Roadkill's 58 Chevy Stepside

[Roadkill58]

I found the 58 in Fairfield CA in November of 2008.

It had been stored in a chicken coop / shed for the last 10 years.

Someone swapped the 6 cylinder for a V8, but kept the three on the tree.
They also added airconditioning.
The wheels are 6 lug, and the brakes are stock drum.

The engine has a four barrel holley, and headers.

[Roadkill58]

11-03-2008

I cleaned it up today. What a mess!

The brake pedal goes all the way to the floor.
Looks like I need new brake hoses from wheel cylinders to the steel lines.
I will probably need a new master cylinder also.

[Kabwe]

That truck looks to be in great shape. Keep us posted.

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

That truck looks to be in great shape. Keep us posted.

Kabwe,

I meant the clean up was a mess. Looks can be deceiving.
Waxed the places that have paint, but the oils in the paint is long gone.
It looks like it did when I first brought it home only not as much dirt.

[OrrieG]

brakes might just need adjusted and bleed. If its got the original brake hoses I'd replace them anyway.

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

brakes might just need adjusted and bleed. If its got the original brake hoses I'd replace them anyway.

Thanks OrrieG! You were correct in your diagnosis!

Stayed tuned as I am posting pics from 08, 09, 10, 11 to present to bring the build up to date.

[Roadkill58]

11-18-2008

Not much progress other than removing air-conditioning compressor, and taking a look at the engine numbers. Nothing to get excited about. Working in Fallon NV. I can't work on the 58, so I check out parts on the internet (and Craig’s list) after work. Ordered a new power-master cylinder for drum/disk, and some new brake lines.
When these out of town jobs are finished I should be able to make some progress.

01-27-2009

I found a 58 GMC on craigslist. The 58 GMC has a 70's chevelle front clip, and a Buick Riviera tilt column. engine and trans is mocked up with rear trans mount installed. Also came with a 400 SBC bare block, and a 350 chevy long block two grills a roll pan, and 2" drop spindles (not installed).

I won't start on this one until the Chevy is finished.

[Roadkill58]

04-30-2009

I was looking at some online classified adds for truck parts when I came across an add for a truck frame. It was an S10 frame that I did not need, but I scrolled down the page and found this motor, and transmission.

The guy said it was out of a 91 Corvette, but I have my doubts, as it does not have aluminum heads.

It is a 1987 - 1991 5.7 L98 with TPI. It is complete with the exception of the wiring harness which was butchered when the engine was removed from whatever it was in.

The trans is a 700R4.

Now I need to find a harness to fit this model engine. TPI can be a challenge, so I will have to do my homework.

[Roadkill58]

05-13-2009

I found two beds today. One long bed, and one short bed.
The long bed is somewhat disassembled.
No tailgates on either. I will use the long bed to make a trailer.

That black piece of metal is the top of an Escalade.
The guy threw it in for free. Don't ask. I didn't.

[Roadkill58]

05-15-2009

I found a harness. This one has a 1988 IROC Camaro attached to it.

I was going to buy the engine, and transmission, but ended up buying the hole car.

This will save a lot of time looking for stuff. It has a disk brake rear end too.

Don't tell the guys at thirdgen what I'm going to do with this Camaro.

[Roadkill58]

07-03-2009

Got the ignition switch wired a couple weeks ago. Bought a new battery, and decided to see if the chevy would start.
The fuel lines from the tank are disconnected so I used a plastic gas container.

Connected my remote starter, and it cranked over, and it actually fired. I didn't expect it to start so easy.

It had been at least 10 years since it last run (according to the PO). I had changed the oil, and filter last month.

Sounds good for not running for 10years. No rods knocking, or anything. Now if I only had brakes I might take it for a spin. Its an ugly motor but it runs (without that air cleaner).

09-17-2009 I have brakes

After replacing the rubber brake hoses on the front and bleeding the brakes I have a full pedal and it stops but doesn't sound too good. I got a brake bleeder kit from harbour frieght. For $19.00 (on sale) its a bargain. You can bleed the brakes by yourself.

Ordered a disk brake conversion kit from CPP. Can't wait for that to show up. ordered a new fuel tank to fit under the bed. Im tired of trucks with the fuel tank inside the cab.

I actually drove the truck down the road. even took my wife for a ride. She thought it was cool. She didn't see the five gallon gas can (plastic) in the bed and the fuel hose running up between the cab and the bed and into the can.

Hey I had it strapped down it wasn't going anywhere. At least I waited until it had brakes.

After I shut the engine off it wouldn't start again. Nothing nada. I knew the wiring was scary at best. I looked under the dash and found wires twisted together. Some had some tape on them. Most of them had melted together. I rewired the starting and ignition circuit and mounted the switch for the electric fuel pump where you can't see it. Starts right up now. I should have just mounted the 86 IROC (yes I bought another camaro) fuse panel and went from there...

[Roadkill58]

09-26-2009 New Parts

I actually bought some new parts. A new aluminum fuel tank, and a front disk brake conversion kit. To install the fuel tank I must first remove the bed (according to the directions). No problem I was going to do that anyway. Removed all the old rotted bed wood. Having learned a lesson from the last bed dis-assembly I got my electric wrench (angle grinder), and proceded to cut the carriage bolts that hold the bed on the frame. Then I had to cut the bumper bolts from the frame as well. Don't forget the fender braces that connect to the frame. Next I extended the legs out on the cherry picker, used straps to connect to the bed.

09-26-2009 New Parts Continued

Now that the bed has cleared the rear wheels of the truck I can move it out of the way. The trailer can be backed under the bed. The trailer is way too long. It is also too wide. Even the wheelbase is too wide. I strapped the bed to it anyway. Now I can move it out of the way. Mount my redneck fuel cell to the frame, and I'm mobile again. I thought this was about new parts? Not yet. I still have to clean the frame before I install the fuel tank. No wonder these projects take so long to finish.

09-29-2009 Fuel Tank Installation

I did enough cleaning on the chassis so I could mount the tank. Wanted to know if there would be any issues with the tank in case it had to be returned. I still have a lot of cleaning to do.
Two pages of instructions for installing the tank came with the tank.
Page one said to do it one way, and page two said to do it another way. I did it my way.
I measured about a hundred times to get the spacing even all around. Then made sure the cut outs for the spring hangers were centered. Made some marks with a silver sharpie, center punched the marks, and drilled the holes. Not too complicated. Need to make a list of the fittings I will need to finish.

Got the fuel tank mounted, fuel pump plumbed. Don't need my redneck fuel cell anymore.

[Roadkill58]

12-29-11

Not much progress on the truck. Too many distractions.

Bought a used boat from my brother in law that ate up a lot of time and money. I got a new to me Harley Davidson Road King.
My 71 Cheyenne is about to blow up.
Needed another pickup and found a 1997 GMC Sierra.

One thing I got that made sense was a new concrete slab in front of my shop. It's 25 X 40 and realy nice to work on. Did I mention there is no room in the shop for a truck?

My brother went in half on a new lift. That was in the spring and I don't think he has used it yet.

I have had everything from my tractor to my riding mower on it (easier to sharpen blades).

I thought this was about my truck? I decided to buy a IFS kit for the truck (it was on sale).
Still don't have it on yet.

Been to some swap meets and got some wheel with tires, tilt steering column, extra fenders.

Going to try and get something done Friday and Saturday, and plan to hit it hard next year.

[Roadkill58]

12-30-2011 Never too late....

Got some work done on the 58 today. Pulled the truck onto the concrete so I wouldn't have to lay in the gravel.

I am going to make this a short bed truck if it kills me.

Disconnected fuel line, brake line, and fuel pump wires. Also disconnected e-brake cables. Cut off mufflers just in front of the welds.

Removed drive line, and remembered to stick the plug in the tailshaft of the transmission so it doesn't leak onto the concrete. Good thing the rear end is getting changed. The pinion is very sloppy.

Ground off rivet heads of the old exhaust hanger and punched them out (where is my air chisel?) by hand.

Measured where I am going make my cuts and marked them with soapstone.

Once I make the cuts there is no turning back.

If anyone has done this please pm me, and let me know how it turned out.

If I don't hear from anyone I'm going to do it anyway.

[Roadkill58]

01-04-2012 No Turning Back

Grabbed my sawzall and cut the section of frame out on both sides.
Rolled the back section forward until it met the front section.
Everything matched up so I tacked it together.

Ground a groove on the joints and started welding about an inch at a time one side then the other. Ground my starts and stops before each weld.

I like to weld on the hot side so I get plenty of penetration. I welded on the inside of the frame as well and ground the weld flush.

Made some fish plates to weld on the inside of the frame. I don't think the welds would break, but fish plates make everyone feel better.

[Roadkill58]

1-4-12

I removed the stock rear end from the 58.

1-7-12

Then I removed the rear end from the 86 Iroc. Then I rolled the 86 rear end under the frame rails of the 58. Should I fabricate new track arms and mounts for the coil springs and shocks and track bar. Not sure if the Iroc suspension will support the weight of the bed.

1-17-12

Decided to go with leaf spring and flip the axel.
Removed all unwanted brackets and mounts from axel tubes.
Painted axel with POR-15 Bought some new spring perches, and u-bolts, and centerbolt.

1-18-12

Installed the 86 Iroc rear axel in the truck today. Sits a lot lower. Has a competition rake until I install the IFS. Then it should sit the way I want it.
I still need to clean and paint the sway bar and make a mount for the ends.
Also weld the spring perches once the pinion angle is set.
Almost forgot the c-notch. Do you think 4 1/2" will do?

[OrrieG]

I would think the back half of a Camaro weighs at least as much as the truck bed. Gas tank mounted in the back would be a push. New cars have a lot of hidden weight in undercoating, sound deading, etc. You could look up the capacity of the coils (suspension supplier should know that, compare to stock spring capacity and upgrade the coils if necessary. But since you already did the flip, which looks good stick with it. Can you get the anti sway bar to work, that will keep it from being so tippy??

[_Ogre]

roadkill
glad you got a build thread going.
my truk is put up for the winter (salt) season, but i'll try to get a picture of the track bar install.
how are you going to mount shocks on your axle?

[Roadkill58]

OrrieG, Ogre,

I got the sway bar on today. Finally got a break from the rain.
Still need to make a way to attach it to the frame.

I was thinking of using the stock shock mounts.
What length shock are you using?

Still need to do the c-notch.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looking good.
Kim

Thanks Kim57!

Congrats on the LS2!

I have a friend that has one in a 55 chevy convertible. Youre going to love it.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Roadkill58

I was thinking of using the stock shock mounts.
What length shock are you using?

monroe-matic 33086, i have a pair with a 1000 miles on them, yours for shipping cost.
i didn't do enough notch, had to go with air shocks.

how ever... if you want to use the stock shock mount, you will have to flip your u-bolts.
the stock mount bolts on the bottom of the u-bolts.

i recall my flip kit cost me $29: 2 flat plates and 2 spring pads from the trailer supply and 4 u-bolts is all i have for it.

[Roadkill58]

I slid the shock mount on the u-bolt first then spring pad then up through the
axel pad.

The bolts twisted off the lower shock mount bolt when I removed the shocks.

Are those available aftermarket?

Sounds good on the shocks.

[greystoke]

Great job on this Roadkill, I'm anxious to see how the bed looks on it. How much of the frame did you cut out?

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by greystoke

Great job on this Roadkill, I'm anxious to see how the bed looks on it. How much of the frame did you cut out?

Thank you greystoke!

I cut out 9 1/4". Starting at about 4 1/2" behind the rear cab mount edge.

Wheelbase is now 114".