Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

I welded all the parts, and "tested" the motormounts...
There is no way I get some movement in them ;)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...o/P1260185.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...o/P1260186.JPG

Transmount also ready, not the nicest welds, but hey, if you drive 50 mph, you don't see it anyway :lol:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N...o/P1260183.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V...o/P1260184.JPG

Next I made a bolt-in front x-member.
I don't know if this is neccesary, I thought it would??
Not ready yet, but you get the picture!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B...o/P1260187.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G...o/P1260188.JPG

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Looking real good.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Kees, better and better each day..Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Small update.
I finished welding the front x-member.
Then checked the complete front, cleaned it and put the first layer of primer on it. Ofcourse I did the x-member and the transmount too ;)
When these are painted after the weekend, the IFS and IRS are ready :metal:
Then it's on to the bodywork!!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O...o/IMG_2469.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j...o/IMG_2470.JPG

The PO had his velour interiour screwed in, so I have to weld about a thousend holes in the cab :crazy:
And I will have a search on this board to the best way to repair the hinge pockets and what's in front of that area...I think this is the most difficult thing I have to do. (Tips are welcome!!)
Floors shouldn't be so hard.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Looking really good Kees!

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Kees, I agree looking good...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Very nice.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Thanks!!

First coat chassis black went on last night:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l...o/P1260195.JPG

In the meantime at home, I drilled a 3 mm thick plate for the brakebooster.
I will weld it in on the firewall, and make my own swingpedal.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2...o/P1260190.JPG

A lot of drilling to get a hole of almost 2,5"

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F...o/P1260194.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w...o/P1260192.JPG

I must have a flat surface to mount the booster, so I have to look how I manage that.
Can't remember exactly how the firewall looks like at that place, I'm getting old, I think...;)

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Nice fab work.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Knees, I have learned so much, your creative process is off the chart. There is no box big enough that you won't leave to solve a problem. Shortly I'm going to start a build on a 57 GMC with C-4 suspension front and back. With the engine fixed and the IRS fixed is it necessary to have the rear tilted 4 degrees? There is no movement of the rear end in relation to the engine/tranny, as long as they match. They could be level. All right let me have it. Thanks in advance Chase

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Thanks Kim!!

Nut Case, thanks for your kind words!!
I have used Jaguar stuff, that really not the same as Corvette.
So I can't help you with that, but there are guys on this board that have used C4 suspension, try a search on this.

Mine has the pignon angle the same as the trans, both fixed.
With Jag stuff, there are different opinions on how to mount the diff, I did what I thought it was best, and hope for the best...;)
Well, I did my homework on this :lol:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Kees, all your fab work is looking great! project coming right along nice.

As for Nut Case question - on the driveline angles I think he was referring to?, you should have at least 1-3 degrees of angle (up or down) between the trans and rear diff. What this does is allows the needle bearing inside the u-joint cups to spin as the driveline rotates and keeps them active and rounded.

If your driveline is perfectly straight, (no degree difference) then these needle bearings do not turn and can cause flattening of the bearings and a shorter life cycle.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

I know what you mean, ptc.
My diff is 2.8 degrees up and the trans is 2.8 degrees down with the framerails level, at least that came out after all the welding...

I thought a C4 IRS is completely different than a Jag IRS?
Has the C4 not a pipe between the trans and the IRS, so that it's fixed to each other?
Or does it have a "normal" driveshaft like the Jag has?

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

The dimensions are different but the design is the same in that you have the 'pumpkin' separate from the axles. But the main driveshaft to the differential is setup the same no matter what type of rear end is used. There has to be some angle of incline between the two for the u-joints to work.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

There is your answer Nut Case.

I thought this was C4 (I did a google search, but it is a C5 ;) )
That's why I said it's completely different, my bad!

Thanks for your support ptc!!

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

no problemo! -enjoy being of help!

Now that C5/C6 setup would be the cats meow for a pickup truck for perfect weight distribution.... Not like its a new idea.... I dont think there are any more "new ideas", all it takes is money!!!!

This is a 57 Truck with a transaxle:

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...gmMYhy3nPkTTpg

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

If you go Pro Street you want horsepower...
How much do you want ptc?
Corvette is not enough?

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

ptc, I saw your pic just now, looks awesome!
It just screams Horsepowerrr!!

This afternoon I started the bodywork.
Began with all the 10.000 holes that the PO had drilled to get that very nice interiour in...
Also the floor under the seat has some drilled airconditioning.
So, I thought let's start at the back and work my way to the front, start with the easy things ;)

This is the back as you see, interiour srewed in through the back...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y...o/IMG_2473.JPG

The most screw holes are inside, I will weld them all.
And I welded the gasfiller opening just as everybody else, made a piece out of 16 gauge steel, welds perfect!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q...o/IMG_2472.JPG

Tomorrow a new day, hope I get all the holes closed, so I can get on with real important work :lol:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

It's amazing how much work we do to these trucks that goes completely unnoticed.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

That is so true. It's also amazing how much work we do to fix something, that they (PO) thought was OK...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

You're absolutely right Kim!
You know it, I know it and we keep going on ;)

As Jim said, we do what we think is right, if we do all the same, well, we got ourselfs a boring hobby :lol::lol:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

The po screwed the interior in through the back panel? Or the screws went through the back panel from the inside? Either way...wow.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

From the inside out....
In post #2 you can what it looked like when I got the truck.
The pics don't do it justice :lol::lol:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Today I cleaned the inside of the cab, took all out what's in the way, such as all electrics, loose insulation, bolts or whatever there is.
Also took the windshield out.
I'm glad the metal is in good shape!!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t...o/P1260207.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q...o/P1260208.JPG

The metal under the old insulation is also in very good shape

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--...o/P1260210.JPG

So, what's left to do is welding all the holes the PO had made and make new floor parts.

The passenger side:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N...o/P1260211.JPG

Driver side is in better shape, but has issues as well:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V...o/P1260215.JPG

Passenger lower cowl is really bad, and misses parts:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h...o/P1260212.JPG

Driver side is reasenable (I hope...)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...o/P1260214.JPG

With all these repairs in the near future I first welded all the holes inside the cab and a few on the firewall:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M...o/P1260216.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f...o/P1260217.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7...o/P1260218.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z...o/P1260219.JPG

I must say, I have seen some firewalls on this board that were a lot worse..
Maybe I'm just a lucky guy :lol::lol:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

It really doesn't look too bad.
I would remove the small plates that the factory has at the bottom of the cowl drain areas.
IMHO that's what ruined plenty of these cabs in those places because debris would just sit there and hold water.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Kees, not to bad, I've seen alot worse myself. Your moving along...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Well Kim and Jim, you're right about it, it aint so bad.

I welded all the unneccesary holes the PO had made, welded some in the firewall too that I think I don't need.
After that, I cleaned the passenger side Lower hinge and cowl to see how bad it really is.
The main rot is at the inside floor and lower hinge pocket.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f...o/IMG_2477.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y...o/IMG_2480.JPG

The outside of the lower cowl is pretty good.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z...o/IMG_2478.JPG

I took off that good part to make room for the repair of the floor and hinge pocket, the inside of the cowl isn't so bad either

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a...o/IMG_2481.JPG

I think I make my own parts to get this repaired.
I've seen some of you have done it, so I should get it done also ;)

But to make sheetmetal parts you must have the tools. I don't have all of them...
Well then, I try to make a metal brake:
Difficult to see, but this is real steel, 3 feet long, 5 mm thick angled steel, 10 mm thick strip steel. I hope it bends 14 gauge steel plate at 3 feet length.
If it does this, I'm going to make my own rollpan also :metal:
Yeah, I know, I've plenty of plans....

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f...o/IMG_2482.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h...o/IMG_2484.JPG

Only thing needed now is some hinges and we can try the new tool :metal:
I'll keep you updated on this one!

Last week I made a bending tool for brake lines, that works great!!
Set up for 3/16" and 1/4" lines.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3...o/IMG_2483.JPG

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Are those aluminum screen door rollers?

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Those are some nice tools you made.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

No PTC, those are real Dutch Homemade Steel Rollers ;)
(turned on my lathe :metal:)
One of a kind :lol:


Thanks Kim, hope it works fine....

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Hey, I like the tubing bender! Nice work Kees.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Nice looking stuff...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Thanks guys!!
Appreciate it!!

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Finished the metal brake, looks like sh*t, but it works fine! :lol::lol:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X...o/P1260304.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x...o/P1260306.JPG

With that done, I began to grind all the rot out.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y...o/P1260308.JPG

The first two parts...lower hinge pocket:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X...o/P1260307.JPG

I made a new piece for the hinge out of 2 mm steel plate:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3...o/P1260309.JPG

Tacked it in again:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7...o/P1260310.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--...o/P1260311.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...o/P1260312.JPG

With this in place I can make the inside, a piece of floor and a piece of the lower kick panel. After that I will try to make the outside of the hinge pocket and lower cowl....
Sounds easy... ;)

To be continued....

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Hi Kees...what is this?

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Nice job on the brake and repairs.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

When it works, it works, don't need no fancy stuff. Sheet metal repairs look good...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Cees,

Do you know of Prins Truckshop?
He's up near Zwolle and has most of the repair panels. He's fairly well priced, and much cheaper than importing yourself.
I know it does all add up though. i bought lower cab corners and the cab cowl piece, but made the other small parts i needed. I suppose it depends if you want to be 100% factory or don't mind some slightly alternative bends and shapes in there... I'm in the latter catagory if it saves money!

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

as a reference, I ordered my both front fenders there and some other stuff, reasonable priced and fast delivery if in stock.