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Spblack · 11-13-2013, 09:52 PM

Hey guys. Just recently picked up two old chevy trucks. 1958 apache and a 1957 chevy truck. Both were short wheel base. I wanted the single head light but decided to start with the 58 because of the cool paint. I picked up a frame with a Camaro subframe already on it. This is half the battle..for me it is.

List of plans for the 58:
-airbags (still figure out best way for rear with Camaro subframe up front) powdercoated after c-notch is installed.
-LS motor
-Nothing to the exterior (leaving rust and all)
-interior- I may make it look new with a fresh coat of paint (blue and white)
-wheels I am thinking 20s, maybe torque thrust

I have a rear end question. Has anyone used an elcamino rear end for one of these trucks? Im hoping for this to be a "less than 3 month build so ill keep the pictures coming.
Edited by Forum Staff
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**Dan in Pasadena** · 11-13-2013, 10:05 PM

Nice truck. Thanks for the detailed description of your plans.

Speaking strictly for myself, I like the patina on the '57 and I'm more of a two-eye guy than a four-eye guy, but that's just personal preference.

alaska gasser · 11-14-2013, 12:51 AM

Welcome from the snowy north. Watch out...you might end up building both.

Kim57 · 11-14-2013, 01:42 AM

Welcome.
Both look nice but I'm partial to the 57.
Kim

DransportGarage · 11-14-2013, 06:40 AM

I like the patina on the '57 better too.

Don't know for sure about the El Camino rear end, but I'd think it's doable. It probably has the same diameter axle tubes, so passenger car u-bolts will mount it to existing springs. Some mods to the lower shock mounts will make them work too. I welded the truck shock mount to a '55 passenger car lower plate. Measure the wheel flange-to-wheel flange dimension and see how close it is to your existing axle (which should be about 61").

Spblack · 11-14-2013, 08:03 PM

Thanks. I was waiting to keep the 57, I still might keep it. It just depends on how fast I turn this 58 around. I am a big fan of the single headlights but this one is going to need some TLC.

FirstNation · 11-14-2013, 09:29 PM

wow, I'll take the '57, and please don't even wash it!! Great patina!!

sqrlnts · 11-15-2013, 12:07 AM

Cool trucks. I would put the fleet bed on the 57 cab but I am just crazy!!!!

Daze57 · 11-15-2013, 12:15 AM

x 2 ^ Sqrlnts idea

_Ogre · 11-15-2013, 03:22 PM

nice trucks, i'm the odd man, i've always liked the 4 eyed beauties

post lots of pics of your build
welcome to this forum

fabguy · 11-15-2013, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Ogre

nice trucks, i'm the odd man, i've always liked the 4 eyed beauties

post lots of pics of your build
welcome to this forum

Daze57 · 11-15-2013, 03:26 PM

Ahh yes welcome to the forum!!!!! From Sin City.

av8tr33337 · 11-15-2013, 09:00 PM

Welcome. Those trucks are awesome.

SCHRUMGMC · 11-15-2013, 10:17 PM

Welcome !!

Spblack · 11-15-2013, 10:30 PM

just an update, sold green truck. Picking up SWB frame tomorrow with Camaro subframe already installed, plus an additional complete Camaro subframe. Ive been talking to porterbuilt and I think I am going to go with their rear drop kit. Ill probably place an order on Monday after I get through looking over the frame im picking up. Its going to be a 4 week lead time before porterbuilt can get that shipped out to me. Has anyone had any issues with accuair e levels? I think I may pull the trigger on that as well. After looking around for an LS1 and up motor (no luck), I decided to just stick with a 5.3 or 6.0 out of a stock chevy or gmc truck (more common and cheaper). I have a 4.8 in one of my trucks and im pretty happy with it, im sure these will scoot this truck along fine. id like to find some 20-22" torq thrusters with a 5x4.75 bolt pattern. hopefully some will come up soon on craigslist down here.

**Dan in Pasadena** · 11-15-2013, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spblack

just an update, sold green truck....

BOO HISS!

Kidding....kinda. Congratulations on such a quick sale. Wow, only two days?!

Spblack · 11-16-2013, 11:13 PM

Ive been searching for 3 hours and yet to find a successful bag installation on a 70-81 Camaro subframe. Do any of you have any quick links for me? any tips on best place to buy a rebuild kit for the subframe? Id like to get some new affordable brakes up front as well. let me know of some good places online

Spblack · 11-17-2013, 12:04 AM

starting working on frame. welds look pretty good.

20131116_170645

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/30339164@N04/10897207946/]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/30339164@N04/10897207946/]

Always good to use teenagers for the dirty work

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/30339164@N04/10897303934/]

11-13-2013, 09:52 PM	#1
Spblack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: spring Posts: 287	New member here Hey guys. Just recently picked up two old chevy trucks. 1958 apache and a 1957 chevy truck. Both were short wheel base. I wanted the single head light but decided to start with the 58 because of the cool paint. I picked up a frame with a Camaro subframe already on it. This is half the battle..for me it is. List of plans for the 58: -airbags (still figure out best way for rear with Camaro subframe up front) powdercoated after c-notch is installed. -LS motor -Nothing to the exterior (leaving rust and all) -interior- I may make it look new with a fresh coat of paint (blue and white) -wheels I am thinking 20s, maybe torque thrust I have a rear end question. Has anyone used an elcamino rear end for one of these trucks? Im hoping for this to be a "less than 3 month build so ill keep the pictures coming. Edited by Forum Staff Welcome to the forum, but please review the forum rules which you agreed to when you joined: Please note that you must be a supporting member to post classified items. This includes but is not limited to What Its Worth, Want To Buy, Want To Trade, and For Sale. Please consider supporting the forum by subscribing. Further information on the subscription levels available are located here If you need any further assistance with that please contact any Admin for help. 20131110_114618 20131110_114643 20131110_135212 20131110_135223 20131110_135232 Last edited by 63 & 64 Bowties; 11-14-2013 at 08:46 AM. Reason: FS by non-subscribing member

11-13-2013, 10:05 PM	#2
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,344	Re: New member here Nice truck. Thanks for the detailed description of your plans. Speaking strictly for myself, I like the patina on the '57 and I'm more of a two-eye guy than a four-eye guy, but that's just personal preference. __________________ '55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda!

11-14-2013, 12:51 AM	#3
alaska gasser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ruidoso, NM Posts: 290	Re: New member here Welcome from the snowy north. Watch out...you might end up building both. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=592642 '48 Chev extended cab with attitude http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=592769 My daughter's '46 International PU

11-14-2013, 01:42 AM	#4
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: New member here Welcome. Both look nice but I'm partial to the 57. Kim __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

11-14-2013, 06:40 AM	#5
DransportGarage Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lebanon, Ohio Posts: 1,359	Re: New member here I like the patina on the '57 better too. Don't know for sure about the El Camino rear end, but I'd think it's doable. It probably has the same diameter axle tubes, so passenger car u-bolts will mount it to existing springs. Some mods to the lower shock mounts will make them work too. I welded the truck shock mount to a '55 passenger car lower plate. Measure the wheel flange-to-wheel flange dimension and see how close it is to your existing axle (which should be about 61"). __________________ Bob "It won't take long and it won't cost much." '55 3100 (383/700R4)--'55 Belair Sedan (350/4-speed)--'64 'Vette Conv. (327/4-speed)--'68 GTO Conv. (462/4-speed)--'69 Cutlass Conv. (350/TH350)--'06 'Vette Conv. (LS2/6-speed) Bob's Retirement Build - My 55 TF Bob's 700R4 Build (how-to)

11-14-2013, 08:03 PM	#6
Spblack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: spring Posts: 287	Re: New member here Thanks. I was waiting to keep the 57, I still might keep it. It just depends on how fast I turn this 58 around. I am a big fan of the single headlights but this one is going to need some TLC.

11-14-2013, 09:29 PM	#7
FirstNation Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fairport NY Posts: 63	Re: New member here wow, I'll take the '57, and please don't even wash it!! Great patina!!

11-15-2013, 12:07 AM	#8
sqrlnts Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chandler AZ Posts: 750	Re: New member here Cool trucks. I would put the fleet bed on the 57 cab but I am just crazy!!!!

11-15-2013, 12:15 AM	#9
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: New member here x 2 ^ Sqrlnts idea

11-15-2013, 03:22 PM	#10
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: New member here nice trucks, i'm the odd man, i've always liked the 4 eyed beauties post lots of pics of your build welcome to this forum __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

11-15-2013, 03:26 PM	#12
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: New member here Ahh yes welcome to the forum!!!!! From Sin City.

11-15-2013, 09:00 PM	#13
av8tr33337 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Derby Kansas Posts: 564	Re: New member here Welcome. Those trucks are awesome. __________________ av8tr33337 AKA Bartman Email av8tr33337@yahoo.com Bartman's Ad-S10 Chassis Swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415418 My First Youtube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6hSt...eature=channel More Pics of the 51 Project http://s668.photobucket.com/albums/v...hassis%20Swap/ 1951 3100 Pickup

11-15-2013, 10:17 PM	#14
SCHRUMGMC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,989	Re: New member here Welcome !! __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100

11-15-2013, 10:30 PM	#15
Spblack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: spring Posts: 287	Re: New member here just an update, sold green truck. Picking up SWB frame tomorrow with Camaro subframe already installed, plus an additional complete Camaro subframe. Ive been talking to porterbuilt and I think I am going to go with their rear drop kit. Ill probably place an order on Monday after I get through looking over the frame im picking up. Its going to be a 4 week lead time before porterbuilt can get that shipped out to me. Has anyone had any issues with accuair e levels? I think I may pull the trigger on that as well. After looking around for an LS1 and up motor (no luck), I decided to just stick with a 5.3 or 6.0 out of a stock chevy or gmc truck (more common and cheaper). I have a 4.8 in one of my trucks and im pretty happy with it, im sure these will scoot this truck along fine. id like to find some 20-22" torq thrusters with a 5x4.75 bolt pattern. hopefully some will come up soon on craigslist down here.

11-16-2013, 11:13 PM	#17
Spblack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: spring Posts: 287	Re: New member here Ive been searching for 3 hours and yet to find a successful bag installation on a 70-81 Camaro subframe. Do any of you have any quick links for me? any tips on best place to buy a rebuild kit for the subframe? Id like to get some new affordable brakes up front as well. let me know of some good places online



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11-17-2013, 12:04 AM	#18
Spblack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: spring Posts: 287	Re: New member here starting working on frame. welds look pretty good. 20131116_170645 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/30339164@N04/10897207946/] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/30339164@N04/10897207946/] Always good to use teenagers for the dirty work [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/30339164@N04/10897303934/]

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