1958 SWB C4 Fleetside - NZ Build

[QBRacing]

So Ive been buzy again over the last few days.

got in and sanded the firewall down so that I can have all the holes filled and the wall somewhat clean looking.

Also got in and took to the rear cab corners figuring they would need some work and I was right. Can probably patch the RH side but think ill get a replacement panel for the LH.

[QBRacing]

I confirmed my C4 Suspension parts with don and also bought a set of the aldan coil overs for the front. Guess they should arrive via my freight forwarder in NZ in late September or early October depending on boats.

In the mean time today I decided to get in and remove the old roof.

Originally I was going to drill the spot welds but decided to just run a cutting disc on the angle grinder about 1/2" up from the channel base. Then I run a grinding disc in the channel to weaken the welds and used a pair of vice-grips to pull up the channel in sections. All in all it took about 2hrs to do as I was unsure on the front A pillar connection and cut it off slightly high above the led joining.

Then I hit the inner roof with a wire brush before covering it with a coat of rubberised underbody spray which should help cut noise a little and stop any rust occurring later on.

[Scottish58chev]

Looks good, i'll be replacing my own roof and like the idea of not drilling all the spot welds out.
All in all man you're fairly getting on with it. Looking forward to seeing it progress.

Calum

[LCA1971]

Great work!! It's going to be a super nice truck.

[QBRacing]

Sorry for the slow delays but ive been in Fiji and busy selling and buying a new house.

With all the sillyness aside I have finally managed to get the cab sent off to the panel beaters so that I can fill the firewall holes, install the new roof skin, and patch the rear quarters and step plates. (the last 2 bits wont be here till mid october but thems the breaks).

here it is going off to the panel shop....

[Dan in Pasadena]

A LOT of work done - kudos. But won't that rubberized coating just burn away when they weld in the new roof? Or do they plan on using #M Panel dhesive? If welding I'd say a weld-through primer would have been a good choice where the welds go.

[QBRacing]

he hit the lip with a wire brush and used some goop between. I dunno.... he's the expert.

All I care about is he has now filled over 70 holes in the firewall and fitted the new skin from dynacorn.

looking good... now I just need the boat to hurry up with the steps and corners..

[ChuckDriver]

Nice project!

[QBRacing]

So I got some good news on Friday from my importer. His container finally arrived in NZ ......

First thing tomorrow I can go and collect all my goodies including;
* rear cab corners
* new cab step plates
* C4 front suspension setup including steering wheel
* window felts and rubbers etc for 1 piece conversion.

=========

With that in mind and being today is a public holiday and its raining cats and dogs I thought I might as well do some work on the ol girl.

I narrowed the chassis rails enough to allow the new FlatOut x-member to fit which included....
*measuring 27.5" (698mm) from front chassis to mark original wheel centre
*checked and double checked the C4 Flatout X-Member to ensure the wheel centre marking was 5/16" behind the centre
*ensured the box sections fitted in the chassis rails
*aligned and fitted the cross-member for the first time

It was about now that I remember reading somewhere that the original wheels don't centre in the fender and you need to move them forwards of backwards if you want to correct this.

As my cab is still at the panel shop waiting on the steps and corners I cant mount the guard up to check so thats all going on hold until the cab comes back. sigh.....

Being I was in the mood to do some work I decided to start the window conversion as well. I removed all the factory windows and vent glass etc and printed out the window template (c/- GRIMSS) ... which I then assembed and traced onto a piece of 3mm hardwood for testing.

It was about now that I realised I had no cutting discs for the grinder and being a public holiday nothing is open so I went inside and started drinking.... sigh......

[Advanced Design]

Yep, some days go like that. Fun build and I will be following along.

Is that carpet on your shop floor?

[QBRacing]

Yes that is industrial carpet. Its a fully covered in carport off the double garage (which houses the Nova and and the 49 Fleetline). I think the old owner used it as a gym ..... regardless I cant leak any oil on it without an engine or trans and when I do ill just rip it up then.

-----------------

So collected all my goodies from the importer and am so happy.

Have already test fitted all the suspension bits but have struck one issue with dimensions. Basically, I am skeptical about the 27.5" back for the centre of the new X-member as it doesnt allow enough boxing plate for the cutout to reach and is 2-3" forward of what I marked as the centre line of the old factory solid axle centre....

Hopefully this short video can explain it more.....

Have arranged to drop the cab corners and step plates with the panelshop tomorrow so it shouldnt be long till I get that back and can mount everything up

Q

[svr]

I don't know this for fact but have been told that 58 and 59 frames are about 2" longer in the front than 55-57 because the fenders are longer, somewhere I saw somebody had to cut the cross member loose and move it back, wish old brain could remember the build.

[ChuckDriver]

The 58-59's are longer in the front.

[QBRacing]

Thanks guys.

Knew the instructions couldnt have been right but couldnt figure it out.

Just been doing some searching and yeah that's what I have found (2" to 2-1/4" longer) and a lot of people reference it to the rad support panels....

I guess ill move the X-Member back 2" for now, see how it looks, then wait for the cab and guards before welding in place....

Glad I didn't weld it from the instructions (which I guess are only for 55-57)

Q

[ChuckDriver]

Here's a pic of the front frame section from a 55-57, you could use it compare to your '58.

[QBRacing]

Chuck

Thanks for the image it helped a lot.

I have attached an image of my front rail and yes the difference between the two front bolt holes at 1 inch and the first rivit for the sway bar mount are different.

Your first hole is at 5" which gives you a 4" gap
My first hole is at 7-7/16" which gives me a 6-7/16" gap

As you can see that gives me an extra 2-7/16" longer at the front of the chassis rail

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being that I want to move it all forwards to centre wheel in the arch I best wait till the cab comes back.

[ChuckDriver]

Glad it helped!

[QBRacing]

Made a quick video to show the difference on the chassis rails and to aide my explanation to Don. Thanks again chuck - I gave you some credit in the video.

Still don't have the cab back yet but it shouldn't be long then I can position the c4 setup where I want it (centred in the arch) ...

Until then, better get back to stripping the fleetside...

Q

[ChuckDriver]

Great video, I'm sure lots of folks will benefit from it!!

[QBRacing]

Thanks.... Think I got it all right but the pics at the end say it all...

So here is what I got up to today.... stipping.

[dew468]

Originally Posted by QBRacing

Thanks guys.

Knew the instructions couldnt have been right but couldnt figure it out.

Just been doing some searching and yeah that's what I have found (2" to 2-1/4" longer) and a lot of people reference it to the rad support panels....

I guess ill move the X-Member back 2" for now, see how it looks, then wait for the cab and guards before welding in place....

Glad I didn't weld it from the instructions (which I guess are only for 55-57)

Q

I used a 57 frame on my 59 and only moved the core support mounts forward 2" and redrilled the frame holes forward for the bumper mount.

[QBRacing]

I need the chassis number to match the Paperwork and Vin tag when finished to keep it left hand drive. I heard back after emailing Don at flatout and I think he is going to update the fitting instructions.

as for me .... got in and threw a coat of etch prime on the fleetside panels to stop any surface rusting.

[QBRacing]

Oh - and I got the cab back from the panel beaters finally.

Replaced the roof skin, cab steps, outer cab corners with new panels,
Rebuilt the inner rear cab corners, and inner/outer front vent pockets,
Filled the petrol filler hole, 70+ firewall holes, dash pad,
Removed a broken seat nut and retapped the hole.
other various bits and pieces too.

Quick video of all the mods and replacements here.

111hrs later ... you do the math .....

[Advanced Design]

Looks like your metal guy did nice work. Yeah, the math on the 111 hours hurts writing the check though it does save a lot of build time.

[Scottish58chev]

Looks good, no one really appreciates the time involved in the fab work unless they have done it or had it done.