37 Chevrolet hot rod truck

1937 Chevrolet Other Pickups copper/brass/stainless Additional Info:

You can follow this link to see more pictures and videos:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s3esvr0ep0o042s/AACCJmjyUa4h0C9xabLhl5cja?dl=0I can be reached initially at branden@gistsilversmiths.com

I had a vision to build a very unique truck with a heavy attention to detail. I wanted to showcase my individual abilities, keeping safety and quality at the forethought of every decision. I chose to build out this 1937 Chevrolet truck, whereas form and function blended together, surpassing my expectations. I spent about 4.5 years time and over 2,000 hours, putting my thoughts into action. A hot rod shop could throw 5 men at the build and purchase a lot of bolt on parts as they build you a truck. However, I assure you that it would not be as well thought out and have the same feel as this truck. It would be just like all the others. This truck has been regarded by many as art in motion. I am very satisfied with all aspects of the build and for the most part wouldn't change anything. I initially intended to keep this build for myself, but now find myself on a different path, as I continue to expand in other areas of my life. This truck can now be yours, making it part of your identity. I only attended 4 car shows in Northern California and its basically a fresh build. Everyone can relate to this truck, finding something interesting to discuss. Rat Rod style but no rust in site. I do believe it fits into a category called "Suede Custom". I would enjoy discussing it in person if you prefer, giving you the full background and scope of the build. I will try and convey some of the more pronounced details of this truck. I can assure you that this truck is clean inside and out, top to bottom.

• Chassis: Front wheels 17"x5"; rear wheels 17"x6"; powder coated a dark grey metallic, chrome beauty rings, custom painted gorilla lug nuts with custom chrome spikes; Coker white wall tires with about 95% tread life. Frame is partially stock framework that has been boxed, heavy Z drop, additional cross members in DOM tubing and gussets provide frame triangulation and stability. Frame has been accented with stainless rings and a custom, hand painted enamel patina(bronze,black, splashes of red) with clear coat. Select areas of frame were over built to provide durability and as well provide a unique look overall. Being over built is a common thread throughout the entire truck. Front axle is out of a old Ford delivery truck(oversize), I retrofitted a modern spindle with oversize disc brakes and new calipers. Rear is a 9" Ford axle with drum brakes, open differential, all axle and brakes have been rebuilt with new seals, bearings, working parts, drums and pads(completely rebuilt all with new parts).
• Suspension: Front is a suicide single leaf setup with radius arms, its all fabricated custom built with stainless rings, DOM, custom patina, etc. must see in person to appreciate. Rear is a 4 link setup with panhard bar. Coilovers are located directly alongside axle in custom relocation buckets. Overall this suspension provides a very smooth ride. The front is slightly rigid but well dampened through custom fabricated friction shocks. The rear has a very nice ride and movement is dampened through conventional gas shocks. It was important for this truck to have a simple look that went back to the basics, but still "edgey". Considering how low this truck sits, I am very happy with how well this truck rides. I sometimes drag on tall speed bumps and air bags can always be added at a later date to help negotiate the terrain.
• Engine: 350 V8; Good compression, Milodon gear drive(you can hear it but not over bearing), Chrome oil pan, I replaced the head gasket, ground heads, and complete valve job, new hydraulic lifters, all seals new, completely painted engine and added a fresh look to the old style valve covers, new water pump, new alternator, new belts, new fuel pump, new electronic distributor, wires and plugs, new starter, new hoses, new radiator, custom radiator overflow beer growler wrapped in copper and brass spiraling, rebuilt the Edelbrock 4 barrel carburetor, added Cadillac style air cleaner with modern element, embellished front of air cleaner with aluminum metal art that says "PRAISE THE LOWERED". I made my own 1.5" headers in stainless and am running them straight pipe. I also have baffles you can insert to quiet the ride. Engine utilizes copper wire ties that are braided to hold hoses and wires in place. I accented the engine and the entire truck tastefully with copper and brass accents.
• Transmission: Saginaw 3 speed/reverse with polished torch shifter, All new seals, painted, refurbished. New drivelines fabricated with all new joints, upgraded bolts, balanced. New clutch and throw out bearing.
• Paint Exterior: Soda blasted inside and out to bare minimum, all sheet metal sprayed with sealers, primered, exterior painted red(same color as interior) and then exterior shot with an automotive grade flat black. I laid the black on heavy in some areas with purpose and in other areas light to let the red come through slightly. So in the end the upper portion of cab is black and the lower rocker panel section is also black. The entire center portion(majority of door) running around the truck is a dark blackberry color. It came out beautiful and not another like it. I still plan on going back and scuffing through black and exposing red in some areas, giving it a more aged look. The firewall on the outside is aluminum that is bead rolled
• Cab/sheetmetal: Registered as a 1937 Chevy truck. I chopped the cab about 5", sleeved, reinforced, welded, some body filler, new side glass and front windshield accented with rivets, all new rubber, windows are rebuilt and function well, windows are a slight shade darker. I purposely left this cab a little dented, but cab is fairly clean overall. I wanted it to still have that "edgy" look and thought it would be wrong to make the cab perfect and not show some of its natural wear. I promise you it is probably just the right amount of dings. The cab is ornate with steel rivets and some copper rivets as well. The bottom of the doors were fitted with overlayed patch panels with multiple rivets, creating a rocker panel similar to a boiler plate look.The front grille is sectioned to fit around the framework. The bed is mostly a fabricated piece consisting of shaped panels, tubing, stainless wire, original parts, speed holes, etc. Tail lights are re-purposed pistons with hand engraved skull mounts, The copper skulls have rubies inlaid for eyes that illuminate at night...LED signal lights, hidden wiring.
• Brakes: Disc front and drum rear, everything rebuilt. Wilwood master and slave cylinders, proportioning valve, front braided stainless and all other lines aluminum hard line tubing. Utilizes a hydraulic parking brake.
• Bed: Mentioned above that sheet metal is a mix of original and fabricated panels, custom hinges and tailgate, interior of bed is curly maple with an automotive clear coat sealing it in, some glitter speckles the bed wood clear coating. All wood held in place with machined billet, powder coated aluminum rails, machining reveals a series of chevy logos. Also I have a keg gas tank that has been hand airbrushed, analog fuel float and gauges at topside with race cap. Machined into bed wood is the quote "WICKED THIS WAY COMETH" in a very fancy script, also a machined matching floral sits below the quote. The bed makes me feel like I am hauling around an expensive diamond. Came out super sick.
• Interior: Rebuilt doors, locks and windows. Red glossy interior paint throughout, accented in leather, aluminum, bronze, copper, paint pinstriping. Bead rolled floor, door panels, interior back behind seats, transmission hump. Transmission hump is a combination of bronze, copper and aluminum panels with multiple rivets of similar contrasting materials. Polished brass torch shifter with copper conchos for valve knobs. Gauges are quality gauges that display oil pressure, temperature, speedometer, RPM which is located in drivers line of site outside vehicle. Also has a modern USB charger and voltage display, low and high beam headlamps, aux. toggles, 3 position key, tilt wheel, blinker lever under dash in chrome but indicators above eyes in metal portion of headliner. Custom stitched imitation leather seats with heavy red stitching and custom aluminum billet seat brackets. I am 5'10" and the cab fits me fine. I would think that anyone over 6' would be getting a tight fit, but should come sit in it. Passenger seat has plenty of legroom. Headliner is made of matching imitation leather in black with an assortment of fancy cowboy boot tops that double as pockets., Painless wiring kit and all wires have been ran in chases and or tied up extremely clean, You will not find a rats nest here, but close to perfection. custom fuse block cover with skulls which is attached by polished Cleco fasteners, Led lighting under dash to illuminate the cab. New door seals keep a lot of the noise out.
• Steering: No power steering and not an issue. I didnt want to give up that retro look on the exterior. Input from the tilt steering wheel goes to a new box that drives a pitman arm and DOM shaft to the drivers side spindle. A crossover DOM tubing comes across the front and attaches to the passenger spindle. I used all heim joints and the steering does walk around a little as you negotiate the open road. It is very important you are paying attention to the drive at all times. Driving with one hand is possible but not recommended. The steering system is very solid and safe, but one should not get complacent with the journey.
• Underside: The belly of this beast is very clean and well thought out. I thought the underside should be of the same quality as the topside. All of cab is wrapped in Eastwood "Dynamat" sound barrier
• Known issues: I put this truck on the road with different wheels and tires. I safely reached speeds in excess of 70 mph, but since changed wheels and tires. I get some wheel shake anytime I exceed 50 mph. They were not able to balance the front wheels correctly and I know that the wheel balance is the culprit of the shake and needs to be addressed if you want to open her up past 50 mph. The rear wheels balanced fine and are vibration free. The engine leaks a tiny amount of oil and smoke from the valve cover breather. I normal for this model V8 and the plan is to eliminate the smoke by returning back to air cleaner to reduce PCV emissions. These leaks can probably easily be overcome, but I have not taken the time to repair. Keep in mind that this truck hasnt really been on the road very long. Nobody has really seen it! The paint has a few small marks in it but goes with the overall theme. The Passenger door shuts well and lays nicely into the cab, but the driver door shuts and latches but the top of door hangs outward about 7/16". Front windshield cranks open well and almost shuts tight to make a water tight seam, but the bottom doesnt quite seal(I think this could be adjusted, but didnt get back to it yet.). Not a whole lot wrong, but one hell of a lot right.