58 Fleetside

[Tchia65]

I've made a little bit of progress lately. Not nearly as much as I'd like. Building it not at home with limited access is really becoming a pain. All the front end welding is done and got it painted. Motor mounts are built around the rack and pinion and to put the drivetrain at 3*. Steering column is a gutted 67 Caddy with gear shift and ignition removed and the case smoothed, made it's mount and adapted a 63 Rivera wheel to it. The wheels so big though I don't need it to telescope anymore. In process of making my rear step notch, and waiting to paint the firewall so the motor can go back in.

[Tchia65]

Painting on a military base in California is a *****, but finally got the fire wall done. Plus they are only open 4 days a week. Should have the front end back together and motor in by this time next week. Then get started on the back.

[hotrod1]

Nice work!

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by hotrod1

Nice work!

Thanks, you too. I see you went the No limit route too. How was the back to install. I hoping to get my rear in this month.

[hotrod1]

We dont really have the 4 link done yet. We are not too comfortable welding it all in place (other than tack weld) it in until we can make sure about centering it in the wheel wells. I have been told that the axle centerline is 36" from the back of the frame. I hope that this is true as we already c notched it. Are you going to c notch yours? We are waiting for a rear end still to mock it all up.

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by hotrod1

We dont really have the 4 link done yet. We are not too comfortable welding it all in place (other than tack weld) it in until we can make sure about centering it in the wheel wells. I have been told that the axle centerline is 36" from the back of the frame. I hope that this is true as we already c notched it. Are you going to c notch yours? We are waiting for a rear end still to mock it all up.

I still have the stock rear end installed so I'll let you know if it's 36" or not. I'm bagging my truck so I built a step notch instead. I took the easy route and picked up a 3:73 posi explorer rear end for mine.

[hotrod1]

Tell me more about the rear end? 9 inch? It is limited slip? What is the width from mounting surface to mounting surface? I am looking for 60". If I could go with a explorer rear that fits, I would do it. I am sure it would be a lot cheaper than going with a built up one.

[Tchia65]

My truck has a 58 Impala rear end in it and I know the explorer rear is an 1 1/4 narrower, I think it's 60.5 if I remember right. The explorer rear is an 8.8 which is stronger than a 12 bolt, no shortage of 3:73 limited slips and no shortages of them in the junkyards. From what I can tell, it looks like it will hook up to the original parking brake cable pretty easily. I got the rear end, the aluminum drive shaft from the same truck, and a telescoping column out of and 67 caddy for $160 bucks. Was trying to cut corners where possible since we both know the No limit kit isn't cheap. The limited works for me since this truck is going to be my daily driver and not pro street like yours. The bolt pattern is 5 x 4.5, but I planned on running dual pattern rally's anyway.

[Tchia65]

More progress.

[Tchia65]

Front end mostly done. Motor goes in tomorrow then rip the back apart.

[Tchia65]

Motor is in but the hoist decided to tip and the motor hit the firewall. boo

[Tchia65]

Been busy and progress slow, Been working on the rear. Got the the four link in and finally got to check out the stance tonight. Got a lot of cleaning up to do.

[upon1]

Truck is looking awsome! What are you doing for engine wireing and fuel pump?

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by upon1

Truck is looking awsome! What are you doing for engine wireing and fuel pump?

Thanks, I got a harness from turn key performance. I have not addressed the fuel pump issue yet. This is my first fuel injected swap. Any recommendations?

[Woodbutcher]

Your truck's looking pretty good; I like what I am seeing. You work fast! But i gotta ask, after seeing your front suspension assembled and your urethane bushings... are they making any noise when you lif the control arms? If not, how did you deal with it? Mine make a ton of noise and I'm not happy with it, got side tracked with a house project and habven't got back to it 'cause I havent found a solution yet. Any ideas?

[Tchia65]

I haven't noticed any yet. All my others have urethane and they make some noise. I guess it doesn't really bother me. I have put grease on the bushing face with temporary success. If it really bothers you what about a needle bearing friction washer? Might work.

[entourageguy]

Very nice build. Sits nice and low.
What size are the front rims?
They look like gm rally rims but have a bit of off set to them?

[Spackle100]

Originally Posted by Woodbutcher

Your truck's looking pretty good; I like what I am seeing. You work fast! But i gotta ask, after seeing your front suspension assembled and your urethane bushings... are they making any noise when you lif the control arms? If not, how did you deal with it? Mine make a ton of noise and I'm not happy with it, got side tracked with a house project and habven't got back to it 'cause I havent found a solution yet. Any ideas?

I have heard that silicon spray lubricant can help with this.

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by entourageguy

Very nice build. Sits nice and low.
What size are the front rims?
They look like gm rally rims but have a bit of off set to them?

They are rallys. I have 15x7's and 15x8's. both have a 3.5 - 4" offset. Going to get the fenders on and see which on works best then powder coat them. I am going to run smooth caps and trim rings from early wheel. Thanks for the compliment, you have a beautiful truck. TJ

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by Spackle100

I have heard that silicon spray lubricant can help with this.

Any type of lubricant for high pressure use should be fine. I used to use silicon spray on C-130 landing gear tracks. Works well.

[LEEVON]

Word of caution on the silicone, keep it far away from anything you plan to paint in the future.

[entourageguy]

Originally Posted by Tchia65

They are rallys. I have 15x7's and 15x8's. both have a 3.5 - 4" offset. Going to get the fenders on and see which on works best then powder coat them. I am going to run smooth caps and trim rings from early wheel. Thanks for the compliment, you have a beautiful truck. TJ

something like this ...

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by entourageguy

something like this ...

Attachment 664329

Yes, exactly like that...

[ChuckDriver]

It looks awesome laying out on the ground!