58 Fleetside

[jjjmm56]

Nice I love those fleetsides

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

It looks awesome laying out on the ground!

It will roll that low too. Can't turn but could drive.

[Tchia65]

A little bit of progress. I need to make a decision on how I am going to mount the bed.

[Kabwe]

Everything is looking great. You are doing a wonderful job on that truck.

[hotrodrookie]

Great progress! Can't wait to stop neglecting mine lol

[Tchia65]

Thank you Kabwe, I appreciate that especially after seeing your build.

[Tchia65]

I got the rest of the back of the frame boxed tonight and notched the cross member under the cab to clear the driveshaft. Have to get a new driveshaft built. Hopefully next week I can get the bag brackets on and make to mounts for the tank, valves and compressors.

[71'tahoe]

TJ
Exellent build man! Can I ask you for the hieght of the frame at the front and rear of the cab with your truck aired out in post 37? Truck looks killer man!

Greg

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by Tchia65

Thank you Kabwe, I appreciate that especially after seeing your build.

Originally Posted by 71'tahoe

TJ
Exellent build man! Can I ask you for the hieght of the frame at the front and rear of the cab with your truck aired out in post 37? Truck looks killer man!

Greg

Thanks a lot. I only have access to my truck on Mondays and Tuesdays. I will measure it next week, it's a pretty substantial amount though.

I got the cab cross member notched for the driveline and the rest of the back end boxed. I ended up using the C notch that came with my 4 link, think it worked out well. The drive shaft is a problem. I have two which are too short, so I guess it's junkyard time to find a good candidate for shortening. I am gonna build the mounts for the air system and hopefully start on the gas tank. next week.

[Tchia65]

Finally got my gauges modified to fit into my ebay dash bezel.

[Kim57]

That looks real nice.
Kim

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by 71'tahoe

TJ
Exellent build man! Can I ask you for the hieght of the frame at the front and rear of the cab with your truck aired out in post 37? Truck looks killer man!

Greg

I sneaked into the yard to measure my back space and measured the frame distance while I was at it. From the bottom of the frame to the ground is 4.5 inches in front of and in back of the cab. Hope that helps.

[Spackle100]

Originally Posted by Tchia65

Finally got my gauges modified to fit into my ebay dash bezel.

How do you like the quality and/or fit and finish of your dash bezel? What did you have to do to modify your gauges?
I have been looking at that same ebay product for some time.

Thanks!

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by Spackle100

How do you like the quality and/or fit and finish of your dash bezel? What did you have to do to modify your gauges?
I have been looking at that same ebay product for some time.

Thanks!

The bezel itself is ok, the engine turning could be better. I cleared mine to try and get or depth out of it. The bezel uses odd size gauges, I assume imported ones like Shark. I like my Autometer and already had a few ultralites laying around so I made it work. To get them to fit I took felt air cleaner gaskets, trimmed them and used them as gaskets. The aluminum trim ring from the front of the gauges had to come off the 2 1/16 gauges to be able to put them in from the back, then I safety wired them to 10/32 screws to keep them put. I'm a aircraft mechanic so it seemed logical at the time. The speedo was far more drastic. I had to disassemble the gauge and belt sand the rim off the flare and do the same to the plexiglas lens until they fit and was able to keep it put with just screws. This is a temporary set up until I can get some classic instruments, or the new prototype from dakota. I just cant drive blind.

[Spackle100]

Wow, I don't think I am going to use this bezel! Thank you for your input. I am trying to incorporate these guys somehow, maybe minus the RPM tach. I really love them but I'm not sure how it is going to work with the trim ring.
http://www.moal.com/02_prod/bezel.html

Originally Posted by Tchia65

The bezel itself is ok, the engine turning could be better. I cleared mine to try and get or depth out of it. The bezel uses odd size gauges, I assume imported ones like Shark. I like my Autometer and already had a few ultralites laying around so I made it work. To get them to fit I took felt air cleaner gaskets, trimmed them and used them as gaskets. The aluminum trim ring from the front of the gauges had to come off the 2 1/16 gauges to be able to put them in from the back, then I safety wired them to 10/32 screws to keep them put. I'm a aircraft mechanic so it seemed logical at the time. The speedo was far more drastic. I had to disassemble the gauge and belt sand the rim off the flare and do the same to the plexiglas lens until they fit and was able to keep it put with just screws. This is a temporary set up until I can get some classic instruments, or the new prototype from dakota. I just cant drive blind.

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by Spackle100

Wow, I don't think I am going to use this bezel! Thank you for your input. I am trying to incorporate these guys somehow, maybe minus the RPM tach. I really love them but I'm not sure how it is going to work with the trim ring.
http://www.moal.com/02_prod/bezel.html

Hell your just in Cardiff, you can look at the bezel in person. Those things are sweet. I may have to steal your idea. Like I said Aircraft is how I make my living and I'm already planning on using aircraft seat belts...

[Spackle100]

Yeah geez, I didn't even see that you are in SD. Thanks for the offer but I think those gauges wont even fit the holes? Heck, I might just come down to look at your ride for inspiration!
If you are running with an aircraft theme, check out this guys gallery. Lots of aircrafty influences and touches. http://www.moal.com/04_gallery/index.html

Originally Posted by Tchia65

Hell your just in Cardiff, you can look at the bezel in person. Those things are sweet. I may have to steal your idea. Like I said Aircraft is how I make my living and I'm already planning on using aircraft seat belts...

[Tchia65]

I like the big chrome V put have thought about smoothing the dash and going cockpit style. I just need to put about 10,000 miles on my truck next spring then I'll be tearing it down again next winter when I'm in Virgina. I believe "speedway special" was roadster of the year a few years back, I remember seeing it at Pomona.

[Spackle100]

Yeah, I like the V too. I have thought about keeping the V and making a custom bezel out of wood (varnished finish) or sheet metal painted to match the body color.
Ahh man, I'd like to see some those roadsters in person!

Originally Posted by Tchia65

I like the big chrome V put have thought about smoothing the dash and going cockpit style. I just need to put about 10,000 miles on my truck next spring then I'll be tearing it down again next winter when I'm in Virgina. I believe "speedway special" was roadster of the year a few years back, I remember seeing it at Pomona.

[71'tahoe]

Originally Posted by Tchia65

I sneaked into the yard to measure my back space and measured the frame distance while I was at it. From the bottom of the frame to the ground is 4.5 inches in front of and in back of the cab. Hope that helps.

Thank You. I does help! I like how you did the guages! I like Auto Meter Gauges. Ill be using them with my build also! Keep up the good work!

[michaelnolimit]

Tj everything looks great. I love the stance. Couple things I just wanted to point out to everyone on the board.

1. The axle center line is 36.5 inches from the tip of the rear frame rail. If your at 36 There may be enough adjustment in the bar to shorten it to pull the axle forward the half inch. But since your tacked in you may want to just move the bracket forward.


2. On the front suspension the upper control arm needs a larger washer between the nut and the poly biscuit. If you dont have them I can get them to you. Let me know.

3. Fuel injection pumps we offer. They go inside the tank after you drill a 4 inch hole in the top. the pump comes with everything you need to bolt it into your tank. they go for 289.00. any questions regarding the pump call us.

4. And for you guys experiencing some squeeking coming from your poly bushings you can drill and tap a 1/4 28 hole were the center of the bushings meet. Insert a grease fitting and pump them full of grease.

other than that everything looks great cant wait to see the finished product . I love fleetside chevys that has to be one of the nicest beds ever produced. Im jealuos of all you short fleetside owners. happy cruising

[Tchia65]

Thanks Micheal.

#1. I actually did install the rear at 36.5 from the back. I had heard several different opinions. I finally throw the bed on and made my own decision before tacking it in.

#2. I will need some washers. Intially I was sent coilover arms. I sent them back and when I got the airbag ones they were short on washers so I bought these from fastenal.

#3. A buddy gave me new Walbro 255 with AN fittings, and my cell already has 10 AN's in it so I'm gonna go the external route.

#4. I looked at the bag alignment in the front. Think you were right. Looks like the top of the bag is a little too inboard.

I need to get this thing on the road. I have to put 10,000 miles on it next Spring and want to make sure the bugs are worked out. Thanks for all your help.

TJ

[dewey777]

Originally Posted by Spackle100

Wow, I don't think I am going to use this bezel! Thank you for your input. I am trying to incorporate these guys somehow, maybe minus the RPM tach. I really love them but I'm not sure how it is going to work with the trim ring.
http://www.moal.com/02_prod/bezel.html

I had my bezel made, 3/8 aluminum plate and countersunk Autometer gauges. Turned out OK, the trim rings on the gauges have to sit behind the bezel to fit.

[michaelnolimit]

On the lower control arm there are four holes for the lower bag mount. What hole are you using? IT does look a little tipped at the top but not bad. IF your in the hole closest to the crossmember. You could drill a new hole in the arm to move the bottom side in a bit.

For future reference and im sorry I didnt think of this before, You could have taken a measurement from the hole in the lower control arm that the bag will bolt to and measured to the same hole in the opposite control arm. You then could take that measurement and do some math to determine how far that upper bag plate should be sunk into the side of the frame. That way the upper bag holes and the lower bag holes are the same distance apart. Again Im sorry I didnt think of that while we were on the phone.

[Tchia65]

Originally Posted by michaelnolimit

On the lower control arm there are four holes for the lower bag mount. What hole are you using? IT does look a little tipped at the top but not bad. IF your in the hole closest to the crossmember. You could drill a new hole in the arm to move the bottom side in a bit.

For future reference and im sorry I didnt think of this before, You could have taken a measurement from the hole in the lower control arm that the bag will bolt to and measured to the same hole in the opposite control arm. You then could take that measurement and do some math to determine how far that upper bag plate should be sunk into the side of the frame. That way the upper bag holes and the lower bag holes are the same distance apart. Again Im sorry I didnt think of that while we were on the phone.

I am in the most inboard hole on both arms. I will either have to re drill or elongate the mount holes I think.