Dunce's 59 Fleetside build

[Kim57]

Repairs are looking good.
Tire looks good to me.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Wheel is perfectly centered for me!

[oldman3]

Counting you that's four for four on tire centered...Jim

[dunce79]

While my rear end and front sub are out getting worked on decided to work on the rest of the to-do list.
- removed all the crap from the dash and firewall. Huge ass rats nest up on top of the glove box. very nasty
-added 1/8 steel rod to the bottom section of both doors to even out the gaps. something slightly incorrect with the new rear panel caused this I think. I could get the doors to lined up everywhere else. So at one point I decided I'd just add to the doors if I had to. Hard to tell in the before pic but I had 3/16 gap or slightly less on the top half and 1/4 or slightly more on the bottom half. Welded the rod on both the front and back sides and then grind everything smooth. Shave off some the rod where needed. Virtually undetectable.

[oldman3]

Nice job on the door gap, and alignment of the panels...Jim

[Advanced Design]

I agree with Jim! Well done on the gaps!

[dunce79]

Making a little progress...

-got my gas tank mocked up. Used one from Tanks and relocated a couple frame rails to frame it in. Added plates on top and used straps connected to the cross members to hold it in place. Plan to have the filler right it in the bed floor.
-Did some work on the wheel tubs. Out of 4 I had one decent one and 1 that was a candidate for repair. Blasted, tried to knock out the bigger dents, fixed some holes and replaced the flange one of them.
-Decided to go with a roll pan on the rear instead of bumper. My plan is to route the exhaust out the back through the pan on the bottom. The roll pan needs something else.. pretty bland but beats the ugly ass bumper as far as I'm concerned.
-Started mocking up my camaro clip. I'm close now.. few more tweaks and I'll tack it in.
-






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[ChuckDriver]

Nice work!

Here's an idea for you, don't know any details on it, but it looks nice!

[Kim57]

Looking real nice.
Kim

[OneOffStroker]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Nice work!

Here's an idea for you, don't know any details on it, but it looks nice!

Look like a '67 Camaro rear bumper. Those look pretty nice on fleetsides.

[dunce79]

Yeah, thats interesting. I don't know if I'd wrap it around but def an idea worth playing with.

Originally Posted by OneOffStroker

Look like a '67 Camaro rear bumper. Those look pretty nice on fleetsides.

[RockinKees]

Nice repairs on the tubs!

And I do like the bumpers too, great idea, I keep that in mind

[dunce79]

Did a little presto change-o on the dash. Decided to go with an original style radio with the ipod hookup ect so I bought the repair panel. I never liked all the freakin knobs on this dash so removed the vent controls and wiper control holes. Deleted the heater control and ashtry. I originally planned on removing the far left hole which is headlights and just keeping the two next to the gauge cluster but It looks kind of balanced as is. I'll put the vintage air controls above the radio I think. My get a column with wiper controls built in.. not sure yet though.

Started filling in the cowl vents..

Had someone with a lot more experience than I check to make sure my subframe was square. I nailed it so will be burning it in this week.

[octanejunkie]

Looks awesome!
Yes the dash does look more balanced with the two holes left of the cluster.

I was toying with the idea of converting the cowl into a vent to blast cool/road air into the engine compartment... wonder if anyone ever attempted that. There should be great downforce at the cowl.

[octanejunkie]

Oops. Double post!

[Kim57]

Looks real good.
Kim

[Advanced Design]

Really nice work on the dash and cowl!

[ChuckDriver]

Nice job!

[dunce79]

Been awhile since the last update. Still plugging away though.

-filled a billion firewall holes
-fitting the engine, making mounts, notching frame
-posi and brake put in the rearend
-trans cross member created
-modify doors for one piece glass
-subframe partially welded in
-fit all front sheet metal
-removed front suspension and blasted a arms, spindles ect.

up next is boxing the frame and blasting it, then getting the front suspension back together.

[RockinKees]

Looking great, as always!!

[oldman3]

Nice job...Jim

[Kim57]

Nice progress. Looking real good.
Kim

[dunce79]

-narrowed a 70s chevy seat by 3 inches to fit the cab
-shifter, throttle pedal mocked up
-firewall mounted brake booster mocked up
-started modifying trans tunnel
-steering column and shaft mocked up
-steering wheel selected, like the classic look
-got my wheels, had to put longer studs on the back to use 3/4 spacers and get the wheels outboard a bit. gunna have to widen the wheel tubs by about 2.5 inches
-almost done boxing the frame, por15 on it, bottom of cab cleaned up and painted
-small repair on both inner front fenders
-blasted the entire frame (thats the wife blasting an inner fender)

[Advanced Design]

Wow, great progress! Looking really good.

[RockinKees]

Frame is looking real good!!
You're going pretty fast!