1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Hello Everyone, I just recently picked up a 1959 Fleetside short bed from the second owner (no engine or trans). The body is very nice and there are only a few areas where I have found rust, that bwing said im sure ill find more as I dig in....
My plan is to get an LS (ls1 or 5.3) in it, drop it on a dropped axel and a flipped rear end and drive it for a year or so while I put together an IFS, a 4 link and bag kit. I typically build motorcycles and fabricate tanks/fenders etc so I look at this truck as a good way to practice body work and rust repair. Now for the pictures :metal: Bringing it home https://i.imgur.com/bSDREr1.jpg?1 Showing my grandpa what I found https://i.imgur.com/8VyeGzE.jpg Home sweet home https://i.imgur.com/dTe9hR2.jpg Taking a look under the skirt https://i.imgur.com/Nz0PjRs.jpg |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
First thing first... I had to clean it up. I rented a pressure washer and went to town.
https://i.imgur.com/JLAdJrS.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/UCp7UTQ.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/lX4uNym.jpg?1 It only took me about 12 hours of seeing the truck in my back yard at stock height before buying a dropped axel... I went with a CPP kit that included the 3-4" drop axel, power steering, rotors/calipers, new leafs, shocks. Far from a test drive but it's getting better every day. https://i.imgur.com/pVt6ais.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/lSJZ1sQ.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/kFXoL8W.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/GUsI4ef.jpg?1 |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Hey man just checking you out. The truck looks to be in good shape.
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
I have a couple problem areas with rust I will upload some pics of later today, I need to place an order for some patch panels.. |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Welcome...looks like you got a very good truck...i can see some of the normal problem areas ....cab corners,,,,rockers,,,,door bottoms,,,,but still a very good start...
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Your issues with the cab is what I call a good start. All the issues you have are very typical for a 60 year old truck. I was not so lucky, I bought my truck in Cali but I swear it must have been transported from the East coast or something.lol
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
Im the second owner and it was built in the LA factory and has been here its whole life. There is just one nasty spot behind the front passenger tire where some pine needles built up and the hinge pocket got some cancer... I'm sure it will be a fun repair.. |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Check out this video https://youtu.be/DCYxHax8C6M this is not all the rust but most of it.
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
haha you basically have a whole new cab! great work! |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
https://i.imgur.com/PdrWIHd.jpg?1 |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Yep...your gonna be sick of rust repair before its over....and yours isn't that bad...I've seen much worse....
Do you have any experience welding thin sheetmetal?...what type welder do you have?.....I'd get some scrap pieces of sheet metal to practice on before you start the real thing....and if possible to access , a copper backer will help tremendously when welding the thin stuff... |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
You need two pieces. The outer and the inner patch panels
The outer panel is called Lower Hinge Piller Outer Pocket https://www.restorationperformance.c...29094_zoom.jpg The inner panel is called Hinge Pillar Inner Pocket https://www.restorationperformance.c...44053_zoom.jpg If you want someplace local to pick them up you have The car and truck shop in Orange, CA it will save you on shipping |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
I have a Miller dynasty tig, a Miller 210 mig and a Smiths gas welding set. I am more nervous about cutting into the car and getting it all in the right place. Ive only made new pieces, not patched into existing stuff |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
Ill get these parts ordered :metal: |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Just sneak up on your cut line....cut it leaving some chicken to play with....grind and fit,,,,grind and fit,,,,grind and fit...youve welded 20ga so you know what to expect...
Those pieces may not be critical but if your gonna do much cutting and replacing you'll be money ahead to x brace the cab to keep things from moving around... |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
If anyone hasnt seen it, his vids are worth a look: https://www.youtube.com/user/1gibsonl4/videos |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
you maybe wanna check/rebuild the hinges first, then fit the door to the opening and tack in some cross braces before you take the door off and mess around with the hinge pillar. trust me, it is worth the effort when you are done and find the door still fits.
there is one more little piece you may also need and that is the front fender lower rear mount bracket. the part that the bolt and nut go through to hold the fender onto the cab. https://www.classicindustries.com/pr...ts/t70922.html your truck looks pretty good. maybe just a clear coat for awhile till you figure out what you wanna do. link up with Bam, if he can't fix something then it aint worth fixin. |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
before you start cutting stuff off, make a mark up higher on the pillar, level, and then do a few dimensions from there. like where the hinge bolts centerlines are, floor level is etc. take some pics as you go so you have something to reference when you are fitting stuff back together. even a cardboard cutout of the contour you are trying to match up would help. if the new piece doesn't fit the same then you will have air leaks, hinge and door fitment issues later on.
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
if you haven't already you may want to upgrade to a dual system brake set up for safety's sake.
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Great info, I will definitely be taking a lot of pics and measurements. Im going to upgrade my booster but am unsure if i want to run 4 disks or just the front disks yet.
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
I was told that I can lower the front of the truck another couple inches by pulling the top leaf off and flipping it upside down then putting it back together, meaning the eyes of the top leaf would be facing down instead of up towards the truck. I have done some research but havent seen anyone talk about doing this... is it ok/safe to do?
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
well, I would say it would be a fun time getting the spring pack back together again and then you are running the main leaf in a configuration that is opposite to what it was made to do. personally, i wouldn't but i'm sure there is gonna be somebody who says go for it. they are new springs so at least you have that going for you as far as compared to using old springs which would likely crack after a few bends the "wrong way". they are arced for use the other way so using them backwards would be counter-intuitive because they would be simulating carrying a fair load just sitting on the ground installed upside down in the pack.
remember the main leaf, if cracked, is gonna give you a real ride because it is what orients the axle in the truck. any of the other leafs are just "going with the flow" and will cause a sag but not catastrophe if broken. |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Go check out the h.a.m.b board and see if you can find info on this. They do a lot of traditional rodding over there and someone may know something.
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
how low are you trying to go? you don't wanna drop it too much with a sold axle or it will be bottoming out all the time. what about a smaller diameter tire?
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
got some pics with the wheels on and the new front axle stuff? too late already, thr truck is dissassembled into boxes now? lol.
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
Here it is sitting on the ground, I just think it should be sitting lower. Granted there is no motor or trans in it and the tires are pretty small on 14's so it looks a little funky. https://i.imgur.com/bpVplaT.jpg?1 But if you look at the axle directly it looks like the truck would be really low, but the body is up too high. https://i.imgur.com/GUsI4ef.jpg?1 |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
I think you will be surprised when you load an engine and trans in there and drive it around a little until the springs get "set". it could make all the difference. of course, a set of wheels and tires would also help. any idea of the diameter you will go with for tires? I have some 235/55r17's on mine. dan from pasadena has the same size on his truck. here is a link to his build. check page 108 for a pic with that size tire to see if you like it. those tires are 27.2" tall. I may end up with some 235/60r17's just for the extra height. it will affect the highway cruising rpm, and fuel mileage, a bit
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63698&page=108 here is a link to a tire size chart with a visual comparison tab and several other tabs. maybe come in handy for you. https://tiresize.com/comparison/ |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Quote:
Ill keep that tire profile in mind once I track a set down |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
after it is all back together and you've had a chance to set the springs, if you still don't like the ride height, you could get spring mounting pads welded to the underside of the axle and that would gain you a little. the problem is the axle may bottom out on the oil pan or the frame if you get it too low.
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
I found a set of fender emblems and a hood emblem ;)
Time to get to work on the cab corner and the rear c-notch + axle flip... so i pulled the bed off. I decided to pull of the individual panels since I will be doing some bodywork on them and it makes them a bit more manageable when they aren't one huge unit. How its sitting with no motor on a dropped axel: https://i.imgur.com/aSQUvon.jpg?1 Time to break down.. https://i.imgur.com/cLARcrs.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/IbvYcwt.jpg?1 |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Anyone in the LA area have any leads on a set of the 20" dodge steelies?
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Or the 17" Fj Cruiser's ;)
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
a 6.0 LS followed me home ;)
https://i.imgur.com/rfS2twa.jpg?1 |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
mom, it followed me home. can I keep it?
darn 6.0's, they think they own the place, lol. nice snag. trans too? |
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Nice, now if only I can get one to follow me home.
|
Re: 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project
Haha I was looking online REALLY frequently and when I saw the add go up for this one I snagged it before it was even an hour old ;) just gotta set up some alerts, good deals don't last long in our neck of the woods!
Question for y'all, I didn't buy the trans the guy had with it so I'm still looking... I have my eyes on a TR6060 from a 2011 Camaro with 25k miles on it... anyone ran one of these transmissions? |
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:02 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com