My 59 fleetside build

[frmula505]

I have been working on this truck for about 1 year, so i have a lot of pics. I'll start at the beginning. The stripped and painted frame. With a 76 Nova subframe grafted on.


The front suspension assembled



I used a 10 bolt posi off a 66 chevelle. Replaced everything and installed I think 376 gears (it's been a while, and this is a before shot).


Installed a 4-link setup.



I'll post more later.

[Bigblue29]

Frame looks nice! Any before shots of the truck?

[frmula505]

The truck was given to me by my dad when I was in high school. I've rebuilt it a few times, finally decided to do it right.
Here is a picture of it in the early 80's (I'm on the right)

[GRIMSS]

Cool project. Keep us up-to-date on the progress you make.

[dennis57]

Nice truck! Frame looks good too.

[frmula505]

I didn't take any pictures of the disassembly, I took it apart about 5 years ago. I was going to do a partial build and of course got carried away. When I had it partially apart I replaced the cab corners, and cab running boards. These were taken after the subframe was installed and I was taking the frame apart.



I'll scan some of the old pics I have of it's many phases over the years.

[frmula505]

looks like the pictures didn't show I'll try again.

[hammerdog57]

Originally Posted by frmula505

I have been working on this truck for about 1 year, so i have a lot of pics. I'll start at the beginning. The stripped and painted frame. With a 76 Nova subframe grafted on.


The front suspension assembled



I used a 10 bolt posi off a 66 chevelle. Replaced everything and installed I think 376 gears (it's been a while, and this is a before shot).


Installed a 4-link setup.



I'll post more later.

What brand of four link is that? I have never seen one that uses the stock crossmember and shock mounts. What are you going to use for a panhard bar?

[CAL 58 GMC]

Looks good so far!

[Kim57]

Nice looking truck.
Kim

[frmula505]

"What brand of four link is that? I have never seen one that uses the stock crossmember and shock mounts. What are you going to use for a panhard bar?"

It's a Heidts kit I had bought about 10 years ago for it. I have a new panhard rod also from Heidts. It got lost over the years I've had the kit. I've modified the kit a bit to fit using the stock crossmember. I had to make a small adapter plate to fix the angle of the coilovers. Plus gives me a lot of options for the ride height adjustment.
before


After


I still have to install the panhard rod and C-notch the area over the rear end. I know I should have done it before I painted the frame, but I do the painting myself so just a little more work.

While I had the cab off I repaired all the holes in the floorboards. No rust just old seat and shifter holes. Truck was a California truck, so very little rust. Just the cab corners and a little in the hinge pockets. I also braced the running boards, and undercoated the bottom.

[OrrieG]

I noticed that too, here are my thoughts. For a while I ran air shocks to my stock mounts and found the stock mounts were bending when I had the camper loaded and the shocks taking most of the weight off the springs. They are not designed to support the weight of the bed and frame, just for shocks to dampen the rearend movement. You are essentially transfering all of the weight supported by the spring shackles (note how many rivets and how they are distributed) to the two rivets holding the shock brackets. I would look at adding additional material to the shock crossmember the full width while everything is accessible.

[frmula505]

If you notice I have a small aluminum spacer between the coil over and the crossmember. When I do the c-channel, I am going to weld some 2x2 square tubing both from the c-channel plate and to the crossmember. Eliminating the original mounting points.

[OrrieG]

That should work, just want to save you potential grief down the road.

[frmula505]

After mounting the cab ( with all new mounting hardware), I had to fill about 20 holes. And I also installed the brake pedal assembly. After looking at the pictures a little closer I did this before I painted the frame (this all was done last year after all)

[frmula505]

On to the drivetrain for this truck. I am going with a TH400 auto. I had it completely rebuilt (Kelvar clutches, new pump, ect). After I got it back I decided to install a Transgo shift kit, and a 3500 stall converter.



The engine I am using is a BBC 427ci off an older Chevelle. It was an original 395hp engine. Has a Lunati Voodoo Cam, Roller rockers, Weiand Hi rise and water pump, Holley 850, Hooker long tubes And to much else to list. It should run very strong.

[flatbedchev]

DAMN this is one thread I'll be watching closely. We have a 58 GMC short fleetside in tear down right now and has a 79 Nova subframe in it from a previous owner. It's nowhere as clean of a job as you have done. Could you post some closer pics of where you joined the frames together?

[frmula505]

Here is a shot of the engine and transmission installed. I used the March original style pulleys. I couldn't use the serpentine type because of the type of power steering pump these old big blocks use. They use an external reservoir.



This angle shows the pump, and the alternater brackes I had to use.



In this one you can see the way I set up the power brake master cylinder.

[renegade6]

Nice work.

What did the brake and master cylinder come off of?

[frmula505]

The pedal assembly came off the 76 Nova doner car. That is the car I got the subframe from. Of course I bought a new master cylinder. Also the Nova firewall was not vertical, it was at a slight angle. I had to cut a pie shaped section out of the booster mount and reweld it. When I first installed it, it looked like it was pointing to the sky.

[57ExtCab]

Did U Have steering box issues with headers and who's header did u use?

[frmula505]

I still haven't run my steering column. From what I can tell I am going to have to use a couple of steering u-joints, but there is room. I used the Hooker competition Headers. They have 2" primaries, and 3.5" collectors. They are big. I ordered them for a early Chevelle /Nova/Camaro. To match my doner front clip. I'll try to post some close up pics. i did have to trim my Upper motor mount ant my a-frame a bit, bot places I remove non structural metal. I wanted to make sure I had enough clearance.

[frmula505]

I welded the door handle opening shut, and removed the wind breakers. I plan on installing pop door kits and electric solid windows.

[Bigblue29]

Looks good! Keep it up

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by frmula505

I welded the door handle opening shut, and removed the wind breakers. I plan on installing pop door kits and electric solid windows.

I like shaved door handles (though I doubt I'd do them). I tend to like originality.

Nevertheless, do most guys that use them install some kind of fail-safe device in the event of dead battery? Hidden manual cable actuators or something?

I read someone (?) say to route them to a box under the truck then put an old fashined padlock on the box door in the event of emergency. Sounds good to me, but is anyone really doing that?