Roadkill's 58 Chevy Stepside

[MBrown]

Roadkill, any chance you remember where that fuel tank is from? I like the fill neck because I wouldn't have to notch the frame if i get one that comes straight out of the side of the tank.

Thanks,
Mark

[Roadkill58]

I believe it came from Brothers.

It hangs low under the chassis. I plan on moving it up 3" to 4".

The filler (with hose on) just barely touches the top of the chassis.



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[MBrown]

Yeah, that looks like it. Thanks

[Roadkill58]

Decided to raise the fuel tank.

Removed the rear cross member. It will need to be moved back to clear the tank.

I boxed the rear frame rails. Don't know why I didn't do this when I boxed the rest of the frame.

I cut the mounting surface with a 5" saw with plywood blade.
Drilled new holes for 5/16" bolts.

It's a tight fit but it can be removed from the bottom. Looks like I will have to drop the tank to install the bed wood.

The new mounts have flange nuts welded in.
Need to make a metal strip to go between the bolts and the mounting surface.

I have some weather resistant material to sandwich between the steel and the aluminum.

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[Roadkill58]

I had one stock cross member left on the chassis. We can't have that.

Cut it out with a sawz-all, and welded in a new one.

Finished welding the mounts for the fuel tank, and shortening the fuel fill tube.

Need to prep and prime and touch up paint the chassis.

I was having some issues with my welder. Think I need a new ground clamp.

[Roadkill58]

Tank is back in after being flushed and screw retrieved from the inside.

Not sure why I polished the tank...you can't see it unless you are underneath the truck.

Next is wiring the bed for lights then I can start installing the bed wood.

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[Roadkill58]

Work on truck has been slow. Mowing and weeding is eating up a lot of time.

Decided to polish the shiny parts of the IROC wheels. Had to remove the clear down to bare metal. It's a lot of work.

Due to conflicting bed wood milling dimensions (thank you internet) I have to have the boards trimmed.

Found a filter to use on the fuel tank vent line.

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[ptc]

Looks good - got my rear lights all installed and wired this past weekend... working on the front end now.

[Scottish58chev]

Looks good man

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by ptc

Looks good - got my rear lights all installed and wired this past weekend... working on the front end now.

Thanks PTC.

I have all the new wire. Still don't have it in yet.


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[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by Scottish58chev

Looks good man

Thanks Scottish58chev.

Still polishing the wheels. Only one to go!


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[Roadkill58]

Finished polishing the wheels.

I was working on the last one when my friend Mike dropped by.
He said he had a professional wheel polishing machine, and I should come over and pick it up.
It also needs re-motored. I might do it.

Today I started lining up the bed wood. I need another set of hands.

[Kim57]

Looks real nice.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Bed looks great!

[ptc]

Looking really good Jim! -- If ya need some extra help just give me a ring...

Know where I can get some wing window assembly and window frames? Im going to back to stock instead of the 1-piece windows. Got a nice set of tinted 1-piece window glass if you are going that rout that Im not going to use.

Talk to you soon

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looks real nice.
Kim

Thanks Kim.

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[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Bed looks great!

Thanks JJ.

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[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by ptc

Looking really good Jim! -- If ya need some extra help just give me a ring...

Know where I can get some wing window assembly and window frames? Im going to back to stock instead of the 1-piece windows. Got a nice set of tinted 1-piece window glass if you are going that rout that Im not going to use.

Talk to you soon

Thanks PTC. I might take you up on the offer.

I tried tinted windows on my 71. CHP did not like it.

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[Roadkill58]

Got the bed strips bolted in, and that is where all work on the truck stopped.

We had issues with the septic system (roots clogging the D-box and drywells).

That resulted in flooded (gray water) bathrooms when the tub was drained.

Both bathrooms are gutted at the moment, and I am upgrading everything beyond what the insurance will pay.

Making the wife happy is a priority.

My sister loaned us her motorhome while the bathrooms are down so we can pocket the relocation money from the insurance.

Now the A/C is not working right. I suspect a leak from the demolition.

We have a lot going on at the time, but it will all be dealt with, and we will back to our "normal" eventually.

Can't wait to get back on the truck!

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[ptc]

Yea I understand that wife thing.... I am doing home reno-va-tion & repairs and trying to stay on track with the truck to make my Aug deadline. Got a Car and Boat show in Clear Lake I want to make it to with my truck and boat all together finally! --- we'll see.

Septics are not fun projects.... especially the 'aftermath' types....

I found a great set of power window setups for the least amount going around. I have gone back to 1-piece windows instead of stock because after doing the math it would have cost more for stock!!!!

Oh well...

[Roadkill58]

Still working on the bathrooms. Spending a lot of time redoing everything the general contractor did.

The general contractor fired us the homeowner well that's what he told the subcontractors one who happens to be a very good friend of mine.

Now I am the general contractor, and finally have this project moving forward.

The insurance company is sending us a check for redoing the work, and to finish the project.

I did get to eyeball the truck for minute, and plan my next plan of attack.

I've changed insurance companies, and now have full coverage on the 58, and the old Harley.

The old insurance company thought I would just lie down when they raised my rates.

I did find an honest HVAC company. House A/C works like new.

[Roadkill58]

Applied first coat of primer-sealer today.

Unfortunately it wasn't on the 58.

Tile is scheduled sometime after the 25th.

Bullnose trim not available until then.

My wife is awesome.

She got the insurance company to pay for all of the upgrades we wanted.

I will continue to read everyone's post, and see your progress.

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[Dan in Pasadena]

Man, I've GOTTA now more about your bed wood. It looks great. What kind of wood or stain? Flat polyurethane or an oil finish? Again, looks SO good!

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Man, I've GOTTA now more about your bed wood. It looks great. What kind of wood or stain? Flat polyurethane or an oil finish? Again, looks SO good!

Thanks Dan.

The wood is Sepele from Africa. No stain. Marine grade clear.

A good friend of mine owns a cabinet shop, and had the wood left over
from a kitchen remodel.

It was free (including the milling) so I have no complaints.

I need to bring the rest of the truck up to the same level as the wood.


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[Roadkill58]

I need to order another front panel for the bed. I have to section the front panel to make it look right. These are some of the issues that rear their ugly head when you do things that's that are not "stock"
However the finished product will be well worth the effort.

This project has taken a lot of time but I'm not going to deviate from my original goal of having a truck is easy to maintain and enjoy driving.

We are now into November and I should have some time to work on the truck.
Now that the house projects are finished I have claimed the rest of my days to making this truck driveable minus paint. We will see how that plays out.


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