59 Chevy truck first ever build!

[58Chev]

So here goes....I'll give you a brief decription of who I am and what i've got. I'm 31 i'm from the UK but live in France and now own a 59 Chevy truck that I bought from a guy off the H.A.M.B. The truck come with a 350/350 combo/ volare front clip and 8" rear axle.

The truck is in pretty bad shape, there is quite a bit of rust in the cab/doors/bed/front fenders....I definitley have my work cut out!

The clip hasn't been put in very well at all so I have decided to take it out and go with a Jag IFS instead. I've been reading lots of build threads on here so hopefully you guys can point me in the right direction. The rear end is leaking oil everywhere so I have decided to go with a 95 mustand 8.8 rear end with 3.08 gears and limited slip oh and disc brakes.

Here's some photo's to get you started...

[Advanced Design]

Looks like a good start to a great project. Does France had a vehicle inspection process prior to registration or annually? I've seen references regarding inspections from members in other countries so I was curious.

Have fun, I am in to tag along.

[58Chev]

It looks better in the photo's than in the flesh! They do have a vehicle inspection in france but it's every 5 years for a classic vehicle. In the uk the vehicle inspection has been scraped for vehicles older than 1960! Here's a bit more of an idea of how bad the rust is....

[iowaboynca]

welcome and good luck!

[Zoomin]

Shoot, that's rust-free compared to my truck! Looks like a great starting point.

I must say that I admire you guys that take on projects with overseas - it makes a tough task even more so. I'll be watching for sure.

[58Chev]

Thanks guys this is where I'm up to so far I've got it in the shop and started stripping it down, just need to wait a couple of weeks for the jag clip to turn up and the new rear axle. Im going for a triangulated 4 link setup on the rear with adjustable colliers. In the mean time I'm going to carry on stripping any junk off the chassis and pull the engine and box this week.

[58Chev]

Time for an update....Sorry it's been awhile but i've been really busy with christmas/family visiting/work and 3 kids under 5 of a truck to build!

I've made some really good progress on the truck since I last posted, the chassis is totally stripped down there is nothing left on it that I don't need apart from a couple of stock crossmembers that will probably go too.

I was orginially going with a solid axle in the rear but I had the chance to buy a complete 1990 Jaguar XJR-S for €200 which has become my donor vehicle for front a rear suspension.

I have take the rear end out of the cage and ordered a couple of parts from a guy in the UK that makes crossmembers, bottom diff plate, front and back tie straps, the one on the front has ears for the torque straps that I will order once i'm ready. If anyone is interested his name is Mark at www.wisbechengineering.com and there is also another company called popbrowns.co.uk.
I ended up cutting up the crossmember and modifying it so I can get it as low as I want it.
The rear end is a 2.88 powerlock diff with blistein coilovers.

As for the front end it's alot more simpler than the rear end, The front has also come standard with blistein shocks and uprated jaguar sport springs. I also have a very hefty sway bar that is going to bolt up perfectly under the chassis rails.
I have been busy stripping all the front end down the past couple of evenings and got it painted yesterday. I've gone with a professional metal paint in grey that has an 8 year warranty. I've just brushed the parts and it seems to have gone on well and looks good. I have all the replacement rubber bushes to get the front end rebuilt once it's all painted.
I also managed to find a LHD Jaguar steering rack from germany.

My 454BBC engine and 700R4 transmission has arrived from california. It arrived to the uk in one peice but from the UK to France one of the couriers has managed to roll it over and smashed the distributor, bent the valve covers broke the water neck off the intlet manifold and few other minor peices. I am insured so I'm putting a claim in against this, apparently it's not a quick process and I will have to wait 7 weeks! Transmission seems to be ok but I need to inspect it further.
My overall plan is to twin turbo this stock 454 big block and see what we can get out of it.

Sorry it's so long!

[58Chev]

Some more photo's of the rear install and some painted suspension parts.

[58Chev]

And a couple more...

[joedoh]

what a great start! jag suspension seems like the hot ticket when you have a good plan.

[Kim57]

Looks like a sweet build.
Kim

[58Chev]

Thanks guys, It's progressing well. Really enjoying it too...I'll be keeping this updated more often now i'm really getting into it.

[Icdranch]

Looking good! I'm thinking about going with the Jaguar IFS and IRS. Looks like a great fit!

[58Chev]

It is a great fit, you will have to notch the back chassis rails if you want to get it as low as I want but if your not worried about it being real low then you will have no problems at all.

[Nut Case]

"58"

Looks like lots of fun coming down the middle of the road right at ya!!!!!

Go full Jaguar, I'm guessing that there a a few to choose from in your area.

FYI as soon as I can get off perma hold going to put a 96 Vette under a 57 GMC.

I'll be watchin, Go Big an Bold...

Keep on keepin on

nut case

[58Chev]

Oh I am...! I'm undecided about twin turbo'in the big block. I might run it as is at the moment then do the turbo setup at a later date. I'm desperate to get this back on the road as soon as I can.

What's perma hold?

[Nut Case]

Permanently on hold!!! On hot stand by!!! Waiting for the gate to be opened.

Where preparation and opportunity and cash collide. JOY of Joya.

I move early in my dismantle phase, down sized, the bleeding is stopped, just waiting for the weather to break, to start construction on the new shop 28 X 36
Once that is completed start on my 57 GMC with 96 vette IFS & IRS with a Super Rat Stroked BBC.

Just need to do baby steps, Keep on keepin on

NC

[58Chev]

Well tonight I've got my front crossmember tacked in, it's in squar with the frame and the back axle!
I ended up notching the chassis into the crossmember by an 1.5" so I can get it to sit where I want.
I had a peice of 60mm box cut down and acted as a spacer between the lca and spring turret.
This has given me my ride height near enough. Now it's time to mount the engine and box!

[Kim57]

Stance looks good.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Just seeing you're on here too!
I follow yours with interest...keep up the good work!!

[58Chev]

Managed to get engine and transmission in place last night provisionally and blocked up. Thought the Big block would look big in there but it still looks tiny!

With notching the chassis rails over the crossmember i'm very tight to the steering rack with the sump on the oil pan.
It's a quite a large pan at 9" deep and 11" long so tomorrow night i'm going to take the oil pan off and modify it back.
I did find a moroso one which would give me plenty of room, but at $180 and being that i'm in france the old oil pan is going to be quicker and cheaper.

Once i've got the engine in place i'm going to make the engine mounts, then take the cab off and make myself a k member from the front of the cab to the back just before the Jag IRS. The K member will have the transmission bolted too it and also the radius rods from the lower control arm's.

[_Ogre]

nice frame build up
too busy to post? we know why...

and 3 kids under 5

[Sparky dave]

Come back lol I need to see what you been up to