Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed

[RockinKees]

I did some small things last week, such as painting some ereas you don't see when mounted.
Perfect day to do some things:



Sanded all the parts, primered them and painted it gloss black.
Also took care of the rear inner fenders, got all the Californian Dirt off, took a couple of hours, good stuff
Set the inside in rustconverter, primered and then put them in paintable undercoating, just as the cab. Now a coat of three gloss black and on they go!





I also got all the coolant hoses in, bolted the LPG system in (propane), got the fillerhoses in and got all the pressure hard lines in. Only have the LPG electrics left.



I already did the fuellines from tank to filler:



And as Ptc said, we have huge license plates, so I made a little less huge hole in the roll pan, for excess the towhitch and plug



And, last but not least....I got the coolerlines for the trans made all the way to the cooler
The end is in sight.......

[Advanced Design]

That is some pretty countryside Kees!

Good work too, getting close to the finish line.

[Kim57]

Sounds like you're getting real close to done.
Wish I was at that stage.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

That is some pretty countryside Kees!

Good work too, getting close to the finish line.

Thank you Doug.
Countryside is very nice when it's getting warmer, lots of sheep and cows!!

Kim57

Sounds like you're getting real close to done.
Wish I was at that stage.
Kim

Thanks Kim.
Have lots and lots small thing to do still.
If I was close by, I would help you every day, you know that!!

[reaper71]

Nice progress Kees!!
One step closer!

Mark

[lower50's]

Nice job seeing the finish line get's really exciting!!

[RockinKees]

Originally Posted by lower50's

Nice job seeing the finish line get's really exciting!!

You're absolutely right!!

reaper71
Nice progress Kees!!
One step closer!

Mark

Thank you Mark!

Today I painted the inner side of the rear fenders for the last time, now the outside....almost ready with those parts
Finished the hood latch panel also, that will get some pinstripes (when I get my inspiration )

I started working on the tailgate.
I got a set tailgate link assemblies from an '87 and up Pick up.
The man said it wouldn't work with such an old Fleetside...
This is the set I got.



Here's what I've done so far:
First I put the tailgate at 90 degrees (open), ground the links apart from their latches and measured where the links had to come, a bit trail and error before drilling...
When the measurements were right, I first drilled the upper hole and put a bolt in it so it stayed in his place. Then I measured again to get the opening right.
Also had to ground a small piece out of the tailgate to get room for the links.



As you can see, these are bent at the end, that doesn't work with my tailgate, so, I took the bent out, welded it togehter and measured again...







After measurements were taken, I came to the conclusion, the pin for the link also won't work, it's too large. I took a bolt and made my own
It's stainless by the way



It may be not the nicest sollution, but it works for me





One side in, testing......



Yep, easy does it!!
Now think about some sort of lock....

[oldman3]

Cool...Jim

[Advanced Design]

Very nice Kees! Way better than a kit.

[Nut Case]

Kees

That dude doesn't know who he is dealing with!!!!! We do, no one should ever tell you that you can't do that or it won't work on your truck. Great work as always.
I need to get started.

Keep on keepin on. Nut Case

[dug224]

Nice work on the tailgate supports including the use of a SS bolts. I plan on using my '95 support linkage so this will help. Looking forward to your latching approach. dug

[lower50's]

Nice job Kees!! Did the '59 come with the bars or cable? I love it when ppl say something won't work or can't be done

[Kim57]

Nice work on the tail gate.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Thanks Guys!!!

Nut Case
Kees

That dude doesn't know who he is dealing with!!!!! We do, no one should ever tell you that you can't do that or it won't work on your truck. Great work as always.
I need to get started.

Keep on keepin on. Nut Case

Yeah, do not tell us what works or not...almost everything works, right?

lower50's
Nice job Kees!! Did the '59 come with the bars or cable? I love it when ppl say something won't work or can't be done

The '59 comes with chains, and I don't like them, so they had to go

I managed to get the other side also, so now both sides have links. Next is figure out some sort of latch, I have ideas.....

Also got the inner side of both frontfenders cleaned, sanded and in rustcoverter/primer. They can dry for two days, because I have two days off
Overhere in the Netherlands we remember those who are fallen during war on May 4 and on May 5 we celebrate freedom.
Never Forget

[RockinKees]

Update:
Last week was sanding, primering and painting things you don't normally look at..







These were all cleaned and sanded. I think the parts look really good! No rust, only the wheeltubs has some dents, I call them Natural Character

After primer and paint:











Came out pretty nice. Innerfenders don't look shiny because there's a rubber underground under it, the 4 layer layers of black paint didn't make it so shiny...

[RockinKees]

Yesterday I went on making locks (or latches...) in the tailgate.
Here's what I did:



These are the locks, piece of steel square iron and the the tailgate
Nice story so far

I want the locks lay flat in the tailgate, so I ground a piece out of it, the square iron fits in the hole.



Next I ground the iron so that the lock fit flat in it





Then I welded the square iron in the tailgate, so that it is flat with the surface







Under the square iron, I welded a flat bar of a 1/4" thick, made threads in there to screw the lock in, sorry no pic...

After welding all in it looks like this:







I'm happy with how it did came out, nice and simple.
Just have to drill the holes in the bedsides, but that shouldn't be any problem
Was going to do this today, but body wanted different, so....until next time!!

[reaper71]

Those are pretty cool!
who makes those, or are they a "Kees special"

Mark...

[RockinKees]

Originally Posted by reaper71

Those are pretty cool!
who makes those, or are they a "Kees special"

Mark...

Thanks Mark!
The locks are bought, they're stainlees steel.
Could not make them for that price

[CMACDONALD1]

The Tailgate latch looks great. Good work!

[Kim57]

Very nice looking latches.
Kim

[Advanced Design]

Nice job with the paint Kees. The latches came out really well. Great idea on the installation!

[lexteak]

Nice work. simple, clean, classy. You nailed it.

[oldman3]

I use latches like that every week for our church doors. Never thought of using them on a tailgate. Nice job buddy...Jim

[Nut Case]

Kees. your speeding on to the end.

Where could I get my hands on 2 of those latches.

Find out the cost, just PM me cause I really like the look and function.

How much $$$ to acuire the latchs? & Shipping costs.


Get back when you got it all figured out

Thanks Nut Case

[Nut Case]

Kees

My uncle served with Gen, Patton during the Bastone action, the locals were so helpful and kind to our GI's . He love his time in country. We honor them on Nov 11. Great Country, and great people. nut Case

my family went to Bastona what a great memorial for the US solder it was great.