Rebuilding 78 Firebird Front End On The 55 GMC And Gauges/Heater Box

[@OutBoardTink62]

Chris very good progress on that cool old truck and in hot weather I commend you Wow! My way and just a tip its easy pezy for me at least with spring install if you do it again.Theres not much danger with this method.I use those old fish hook compressors you know set of three & I use just one clamp.There well made old school quality you know the deal thats important & are still made I believe.I just take one hook clamp and put it inside the spring & tighten it up to put just enough curvature on the spring to align the spring end in the lower arm stop and aligning the top ring provision in the upper.Using your floorjack bring up the lower arm to meet the balljoint and put the nut on it your done.Its pretty easy with the weight off the engine,trans and the vehicle doesnt come off the jackstands. All wrenching is done on the outside of the spring with long open end wrench for initial tightening & removal.Then remove the hook clamp thru the shock hole after taking it apart inside the spring to remove its awkward but doable. Man thats scary when that let loose and your a guitar player ouch! This method I have done at least 6 times and its pretty darn safe anyhoo enjoy your week and stay cool....

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Glenn thanks! I'll have to try your way the next time I do a set of springs sounds like a safer way To me. When that spring compressor let loose it scared the shit out of me lol not much fun. I'm glad to have them both installed now hard part done😁 Now on to easyer things lol. Now if I didn't get home so late from work I would be over there right now but good things come in time right! Thanks for watching appreciate it have a great night. Take care Glenn 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-1983]

​@@IronheadGarage​ Chris would you take a moment to take a look at Blue_grit_garage. The man needs 91 subs so he can hit the 500 and get to race at the no names Nationals and SIKESTON MO on the 19th or so of September. He plans to race at 66 mustang. He is converting it from autocross to the quarter mile just for this event. I'm impressed with his knowledge. I just discovered them one day on KZbin and he is a new channel.

[@wingingittracy8508]

Looking good chris . Getting er done woo hoo !!

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey thanks Tracy! I'm getting it lots more to do. Thanks for stopping in have fun working on that sweet model A 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@gasserdavegarage]

The interior of the truck is looking great! Keep up the work it will be done and driving in no time!

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Dave thanks! Not sure if I'll make it before the snow fly's but I'm trying lol. Great hearing from you hope all is well. Have a great night brother 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@shanewright6958]

The truck is coming along nicely brother 👍👍

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks Shane appreciate it. I'm getting it lots to do still. Thanks for watching have a great night brother 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MillCreekFabShop]

I love this old truck.

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Joey me too!😁 Looking forward to getting more done. Have a good one👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@bigblockkings1031]

Loving the dashboard on that ol GMC. You did a really great job on the front suspension. Nice that you got the heater working as I know you need it where you live. It's going to be an awesome truck! 👌

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks brother! I dig that old dash one day I'll have to repaint it but for now looks pretty good. I will need that heater lol starting to get cool at night already but back up in the 90s this coming weekend. The old truck should ride pretty good with all new suspension under it. Looking forward to getting more done soon. Thanks for stopping in appreciate it. Have a great night brother. BigBlockKings!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jeregriffith6277]

always great work

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey thanks I appreciate. I try my best brother. Thanks for stopping in have a good one. Take care 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-1983]

I love the dash on that gmc. You know me I just love that gmc. You can make as many videos as this as you want I'll be watching it. 👍

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey thanks I appreciate it. Yeah I love that old dash too They sure did build them cool back in the old days. Looking forward to getting more done soon not sure if I'll make it by winter time but good things come in time right! I'm glad you liked watching i don't get very many views on the old truck but that's not what it's about it's about having fun making the videos and talking with gear head guys like yourself. Thanks for stopping in hope all is well have a great night. Take care 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-1983]

@@IronheadGarage I'm surprised you don't get very many views on that truck. But then it's not exactly what you've known for. I'm going to share the link with somebody that I know is into these trucks.

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks! I appreciate that 👍🏻

[@brentmclovin9332]

That was a lot of work. It’s looking like it just rolled off the assembly line. Great video Chris!

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey thanks Brent appreciate it. The old truck is looking pretty good sure was a lot of work. I'm glad to have those springs behind me now. Thanks for stopping in brother have a great night. Take it easy 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Oldschoolcustomrides]

The GMC looking good brother. 🙂👍

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks Rog I appreciate it she's coming along lots more to do. Thanks for stopping in brother have a great week 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Oldschoolcustomrides]

@@IronheadGarage you do the same 😎👍

[@briankinnear7461]

Great to see you back on the GMC. The dash looks great. Great work on the front-end. Some great tips and ideas. Ya gotta enjoy the short summer we have. So videos can wait. The shorts have been great. I too have been busy with many different things so I'm catching up on videos these days. Look forward to more. Be safe and stay well.

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Brian thanks. Sure nice to be working on the old GMC a little lots more to do but I'm getting it. Summer is short for sure to darn short lol so got to get out and do stuff before old man winter comes along. I glad to hear you enjoy the short's I have fun making them. Have fun working on your projects thanks for watching appreciate it. Have a great day brother. Take care 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Having better suspension on the Model A will be much better ! Great to see you freshing up all the joints and bits on the truck too ! It will make a great daily driver👍 My truck is my main ride too !

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Best days to you and all yours Chris !

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey thanks Bubba. Yeah some shocks will make the model A ride much better. The old truck should drive better too with all new front end parts. Man what a job it has been. That's cool to hear your old Chevy is your daily. Thanks for stopping in brother have a great day 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@treetop.garage]

Some great work man

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks Tim appreciate it. Lots more to do just wish I had more time. Thanks for watching have a good one brother 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@joeharrington595]

Chris super clean install, very organized you do excellent work. Can not wait for your test drive. Take care buddy

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Joe Thanks! I try my best 😁 Lots to do still but I'm glad to have those springs in now. Thanks for watching appreciate it have a great night 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@modelspeedshop]

Great video Chris. Excellent work on the ole GMC, getting her all back together. Good to see it again. Have a good week brother 🤙🏻🐾🇺🇸

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Mike thanks! Lots more to do but she's is coming along. Thanks for watching brother have a great day. I'm off to work Dammit! Lol. Take it easy brother 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🐾

[@noccis3448]

Buddy, Buddy, All that shiny stuff and going to drive it in the winter! I'm with you front coils are not my favorite chore either.

[@IronheadGarage]

Well only when there's no salt on the road. Well shit! that's probably not till spring lol😁 probably won't get driven much in the winter. Don't think those big 20" tires I have on it would do very good anyway lol. Yeah those springs are not very fun messing around with those darn things will hurt you lol. I'm glad to have them behind me and on to more enjoyable things. Hope all is going well and thanks for stopping in appreciate it. Take it easy Mike 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jjsonsspeedshop4962]

Right on Chris, the 55 is looking killer. You’ll be driving it in no time. 👍🏻

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks Jeff! She's coming along looking forward to getting more done. Thanks for watching have a good week 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-1983]

​@@IronheadGaragehey Chris I put up a 51 Ford pickup midday today. If you get a chance you might want to look at it. I picked the audio with you in mind. I don't know what you think of the truck but you're going to love the audio I'm sure of that. You might want to use it for your Ford in the future

[@VintageVehiclesRelics-v6z]

New subscriber. Recommend it by one of your long-term subscribers. I really like the way gauges are displayed in the truck.

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey thanks for the support much appreciated! Those gauges are cool in the old trucks. They came out nicely and look good after I restored them. Thanks for watching and thanks for the Sub. Have a good one 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@johnlopez3607]

U ain’t lying those bumps stops are hard to put on. I put some on my 85 regal.

[@IronheadGarage]

Right! They are a pain a little grease helps a lot. Thanks for stopping in appreciate it. Have a good one John 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@my55chevy43]

Good morning, brother. Good job, man, the old trucks looking great. Yeah, I've messed with a few of those Springs before. You definitely have to Be careful. Good video thanks for sharing. Have a great week, my friend. Been working on the Model A. She's coming along nicely. Talk to you. Soon.👍🏻

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Guss I'm late good evening😁 Been a long day at work today. Yeah never any fun doing those springs dam dangerous lol But Im glad they are done now.hard part is over lol. Glad to hear your working on the A Send some more pictures one day. Have a great night my friend appreciate you take care 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@kevinl.2291]

Great progress on the old truck Chris. I’m stoked your going yo make it your daily driver, that’s going to be so cool. Those springs do suck Chris. I had a friend get his jaw broken from one. Stay safe and enjoy your week buddy. Your living a awesome dream with your cars. ✌️😎👍

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Kevin appreciate it. Yeah I think the old truck will be a great daily driver now if I can just get it going lol. Good things come in time right! When that spring let loose it scared the shit out of me lol That's horrible to hear about your friend damnit that would suck. I'm glad to have those springs behind me now and more on to easyer things lol. Thanks for stopping in brother hope all is well have a great night. Take care 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@HorsepowerHeadquarters454]

Just like them old bumper Jack's that used to disfigure peoples faces and knock them out. Don't drop the handle lol. I'm sure people have even been killed because the skull is like a bag of potato chips after🤣brain would be Porage 🤣🤣🤣

[@drainpluggarage]

Lookin good man lots of good new stuff. You'll have a brand new truck soon

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks Justin appreciate it. Yeah lots of new parts going on I'm getting it 😁 thanks for stopping in brother have a good one and hope you been working on that sweet old Chevy. Take care 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@drainpluggarage]

@IronheadGarage still working on the frame. Sick of it. I have E 3D printing me some parts for it. Almost ready for paint and final assembly.

[@vladanorve9383]

Hey Chris that front end is looking pretty good. I know what you mean , gotta be extra cautious with them springs lol. the gauges look really nice too 👍👍

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey thanks Vlad! Yeah not much fun doing those springs I'm sure you have done a few sets in your life time or probably more. I'm glad to have them behind me now. On to better things lol. Thanks for stopping in brother have a great night. Hope all is well take it easy 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@raymondantonio4145]

Turning out pretty awesome there Chris, nice job buddy! The dash looks really nice, like all them gauges in there, you did a great job restoring them. That front end stuff is a real chore, I’m in the process of redoing the whole front end on my son’s Dart, pulled the front cradle out and stripped it all apart but will look like new when I’m done just like your GMC, makes a big difference to spend a little extra time and detail it up. Caught a glimpse of Bones in the back making sure you’re doing everything right! Lol have a great week brother and thanks for the video!

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey thanks Raymond. The dash doesn't look to bad right 😁 Rebuilding a frontend is a chore lot of work. I'm glad to have those springs in now hard part done and on to move enjoyable things lol Cool to hear your rebuilding your boy's Dart. Sounds like it's going to come out nice. Little hard work sure makes a difference. Thanks for stopping in and have a great night brother. Take care and good luck with your boys ride 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@raymondantonio4145]

Thanks Chris, I was originally fixing up the Dart (73 Dart Sport) for myself but my middle son really liked it and helped me work on it and when he graduated high school I passed the keys over to him. I’m doing a 360 & 4 spd swap, and front end rebuild for him in my shop. I have a 57 Belair 2 dr sedan I’m doing for myself, supercharged 383 stroker, Currie 9”, goal is on the road by 2026, my best bud is building a chopped and supercharged small block 57 Chevy Cameo pickup and has challenged me to a race, can’t back down to that! Hey I saw you let Bones ride shotgun in your gasser, when’s his turn at the wheel? Lol

[@IronheadGarage]

That's very cool that you gave your son the Dart I'm sure he does appreciate it a lot. 57 with a stroker motor heck yeah sounds killer would love to see a picture of it one day. Your buddy's truck sounds killer to now that's going to be a good race. Good luck to you on the win!😁 Ole Bones he's been being a bum lol just stands around watching me🤣 No drivers seat time for him lol Have a great night 😁👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@DesertRatFabrication]

Hey Chris, really good video, excellent work as always, she sure is looking pretty up there, be looking forward to the next video, have a great weekend brother 😀😀

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey thanks Mike. Lot of work rebuilding that front end still more to do but I'm getting it. Thanks for stopping in brother have a great weekend yourself 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@DesertRatFabrication]

@@IronheadGarage yeah I have to do the same thing to the 55

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍👍

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks brother appreciate it have a good one 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jamesstanley3944]

Hey Bro Chris. Yea it’s been a while. But as usual I enjoyed your video on the truck and as usual you are doing a great job. Looking forward to taking a ride with you on the old girl. Take care brother, until the next time. Bro Jim

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Jim thanks! Great hearing from you. I glad to hear you enjoy watching thanks! Looking forward to getting more done on the old truck. Take care yourself brother have a great night 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@kevinwilliams7979]

Hey kiddo what is the part number for the rotors.

[@IronheadGarage]

Hey Kevin thanks for stopping in appreciate it. I'm glad I was able to send you the info. Have a great night brother 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@kevinwilliams7979]

@@IronheadGarage 😁😁😁😁😁

[@rustedjunkgarage3316]

Nicely done Chris, I had the same thing happen to the threads on a spring compressor, scared the Dog Water out of me, but I managed to get it off, never used it again. Great job on the heater box also, very similar to the one on my 55 junker truck. Carry on Brother.🫵🏼💯🆒

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks Steve appreciate it. Yeah pretty scary having a spring go flying not much fun right! The way I did finally install them worked pretty good. I'm glad they are behind me now time to move on to easyer things lol looking forward to getting more done. Yeah probably pretty much the same heater box as your 55 truck. Thanks for stopping in brother have a great week ahead. Take care 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@fasteddie4294]

you always do such good work. Model A is my favorite.. have great week

[@IronheadGarage]

Thanks Eddie! Appreciate it try my best 😁 thanks for stopping in have a great week yourself brother. Take care 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻