Calling all 55-59's

[Kim57]

Welcome to the site dansa2.
You'll get more answers if you start a new thread with your question.
Depending the hourly rate and quality of the work it may be cheaper to buy new ones if you can get them.
If you have the skill and time you can always fix them yourself.
Thats what I'm doing on my truck and I have no bodyworking skill.
I'm just learning as I go.
Kim

[Norselander]

Originally Posted by dansa2

58 Chevy stepside, front fenders have rotten bottom, swiss cheesed headlight buckets and minor hole at edge where bucket is welded to fender hood side. your comments on body shop doing metal refab by welding patch panel or purchase new which cost 350-400 each.

About one month ago I sent two straight '58/9 fenders back East. The only flakey rust they had was up top on the flange that connects to inner fender. Aside from light surface rust there were no problems in the brow or dog-ears. Those went for $75 each. Then this last weekend I gave a fairly solid, straight '58 away.

'Would have advertised it here but wasn't prepared to spend the money to advertise parts I might just give away.

Bide your time: watch the truck lists and forums and you'll find one that costs less and fits your truck better than a repop.

On track, here's my '57:



...And that's the original paint.

[dansa2]

Thank you all for the feedback, keep comments coming. This site is more inspiring when members throw in pictures once in awhile.
Your opinions: I would like to post my project, either start new thread or continue on existing one. Does everyone like going from thread to thread?
Is it easier for the user to stay with one thread for information on same type or year of build?

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by dansa2

Thank you all for the feedback, keep comments coming. This site is more inspiring when members throw in pictures once in awhile.
Your opinions: I would like to post my project, either start new thread or continue on existing one. Does everyone like going from thread to thread?
Is it easier for the user to stay with one thread for information on same type or year of build?

If your going to do a build thrtead I would just start a new one. That way you can add to it as you go and IMHO its easier for others to follow what your doing.
Kim

[Sam59]

love 'em all!

[arkracing]

Originally Posted by Sam59

extended:

Got any specs on this truck? Is it a True Extended cab, or a cut down Panel/Burb?

[GRIMSS]

With all the custom work done on it looks to be a big window extended. Even looks like the extended cab door opens.

[55ChevyPU]

ive got a bit more work done since these were taken.

[Sam59]

^^ Thats Wassup!
| |

[1-ton of fun]

i wish i could make progress! i sanded the frame and clip down to bare metal, and cut and formed the end of the clip to slide on/in the truck's frame. i went to tack it in place, and i am not getting any gas flowing out of my welder.....two steps forward, one step back. although, when mocked up, i like the way my clip is going on, about a 6 inch overlap.

[Sam59]

Originally Posted by 1-ton of fun

i wish i could make progress! i sanded the frame and clip down to bare metal, and cut and formed the end of the clip to slide on/in the truck's frame. i went to tack it in place, and i am not getting any gas flowing out of my welder.....two steps forward, one step back. although, when mocked up, i like the way my clip is going on, about a 6 inch overlap.

that's about how it goes though huh? stick with it!

[arkracing]

Originally Posted by GRIMSS

With all the custom work done on it looks to be a big window extended. Even looks like the extended cab door opens.

Yeh I figured that much out. I was more curious as to what type of suspension & Wheel base? How much he extended it? If it was 2 cabs or a cut down burb/panel. How he made the rear doors open etc.

I would love to build something like that. Seems like the proportioning is perfect on it. I see alot of stuff that people extended, but don't look right. This one seems to have nailed it. Well there are some things I could live without (Wheels, Door Handles, Sun/Moon Roof are the 3 biggest ones), but the rest of the truck is just awesome!

[GRIMSS]

Originally Posted by arkracing

Yeh I figured that much out. I was more curious as to what type of suspension & Wheel base? How much he extended it? If it was 2 cabs or a cut down burb/panel. How he made the rear doors open etc.

I would love to build something like that. Seems like the proportioning is perfect on it. I see alot of stuff that people extended, but don't look right. This one seems to have nailed it. Well there are some things I could live without (Wheels, Door Handles, Sun/Moon Roof are the 3 biggest ones), but the rest of the truck is just awesome!

Panel or burb would be more work than 2 cabs. Front cab cut at rear of doors and rear cab cut at around 1/2 doors. Suicide hinges on the rear part or late model door hinges and latches grafted on. here's another that was for sale 2-3 years ago wish i had the $$.

[Sam59]

how much were they wanting for that truck grim?

[GRIMSS]

I think it was around 11K?? Been awhile.

[Jebb1978]

Here is my 59 GMC Frankentruck. It is the best of about 3 or 4 parts trucks. The frame was originally a 3/4 ton but it is now a 1/2 ton with a 75 Camaro subframe and 10 bolt. I am running a Pontiac 350/th350 combo. The final result is planned to be a very stock looking body that sits low and rumbles the ground it rides on.

[Sam59]

Originally Posted by Jebb1978

Here is my 59 GMC Frankentruck. It is the best of about 3 or 4 parts trucks. The frame was originally a 3/4 ton but it is now a 1/2 ton with a 75 Camaro subframe and 10 bolt. I am running a Pontiac 350/th350 combo. The final result is planned to be a very stock looking body that sits low and rumbles the ground it rides on.

That's a good looking project Jebb!

[arkracing]

This one is nice too. I think the blue one that is pictures above is a little more "proportionate" in the cab extension. I also like the regular fleetside bed on this one though. I've figured the "how to" part out.

I guess I should have asked if anyone knew the truck or knew who it belonged to. I'd be interested in the wheelbase of the blue one.

It's all about the proportioning

Originally Posted by GRIMSS

Panel or burb would be more work than 2 cabs. Front cab cut at rear of doors and rear cab cut at around 1/2 doors. Suicide hinges on the rear part or late model door hinges and latches grafted on. here's another that was for sale 2-3 years ago wish i had the $$.

[Sam59]

Originally Posted by arkracing

This one is nice too. I think the blue one that is pictures above is a little more "proportionate" in the cab extension. I also like the regular fleetside bed on this one though. I've figured the "how to" part out.

I guess I should have asked if anyone knew the truck or knew who it belonged to. I'd be interested in the wheelbase of the blue one.

It's all about the proportioning

I just found that picture on Google.. You may could Google it and try to find some specs. I think I just typed in extended task force truck or something.

[Hhan's 57]

Here's my 57 - just got it back after 15 year of sitting in my brothers back yard. I am currently puting an IFS and 704R in the truck. I will post some pics soon. First time to the site and its great. Will likely have a lot of questions for you fellows.

[Kim57]

welcome to the site Hhan's57.
Looks like a very nice truck.
Kim

[Sam59]

Slick lookin little pickup Hhan's57! Welcome aboard

[Sinisterspeed]

Here is mine. I only did a couple things to get it running and bring it home. Used to belong to the the brother in-law since 89. He drove it to high school for a year then 1 year after and parked it in 91. I been bugging him about buying it since I married in about 5 years ago. Finally last Christmas he told me that 3k and he will make it drive home for me. Couple of payments later we drug it out from under the 3 tarps it was under and did the following:

200.00 New tank,
37.00 New Pick up tube,
14.00 Fuel pump,
50.00 Carb kit,
137.00 Master cyl.
300.00 bucks for the tires/whls on craigslist
and I drove it home.

Since then I did the brothers 1 piece windows, Headlight sw. and burned some gas on a 100 mile round trip.

Currently its waiting in line behind the 71 (hope to be roadworthy by the Aug 9th meet). But I am collecting ideas along the way.



After the price I couldn't let him pay for the repair parts so all in all I'm out 3750.00 when I got it home. Only cancer I can find in it anywhere are the btm of the drivers door and near the btm of the drivers front fender.

I am also currently getting this 55 BBW together for my Dad we picked up at the Portland swap meet for 1600.oo no motor/trans and NO RUST anywhere!

[Sam59]

Originally Posted by Sinisterspeed

Here is mine. I only did a couple things to get it running and bring it home. Used to belong to the the brother in-law since 89. He drove it to high school for a year then 1 year after and parked it in 91. I been bugging him about buying it since I married in about 5 years ago. Finally last Christmas he told me that 3k and he will make it drive home for me. Couple of payments later we drug it out from under the 3 tarps it was under and did the following:

200.00 New tank,
37.00 New Pick up tube,
14.00 Fuel pump,
50.00 Carb kit,
137.00 Master cyl.
300.00 bucks for the tires/whls on craigslist
and I drove it home.

Since then I did the brothers 1 piece windows, Headlight sw. and burned some gas on a 100 mile round trip.

Currently its waiting in line behind the 71 (hope to be roadworthy by the Aug 9th meet). But I am collecting ideas along the way.



After the price I couldn't let him pay for the repair parts so all in all I'm out 3750.00 when I got it home. Only cancer I can find in it anywhere are the btm of the drivers door and near the btm of the drivers front fender.

I am also currently getting this 55 BBW together for my Dad we picked up at the Portland swap meet for 1600.oo no motor/trans and NO RUST anywhere!

Those both look like great projects! Keep it up fellas!

[Hhan's 57]

Thanks Kim 57 and Sam 59 for the welcome. Love to see all the old trucks. Sinisterspeed, nice ride and a great deal. Here is an update on my progress with the IFS. Pulled the front end and the 327 sb out and the old suspension. I am installing a Heidt front end. I can't wait to take if for a dive. Any of you that are running an IFS, let me know what it feels like and if there is anything that I should look out for at this point.