55.2-59 57 Fleetside C4 build

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by 87Lowrider

VERY nice build! Great work.

Thank You

[57FleetsideC4]

Working on getting the doors and fenders to fit better. Got the truck off the stands to see if anything changes. Getting a lot closer I gained on the fender to cowl gap and have it down to 1/8" on both sides. I am a little wide on the fender to door gap and the door fit seems good. It's a big give and take game right now but am much happier than I was. I am going to get the hood on next to see if I can get it better. Some picks of the progress

[62 Barnfind]

Your fitment looks pretty good on your doors. You can always add some rod then grind to get the gaps the way you want them to look. I have aftermarket doors and I had to grind and add metal to get the lines right.

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Your fitment looks pretty good on your doors. You can always add some rod then grind to get the gaps the way you want them to look. I have aftermarket doors and I had to grind and add metal to get the lines right.

Thank You for the suggestion. I am thinking of doing that on the one door that is a little wide. This isn't a Kindig build just want a nice truck to show and drive a lot. Steve

[_Ogre]

these trucks move a lot, any gap 1/8" will probably have chipped paint
if you don't plan on driving the truck much, carry on

[slammed57]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

these trucks move a lot, any gap 1/8" will probably have chipped paint
if you don't plan on driving the truck much, carry on

to over come this issue ,if you add support to the frame, it will solve that issue. it would be a nice addition since your goin through all that work... thats if its your budget. but other wise its coming together real nice, inch by inch

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by slammed57

to over come this issue ,if you add support to the frame, it will solve that issue. it would be a nice addition since your goin through all that work... thats if its your budget. but other wise its coming together real nice, inch by inch

Thank you for the suggestion. There is piece of 2" square tube across the front frame rails so that might help. Steve

[57FleetsideC4]

I had a couple of my buddies stop over to put the hood back on and reistall the front seat. The hood fit better than when I got it as it stuck up 3/8" at the rear and side gaps were awful. I slotted the body side of the hinge down to lower the back edge and then just evened out the sides. Far from perfect but nothing will rub. I wish I could find a pair of rust free original fenders but probably not going to happen. Here are some pics of where I am at. Steve

[Daze57]

your truck is lookin really good !!!!
you could utilize the rear sway bar if you flip it over and lay it across the top --over the gas tank -
also it looks like you did not c notch the frame for the rear axle ! --i like the stance that you have . keep up the good work and keep us posted sir !

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by Daze57

your truck is lookin really good !!!!
you could utilize the rear sway bar if you flip it over and lay it across the top --over the gas tank -
also it looks like you did not c notch the frame for the rear axle ! --i like the stance that you have . keep up the good work and keep us posted sir !

Thank You. I will look into a sway bar but may leave as is. The person that started this truck does not use sway bars and he has done a lot of them. I like the stance but the back might be to high but won't know till fully loaded then will decide if need different springs. I wish I could try some original front fenders to see how much difference they make but don't have that option right now. Looking at the pedal locations now as the front seat is back in. Steve

[Daze57]

SIR
You may want to look into a good pair of coil over shocks that are adjustable for rear ride hight
there are some good products out there -- there might be something that will work for you to lower your truck ----just sayin --check out flatout engineering --- this shop carries some really nice coil overs

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by Daze57

SIR
You may want to look into a good pair of coil over shocks that are adjustable for rear ride hight
there are some good products out there -- there might be something that will work for you to lower your truck ----just sayin --check out flatout engineering --- this shop carries some really nice coil overs

Thank You. I do have QA1 coil overs on it now and hey are adjusted to the lowest spot now. I may be all right once all the weight is on it. They come off pretty easy to change the spring out. Steve

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by 57FleetsideC4

Thank You for the suggestion. I am thinking of doing that on the one door that is a little wide. This isn't a Kindig build just want a nice truck to show and drive a lot. Steve

It helps on the gap and easy to do if you can weld. I have more on my buil page but here is a couple where I added the rod and made the new line. I have got it more even it more since the pic. Hope it helps.

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

It helps on the gap and easy to do if you can weld. I have more on my buil page but here is a couple where I added the rod and made the new line. I have got it more even it more since the pic. Hope it helps.

Thanks for the pics. I am not the best welder in the world so don't know what I will do. Steve

[_Ogre]

i'd leave the gaps as is.
i think barnfind will find out that these trucks move a lot
as the cab flexes, that 1/8" gap will turn into a 0" gap

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i'd leave the gaps as is.
i think barnfind will find out that these trucks move a lot
as the cab flexes, that 1/8" gap will turn into a 0" gap

I am leaning that way other than straightening ot the lower cab corner area. Steve

[57FleetsideC4]

Nothing new on the truck other than I ordered the Bed Strips, Bolt kit an mounting pads. My next step is to put the fleetside bed back on and install the pine boards that came with it. I believe my number 2 brace from the front is to far forward but the bed strips should tell me that. Trying to mock up all the big pieces up so there are no surprises after I paint it. Steve

[slammed57]

Lookin good steve. I enjoy following your build.

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by slammed57

Lookin good steve. I enjoy following your build.

Thank You

[BIGglaSS]

Steve, you're off to a great start. I like the fleetside bed. I'm also an Olds guy. Have a 70 W-30 in my garage for 15 years, waiting for a resto.

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by BIGglaSS

Steve, you're off to a great start. I like the fleetside bed. I'm also an Olds guy. Have a 70 W-30 in my garage for 15 years, waiting for a resto.

Thank You. This is the first truck I have done. I love Oldsmobiles but wanted to do something different this time. I have done body offs on 6 of the cars I have now 2 67 442's,68 442 conv.,70 442 W30,70 Vista Cruiser and 73 442.

Not a lot going on with the build now. Started rebuilding the vent windows and test fit the door relay rods which like almost every other aftermarket part needed modifying. Still waiting on the bed strips and hardware. Steve

[ChuckDriver]

Cool build!

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Cool build!

Thank You.

[BAM55]

Nice build. I like the 57 grille a lot.

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by BAM55

Nice build. I like the 57 grille a lot.

Thank You.