55.2-59 1959 Fleetside Short Bed Project

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by BLAC

I am definitely going to wait to do anything until I get the motor and trans in the truck and everything is settled.

I was going to just jump into the IFS but I got a practically brand new CPP dropped axel, disk brake conversion, power steering box, new leafs, shocks, and all hardware for $550. I just couldn't pass on the deal.

Mine is an lq4, but the only difference is the pistons and i'm going to do a forged rotating assembly anyway

In hindsight I'd consider using the dropped axle unless you're going for a show truck. Different opinion but I'll be in ordinary deriving the nee components, modern gas shock will make it drive away better than the original straight axle.

Question: Why screw with the rotating assembly? Do you plan to go to forced induction later? Otherwise you don't need it. The LS's are very very robust as they come from the factory.

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

In hindsight I'd consider using the dropped axle unless you're going for a show truck. Different opinion but I'll be in ordinary deriving the nee components, modern gas shock will make it drive away better than the original straight axle.

Question: Why screw with the rotating assembly? Do you plan to go to forced induction later? Otherwise you don't need it. The LS's are very very robust as they come from the factory.

I’m eventually going to have the truck on airbags. I don’t think it will necessarily be a ‘show truck’ but I build show bikes and will be using the truck to move bikes and parts, setting the truck on the ground to load up motorcycles will be really nice, and it will be fun to play with

I’m building a forced induction motor, I’m lookin for it to be able to safely make about 1,000hp but I’m looking to only run about 700hp on the street on a very conservative/bullet proof tune. I’m looking at turbo options now, not sure if I’m going to run a single (like a s480) or a dual set up...

[jeffs56]

Any update on your truck. Curious if you got your dropped axle going?

[jeffs56]

Any update on your truck. Curious if you got your dropped axle going?

[BLAC]

Hello everyone! It has been a year since my last post but I have some big updates...

I decided to go all in and take this truck down to the frame rails:


I went with Scott's SuperSlam IFS:


Before putting in the cross member I squared and boxed the whole front end:


I measured out the stock center line and decided to move the centerline forward just over 1.5":


The install went really smooth, the hardest and most time consuming part was blasting out all the damn stock cross member rivets


I got the adjustable Ride Tech / Fox shocks as well:


Cab Back on and ready to place the 6.0 LS:


This MIGHT be low enough...

[BLAC]

GTO manifolds on and engine ready to be mocked in:


Like a glove:


I made templates for motor mounts:



A little metal finishing and tacked in:


I clearanced the drivers side to clear the steering shaft:


Motor and front end installed. Time for a drink. (Don't mind the quarantine mustache haha)

[Rickysnickers]

Impressive work

[dsraven]

nice fab work. smoooooth.
are you not installing any shock absorbing material in the engine mounts then?

[BAM55]

Everything is looking great. I really like Scott's stuff good choice.

[dsraven]

looks like you are running the fuel mileage cam option with the silent run timing components on that engine. haha.

[59chev]

Great progress!!

[joedoh]

good doogly moogly those are stout motor mounts! I think you could hold a diesel locomotive engine on that!

nice progress!

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by dsraven

looks like you are running the fuel mileage cam option with the silent run timing components on that engine. haha.

Nothing gets past you guys

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by joedoh

good doogly moogly those are stout motor mounts! I think you could hold a diesel locomotive engine on that!

nice progress!

You are probably right, but I had the material on hand and decided it would work. It's not going anywhere for sure!

[BLAC]

Originally Posted by BAM55

Everything is looking great. I really like Scott's stuff good choice.

Thanks that means a lot, I have been following your build for a long time, your hood is looking awesome!

[BLAC]

Thanks for the feedback... but yall didnt think that was the only updates did ya?

[slammed57]

lookin good, I went with the scotts air ride up front as well, top notch stuff!

[BLAC]

Instead of a ford 9" I picked up the rear independent suspension from a 2015 Camaro SS.


After finding the stock center line, and leveling/measuring everything I braced the rear section with some scrap pieces to keep them in place while I cut the frame to make room for the Camaro IRS.



I think this voided my warranty...



I got the subframe up and level to where ride height was even with the front.


I cut off the stock mounts where the IRS bolted to the Camaro chassis and roughed in some connections to the stock frame.

[BLAC]

To keep going along the Camaro theme, I picked up a set of the OEM 18" Camaro Heritage steel wheels. I think they look good and classic while being big enough to go over my brakes.



I couldnt resist hanging a bedside on there to see what it would look like all the way lowered.

[BLAC]

With all the craziness going on with the Coronavirus lockdown I decided to buy a trailer and truck to pull my project out of LA with my fiance to her parents house on a ranch in Idaho. A big bonus is that my father in law has built a lot of hotrods and task force trucks... so this will be picking up some serious steam.

[NorCalGal]

I’ll follow along

[dsraven]

Nice use of jack stand on the trailer. Done that myself a time or two.
Hope you make some progress and take time to smell the fresh.

[BLAC]

Im going to be reusing my stock column for now, I might get a tilt in the future but this would work for now.

We cut off the steering box and shortened it quite a bit, then I hammered out a new drop down for the column and welded it on.



My father in law let me run a spare Chevelle steering, I really like the look and feel of it in the cab

[BLAC]

I’ve got an original blade fleetside bumper but I don’t have the original brackets, anyone have a set or know someone who does?

[joedoh]

i love the look of those impala wheels, I am actually looking for one.

nice progress!