55.2-59 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project

[Jason 56]

Truck is looking awesome! I’ll be following.

Not sure the 2011 6 speed will work with your 2002 engine. That trans is controlled by a tcm( transmission control module) that is contained in the ecu. Gm didn’t start using a tcm until 2007 when they changed to the 58x reluctor. Your 2002 won’t be compatible unless you change the reluctor wheel n ecu To one that has an internal tcm... if that’s possible. I’m not sure.

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by BLAC

With all the craziness going on with the Coronavirus lockdown I decided to buy a trailer and truck to pull my project out of LA with my fiance to her parents house on a ranch in Idaho. A big bonus is that my father in law has built a lot of hotrods and task force trucks... so this will be picking up some serious steam.
]

These are all massive updates, you're going HARD. Keep it up, every day is one day closer to cruising time!

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by Jason 56

Truck is looking awesome! I’ll be following.

Not sure the 2011 6 speed will work with your 2002 engine. That trans is controlled by a tcm( transmission control module) that is contained in the ecu. Gm didn’t start using a tcm until 2007 when they changed to the 58x reluctor. Your 2002 won’t be compatible unless you change the reluctor wheel n ecu To one that has an internal tcm... if that’s possible. I’m not sure.

Interesting, I havent read anyhting about not being able to use a tr6060 with a 24x. I will be running Holley stand alone. Not sure if that makes a difference but I will look into it.

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by daveshilling

These are all massive updates, you're going HARD. Keep it up, every day is one day closer to cruising time!

Thanks! more updates coming soon

[BLAC]

Cut off the stock mounting points for the rear end and making it a permanent fixture




Adding some bracing







Cups for upper air bag mounts







rear shock mounts:

[BLAC]

More bracing in the rear to fit around a fuel cell





Making lower control arms

[slammed57]

killer pipe work

[youngrodder]

Man that's an impressive chassis....Nice work.

Marc

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by slammed57

killer pipe work

thats what she said... sorry

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Man that's an impressive chassis....Nice work.

Marc

thank you! my father in law has a JD2 manual bender we put to work. I am really considering a roll cage...

[59chev]

Kick ass fabrication work!!

[Jason 56]

Wow, great fab skills! Very very nice work.

[BLAC]

the progress continues...

Got new Holley valve covers. The red should be good for a few HP




About 2 weeks of sha-hit loads of grinding and sanding to get the whole frame (top and bottom) metal finished getting it ready for primer.



Throwing sparks in gawds country



bottom side of the frame where the 1959 Apache meets the 2015 Camaro SS



Top of the fabricated rear airbag mount



I love me some files





Primered black until I get back home to LA where I will have it blasted and epoxy primered.

[BLAC]

Going back together (and I got a zx14 )





5 Gallon Air Lift tank mounted behind the drivers step



Dual Viair 444C compressors mounted





Air Lift 3h manifold mounded behind the seat



Got some of her clothes back on

[Jason 56]

Wow! Your fab work is so clean. Very inspirational and makes me wish I went with a similar suspension. Your truck is going to be top notch!

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by Jason 56

Wow! Your fab work is so clean. Very inspirational and makes me wish I went with a similar suspension. Your truck is going to be top notch!

Thanks! It’s fun now that the air management is installed and it moves around on its own haha

Next up is one piece glass in the doors

[BLAC]

Starting to build the raised bed frame. Because of the IRS I am able to keep a pretty decent bed depth and only ended up raising the bed floor about 6" while being able to lay the body on the ground:

[youngrodder]

Looks great man..Nice fab work

Marc

[daveshilling]

BAD ASS!!! So much work in these photos, you're killin it. I love all the bent tube, it really shows off how bespoke the chassis is vs. bolting on parts from the hot rod store like I did. Excellent work...I won't even try to keep up. I made two fuel lines and a bracket this month lol!

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Looks great man..Nice fab work

Marc

Thanks I appreciate it. Progress is fun, sometimes I need to work on little pieces like mounts because looking at “the whole picture” can be overwhelming ha

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by daveshilling

BAD ASS!!! So much work in these photos, you're killin it. I love all the bent tube, it really shows off how bespoke the chassis is vs. bolting on parts from the hot rod store like I did. Excellent work...I won't even try to keep up. I made two fuel lines and a bracket this month lol!

Definitely a lot of time captured in these pictures haha nothing wrong with bolting in parts, your truck is going to be awesome. You are way ahead of me if you are already building fuel lines haha

[reg3]

Wow!! Killer fab work my man, I really like those rear upper bag mounts! You've got one killer rig on your hands!

[slammed57]

Very nice fab work!

[BLAC]

Core Shifter base installed with a Hurst stick and an unbranded Hurst shift ball. Shifts are nice and short and precise.

[BLAC]

Holy neglected thread, batman...


I am still working on the truck, lots has been done, I am just way behind on updates. I will go a more comprehensive update when I have a little more time but here are a couple teasers..


I went air/air intercooler, here is the evolution of the mount design:



Looks good! I went with a Treadstone IC, should be good for 1,000hp:



not exactly fitting... the cross bars gotta go:



Im liking it... What isnt pictured is a lot of metalwork in the opening, contouring the IC with a rolled edge to look like factory:



Happy with that!



oh and I picked up a snail... BW S480 SXE