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Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...5d&oe=5A2DF22D
This is the story about an old Texas farm truck my brother bought back in the early 2000's with the intention of turning it into a cool cruiser. Building a car was uncharted territory for him but through sheer determination and the help of friends he was able to realize his dream. https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...f8&oe=5A2AF8A5 The build process was a rollercoaster ride with the usual setbacks and enough small victories to keep momentum going. https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...c3&oe=5A373B45 On his first time out, he was awarded best sport truck interior at the 2006 Car Craft Summer Nationals in St Paul, MN. The whole gang was on hand to enjoy the moment. |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
In May of 2010 my brother passed away from complications related to his lifelong battle with Cystic Fibrosis. Instead of selling the truck when my folks liquidated his estate, I asked my folks to keep it in the family so a deal was made, when the time was right I brought it home and began the long journey to where we are today.
One of the first things I did was swap out the painted grille and bumpers for chrome pieces... https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...ac&oe=5A202F0E https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...1e&oe=59EAE4E0 Later I discovered some issues, the most concerning was a lack of oil pressure. The big lumpy cam sounded great but it wasn't compatible with the stock torque converter, idle quality was horrible at best. After driving it for a summer I decided to swap in a milder cam to improve drivability, that's when things started to snowball. https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a2&oe=5A309CE6 During the cam swap I discovered a wiped lobe on the cam... https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...28&oe=59EBC869 Change of plans, the motor had to come out... https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...e3&oe=59F42229 No pics of the carnage but the bearings were full of metal shavings and the oil pump was trashed, which explains the low oil pressure. https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...50&oe=59F3FBA9 I freshened up the motor and added some bling. |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
At the same time, I relocated the fuel tank from the cab to under the bed...
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...cf&oe=59F8EDDE Rewired the truck including moving the battery to the frame and hiding as much wiring as possible to clean up the engine bay... https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...87&oe=59ED1E18 https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...90&oe=59F9A73E And spruced up the interior a little bit... https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...7d&oe=59EF6C02 I also added a few other personal touches, just for something to do... https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...c3&oe=59F0DEE1 https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a2&oe=5A358809 |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
More recently I modified the bed rails and refinished the bed wood...
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...e6&oe=59F8A393 https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...01&oe=5A32D6F5 https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...e9&oe=59F6A11C https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...08&oe=5A3411C0 https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...fe&oe=5A371BC0 While the box was off I cleaned and painted the frame from the cab back, replaced the cheesy allen head bolts with some grade 8 frame bolts... https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...20&oe=5A2A2A99 https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...76&oe=59F3D132 |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...65&oe=59F4B313
About a year ago it looked like this. The hood was off being filled with louvers when this photo was taken... https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...fb&oe=5A314398 |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Nice
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Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
looking good!
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Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Currently the truck is blown apart, I took advantage of nothing in the way to build a full exhaust system and re-plumb the brake lines...
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...bd&oe=5A315544 https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...cd&oe=59F33D6A https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...aa&oe=59F6A769 With the cab off the frame it was pretty easy to shave the firewall using 18 gauge sheet metal, 3M panel bond and a little filler... https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...00&oe=59F63DA6 https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...57&oe=5A3630A3 https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...60&oe=59F4734F https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...ba&oe=5A38B948 Ford HP White with satin clear... https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...17&oe=5A33BEF7 I glossed over a ton of stuff but I covered most of the high points, now it's back to block sanding and more sanding... |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Great work. It amazes me, people ask why I love the car scene so much - it is situations like these that are the exact reasons I love this hobby.
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Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Nice project truck you got here and great story of carrying on the family legacy of your brothers.
So whats with the "Blacksheep" name you got for yourself? theres gotta be a story behind that too! ---- :lol: Good luck on the build - its gonna be great. and memorialize your brother in it! |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Great that you kept it in the family and that you are making it your own. Was this truck in a magazine when it was first built? I remember that distinctive paint job.
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Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
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59chev, no ink that I'm aware of |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Cool truck!!
:uhmk: |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
I really like the direction your heading with your truck. Awesome work and a great tribute to your brother.
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Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
I got the steps and smooth cowl panel back from being blasted and epoxy primed, the steps are better than I expected with only a few minor dings and a little pitting in the flange area.
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d4&oe=5A31A986 https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...50&oe=59EB0B16 |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Black Sheep, looking great. Could I ask for a close up pic of your throttle pedal and where your throttle cable goes through the firewall? Thanks, Jim
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Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
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Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
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The sheetmetal bracket on the firewall hump was in the truck when I got it, not sure if it is factory or not. I fabbed a L bracket which is bolted on after the carpet is in place, the throttle pedal mounts directly to that. The ferrule for the throttle cable will go through the hole up and to the left in the pic. The hole will need to be redrilled since it got covered when I shaved the firewall, it will be in the same location https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...71&oe=5A310004 |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Working towards getting the cab bolted back on the frame, today's project moves things one step closer. After getting the cowl area prepared I shot a couple coats of PPG epoxy primer and a couple heavy coats of Slick Sand. The windshield header, grill surround, tailgate, steps and front splash apron got the same treatment.
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...8f&oe=59F1F004 https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...37&oe=5A308DBB |
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Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net...66&oe=5A3861F0
I sanded the clear and base coats off of the exterior of the cab and doors today. This truck was stripped to bare steel and the bodywork was done about 10 years ago so I'm not going to take it back to bare steel again. The next step will be to pull the doors, prep the jambs and do a little detail sanding in places I couldn't get to with the sander. The goal is to get the cab in high build primer on labor day weekend so I can get it back on the frame and start mocking up the front end sheetmetal. |
Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Nice looking truck and cool that you managed to keep it in the family.
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Re: Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build
Sweet truck. Your brother would be proud of the upgrades! Are you going back with the original paint scheme or changing it up a little?
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