Project 58 blast from my past

[Madd Doc]

Greetings, After spending countless hours reading other great build threads here I decided to give it a go my self. I just bought a 58 chevy truck a few weeks ago after years of wanting and looking. As a teen I had the opportunity to drive a 58 fleet side belonging to a family friend and have wanted one ever since. Unable to buy one as a kid I bought a 57 chevy 2 DR hard top. I love my 57 and wouldn't trade it for anything. Any how on to the 58. My plans are to build a nice, clean daily driver, I rains about 80 inches a year here so I have to keep that in mind. I am starting this build thread more as a avenue to the great ideas you have and the overall ease of sharing technical information. I am planning on a 4X4 conversion and eventually a small V8. Right now the truck is powered with a 235 and granny 4 speed, it is a 3/4 ton long bed.

I will include some pics as soon as I figure out how to do it.

[Madd Doc]

Ok I think I got the picture issue working so here is a shot of the 58 on the day I got it and my 57 with my son who is now in the military sitting in it.

[drivea55]

very nice 57!

truck looks like a nice base to start with.

good luck with your build! looking forward tos eeing more on it.

[Madd Doc]

Thanks, I got that broken windshield out and found out the P/O stored the truck outside as a result the critters had built nests inside the double walls of the upper cab. Acorns and nesting material resulted in lots of rust, nearly all the Z channel was gone, no choice but to start cutting and welding. Question to someone with more skill then I, are a few pin holes acceptable?

The rusty Z channel



and the repair progress

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Looks like a nice start.
Nice job on the repairs.
IMHO I would try and fill the pin holes with weld or lead.
Kim

[Madd Doc]

Thanks for the welcome guys, So far I am enjoying the challenge. I saw some of the rust before I bought the truck but some, like the windshield area was hidden and I questioned what I got my self into. After reading some of the other threads and seeing some serious rust issues on those projects, I think I am going to be ok.

Progress continues, I started cutting and welding patches on the inside of the cab, at least they are nearly flat. I also started looking at the body seams inside the cab and remember seeing someone had filled them in, just wondering should I weld them up before filling them or just clean them up good and apply filler? they seem strong now. Oh and I picked up a Dana 44 front end from a 1/2 ton chevy truck for the 4X4 conversion and it was only $35.00.

[oldcouple]

You can fill the pinholes with a soldering gun and non acid solder. Before I had a welder, I filled dozens of old mirror holes on my 57 that way.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by oldcouple

You can fill the pinholes with a soldering gun and non acid solder. Before I had a welder, I filled dozens of old mirror holes on my 57 that way.

Good tip, just like they used to lead in the joints between the tops and bodys on 50-60's cars.

[Madd Doc]

I like the solder idea, have to try that one thanks.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Madd Doc

Greetings, After spending countless hours reading other great build threads here I decided to give it a go my self.

it should have made you run and not look back

good looking 4 eyed truck, that is a tough repair around the windshield.
but what the heck? it's over 50 yrs old, i got a little rusty then too

[Madd Doc]

Does anyone have a list of the various stock axle lengths for Dana 44 front ends? and /or which vehicle they were used on. I will need to narrow my front end but would like to cut the housing to a stock axle length.

My build thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...14#post5273714

[Madd Doc]

Not much happening on the 58 in the last couple of days, did start building a tow bar so I can move it around easier. seem that good old California wants a vin verification and weight slip before they issue a title even for non operation. I told them it doesn't run yet they said well you have 30 days to get it running and get the info? yea right!

My build thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...14#post5273714

“I would rather spend 2 hours making a $2.00 part that buying one”

[Madd Doc]

Here is a pic of my powder coating oven, it can handle 24 inches wide, 18" deep and 72" high. anyone interested in trading some powder coating for truck parts? Just a thought.




Ummm photo issues again?

[_Ogre]

nice oven, is that a commercial oven or something you built?

this will do 25x25 but only about 12 high
but it was free

[Madd Doc]

its a commercial oven, I have done rear end housing in it works great.

I have one like yours as well for smaller parts.

[Madd Doc]

I was out of town for a week so nothing done but now I am home, plan on attacking that tow bar so I can move it around. Got to thinking about that straight axel and towing, anyone have any experience in this area?

[Madd Doc]

OK the tow bar does'nt work, wheels won't follow they just skid around so now I am on to plan b, not sure what plan b is yet but I will figure it out.

[OrrieG]

Front wheel dolly?

[Madd Doc]

That's what I was thinking, or a trailer.

[Madd Doc]

Good progress today, welded in all the patches on the inside cab above the windshield, so that should take care of the rust there, still have to sand, fill and prime then its either on to the doors or the cab floor under the fuel tank. Here is a couple of photos of the roughed in welding.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice looking 58 I have just finished my father in laws 56...

[Madd Doc]

Way to much time away from the truck but I did get some work done today, scoured the wrecking yard for a seat I think will work. Any body have a stock 58 seat they would measure and tell me how wide it is? the one I found is 53 inches at the widest part of the cushion out of a 91 Isuzu pickup, has a nice shape and a center arm rest.

[Madd Doc]

Been getting some work done on the truck just seems none of it picture worthy, got the brakes done, charging system done, engine tuned up and purring, exhaust system on, seat mounted and all but the fuel gauge working. Even managed to drive it around the driveway a few laps.

[Madd Doc]

Scored a 58 fleet side that someone made into a trailer, has the original rear end and all. $50.00. looks like my truck just became a fleet side.

[_Ogre]

sweet. always liked the fleetside beds.
looks complete in that ity bity picture