My 58 Fleetside

[Coupeguy2001]

Lee, I have a perfect virgin dash if you get tired of beating your head against the wall on this one, and the tubular corvette manifolds will clear the factory steering column and they are 2 1/2 inch outlets........just a reminder.

[Green 1959]

I'm getting the front clip ready to paint and was wondering how I should do it. Should I put the front together and paint it or paint the parts and them put them on. How hard is it to put the fender emblems on after everything is together?

[Coupeguy2001]

paint the parts separate then install the emblems, then assemble the fenders on the inner fenders after they are on the truck..... Just tape everything off really well prior to assembly to eliminate scratching.... try to visualize yourself on the assembly line in 1959. What is the fastest yet easiest way to do what you are about to do? Probably the whole front clip went together prior to installing.
I put my emblems on my 57 fenders with the fenders installed. I ruined a good T shirt doing it, but it can be done. (thank you armor-all) It definitely wasn't the fastest way. You have to use a box wrench so your wrench stays on the last nut. One of those new style ratchet wrenches would do fantastic.

[Russell Ashley]

What Coupeguy said.

I would just add that it will be a lot easier if you have a helper. I just re-installed my fenders and having someone to hold up the front of the fender while you get it into place and get the rubber gasket under the inner fender lip will make it go better. Also will make it less likely to scratch the paint at the cab and front of the door.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Coupeguy2001

One of those new style ratchet wrenches would do fantastic.

I got a set of Craftsman with the swivel head. Spendy but worth it to get into all the nooks and crannies. I sold a 68 Camaro that had a 7/16" wrench wedged up in a place I could not get too after it spun when tightening from the other side with a ratchet.

[A.T. RockDriller]

I love your truck, Orrie....
Those dogs of yours are quite the duo, too.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by A.T. RockDriller

I love your truck, Orrie....
Those dogs of yours are quite the duo, too.

Only Murph is mine (red one). The other was my karate instructors.

[Green 1959]

The patch for the left side. The right side on. The left side welded. The inside of the lft side with bedliner brushed in.

[Green 1959]

The front together and the grille!

[longbike]

Hey Green looking good!

Where did you get that fender patch panel from and could you please measure it from bottom to the top? The ones I got didnt have that wheel opening lip that wraps around to the inside!

Thanks
Jeff

[Green 1959]

Grumpy's in Phoenix, its about 18 inches tall

[longbike]

Thanks buddy!

[zellway]

Looking good! Cant wait to see it in green!

[Green 1959]

The new driver's door, new rear end 3.38, the dash is coming together.....

[Green 1959]

This is the door with the holes that need to be welded and then da-da its done.

[Green 1959]

Hey guys a question, can I get some ideas on how to sound deaden and heat block the doors? I took them apart this weekend and found that there is not a good way to get in there.

[Daze57]

try the self adhesive sound deading stuff - hushmat;dynamat etc. you dont need a big piece - jam a piece in there make a rough cut to fit then heat gun it to stick - that does make a difference

[Green 1959]

It was the best of times it was the worst of times...... Truly the worst of times, my new door has a badly bent window frame..... Going to try something crazy.. Also the dash is now painted.

[Green 1959]

Also if anyone has any cool tips on aligning doors that would be cool, I took the hindges off and now nether side will line up right. I'm sure I just need to spend more time tweaking it and I'll have to cut the window frame off the left side to finish.. But any wise words are greatly appreaciated.

[Kim57]

One thing to keep in mind is that these doors didn't fit that well from the factory. Gaps of an 1/8" or more are common. it takes a lot of work to get them nice.
Just be patient and you'll get there.
Kim

[OrrieG]

Based on what others have done you like Kim said you usually have to add and subtract metal to get even gaps. Earlier serial numbers are usually better, later as the dies started to wear out things got worse. They also designed these with lots of wiggle room so as they flexed and got beat being used things would not bind up. Remember these were designed and used when most of the rural areas still had dirt roads and they were driven over irrigation ditches, plowed fields, etc.

If you are going to start cutting up window frames make sure you have glass handy to make sure you are not making any problems with gasket or glass fitment down the line.

[Green 1959]

The problem I've having now is that the doors are too close to the body on the front side and the fenders stick out 1/4 inch. Ill post pictures so you can see, I'm giving up for this weekend, too tired and frusterated to try to continue.

[Green 1959]

Here are the problem areas folks.... The drivers side door and fender, the second picture is just at a diffferent angle and the third is the passanger side. How can I get the fronts of the doors away from the body? I moved them as much as a I could. I'm I just missing something???!!! urg
Also I chopped the top of the driver's door.....

[longbike]

You know what Green I now got that same problem, tonight I just replaced the lower front fender extension like you just did and the patch panel bows out farther than the door now, "what the heck do you do now"?

[Green 1959]

As soon as you tell me, I'll tell you.