Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

I thought thats wat you mean by " Dutch freight shop" :lol:

Nice project, looks great :metal:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Thanks Ed,

Our own Dutch Harbor Freightshop is called Hornbach :lol::lol:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Small update, due to my health problems nothing heavy has been done.
I only took the new/old steeringcolumn apart and painted it.

In primer:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B...o/P1250972.JPG

And nice black paint:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a...o/P1250973.JPG

Hope I can get at it again tomorrow, I want the rear axle out and set the truck at rideheight.
Then I can measure the IRS in.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

RockinKees. Get better first. We'll wait. Really like what you have done so far. You gave me some ideas about the wiper linkage that I am going to try to solve my problem. Thanks for that and the posts. Hours of good reading on this forum.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Thanks for your kind words, Clarance J, but I have to live with this problem.
I manage ;)
I have good and bad times, it'll work out :mm:

And it's sure is good reading on this forum!!

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Looks real nice.
I know what it's like to have chronic health problems. I deal with my back on a daily basis.
Just do what you can and you'll get there.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Sounds like a bunch of us are in the hurt, take it easy and slow...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Thank you guys!!
I'm taking it easy and slow.....

Today I got a little help so we got the rearend out and the front springs out (again...)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G...o/P1250992.JPG

Took the frontsprings out, because I first want the truck at rideheight, chassis leveled front to rear and left to right.
Put on the frontwheels, set the Jag IRS in his future home.

Now I can measure everything up.
If that's done, I temporary put the engine in to set the pinion/trans at the right angle.
Everything must be done in one "flow", i think, to get things right.
A straightaxle is much easier...but I love a challange now and then ;)

Tommorow afternoon I get back to it, stay tuned :smoke:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Good progress Keys!
Seeing less floor space right now too...:)

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Well, it took a bit longer to get back at it....
Today I got the IRS measured in, and figured out how I want to do it.

First got the truck at static rideheight

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K...o/P1250995.JPG

It looks a bit high, but I solve that when all parts are in. It's now 3,5 inch lower as it was. I want it a bit lower than that.
I set the static height at the Jag stock height, under the frontend you've then got 6 3/4", from there I set the frame level and measured the height of the IRS.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N...o/P1250997.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N...o/P1250993.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W...o/P1250996.JPG

I measured the height of the low profiles under the bed, so that I know how much I can come up with the IRS without modifying the bed.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A...o/P1260001.JPG

The yellow level is where the underside of the bedprofile sits.

This way I can mount the IRS a bit higher in the frame, so the truck comes down, easy does it :lol::lol:

I will make a "H" in between the framerails where I mount the diff at two angled pieces, so that I can set the pinionangle.
Does it make sence??

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g...o/P1260002.JPG

The front X-member looks like this, I grind it in so it fits around the framerail, the other one gets the same threathment.
To get the back x-member in I had to take out the shockmounts x-member.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J...o/P1260003.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D...o/P1260004.JPG

When this all fits the way I thought, I tack it together and measure a few times more, put the driveshaft in and try to get the engine at its place.
If that all goes to plan, I can weld the pieces together.
Then I have to find a place to mount the shocks...
If I set them angled to the inside, I must modify the framerail at the lower-inside, or I can mount them at the outside of the frame....any suggestions?

When you read this and you have any tips to do it different or in a better way, please say so.
I learn from critics, and I'm sure I'm not the only one ;)

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

I've got to say it's looking good.
I have no experience with IRS so I can't give any advice on what's the best way to mount the shocks.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

You're getting on really well here. Puts me to shame, but I have started on mine.
I was thinking when i install my Jag IRS i would not put the diff too high as i don't want to notch the frame rails but want to have the truck low with some travel. Perhaps it doesn't matter that much as the IRS allows a lot more travel than a live axle with the pivot point being so close to the frame rail.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

I would not run your shocks outside, because they might bind. They should be installed at the same angle that they were in the Jag cage. Because the arc of motion on the driveshaft will swing in instead of out, I think the shocks angled the other way, they might bind. Does that make sense?
It is this exact problem that made me put the Camaro suspension in mine until I build a wider frame to mount the IRS the right way.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Glad to see you felling better ,pace yourself so not to make me look too bad.:lol:

Looking good so far , interested in seeing how the IRS goes in.:chevy:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Thanks Kim, appreciate you saying that!!

Mark, the bed isn't in the way of things, thats above it all, exhaust is a problem that will be solved later...

Thanks! You don't need to notch the frame if you don't want a slammed truck. It will be lower but not that much. The IRS has about 4,5 inch travel.
You mean the pivot point at the diff side of the LCA? That is about 10 inch from the frame.
And you also make sure you make a build thread!!

Thanks! When I'm feeling good, I'm at the right speed :metal:
I don't mean to make you look bad...you have to work a little faster to keep up :lol::lol:

I went to see how it will turn out, both ways, regarding the shocks.
OneOffStroker, you are right about binding.

The Jag-angle is 70 degrees to the inside, I think I can put them at 65-60 degrees with a little grinding in the lower framerails. If I grind about one inch out, I should be able to mount the shocks at that angle. If I box that section, it must be good?

I took some pics of it, but forgot to take back my camera :dohh:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Did grind a lot today ;)

This is how the rear X-member is going to be:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x...o/P1260006.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k...o/P1260007.JPG

I set the pignion angle at 3 degrees, my old driveshaft is a direct fit with the Jag joke, only had to press the U-joint over.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r...o/P1260010.JPG

The diff is hanging at two angled strips, which later on will be welded at the cross member. I will have some extra brackets welded on aswell.

After some brainstorming what to do with the rear shocks, I choose the angled inside way.
This because I then can adjust the rear ride height a bit. If I mount them outside the chassis, the shocks will stand straight up and I can't adjust them any more.
So I cut about an inch out of the lower framerail, so that the shocks are somewhat upright.
I will make two or three different pipes where the shocks will be mount at, so its a bit adjustable that way. Only have to think how ;)
The framerails going to be boxed into the new cross member.

This is a small problem, without cutting a piece of the framerails:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b...o/P1260005.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l...o/P1260008.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N...o/P1260012.JPG

I took this part away, later this is going to be all boxed and welded in:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3...o/P1260013.JPG

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Real nice work.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Looks great...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Thanks Guys!!

Today I tacked the new X-members in place and went ahead with more pieces of the puzzle.
Trying to get the x-members boxed in...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n...o/P1260017.JPG

Made two templates (left and right) and grinded them out of steel:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1...o/P1260019.JPG

Tacked those in aswell:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h...o/P1260018.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...o/P1260020.JPG

I will box the rear section around the x-members, maybe a bit overkill, but if it works for me, it works for the truck ;)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7...o/P1260021.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C...o/P1260022.JPG

Going to do the front of the x-member in the same way.
I think it will be strong enough.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

That looks to be plenty strong.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

I see you're going for dual shocks on each side, how did you figure out you would need that? ..or did I miss it in a post?
and will it be adjustable coilovers?

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Kees, I agree boxing in frame front,center and rear of crossmember is a good ideal...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Jim, I think it's a lot stronger this way ;)

Steve, I don't know if I need two shocks at each side.
I mount them, if it's too stiff I can always leave the back shocks at home...
There's gonna be some large propane tanks at the outside of the chassis just before the IRS and the fueltank is in the back, so that's quite an extra weight.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Rear section boxed

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e...o/P1260024.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...o/P1260025.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o...o/P1260026.JPG

Off couse I have final welding to do, but this is the meaning of it all.

Then I was thinking about how to make rear shocks work between the framerails.
Wanted it to be adjustable so came up with this drawing:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U...o/P1260027.JPG

Was thinking, three tubes with a long nut welded in at each side, so I have three different places to mount each shock. That way I can adjust the rideheight a bit.
Or make one tube for each shock and bolt to the x-member, and so that I can move it at the x-member....
Any suggestions?

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

I think I've got it...
I make four brackets to mount the rear shocks, each bracket is going to be fastened with two bolts. I drill more holes in the x-member so that I can adjust the shocks by mounting the bracket more or less to the inside.

Started today on the lathe to make the bolls and pipes ready for welding to the plates:

First the bushings to get the distance right, the bolt was 1/2" too long where there was no thread.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F...o/P1260029.JPG

This is what I have in mind:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...o/P1260030.JPG

When you bolt all of this together this is what you get, the long nut is welded into the steel pipe.
The small black pipe is where the shock mounts.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5...o/P1260031.JPG

Now I have to make the steel plates and weld them to the shockmounts, drill where I have to drill, bolt everything together, and we have a new IRS :metal:

It's fairly easy you see? :lol:

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Nice looking pieces, and the design ideal is great...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

That should work out real nice.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Really good idea. Love the lathe work.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Subscribed, you are doing some well thought out and excellent work on this one.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Thanks guys!!

And remember, its on very low budget.
So I have to think and ask a lot ;)

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Being buzzy with my buddy The Grinder ;)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0...o/P1260034.JPG

I don't have a plasmacutter, so I have to work with my buddy :lol:
It takes time, but I get there!

Tried to make the shockmounts, I think it's going real well with I had planned.
The 8 pieces were grind out of a 1/4" plate, drilled, and I test fitted the first parts

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X...o/P1260035.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L...o/P1260036.JPG

Here you see what I have in mind:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t...o/P1260037.JPG

Have to make some extra gussets, and weld everything.
The mounts are bolted through the x-member, I drilled various holes 3/4" apart from each other, so I can make little adjustments to the shocks.

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Nice job.
Kim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Very nice!

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

I had a day full of grinding and welding...

Finshed the shockmounts.
These are the rough ones:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/P1260038.JPG

After I completely welded the mounts, I made them a bit prettier with the grinder and testfitted them on their places. I think they will do the job.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4...o/P1260039.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b...o/P1260040.JPG

Also I did get the IRS in place and at the right angles, welded the hole bracket and tacked the complete diff bracket in his place.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e...o/P1260041.JPG

I made all the neccesary gussets to hold the IRS at his place and the last ones to box the rearframe completely around the x-members.
When I'm in the neighbourhood of the truck again, I shall weld those steel parts in place ;)

All in all a nice day in Truckland!!

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Kees, shock and diff. brackets look great, nice job...Jim

Re: Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed
 

Very nice fab work.
Kim