My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side

[VTX-Black]

That car doesn't exactly do it.

I have a vision in my head that I can't seem to get out.

I know what I don't want this truck to be. Otherwise I just would have purchased a 53 or a 63 (or probably a 69)

But this transition era of old style mixed with new style needs a special wheel look of its own.

I don't want deep offset muscle car wheels like I would put on a 69, nor do I want balloon tires that look so good on the early 50s series one.

Still thinking...

[VTX-Black]

At a temporary measure, I picked up a used set of 1970s style 15" five slot (six bolt) mags.

These will allow me to try the stock steering with skinnier tires, as well as sell of the 22s while I make up my mind on the final direction.

I've always liked the 5 slots since they were the truck wheels to have back in high school, and my first car had them. It wasn't really the direction I wanted to head, but they work in my minds eye.

I won;t be able to try them on the truck until next week. I'm not sure how long I ail keep that look. If anyone has a picture of one of these wearing those wheels I'd love to see it.

Thanks

[Katrina/10]

I know it will look better!

[LordDevlin]

My father went to check this truck out for me down around Toronto around Feb 13 or so... Its pretty cool to see it on here, let alone right in Ottawa.

I don't necessarily agree with your taste/styling but too each their own, however I do understand kind of what you are going for. You want something to set it apart, something a bit more modern to go with the box that you find modern looking on the truck. One look I like on some trucks, and I think would suit this, would be a 16-17-18 chrome or polished silver spoke wheel with some narrow white walls. I just looked for some pics but couldnt come across some on a fleetside, but I think it might be closer to the identity you are trying to obtain. I think the chrome on that shiny rod looking truck might not be too bad, but those rims it came with belong on an escalade lol... if you are going for/with something not original, like lets say chrome or spokes, i think they need to have a hint of sportiness, not luxury...

I ended up picking up a 59 fleetside from california off ebay, had it shipped... turned out to be a mess and not at all as advertised in terms of mechanical and some body damage.. got it late summer/early fall, couldnt drive it, tore into it and been working on it hard all summer. Perhaps I will see you at some shows this summer. Mine is a 6, and took out the granny low floor 4 spd and put in a t5.... everything else is stock.

Elliot

[VTX-Black]

Curious that you found my truck given that it hasn't been for sale or advertised. Good detective work.

I think your experience with your California truck is a good example of why I am flabbergasted by the low dollars people are willing to pay for good trucks when bad trucks can cost exponentially more in metal repairs etc.

The rims that are on it right now came with the truck when I bought it.

(maybe you looked at it when the previous owner had it?)
I jumped on it when I saw how solid it was. Rims are the easiest thing in the world to change on trucks, and if I paid two thousand more than someone thinks an old truck is worth, that to me is pretty cheap rust worm insurance.

All I had to do to make it drivable was add gas, so I was fortunate.
Putting some skinnier tires/rims on it will make it easy to drive

Post some pics of your truck so I can recognize it if we cross paths

[LordDevlin]

mix of more modern (a bit) and old school



I think these coys would work for you if you are wanting a larger rim for that more modern look but without pushing it too much.

[LordDevlin]

ya it was definitely from the person that you bought it from... he had brought it up from the states... i think he does hauling or something like that. It had those big wheels on it.

[LordDevlin]

in this thread there are some pics of the truck...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590791

overall it will look very similar... with a few changes.

[VTX-Black]

Some excellent example.
Thanks!

One of the things someone in the truck's past was going for was some sort of gothic look. I think that is where those rims fit in. They had also custom machined a shift knob that looks like something that my son would stick though his eyebrow.

All those parts go together well, but not the direction I am heading.

At the extreme, that last picture you posted is as far as I would go, so anywhere between that and flat 15" hubcaps is my playing field.

One thing those gangsta gothic rims have made me realize is that I really don;t want extremely deep offset on this truck. If I had a step side I would, but for some reason on a fleet side I want shallow or flat.

[VTX-Black]

Trying out my temporary (for the next year or two) "new" rims that I just picked up

[VTX-Black]

Mounted
All I need now is more lug nuts. Not sure where to get this style with thick washers

Any thoughts on the rims before I put any effort into cleaning them up?

[Katrina/10]

I think the wheels look great. Tire shop should be able to help with the lug nuts.

[VTX-Black]

Thanks Gary.

The wheels do give the truck a different presence.

I searched some of the regular online auto parts stores for
"dorman shank lug nut" and came up with a few different ones with measurements to chose from.

Thanks for letting me know that these are not specialty parts as I had feared.

[Katrina/10]

They used to be common. Tire stores had buckets of them they would give away, but now most are metric. They should be still available though.

[VTX-Black]

Well...now that I have some skinnier wheels on it I might be over the "slam it to the ground and run big hoops" phase. All this time thinking is making me grow attached to how original the truck is.

I drove it around the parking lot and got a kick out of the stomp to start and three in the tree. What a novelty.

I've been struck by how there just doesn't seem to be much wear on this truck, and no signs of repairs. Also, I paid attention to the odometer for the first time. I never bothered before because I cared more about the condition than the mileage when I bought it but I just realized that the clock says 25k

I've convinced myself that is is 125k, but what if its not!!!

I'm falling in love with the idea of leaving the six, add Offy, twin carb, dual exhaust, Wayne valve cover and just selling the Vette.

This could be fun!

[Katrina/10]

I agree, if you like the the 6, and the nostalgia that goes along with it, keep it.

[agnes the dog]

Originally Posted by VTX-Black

Mounted
All I need now is more lug nuts. Not sure where to get this style with thick washers

Any thoughts on the rims before I put any effort into cleaning them up?

I had the same wheels until recently. Loved the look from the side, but mine had too much negative offset in the rears for my taste. Great look though. As for the lug nuts, I had to go to a speed shop. They had tons of different ones to choose from - washers too. Oh, and make sure that your shank is shorter than the mounting depth of your wheels. Mine were perfect on three, but one wheel had some wear around the washer holes. That made it a little thinner and the lug nut bottomed out before it was snug. Nothing that an extra washer on each lug didn't cure though. Just wished that I had checked before buying the nuts.