That's not the most exciting dashboard... but overall it's lookin good.

[Jesse]

That's not the most exciting dashboard... but overall it's lookin good.
yeah i know, but it's clean and simple and looks good... It just needs something else to complete it and tie everything together

[Burntz]

the dash is simple, it needs a radio though, cmon now.

I can't wait to see the thing painted.

[Jesse]

did a little burnout the other day:D
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/IMAGE_108.jpg

got the 22's spinnin pretty good lol

[schovil69]

Looks like some suspension issues with the evidence of wheel hop on the ground. Do you have plans for the suspension?

[Jesse]

Looks like some suspension issues with the evidence of wheel hop on the ground. Do you have plans for the suspension?

no there are no suspension issues...that is from that strip of road tar that I spun across, the truck is 4 linked

[Grey03GT]

Please take those gay ass wheels off! you black or something?

[82355]

The wheels are pretty awful, on what would be an otherwise very cool truck.

Martin

[Jesse]

Well, we finally got some stuff done to this thing again....

We had to tub the front fenders because of some rubbing issues...
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191425AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191458AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191448AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191510AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191515AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191522AmericaChicago2010.jpg

Getting ready to chop and section the top:eek2smiley:
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191530AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191537AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191550AmericaChicago2010.jpg
Point of no return.....
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191605AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191616AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02191629AmericaChicago2010.jpg
Cut the 2.5 inches out
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02194053AmericaChicago2010.jpg
put the roof back on to see what i looks like, plus it shows how much of a section it needs
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02194118AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02194129AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/TueFeb02194138AmericaChicago2010.jpg

[96speedZ28]

NICE!

[Lt4TransAm]

Looks like alot of work. Comming along good though

[Jesse]

it's going to be a TON of work for only 2.5 inches, but it will be a good subtle change

[AWeb80]

I really need to stop by and see this sometime....

[HINZ28]

just leave it a convertable........shoulda left the body stock :joe:

[regal403]

It wasn't ever a convertible.

[toom1h]

He is refering to leaving it without a roof... But I know what you're getting at joe <3
Posted via Mobile Device

[Jesse]

this truck is nearly identical to what we are doing.. chopped 2.5", bagged, etc...
http://www.customfabwelding.com/projects/50StudebakerTruck/after/IMG_4728_resize_resize.JPG

[DarkSlide]

just lose the rims that you have on it now. i actually mean lose them. no one should find those ugly hunks of metal.

[Jesse]

Oh I've tried to get the old man to buy new wheels for over a year now. Keep in mind this is not solely my project, I'm just simply helping dad with it. Give us some time...it will look amazing when its done, I promise.

[Grey03GT]

I was just going to ask what are you going to do about the drip rail, but i see that the truck you posted has it removed.

[Jesse]

Here are some more chop pics. Things are lining up pretty well and starting to come together. I had no idea it had to be cut in so many pieces lol. I love how the angle of the hood and roof line up now.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/WedFeb03193050AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/WedFeb03193123AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/WedFeb03193128AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/SatFeb06185811AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/SatFeb06185817AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/SatFeb06185823AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/SatFeb06185829AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/SatFeb06185833AmericaChicago2010.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/99eldoradoetc/SatFeb06185838AmericaChicago2010.jpg

Edit: Whoops, I posted these out of order... O well, you can figure it out

[nebdrummer]

Holy hell man, I didnt know you did that much work to this deal. This is sweet! How did the roof turn out? migging that big of flat panels sucks.

and, where did you order those rear wheel tubs? ive been looking at some big radius tubs but they are like 350 bucks.