Re: 58 GMC Project
 

RIGHT ON MAN!!!:metal: :metal: She beautiful!!! It might be a cool thing to do by priming her black and making her into a "Rat Rod" until you ready to go all out.:cool:

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Jebb, is yours going to end up a GMC or a Chevy? Looks like your body/sheetmetal is all pretty clean. As far as not knowing which way to go with the project, I feel for you. My '56 could go either way...tear it down and do a frame off or put it together and drive it for now. I'm really wanting to drive it and all I need to do is swap the hood, swap the new rear end in and mount the bed. Like yours, mine is 5 different colors too. In fact, I have some of the SAME yellow paint on some pieces. I'm thinking for now I might get her all one color (prime black) and drive her until I get the urge to fix her up.

CAL 58, your frame looks SWEEET!! That must have run a few benjamins to have done....especially here in California where the EPA makes guys in our hobby jump through so many hoops that it gets to the point where it's not even worth it. I've seen 2 Auto Body Strippers and 3 Chrome Platers close shop due to regulations in the last 2 years alone. We may not have any hobby professionals willing to do work if it keeps going this way. Oh yeah, who did your powder coating?

BTW: Did either of you mount the Camaro front clip yourselves? What years are best to look for? Is that a pretty straightforward project if you have a big enough shop and know how to weld?

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

The powder coating wasn't really that expensive. $450 for media blasting and coating. Not bad when you consider you take them an old dirty rusty frame and you get back one that's like new. Clovis powder coating did the work. For those of you that don't know were Clovis is, its right next to Fresno in Central California. The Camaro clip came on the truck, which was one of the main reasons I bought it. Basically the truck was a shell on top of a frame with a Camaro clip. As for the years, 1970 to 1981 are the years most people use. I would use a year that has the "front steering box" (1976 to 1981 I believe) because there is more room for your steering column. The difference between is that the "front steer" has all of the steering linkage is in front of the crossmember including the box, and the "rear steer" as it all behind the crossmember. I believe Nova's have "rear steering" and that's why most people use Camaro, not to mentions that if you find one off a Z-28 you get a heaver sway bar and quicker ratio steering box that you will not get on a Nova.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

My Dad did the frontend 10 or more years back. He also used a Camaro in these years. I think his was a 1976.
My truck will be a GMC eventually, I don't know if it is going to have a Chevy grille until I find the GMC grille or not yet. My truck is an original Fleet option truck so either way it will never be original again. My Dad and I have both given away the original parts thinking they were wrong. Then I found this http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0287.html DOH!!! To late to go back now, could never find those parts again. But the answer to your question is, I will eventually have 100% GMC gear. I just have to find it first. Thanks for your interest guys!

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

nova clips work well too. i am going to be putting a '77 nova clip on my '59 chevy truck soon. 75-79 nova's and 70-81 camaro's have basically the same clip. all that i have heard was different was the front frame horns, but you would be cutting those off anyway.

and the front/rear steer thing refers to the steering linkage being in front of or behind the spindles.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Thanks 1 Ton, I stand corrected on the front & rear steering thing. I was going by what I was told as for the steering box placement.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

the steering box is most likely farther forward, but where the tie rod ends connect to the spindles is what the front or rear steer refers to, so you weren't completely misinformed

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

I just finished installing the A-arms, springs, shocks and spindles. The A-arms were powder coated what they called aluminum.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Uh oh, your giving me the itch again!!!! Looks really cool not all the same color. I was going to paint my frame but after reading and seeing yours I may just have to spring for the powder coating. Looks HOT!
How much longer on the cab again?

Shawn

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Thanks Shawn, I don't know when I am getting the cab back. The guy told me 4 weeks, this is the fourth week and he still not even near being done.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Man, it looks like you are going to have a very nice truck.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Thanks, Kabwe! I spent most of the day working on my truck. I got the TCI power brack unit in and the steering box. After putting in the dropped coils I realized I had one not setting in the pocket right:crazy:, so I had to take it apart to set them back in. Hears a few more pics.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Okay now you making me really want to get started on my truck. Its just so hard to stop driving the 55 210 long enough to work on the truck.lol
But you are going to make me do it. Keep the progress pics coming man its looking really good.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Thanks again Kabwe. I got to admit it's getting exciting to finally start getting it all together! Over the next week I should be droping in the motor and transmission. I am waiting on a pair of motor mounts to come in. As soon as I get the motor in I will post some new pictures.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

CAL 58 GMC, see what you are doing to us. Me, ChargerBill and now Kabwe:lol: Your killing us!:)

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

WOW!! That really cool!! This is such a passionate hobbie, look what it does to us!!!! :c2: :thumbs: :clap: :frog: :hot: :banghead: :two: :ele: :cf: :exit:

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Boy that brings back memories of building my 56 chev panel truck,are you going to keep the chevy nose on it or find a 58 GMC nose?

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

I am going to keep the 55 chevy. I really like the look of the 55-56 grill.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

I got the front on the ground and dropped the motor in today. Here's a few pics.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Your truck in coming along nicely. I haven't been a fan of camaro clips in the past because they usually look hacked but yours looks really good. Your eye on the details shows in the pics. Nice work.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Thanks dwcsr. I hope you keep your thread updated as I will be following your project as you get further along too.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

I have officially set my goal for 6 months. Driving mine to work in flat black! Thanks for the push, that truck looks SWEET!

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Cool!! You will need to post some pics when your done.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Very nice.....It looks like you have made a ton a progress in very little time.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Thanks Todd55! Over the last month I have not had much time to work on it, my job has taken up most of my spear time. I am planning on getting back on the project over the next few weeks. I love your 55!!! I was almost going to paint mine the same color. My 04 Chevy Silverado is that color so I thought I would go with a different color. Thanks for checking out my project!:metal:

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

MERRY CHRISTMAS CAL:) hope you keep up this rapid progress! I will hopefully start digging in to mine after new years. Keep a look out for a thread I will start one:)

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

cal, the truck is looking awsome, i agree with your decesion to the 55 chevy frontend . also merry christmas and happy newyear.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Thanks Mike. And a Merry Christmas and a happy new year to both of you too!

I will keep a eye out for your thread Jebb.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

After 4 months I still don't have my cab back from paint. I went to the body shop and found out the guy sold the shop and has retired:censored: What a joke!! He said he wanted to finish it at the shop he sold on the side. The new owner just wants it out. Man what a mess!! I think it's time to take it to another shop.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Okay, here's the lastest update on the paint. Yesterday the guy I took it to almost 5 months ago finaly told me he did not have the time to finish it. (man I wish he would have told me 4 months ago). I told him I would pay him for the work he's already done and pull the truck out. He said I did not owe him anything since he's jacked me around. He asked me if I had anyone in mind yet to take it over. I told him no and I was going to start looking he said, "follow me" so around the corner of his build we walked into a small shop were a I meet the guy that's taking over. I looked around his shop and he had nothing but classics that he was working on and he was just finishing up on a 56 T-Bird. His work was outstanding!! He is friends with the guy that was going to do the work so he agreed to do it at the same price and have the cab back to me in 3 weeks. So I went from your everyday body shop doing it, to a guy that does nothing but custom classic work! Maybe all that waiting has paid off!:metal:

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Wow Cal, what an ordeal! At least he took care of you. I actually struck a deal today that I am really happy about! My Dad has a buddy that does custom hot rods for himself to sell and to keep. He has an amazing collection of Ford's that he has done himself. He has a few World of Wheels trophies in his garage dating back to the 1980s. I have tried to get this guy to do paint work for me as long as I can remember and today he agreed to do the cab for me!!! I am excited because the cab is in really bad shape. I would have replaced it but, it is the what makes it my Dad's truck. I hope to dig into the frame as soon as we work out a figure and I can send him the cab. I just scored an original radio and original bench for mine. I can't wait to get started:). Lots of luck on the paint deal. You have inspired me so much I think I may even sell my 78 to fund some real goodies!!!

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Hi Jebb78

That's GREAT! I really what to see your progress on your truck, so take some pics and post them! WOW!!! It sounds like you really scored on the radio! GMC radios are really hard to come by. I scored a GMC deluxe heat control panel in really nice shape, another hard item to find for GMC's. Heres a pic of it and also an updated pic of my motor.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

makin me drewl

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Thanks Igotachevyor2. I am taking the last few items into powder coating Monday such as the rear diff., and a few brackets. I hope to have some updated pics soon.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

the project looks great and love the powder coating! Ive got a 79 camaro front clip in mine, I must admit I do like the chevy dash more than the gmc but those oddities will make yours that much different from the stock 55 Chevys!

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

Actually I have to run a Chevy Radio because my truck is a "Fleet Option" model. It is a long story but apparently we had something really special and rare and didn't know it. My Dad got rid of some irreplaceable parts many years ago and then I did it too just a few years back. I tried to track them back down but hit a block wall. I actually talked to 2 people that had bought the parts after I sold them to someone else but the last guy sold them to an unknown at a swap meat. I sure with I had this info before we made any hastey decisions.

http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0287.html

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

So Jebb1978, with the fleet option you get a Chavy dash! Cool! Thats somthing I wish my GMC had, a Chevy dash. I really don't like the GMC one as I have said before.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

I fill the same way 55Chevypu. The dash on the GMC is not really to my liking, that's why I have done somthing diferant with the billit bezel and filling the old opening in. hopfuly when it's done it will look better then the stock GMC dash.

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

I spent so long trying to figure out why mine was the only GMC I could find that way. The Plastic Cover says GMC at the bottom, It has a crack but I guess I am just going to have to deal with it because I won't be able to replace it.:lol:

Re: 58 GMC Project
 

I just bought Air Ride's Shockwave air bag made for 70 to 81 Camaro. I was not planning on doing bags but I got a good deal on e-bay that was installed but never used. It came with a Firestone Air Compressor, rear air bags and brackets for leaf-spring application, controls, lines, fittings and a 3 gallon air tank.