58 GMC Project - Page 3 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jebb1978 · 11-01-2005, 07:06 PM

Okay Buddy you asked for it! I looked all over for pics of her when she was together but they are all on film and I don't have a scanner. I went back to get you some pics this morning. It broke my heart to see her like this! It is really sad because I have tons of new stuff for this truck in boxes still. The good news is I have had about all I can take. After I move at the end of this month, I am going to Flat Black and Bolt her together with the new weather stripping I have. I will post them for you when I can get it done. She's sure not much to look at right now!

YIKES!!!

I still have the correct tailgate at my Dad's house but it is trashed!

CAL 58 GMC · 11-02-2005, 02:39 AM

RIGHT ON MAN!!!

She beautiful!!! It might be a cool thing to do by priming her black and making her into a "Rat Rod" until you ready to go all out.

ChargerBill · 11-02-2005, 08:27 PM

Jebb, is yours going to end up a GMC or a Chevy? Looks like your body/sheetmetal is all pretty clean. As far as not knowing which way to go with the project, I feel for you. My '56 could go either way...tear it down and do a frame off or put it together and drive it for now. I'm really wanting to drive it and all I need to do is swap the hood, swap the new rear end in and mount the bed. Like yours, mine is 5 different colors too. In fact, I have some of the SAME yellow paint on some pieces. I'm thinking for now I might get her all one color (prime black) and drive her until I get the urge to fix her up.

CAL 58, your frame looks SWEEET!! That must have run a few benjamins to have done....especially here in California where the EPA makes guys in our hobby jump through so many hoops that it gets to the point where it's not even worth it. I've seen 2 Auto Body Strippers and 3 Chrome Platers close shop due to regulations in the last 2 years alone. We may not have any hobby professionals willing to do work if it keeps going this way. Oh yeah, who did your powder coating?

BTW: Did either of you mount the Camaro front clip yourselves? What years are best to look for? Is that a pretty straightforward project if you have a big enough shop and know how to weld?

CAL 58 GMC · 11-02-2005, 11:41 PM

The powder coating wasn't really that expensive. $450 for media blasting and coating. Not bad when you consider you take them an old dirty rusty frame and you get back one that's like new. Clovis powder coating did the work. For those of you that don't know were Clovis is, its right next to Fresno in Central California. The Camaro clip came on the truck, which was one of the main reasons I bought it. Basically the truck was a shell on top of a frame with a Camaro clip. As for the years, 1970 to 1981 are the years most people use. I would use a year that has the "front steering box" (1976 to 1981 I believe) because there is more room for your steering column. The difference between is that the "front steer" has all of the steering linkage is in front of the crossmember including the box, and the "rear steer" as it all behind the crossmember. I believe Nova's have "rear steering" and that's why most people use Camaro, not to mentions that if you find one off a Z-28 you get a heaver sway bar and quicker ratio steering box that you will not get on a Nova.

Jebb1978 · 11-02-2005, 11:57 PM

My Dad did the frontend 10 or more years back. He also used a Camaro in these years. I think his was a 1976.
My truck will be a GMC eventually, I don't know if it is going to have a Chevy grille until I find the GMC grille or not yet. My truck is an original Fleet option truck so either way it will never be original again. My Dad and I have both given away the original parts thinking they were wrong. Then I found this http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0287.html DOH!!! To late to go back now, could never find those parts again. But the answer to your question is, I will eventually have 100% GMC gear. I just have to find it first. Thanks for your interest guys!

1-ton of fun · 11-03-2005, 10:59 AM

nova clips work well too. i am going to be putting a '77 nova clip on my '59 chevy truck soon. 75-79 nova's and 70-81 camaro's have basically the same clip. all that i have heard was different was the front frame horns, but you would be cutting those off anyway.

and the front/rear steer thing refers to the steering linkage being in front of or behind the spindles.

CAL 58 GMC · 11-03-2005, 02:54 PM

Thanks 1 Ton, I stand corrected on the front & rear steering thing. I was going by what I was told as for the steering box placement.

1-ton of fun · 11-03-2005, 04:17 PM

the steering box is most likely farther forward, but where the tie rod ends connect to the spindles is what the front or rear steer refers to, so you weren't completely misinformed

CAL 58 GMC · 11-04-2005, 03:12 AM

I just finished installing the A-arms, springs, shocks and spindles. The A-arms were powder coated what they called aluminum.

Jebb1978 · 11-04-2005, 03:47 AM

Uh oh, your giving me the itch again!!!! Looks really cool not all the same color. I was going to paint my frame but after reading and seeing yours I may just have to spring for the powder coating. Looks HOT!
How much longer on the cab again?

Shawn

CAL 58 GMC · 11-04-2005, 04:22 AM

Thanks Shawn, I don't know when I am getting the cab back. The guy told me 4 weeks, this is the fourth week and he still not even near being done.

Kabwe · 11-04-2005, 12:54 PM

Man, it looks like you are going to have a very nice truck.

CAL 58 GMC · 11-04-2005, 09:43 PM

Thanks, Kabwe! I spent most of the day working on my truck. I got the TCI power brack unit in and the steering box. After putting in the dropped coils I realized I had one not setting in the pocket right

, so I had to take it apart to set them back in. Hears a few more pics.

Kabwe · 11-07-2005, 01:56 PM

Okay now you making me really want to get started on my truck. Its just so hard to stop driving the 55 210 long enough to work on the truck.lol
But you are going to make me do it. Keep the progress pics coming man its looking really good.

Jebb1978 · 11-08-2005, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Okay now you making me really want to get started on my truck. Its just so hard to stop driving the 55 210 long enough to work on the truck.lol
But you are going to make me do it. Keep the progress pics coming man its looking really good.

CAL 58 GMC, see what you are doing to us. Me, ChargerBill and now Kabwe

Your killing us!

CAL 58 GMC · 11-07-2005, 08:02 PM

Thanks again Kabwe. I got to admit it's getting exciting to finally start getting it all together! Over the next week I should be droping in the motor and transmission. I am waiting on a pair of motor mounts to come in. As soon as I get the motor in I will post some new pictures.

CAL 58 GMC · 11-08-2005, 08:07 PM

WOW!! That really cool!! This is such a passionate hobbie, look what it does to us!!!!

Legend56BC · 11-19-2005, 01:56 PM

Boy that brings back memories of building my 56 chev panel truck,are you going to keep the chevy nose on it or find a 58 GMC nose?

CAL 58 GMC · 11-19-2005, 06:49 PM

I am going to keep the 55 chevy. I really like the look of the 55-56 grill.

CAL 58 GMC · 11-26-2005, 05:56 AM

I got the front on the ground and dropped the motor in today. Here's a few pics.

dwcsr · 11-26-2005, 12:59 PM

Your truck in coming along nicely. I haven't been a fan of camaro clips in the past because they usually look hacked but yours looks really good. Your eye on the details shows in the pics. Nice work.

CAL 58 GMC · 11-26-2005, 07:08 PM

Thanks dwcsr. I hope you keep your thread updated as I will be following your project as you get further along too.

Jebb1978 · 12-09-2005, 03:06 AM

I have officially set my goal for 6 months. Driving mine to work in flat black! Thanks for the push, that truck looks SWEET!

CAL 58 GMC · 12-09-2005, 07:48 PM

Cool!! You will need to post some pics when your done.

Todd55 · 12-15-2005, 07:40 PM

Very nice.....It looks like you have made a ton a progress in very little time.

11-01-2005, 07:06 PM	#1
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	Re: 58 GMC Project Okay Buddy you asked for it! I looked all over for pics of her when she was together but they are all on film and I don't have a scanner. I went back to get you some pics this morning. It broke my heart to see her like this! It is really sad because I have tons of new stuff for this truck in boxes still. The good news is I have had about all I can take. After I move at the end of this month, I am going to Flat Black and Bolt her together with the new weather stripping I have. I will post them for you when I can get it done. She's sure not much to look at right now! YIKES!!! I still have the correct tailgate at my Dad's house but it is trashed! __________________ 1959 GMC project

11-02-2005, 02:39 AM	#2
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project RIGHT ON MAN!!! She beautiful!!! It might be a cool thing to do by priming her black and making her into a "Rat Rod" until you ready to go all out.

11-02-2005, 08:27 PM	#3
ChargerBill Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 27	Re: 58 GMC Project Jebb, is yours going to end up a GMC or a Chevy? Looks like your body/sheetmetal is all pretty clean. As far as not knowing which way to go with the project, I feel for you. My '56 could go either way...tear it down and do a frame off or put it together and drive it for now. I'm really wanting to drive it and all I need to do is swap the hood, swap the new rear end in and mount the bed. Like yours, mine is 5 different colors too. In fact, I have some of the SAME yellow paint on some pieces. I'm thinking for now I might get her all one color (prime black) and drive her until I get the urge to fix her up. CAL 58, your frame looks SWEEET!! That must have run a few benjamins to have done....especially here in California where the EPA makes guys in our hobby jump through so many hoops that it gets to the point where it's not even worth it. I've seen 2 Auto Body Strippers and 3 Chrome Platers close shop due to regulations in the last 2 years alone. We may not have any hobby professionals willing to do work if it keeps going this way. Oh yeah, who did your powder coating? BTW: Did either of you mount the Camaro front clip yourselves? What years are best to look for? Is that a pretty straightforward project if you have a big enough shop and know how to weld? __________________ 1956 Chevy Custom Cab 1978 Chevy K5 Blazer 2002 4X4 Silverado 1969 Dodge Charger 1968 Dodge Charger Last edited by ChargerBill; 11-02-2005 at 08:28 PM.

11-02-2005, 11:41 PM	#4
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project The powder coating wasn't really that expensive. $450 for media blasting and coating. Not bad when you consider you take them an old dirty rusty frame and you get back one that's like new. Clovis powder coating did the work. For those of you that don't know were Clovis is, its right next to Fresno in Central California. The Camaro clip came on the truck, which was one of the main reasons I bought it. Basically the truck was a shell on top of a frame with a Camaro clip. As for the years, 1970 to 1981 are the years most people use. I would use a year that has the "front steering box" (1976 to 1981 I believe) because there is more room for your steering column. The difference between is that the "front steer" has all of the steering linkage is in front of the crossmember including the box, and the "rear steer" as it all behind the crossmember. I believe Nova's have "rear steering" and that's why most people use Camaro, not to mentions that if you find one off a Z-28 you get a heaver sway bar and quicker ratio steering box that you will not get on a Nova. Last edited by CAL 58 GMC; 11-02-2005 at 11:43 PM.

11-02-2005, 11:57 PM	#5
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	Re: 58 GMC Project My Dad did the frontend 10 or more years back. He also used a Camaro in these years. I think his was a 1976. My truck will be a GMC eventually, I don't know if it is going to have a Chevy grille until I find the GMC grille or not yet. My truck is an original Fleet option truck so either way it will never be original again. My Dad and I have both given away the original parts thinking they were wrong. Then I found this http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0287.html DOH!!! To late to go back now, could never find those parts again. But the answer to your question is, I will eventually have 100% GMC gear. I just have to find it first. Thanks for your interest guys! __________________ 1959 GMC project

11-03-2005, 10:59 AM	#6
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: 58 GMC Project nova clips work well too. i am going to be putting a '77 nova clip on my '59 chevy truck soon. 75-79 nova's and 70-81 camaro's have basically the same clip. all that i have heard was different was the front frame horns, but you would be cutting those off anyway. and the front/rear steer thing refers to the steering linkage being in front of or behind the spindles.

11-03-2005, 02:54 PM	#7
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project Thanks 1 Ton, I stand corrected on the front & rear steering thing. I was going by what I was told as for the steering box placement.

11-03-2005, 04:17 PM	#8
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: 58 GMC Project the steering box is most likely farther forward, but where the tie rod ends connect to the spindles is what the front or rear steer refers to, so you weren't completely misinformed

11-04-2005, 03:12 AM	#9
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project I just finished installing the A-arms, springs, shocks and spindles. The A-arms were powder coated what they called aluminum. Attached Images

11-04-2005, 03:47 AM	#10
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	Re: 58 GMC Project Uh oh, your giving me the itch again!!!! Looks really cool not all the same color. I was going to paint my frame but after reading and seeing yours I may just have to spring for the powder coating. Looks HOT! How much longer on the cab again? Shawn __________________ 1959 GMC project

11-04-2005, 04:22 AM	#11
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project Thanks Shawn, I don't know when I am getting the cab back. The guy told me 4 weeks, this is the fourth week and he still not even near being done.

11-04-2005, 12:54 PM	#12
Kabwe Certified Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inglewood, California Posts: 3,118	Re: 58 GMC Project Man, it looks like you are going to have a very nice truck.

11-04-2005, 09:43 PM	#13
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project Thanks, Kabwe! I spent most of the day working on my truck. I got the TCI power brack unit in and the steering box. After putting in the dropped coils I realized I had one not setting in the pocket right, so I had to take it apart to set them back in. Hears a few more pics. Attached Images Last edited by CAL 58 GMC; 11-04-2005 at 09:46 PM.

11-07-2005, 01:56 PM	#14
Kabwe Certified Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inglewood, California Posts: 3,118	Re: 58 GMC Project Okay now you making me really want to get started on my truck. Its just so hard to stop driving the 55 210 long enough to work on the truck.lol But you are going to make me do it. Keep the progress pics coming man its looking really good.

11-07-2005, 08:02 PM	#16
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project Thanks again Kabwe. I got to admit it's getting exciting to finally start getting it all together! Over the next week I should be droping in the motor and transmission. I am waiting on a pair of motor mounts to come in. As soon as I get the motor in I will post some new pictures.



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11-08-2005, 08:07 PM	#17
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project WOW!! That really cool!! This is such a passionate hobbie, look what it does to us!!!! Last edited by CAL 58 GMC; 11-08-2005 at 08:08 PM.

11-19-2005, 01:56 PM	#18
Legend56BC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Aldergrove BC(Vancouver area) Canada Posts: 312	Re: 58 GMC Project Boy that brings back memories of building my 56 chev panel truck,are you going to keep the chevy nose on it or find a 58 GMC nose? __________________ http://www.facebook.com/MacDonaldRac...ckTeamBcCanada

11-19-2005, 06:49 PM	#19
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project I am going to keep the 55 chevy. I really like the look of the 55-56 grill. Last edited by CAL 58 GMC; 11-19-2005 at 07:00 PM.

11-26-2005, 05:56 AM	#20
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project I got the front on the ground and dropped the motor in today. Here's a few pics. Attached Images

11-26-2005, 12:59 PM	#21
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: 58 GMC Project Your truck in coming along nicely. I haven't been a fan of camaro clips in the past because they usually look hacked but yours looks really good. Your eye on the details shows in the pics. Nice work.

11-26-2005, 07:08 PM	#22
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project Thanks dwcsr. I hope you keep your thread updated as I will be following your project as you get further along too.

12-09-2005, 03:06 AM	#23
Jebb1978 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,713	Re: 58 GMC Project I have officially set my goal for 6 months. Driving mine to work in flat black! Thanks for the push, that truck looks SWEET! __________________ 1959 GMC project

12-09-2005, 07:48 PM	#24
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 58 GMC Project Cool!! You will need to post some pics when your done. Last edited by CAL 58 GMC; 12-12-2005 at 01:16 AM.

12-15-2005, 07:40 PM	#25
Todd55 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 6	Re: 58 GMC Project Very nice.....It looks like you have made a ton a progress in very little time.

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