My new Beater 1959 GMC

[dsraven]

just admiring the underhood area of the last post and noticed the pass side upper control arm pivot shaft looks to be mocked up at an angle to the frame. when alignment is done that could change a bunch. that change may mess with the axle centreline so the wheel may move forward some if that control arm pivot shaft is set up to be more parallel to the frame. hope it doesn't mess up your wheel fitment in the fender opening.

[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by dsraven

just admiring the underhood area of the last post and noticed the pass side upper control arm pivot shaft looks to be mocked up at an angle to the frame. when alignment is done that could change a bunch. that change may mess with the axle centreline so the wheel may move forward some if that control arm pivot shaft is set up to be more parallel to the frame. hope it doesn't mess up your wheel fitment in the fender opening.

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[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Love it.
You got that front wheel in the perfect position.
I see that done wrong SO MANY times.
Engine and wheel/tire choice is spot on.

Thanks for the compliments. Just having FUN!
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[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by 57tailgater

Oh my love the white headers!! What did you paint them with?

Cheap and easy. Won’t last forever, figure it’s easy to pull headers and repaint them.
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[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by hardwaa

Cheap and easy. Won’t last forever, figure it’s easy to pull headers and repaint them.
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[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by dsraven

curious to see how the steering shaft fits through the header tunnel.
engine and headers look awesome. where will the exhaust dump out when you're all done?

Sorry to let you down, it fits just fine. You are turning into a BOZO…
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[dsraven]

ok, thanks for the tip. you're awesome.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by hardwaa

Sorry to let you down, it fits just fine. You are turning into a BOZO…
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I'm hoping this was meant as a joke. Even if it was, there's no call for this. Back on topic. Consider this a warning.

[57tailgater]

Originally Posted by hardwaa

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And you can cook with it too! Ha ha!! Thanks. Keep it going!

[hardwaa]

Stripped the 59 rear frame hangers and overload spring stops. Next I took squarebody frame rails I had removed all the crossmembers. I removed the lower lip of the squarebody frame sections so I could clamp them on my 1959 frame. The square body frame sections are just templates and allow me to locate the rear axle location. Once I’m happy with wheel in fender placement I can center punch frame through the leaf spring bracket holes. I removed 2 rivets from each bracket. The square body frame rails will be removed and I will bolt the squarebody leaf spring perches to the 59 frame.

Truck is on its own four wheels. Rear end will definitely be coming down lots. Way to much rake.
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[lolife99]

Great progress!
Using the squarebody frame rails very cool.
Never seen that before to locate leaf spring perches.

[57tailgater]

Nifty idea on using the square body rails for templates. Does the square body setup still give you enough fender clearance? You planning on getting a GMC hood to go with that Chevy front end? I always thought they were cool with that opening on the front.

[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by 57tailgater

Nifty idea on using the square body rails for templates. Does the square body setup still give you enough fender clearance? You planning on getting a GMC hood to go with that Chevy front end? I always thought they were cool with that opening on the front.

Yes, frame is 34” outside dim. Springs and hangers add about 6” each side. Inside dimension of bedsides is 50”
I have a 56 chevy hood for truck.
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[hardwaa]

Finally got bed on. Rear axle will need to move back towards rear of truck. Can’t wait to get notches in and rear of truck lower.
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[hardwaa]

Pics.
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[lolife99]

Are those 52” or 56” leaf springs?
If they are 56” you could possibly turn them around and offset the rear axle to the rear.

[57tailgater]

What size tires are you running on the back?

[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Are those 52” or 56” leaf springs?
If they are 56” you could possibly turn them around and offset the rear axle to the rear.

That’s a good idea.
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[hardwaa]

Originally Posted by 57tailgater

What size tires are you running on the back?

31 10.50 15.
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[6DoF]

this is turning into a great mix of beater and not beater.

[57tailgater]

Originally Posted by hardwaa

31 10.50 15.
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Thanks! I really like the stance the way it is as I am a rake guy. But hey, do what YOU want to do! Enjoy!!

[hardwaa]

Ended up 2” back from initial guess. Really easy to slide rear square frame rails after I jacked up rear of 59 frame and released all the clamps on the squarebody frame rails. Frame notches will get cut this week hopefully I can get them installed next weekend along with squarebody perches mounted directly to 59 frame.
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[6DoF]

that stance is MEAN

[hardwaa]

Progress. Laying it all out.
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[hardwaa]

Let’s try this again. Now that I found location (front to back) for rear axle time to move it up.
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