Introduction from Ottawa, Ontario

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Introduction from Ottawa, Ontario

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

Welcome Jen..I am in St.Marys ..but Ottawa is where I was hatched..and lived for many years,lots of family in that area and usually there at least twice year ..you will friendly help and friends here with the occasional dash of verbal fisti-cuffs..nothing to worry about a few skinned knuckles and such..Glad to have you on the forum..

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to exchanging chit chat with people in the forums.

Boots · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Welcome Jen. It may be possible on this site to locate an original frame as most projects start and end with cab-offs builds. Lots of helpful people on here and I'm sure you'll enjoy sharing experiences and adventures which are sure to be in your future. Ask me how I know??????

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Hi Boots,

Thanks for the welcome. You read my mind, I definitely want to get the original frame for the truck and get it sitting right. That's number one on my list.

I am looking forward to posting my adventures and experiences, I'm sure you will all at least get a good chuckle out of it if anything. Haha!

JPB · AYLMER, ONT

Welcome from Aylmer,enjoy!

31 Blackrat · WATERDOWN, ONT

Welcome from Waterdown jen.. Burn the tires off that chevy..jim

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

hi jen. i'm originally an ottawa boy but joined the military and moved on figuring i would retire there but plans never stay the same and things happen . i have a 55 gmc that sat at my dads place in lanark for over a dozen years while i was traveling with the mob (slang for the military) so i know about the trials and tribulations of the tf model trucks. bills trucks in courtice does have original frames.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Welcome Jen Post up some pictures of your project when you can.. original frame where pretty much straight rails with a 114.5 wb front track width at 61.3 and rear 60.5

janies dirty 37 · SOUTH RIVER, ONT

Welcome aboard Jen.
Lots of great people here to enjoy your current build.

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Welcome from North Bay Jen, Ever attend "Capital City Dragway" ?

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Sacotu wrote:
hi jen. i'm originally an ottawa boy but joined the military and moved on figuring i would retire there but plans never stay the same and things happen . i have a 55 gmc that sat at my dads place in lanark for over a dozen years while i was traveling with the mob (slang for the military) so i know about the trials and tribulations of the tf model trucks. bills trucks in courtice does have original frames.

Got love the Task Force series of trucks. smile

Is this as of recent that Bill has the original frames? I contacted him before the snow about the 57 Chevy Shortbox frame that he had for sale and he said he sold it that morning and didn't have any other shortbox frames in stock. If he just got some more in stock then I'll definitely give him a call.

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

slim wrote:
Welcome Jen Post up some pictures of your project when you can.. original frame where pretty much straight rails with a 114.5 wb front track width at 61.3 and rear 60.5

Thank you. I'm going to see if I can post some pictures tonight of the truck. I am looking forward to getting the original frame back on her. It will be nice to see everything line up.

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

sasquatch wrote:
Welcome from North Bay Jen, Ever attend "Capital City Dragway" ?

Thank you. Yes, I have. It's been many years since I've been there however, and I think I'm long overdue to get back there. smile

NuckingFuts · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Welcome from Mississauga, Ontario

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

i know bill always has stuff coming up from the south and he also has a pile of frames in the back. i'm going by his shop tomorrow for a dental apt so i'll ask.

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Sacotu wrote:
i know bill always has stuff coming up from the south and he also has a pile of frames in the back. i'm going by his shop tomorrow for a dental apt so i'll ask.

Thank you, much appreciated.

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Here is my truck. As I said, it is a project.

slim wrote:
Welcome Jen Post up some pictures of your project when you can.. original frame where pretty much straight rails with a 114.5 wb front track width at 61.3 and rear 60.5

Dave Scott · ANCASTER, ONT

Welcome from Ancaster.
Love yer truck

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Pretty decent looking truck Jen, thanks for the pic.
Nice to see you have it sitting on that plywood.

Boots · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Truck looks good!!!! Sheet metal is in better than average condition. Taught my two boys how to shift a standard granny gear 4 speed with no clutch on a 1956 Chev Stepside nicknamed "Hotdog". Good memories and good luck on your build. Boots......

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

sasquatch wrote:
Pretty decent looking truck Jen, thanks for the pic.
Nice to see you have it sitting on that plywood.

Thanks. smile

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Boots:: ?????????????? "HOTDOG" ??????????????????????? Lol

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Boots wrote:
Truck looks good!!!! Sheet metal is in better than average condition. Taught my two boys how to shift a standard granny gear 4 speed with no clutch on a 1956 Chev Stepside nicknamed "Hotdog". Good memories and good luck on your build. Boots......

Thanks. It was sandblasted, primed, oiled and kept inside by the previous owner. I was very surprised on how solid it was when I saw it .

That sounds like good times and a few chuckles. smile

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

looks almost identical to my buddies 57 chev that we brought back from georgia.

2011-08-24 trucks at harbour 004.JPG

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Dam that's in nice shape. hard to tell from the angle but the frame could be workable ?

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Sacotu wrote:
looks almost identical to my buddies 57 chev that we brought back from georgia.

The GMC and Chevy look amazing side by side like that. What a nice pic. 😃

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

slim wrote:
Dam that's in nice shape. hard to tell from the angle but the frame could be workable ?

Thanks. smile

It doesn't line up well unfortunately. I would have to modify the rear fenders and step sides. You can see at the front as well where the fenders and the front of the tires are not lining up. It could work but I think it would take a lot. I think it will be easier to just throw the body back on the original frame. Everything should line up with less modification than using the 69 c10 frame.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Maybe they messed up on the wheelbase or the parts are not what they say they are. the 79-80 should be close to original widths , roughly 3/8 wider per side on the front and 1/4 narrower at the back . 70 camaro is dam near spot on . Don't blame you though I never been a big fan of clips and nothing works as good as the original frame. still have the straight axle on mine and don't plan on changing it anytime soon. Ill keep an eye open to see if anything comes up . Check with the guy on the newtonville road he may have something Hemi 43 or sacotu should know the name of the place

Iwannagofast · ONTARIO

Welcome from Vineland Jen. Nice looking truck, I really like the early Chev / GMC's.

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

slim wrote:
Maybe they messed up on the wheelbase or the parts are not what they say they are. the 79-80 should be close to original widths , roughly 3/8 wider per side on the front and 1/4 narrower at the back . 70 camaro is dam near spot on . Don't blame you though I never been a big fan of clips and nothing works as good as the original frame. still have the straight axle on mine and don't plan on changing it anytime soon. Ill keep an eye open to see if anything comes up . Check with the guy on the newtonville road he may have something Hemi 43 or sacotu should know the name of the place

It is definitely off. I agree with you, I'm not a huge fan of clips either. I rather go back to the original frame. Yes, if you hear of anything please let me know. I think I know which guy your talking about. Someone gave me his number recently, I am going to give him a call. There is also a place in Brownville, NY. I don't know if they have what I need but I assume with over 10,000-11,000 vehicles they must have something. I just don't know how far gone the vehicles are out there and if there is anything salvagable.

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Iwannagofast wrote:
Welcome from Vineland Jen. Nice looking truck, I really like the early Chev / GMC's.

Thank you. smile

51 Styline · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

Welcome Jen. Thats a nice looking truck you have there. Going to be a nice ride when done.

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

pm sent.

fleet 51 · PORTLAND, ONT

HI J 12 -- Welcome from nearby PORTLAND , ONT : Very good looking truck -- they are really nice units -- Keep us posted as you progress -- LATER -- DON / fleet 51

workin class · FINCH, ONT

hey from just south of you and I happen to have a good 56 truck frame sitting out the back yard. Also know of a few Chevys laying around if you need any more parts.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Knew someone would have one kicking around . Welcome to Ontario hoarders smile

Fordy Acres Car Farm · DORCHESTER, ONT

Welcome to the site! Those '57s have some nice lines and lots of character - yours looks nice and rust free, so half the battle is won!

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

fleet 51 wrote:
HI J 12 -- Welcome from nearby PORTLAND , ONT : Very good looking truck -- they are really nice units -- Keep us posted as you progress -- LATER -- DON / fleet 51

Thank you. I will be sure to provide posts. smile

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Fordy Acres Car Farm wrote:
Welcome to the site! Those '57s have some nice lines and lots of character - yours looks nice and rust free, so half the battle is won!

Thank you.

BAJ · BRANTFORD, ONT

Welcome Jen from Brantford. Sweeeeet truck for sure!

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

I hope that 56 frame pans out. are you keeping the camaro rearend the original came with 390 gears. different gear sets are rare and or expensive. i'm a little rusty on the chevs but didn't they also use 6 bolt rims. my truck has the original style front spring and steering (all has been refurbished) but my rear axle is truck 12 bolt out of a 78 jimmy with 3.08 gears (same bolt pattern). its a little wider and better selection of gears. i do have a spare truck 12 bolt but it has horrible 2.73 gears. if you need any pics of this stuff just ask i've had my truck for close to 30 years and took lots of pics of the work i've done.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

The trucks that came with automatics came with 3.08 rear ends. Mostly depends on what engine/ transmission combination you plan on running. 3.90 won't be a problem with overdrive.

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

bought a 56, 3/4 ton, chev, 9ft box, 235 6 cyl and hydramatic it was 3.90. whats left from the frame is under my matching trailer with torque tub axle from a 52 gmc.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Interesting Maybe a American Item . Canadian part book shows 2 ratios for the half ton Non overdrive 3.90 overdrive 4.11 3/4 ton 4.57 and one ton 7.36 . not saying that any of these haven't been mixed and matched over the years . The ring gear if I remember correctly is different than the US models as the bolt centers are slightly different. Again going by memory this came from Patrick's rear ends .

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

Sacotu wrote:
I hope that 56 frame pans out. are you keeping the camaro rearend the original came with 390 gears. different gear sets are rare and or expensive. i'm a little rusty on the chevs but didn't they also use 6 bolt rims. my truck has the original style front spring and steering (all has been refurbished) but my rear axle is truck 12 bolt out of a 78 jimmy with 3.08 gears (same bolt pattern). its a little wider and better selection of gears. i do have a spare truck 12 bolt but it has horrible 2.73 gears. if you need any pics of this stuff just ask i've had my truck for close to 30 years and took lots of pics of the work i've done.

I am thinking of keeping the Camaro rear end for now. Pending all looks good when I start to pull it apart. It is a 5 bolt rim on the truck. My rear axle is 10 bolt. I would love to see pics for sure. Thanks.

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

slim wrote:
The trucks that came with automatics came with 3.08 rear ends. Mostly depends on what engine/ transmission combination you plan on running. 3.90 won't be a problem with overdrive.

For now just to get it on the road, I'll be using the 79-80 Camaro 305 that came with the truck, along with the 350 turbo transmission.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

I would think by the list of stuff you have is that the previous owner used a complete car as a downer .The 350 isn't a overdrive transmission But I would expect that the combination you have should work fairly well together . Your right get it on the road with what you have and any other change's can wait.

J12 · OTTAWA, ONT

slim wrote:
I would think by the list of stuff you have is that the previous owner used a complete car as a downer .The 350 isn't a overdrive transmission But I would expect that the combination you have should work fairly well together . Your right get it on the road with what you have and any other change's can wait.

I think that's what he did as well.

As long as I have a little get up and go and I'm not holding up traffic I'm okay with what I got for now. smile

henrys57wagon · WOODLAWN, ONT

Hello Jen and welcome from Woodlawn. There are markings in the diff on the pass side of the pinion housing facing forward. One you get that there is info on one of the Camaro sites that give the ratio. Sandy Rowan up in Arnprior has a lot of cars etc at his place.

What area of Ottawa are you in? I have run my 57 Chevy wagon at Capital city a few times on Friday nights . They also have a FB page.

Lots of help/ advice(free) around.

Ottawa site

http://6one3.com/

-- Edited by henrys57wagon on Friday 28th of March 2014 10:58:20 AM