58 Frame Repair

[BadDaddy]

Acquired a shortbed frame for our 58 project however someone has hacked out the trans mount crossmember. They ground off the rivets on the drivers side but then cut the rest of it out just inside the frame. Any ideas on where to get a replacement other than just hunting for one that someone took out and hasn't thrown away? Thanks John

[55dude]

are you restoring it stock?

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by 55dude

are you restoring it stock?

he's asking because most of us cut them out to install an automatic

[BadDaddy]

Hey 55Dude,

Yes.

My 15 year old son and I are just starting a truck project. The plan is to build a 58 shortbed stepside. I just got this frame from a guy in Portland who advertised it as "with title" but he has yet to find the title. Nice guy that I feel is pretty trustworthy, i.e. my gut tells me he honestly lost it. Anyway, not sure if I should (or can) try and repair this one or start looking for another shortbed frame/project truck.

[BadDaddy]

Was thinking I wanted to keep it a stick but I have no experience with these trucks. Haven't even driven one yet. Besides an automatic is there a common manual trans upgrade?? And would this require the removal/repalcment of the cross member?? Maybe I shouldn't be worrying about it.

[58CameoAZ]

I am probably going to have two of them as i will be putting automatics in my 58 & 59
Not sure on how easy they would be to get out in one piece tho?
I left the one in my 58 to keep the frame in line as when i put the C4 front end in it
haven't taken either one out yet!
Allen

[BadDaddy]

Yea, I'm assuming that if the rivets were ground off on both sides you'd still probably have to cut it in the middle to get it out and then you'd would have to weld it back together again.

[58CameoAZ]

Are You trying to Go with a Total Stock Restored truck????
because there are other cross members available!

I don't think the cross member will come out whole and yes will have to be almost cut in half and re-welded

[BadDaddy]

Yea, I'm assuming that if the rivets were ground off on both sides you'd still probably have to cut it in the middle to get it out and then you'd would have to weld it back together again.

[BadDaddy]

Not sure why that last one posted twice. Just getting started on this project, not sure what engine and trans I'm going to want. Kind of wanted to stay with a manual trans.

[ptc]

Ive got a complete rolling chassis for 55-59 - its a complete stock 6 cyl, 4 speed manual long bed frame but can be cut down pretty easily. Its in great condition no rust or anything.

You dont need a title with a frame, you need a title with a body that has a VIN number attached to it. SO whatever BODY you end up buying to put on the frame has to have paperwork.

I titled the body that came from this frame onto my new one.

[dsraven]

you could easily just fab up a crossmember unless you are trying to keep it stock. if you are planning a different engine combo than stock then you may be playing around with crossmembers anyway. do you plan to do anything with the stance of the truck as well? just asking because that would play into the driveline angle if you plan on lowering the truck at the same time. best is to have all the stuff on hand so you can mock it all up before fabbing something and then realizing the angles are off and you need to rethink some stuff.
on a side note, the 55-57 frames are a bit shorter out front than the 58-59 frames. trust me, that is what I did (57 truck and 58 frame) and the frame for the 58-59 is a bit longer out front and the rad support brackets are slightly different spot-fore to aft. easily fixed if you have some fab skills and know the dimension difference. if you didn't know about it and got the wrong frame you would be scratching your head though.

[67 chevelle]

I thought 58 and 59 frames were quite a bit different than 47 to 57 ,,, as in not interchangeable

[mr48chev]

Cutting or drilling the rivets is a pain in the butt but more tedious than difficult. I think you can shove one end of the crossmember back and the other forward a bit to work it out of the frame.

Stick or automatic is strictly up to you and your son's personal preference. As in which setup do you feel will give you two the best driving experience. I've had both in my 48 over the years and the best thing about an automatic is your left leg doesn't get tired in traffic. Best thing about a stick is grinning while you wind through the gears but in traffic it can get a bit tedious if you have a stiff clutch.

[58CameoAZ]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

I thought 58 and 59 frames were quite a bit different than 47 to 57 ,,, as in not interchangeable

i believe the front frame horns are a little longer but everything else matches up.

[paulspickupparts]

Originally Posted by BadDaddy

Acquired a shortbed frame for our 58 project however someone has hacked out the trans mount crossmember. They ground off the rivets on the drivers side but then cut the rest of it out just inside the frame. Any ideas on where to get a replacement other than just hunting for one that someone took out and hasn't thrown away? Thanks John

I have several frames and should have a used one.

[dsraven]

the 55 second series, up to and including 57, are the same frame. the 58 and 59 are longer out front but the same from the spring hangers back. the front sheet metal is a bit longer on the 4 eyed trucks and they also have a filler between the front bumper and the grill area. the 55-59 trucks are called task force (that is why they get dubbed TF on forums) and the earlier trucks, 47-55 first series are called advanced design (AD for short). the earlier trucks differred between chev and gmc with front end sheet metal and also engine mounts and front crossmembers but the TF's were the same between brands except for the dash. chevy has that cool superman speedo.

[BadDaddy]

So now I'm just being curious, are the 58/59 GMC frames the same as Chevy?

[dsraven]

TF frames are the same between chevy and gmc. unless someone else has some input. you can get that info from the assembly manual (recommended purchase if you haven't already) or online at the old car manuals project. check on google for frame dimensions, there have been a couple on there.

what is the plan for steering, diff etc? will you be lowering it and installing power steering, disc brakes or a clip from another vehicle? possibly a mustangii front end? different rear axle for a better gear ratio? leaving it all stock? I would recommend at least a dual system master cylinder if you are leaving it stock. the old one is only a single system so if you blow a hose or get a leak somewhere you lose ALL the brakes, not just fronts or rears.

[67 chevelle]

Originally Posted by dsraven

the 55 second series, up to and including 57, are the same frame. the 58 and 59 are longer out front but the same from the spring hangers back. the front sheet metal is a bit longer on the 4 eyed trucks and they also have a filler between the front bumper and the grill area. the 55-59 trucks are called task force (that is why they get dubbed TF on forums) and the earlier trucks, 47-55 first series are called advanced design (AD for short). the earlier trucks differred between chev and gmc with front end sheet metal and also engine mounts and front crossmembers but the TF's were the same between brands except for the dash. chevy has that cool superman speedo.

Thanks for clarifying , im looking at a 58 and would defiantly modify it , frame and all

[dsraven]

check out a whole new aftermarket frame, it may be cheaper in the long run and would be set up for the rake angle etc that you want. look at Canadian hotrods site out of british columbia (western Canada), your American dollar is REALLY good compared to our Canadian dollar right now. nice quality stuff too with all gm corvette parts. make sure to ask about the differnce for the newer year frame, some don't know about it. it wouldn't be a big deal to change anyway. just a little longer out front and the rad support bracket is about an inch further away from the firewall.

[ChuckDriver]

The front cross member is different on the GMC frame. The transmission cross member can be removed in one piece.

[ChuckDriver]

GMC & Chevy

[BadDaddy]

PTC - I'm starting with a pile of parts and no title. Hoping I find a project truck, a cab or even just a vin plate with a title sometime down the road. This ball is just getting going so I'm pretty much in the information gather stage. I felt the parts and the shortbed frame were worth the couple hundred bucks that I spent.

Everyone - thanks for all the information, this forum is great for those of us just starting out.

[dsraven]

how about posting up some pics of what you have there. we are a curious bunch.