"New" '59!

[jam-bo383]

Just traded my '78 Jimmy for this yesterday, and I couldn't be happier! Very little rust, all-new engine, rebuilt tranny, new drive shaft, rebuilt Chevelle rear end. Only hassle is that a '62 Corvette clip was installed, so I will be replacing with a Camaro clip. Wheels/tires are brand new, & it has a Flaming River stainless tilt column. Not sure on engine specs, but she fires right up & sounds plenty healthy. The tear down starts this weekend with plans to build a solid, road-worthy driver. Can't wait to get dirty!

[beanyard]

Very cool
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[Red Foreman]

Looks like a nice find, dig them fleetsides!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Now THAT's gonna be nice, What are your cosmetic plans for it? I assume a grille is in order? Oh...and a real gas tank would be nice too, ha ha!

[_Ogre]

nice 4 eyed fleetside truck
looks like good metal to start with
we've all had that same seat at one time

[1project2many]

Oooh... telescoping tilt column. I've worked on plenty of those. If ya need parts, believe it or not, you're more likely to find them in a C60 than anywhere else.

Why not keep the Vette clip??

[jam-bo383]

From everything I've read, the 'Vette clip is not much of an improvement over stock. It has drum brakes and getting the ride height the way I want will be a bit more difficult. I'd rather re-clip the frame using a method that will get the height down while maintaining geometry/ride. Plus, the Camaro steering will be tighter and smoother, as well as the handling. As far as plans, I did my Blazer in Hot Rod black, & I love the look. So, we're doing black with Chevy Atomic orange on the bed-bullets and on the window section of the cab. It will have a static drop with narrowed rear end and c-notch. Full exhaust w/cats and all. I'd really like a '57 front end, but If i keep it as is, I'm going with the GMC grille. It just looks better than the Chevy.

[meter swinger]

Yeah buddy. now you got yerrself a real "square body" .
congrats on the swap!

[Kim57]

Welcome. Looks like a real nice start. Be sure and keep us up to date with plenty of pics.
Kim

[entourageguy]

Keep the 4 eyes!

[Wheelie]

Cool truck! Just FYI that is not a corvette front end. There is not a corvette chassis that has those type motor mounts or a sway bar that passes through the frame. You may want to look again at that. Good luck on the project!!

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Wheelie

Cool truck! Just FYI that is not a corvette front end. There is not a corvette chassis that has those type motor mounts or a sway bar that passes through the frame. You may want to look again at that. Good luck on the project!!

Time to pull the dog house so we can all take a look and help ID it!

[jam-bo383]

Hmmm.. I'll have to look into that. I haven't paid much attention to the clip simply because I will be redoing it anyway! Lol! I didn't even notice the sway bar passing through like that. I know that the mounts were fabbed by the previous owner. The engine sits crooked. The tear-down starts this weekend, and the bed will be straight and primed as well. I've already located a Camaro clip and have rebuild components ordered for it. I know it's been said before, but this will be a fairly quick build (for what I'm wanting to do with it). The truck is in such good shape and we're not farming out any work, so we're not beholden to anybody else's "schedules". I'm definitely keeping a photo record of this one. First order of business upon completion will be to hand the keys to my Dad so he can take my Mom out to the drive-in! Any tips you guys can offer will be very appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Wheelie]

Camaro clip is the way to go and easiest for the DIY for the money. I did the same thing on my shop truck. I kind of have a "how to" on the clip install in my build thread if you want to check it out. Just remember to measure a million times and keep everything level!

[jam-bo383]

Thanks, Wheelie! Man, there's been so much going on that I haven't had time to hardly touch the truck at all. Bummer. Fortunately, i have absolutely nothing going on this weekend, and it happens to be a 3 day weekend! I located a '55 front end, and will begin tearing it down Saturday. I'll check your build thread for some direction. Thanks again!

[focusedontheprize]

Great looking project to start with.

You have any pictures of your '78 you traded for it?

Static all the way...

[jam-bo383]

Here's the Blazer I traded. I had done a lot of work to it, but, honestly, I lost interest as it sat in the body shop for about 7 months. Besides, the '55-'59 trucks are higher up on the "gotta have" list!

[meter swinger]

Nice K5.
A 2wd K5 is on my "someday list" especially the round eye kind. However you made the right choice. Squares are still relitively inexpensive, 55-59's in decent shape are a different story.

[lankster35]

My 59 Apache 31

[OrrieG]

Did you figure out what the clip is?

[jam-bo383]

It is a '62 'Vette clip that was modified. I haven't had a chance to get to that thing in a while, but I'll be posting some pics within the next 2 weeks or so. Had a paying job (body/paint) take precedence, so the '59 got put on hold for a little bit. Different truck, same story, huh?!

[jam-bo383]

Just though I'd post this vid that I took prior to taking things apart. Wanted to round up a few more parts before I got seriously into it. It's on now!

'59 Apache Walkaround - YouTube

[Stingray59]

Awesome trade !

[UKNOWME]

Wish I had kept that motor
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[jam-bo383]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Wish I had kept that motor
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What is it, exactly? I mean, I know it's a 350, but has it been bored? Heads? Cam? I'm curious as to what's been done to it. Heck, I kinda wish it were closer to stock. I want the truck to be more of a cruiser. Definitely want to add a 700R4, maybe fuel injection, and be able to drive it to Austin for the Lonestar Roundup!