Jim's original plan for the...
Jim's original plan for the truck was to build something unique that he could take to Home Depot and haul plants and ground cover home for the garden. One look at the exotic Bubinga wood and shinny black bedsides, and we doubt it'll be hauling feathers anywhere anytime soon.
Facts&Figures
Who: Jim & Debra Kip Where: Canyon Lake, California What: '50 Chevrolet
Chassis
Frame / Manufacturer: stock / Chevrolet
Modifications: boxed
Chassis builder: Chubby Chassis, Fontana, CA
Rearend / Ratio: Ford 9" / 3.50:1
Rear suspension: triangulated four-bar with Shockwaves
Rear brakes: 12" drums
Front suspension: Mustang II, Chubby Chassis dropped control arms, Shockwaves
Front brakes: 11" Granada rotors, T-Bird calipers
Master cylinder: GM with booster
Steering box: late-model Ford
Front wheel make, size: American Racing Torque Thrust IIs, 17x7 (3.5" bs)
Rear wheel make, size: American Racing Torque Thrust IIs, 17x11 (6.75" bs)
Front tire make, size: BFGoodrich HR4, 235/45R17
Rear tire make, size: BFGoodrich HR4, 305/45R17
Gas tank: custom stainless steel under bed
Engine
Year and make: '02 Chevrolet
Displacement: 502 ci
Camshaft: GM
Heads: GM aluminum
Valve covers: GM
Manifold / Induction: GM aluminum
Ignition / Wires: GM HEI
Headers: custom 2.5" tubes, 3.5" collectors
Exhaust / Mufflers: custom 2.5" dual / Borla
Dress-up: Bitchin Products air cleaner, March Performance serpentine brackets and pulleys
Ron Mangus designed a traditional...
Ron Mangus designed a traditional yet elegant interior for the Kipps' '50. The Glide Engineering bench seat has been covered in leather, as have the custom door panels. A Suburban overhead console houses the airbag controls and gauges. The factory dash has been outfitted with Beede gauges and an ididit tilt column topped with a LeCarra Banjo wheel. One of the trickiest touches has to be the BMW reciprocating A/C vent hidden behind the stock speaker grille.
Jim wanted something with...
Jim wanted something with some pulling power to motivate his pickup and chose a GM 502ci crate engine to meet the challenge. Dressed in black, the big-block might look subdued, but mash the go-pedal, and it's another story.
Transmission
Make and model: Chevrolet 700-R4
Modifications: custom 2,200-rpm stall converter
Shifter: column
Body
Body style / Material: pickup / steel
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Modifications: firewall recessed 5"
Hood: stock
Grille: stock
Bed: stock with custom tubs, tailgate latches and hinges
Bodywork by: Fred's Custom Wiring
Paint by: Fred's Custom Wiring
Paint type / Color: DuPont / black with clearcoat
Headlights / Taillights: stock / stockOutside mirrors: stock
Interior
Dashboard: stock
Gauges: Beede
Stereo / Speakers: Pioneer head unit and speakers / Eclipse amp and 8" sub
Air conditioning: Vintage Air with BMW reciprocating outlet behind stock speaker grille
Wiring: Fred's Custom Wiring
Steering wheel: LeCarra Banjo
Steering column: ididit tilt
Seats: Glide Engineering bench
Upholsterer: Ron Mangus, Bloomington, CA
Material / Color: leather / dark saddle and tan
Carpet: wool square weave