# Big\_Reds '54 Chevy: The Stealth Bomber **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [November 20, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482 "2011-11-20T21:57:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 9:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/161 "2013-11-13T09:51:48Z")
> [@New Metallica: The Day That Never Comes](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-metallica-the-day-that-never-comes/53644/9): > > werd… it looks tighter than your date on prom night. pie cutssssss to the rescue! fuck pie cuts, with some scrap bends it’ll be perfect. ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 6:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/162 "2013-11-19T06:44:45Z")
got my 4 link in from art morrison, gotta say I will be buying from them every chance I get. the quality is bar none. ![https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1463399_10153431006960478_2111049425_n.jpg](https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1463399_10153431006960478_2111049425_n.jpg) also fabbed up a transmission crossmember last night after work. ![https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1459254_10153435832315478_720804517_n.jpg](https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1459254_10153435832315478_720804517_n.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2013, 10:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/163 "2013-11-28T10:22:18Z")
quick thanksgiving update from the last few weekends. I finally got my laptop fixed so I can go into more detail. quick peak back from the start of the frame build The center crossmembers that I made and decided to run the exhaust through. ![http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8136/5xro.jpg](http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8136/5xro.jpg) ![http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/1075/7f3n.jpg](http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/1075/7f3n.jpg) epoxied the floors ![http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7736/6s29.jpg](http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7736/6s29.jpg) and with the frame, ignore the torque tube, thats getting thrown out but I needed it to keep the car movable. ![http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/3488/k7ug.jpg](http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/3488/k7ug.jpg) outside ![http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/3910/o5gz.jpg](http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/3910/o5gz.jpg) ![http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9613/0gfx.jpg](http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9613/0gfx.jpg) I decided to Z the front frame 2 1/4" to give more clearance for the car to lay on the center of the frame and not so much on the front control arms. ![http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2421/ho78.jpg](http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2421/ho78.jpg) ![http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9299/0i4f.jpg](http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9299/0i4f.jpg) plated both sides with 3/16" plate ![http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5308/mk8n.jpg](http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5308/mk8n.jpg) ![http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/921/mbem.jpg](http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/921/mbem.jpg) threw the motor and trans back in after I finished the mounts for good. I started figuring out my front drive setup, going with a GTO LS2 a/c compressor, a CTSV alt/bracket and a 2013 caprice powersteering setup to keep all of the stuff down low and out of sight. ![http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/4156/0pbd.jpg](http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/4156/0pbd.jpg) ![http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6924/l77z.jpg](http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6924/l77z.jpg) front brakes on. ![http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/3736/vxr5.jpg](http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/3736/vxr5.jpg) ![http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4092/yqjp.jpg](http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4092/yqjp.jpg) and tested all of clearance, I cant wait to see this thing with the ass end on the ground too. ![http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/8596/zwga.jpg](http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/8596/zwga.jpg) ![http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/1526/5z4i.jpg](http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/1526/5z4i.jpg) ![http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/7669/bhcn.jpg](http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/7669/bhcn.jpg) ![http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/6079/tp82.jpg](http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/6079/tp82.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2013, 10:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/164 "2013-11-28T10:58:15Z")
I found this in my room: ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 5:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/165 "2013-11-29T05:58:08Z")
i have one somewhere. you should donate that to the project tho ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/166 "2013-11-29T08:37:02Z")
if you want it, its yours ---
**Author:** ![tdi\_logik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tdi_logik/32/6310_2.png) [@tdi\_logik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tdi_logik)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2013, 11:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/167 "2013-11-30T11:47:23Z")
what a good egg pauline ---
**Author:** ![6SPD\_S4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/6spd_s4/32/6326_2.png) [@6SPD\_S4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/6SPD_S4)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 10:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/168 "2013-12-01T10:51:22Z")
Good man good man. Cars lookin’ good Big Dave ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/169 "2013-12-01T15:05:54Z")
started the rear end. cut out the rest of the old floor since it was shot, also makes it easy to setup the 4 link. Got the frame notch tacked up, I will grab the 220 welder soon and weld that up. Hoping to have it laying frame in a week or two! ![http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6702/zvy0.jpg](http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6702/zvy0.jpg) ![http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/3591/gj44.jpg](http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/3591/gj44.jpg) ![http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6522/etn7.jpg](http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6522/etn7.jpg) ![http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/4463/vfun.jpg](http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/4463/vfun.jpg) ![http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2631/cwne.jpg](http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2631/cwne.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/170 "2013-12-07T20:47:14Z")
got the new rear end in, the frame notch done and the 4 link done. ![http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4729/89w8.jpg](http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4729/89w8.jpg) ride height ![http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4506/ejmx.jpg](http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4506/ejmx.jpg) and the moment ive been waiting for since I bought the car. ![http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9171/zxdc.jpg](http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9171/zxdc.jpg) laying rocker! ![http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9881/84sf.jpg](http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9881/84sf.jpg) ![http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/4827/e0ue.jpg](http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/4827/e0ue.jpg) and all of the work on the front of the frame paid off as the clearances are perfect. ![http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/6669/h6d2.jpg](http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/6669/h6d2.jpg) ![http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/7267/npn9.jpg](http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/7267/npn9.jpg) and take a minute to remember those who died on this day at pearl harbor in 1941. ![http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/8795/ztpe.jpg](http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/8795/ztpe.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/171 "2013-12-09T17:25:25Z")
did some test fitting of the front sheetmetal to make sure everything lined up the way it should on the new frame and to check motor to hood clearance. Everything worked out the way it should. ![http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/5307/0clz.jpg](http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/5307/0clz.jpg) ![http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8615/q9sm.jpg](http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8615/q9sm.jpg) ![http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2319/vayi.jpg](http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2319/vayi.jpg) ![http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/5267/muox.jpg](http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/5267/muox.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 3:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/172 "2013-12-10T03:23:48Z")
yup thats the shit right there. ---
**Author:** ![v8lonoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@v8lonoma](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/v8lonoma)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/173 "2013-12-10T03:42:18Z")
This thing is badass! ---
**Author:** ![Sully93vr4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sully93vr4/32/6278_2.png) [@Sully93vr4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sully93vr4)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 6:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/174 "2013-12-10T06:19:45Z")
Looks awesome Dave, this may be a really dumb question… When you do a chop like this, how do you go about getting the shortened winshields/rears windows/etc? Are there companies that specialize in making “chopped” glass? ---
**Author:** ![JSEnclosures](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jsenclosures/32/6678_2.png) [@JSEnclosures](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JSEnclosures)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 6:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/175 "2013-12-10T06:36:11Z")
looking good ---
**Author:** ![JSEnclosures](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jsenclosures/32/6678_2.png) [@JSEnclosures](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JSEnclosures)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 6:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/176 "2013-12-10T06:37:11Z")
> [@so sad](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-sad/53703/6): > > Looks awesome Dave, this may be a really dumb question… When you do a chop like this, how do you go about getting the shortened winshields/rears windows/etc? Are there companies that specialize in making “chopped” glass? If there is one thing I’ve learned from west coast customs…they have a company come in, make a mold, and then make new glass ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 7:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/177 "2013-12-10T07:21:36Z")
may ways about doing it. You can keep the stock glass if you just lay back the oem frame during your metal shaping work. Some people even pocket the windshield into the rain tray, so the glass is retained just the “chopped” section is hidden from view. But if the glass is flat either make a cardboard template and have a piece cut out new. If the original glass is flat and large enough you can save materials and just mask then sandblast/cut the glass to size. Or if it’s a compound curved piece like a windshield or a later model door, if there is a section of the glass that will work for the new opening you can lay it out, then sandblast/cut it down like above. Older cars are 9 times out of 10 flat glass and can just be cut down. A few local glass shops do it and can be surprisingly cheap. ---
**Author:** ![DragnDoor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DragnDoor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DragnDoor)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 9:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/178 "2013-12-10T09:27:13Z")
Curved glass out back for dave though. Find donor glass non tempered, cut it. Recess back glass and build cover to take chrome moulding. Guy im building a 29 ford with chopped one a couple years ago and there was one company he found prior to chopping that had/could make do with a curved rear window with safety glass. Dave will be alright there is ways to make it happen. By the way Dave it looks killer on the ground man! ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/179 "2013-12-10T20:08:42Z")
> [@so sad](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-sad/53703/6): > > Looks awesome Dave, this may be a really dumb question… When you do a chop like this, how do you go about getting the shortened winshields/rears windows/etc? Are there companies that specialize in making “chopped” glass? its all custom. There are no 2 chops out there that are identical. Therefor making it impossible for someone to build a universal glass. ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 6:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/180 "2013-12-11T06:05:18Z")
on the contrary. It would be SWEET if a glass company made different shapes and sizes of popular glass. Especially curved stuff that’s hard to find, get and/or cut. Any good metal shaper can make a window frame to fit a piece of glass, and then they can also make the sheet metal around it to place it how they see fit. It’s just taking the exact opposite approach and thought process as the “no 2 chops are identical.” It’s just metal, absolutely nothing is holding anyone back from duplicating a chop. Say they sold a 50 merc less 3” rear glass and maybe even a preformed (pressed out) frame. You could start out with that and place it however you wanted, and in any car for that matter that you wanted. Especially when years go by and the original glass is harder and subsequently more expensive to find I think that would be a great solution and kind of a niche market if you will. Kevin and I have plans to build a body from scratch as a huge accomplishment to put us on the map if you will. An offering like that would be ideal for something like that type of project. Its really just two ways of going about the same process, giving the builder more options. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482.md?page=8) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482.md?page=10)