58 GMC Project

[Jebb1978]

I like that color too.

[Kabwe]

That is the color that brother painted his Chevy 55 panel truck (the fool sold it) I also have a buddy with a 72 Nova that is that color. It is a nice color you truck will look really nice with that color. I brother's panel truck was this color we called it burnt orange with tan leather interior. The guy that brought the truck painted it midnight blue yuck. He said he got tired of people asking him if it was Paul’s (my brother) truck.lol You would not believe how that color change affected the look of the truck. It was still a nice looking truck but not to people who saw it with the burnt orange paint job. It just lost its flavor. I’m still mad at my brother for selling that one. He could have sold it to me.lol

Also that is one clean Chevy you posted a pic of. Its a guy that comes to our cruise nights that has one like it I thought that was it until I realized that his is a 38 4 door. And man let me tell you I'm not a 4 door man but that sucker is clean, clean, and more clean. He also keeps a toy tommy gun in the back seat.lol

As for me I like these trucks a lot in yellow, a pale yellow (I was going to go there and paint mine yellow), but if I see another yellow 55 I may lose my mine. A old hot rodder told me this and I take it to heart. When I was building my first car and I was talking to him about my color choices and they were all typical colors. He said "yeah that's nice but don't be afraid to be different and don't be afraid of colors it seems everybody is afraid of colors.lol

[CAL 58 GMC]

Hey kabwe, got any pic's of your bro's truck before he sold it?

[Kabwe]

I'll try and stop by his house this weekend and see if he has some pics. He is an old school gear head that has own some really nice rides through the years so I'm sure he has some pics of all his rides.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I'll look forward to seeing them.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I installed a stainless steel frame mount drop down battery box over the weekend. Yesterday I got a Optima battery and Taylor Diamondback Shielded battery cables since they are close to the headers. The body guy said the end of next week he will have color on the cab. Here's pic of the battery box.

[Jebb1978]

Man Cal nice touch! I have never seen those battery cables before. They look really nice.

[dwcsr]

That is a nice looking setup. where did you get the box and cable shielding.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Thanks Jebb & dwcrs. I got the box from CCP and the cables come from Summit Racing, part number TAY-20238 for $18.39 each. The price on the cables is a great price if you ask me.

[Kabwe]

CAL58GMC,

I hope you are going to drive this thing with all the goodies you are putting on it.lol

I talked to my brother about the pics of the truck and he told me he might have film that he needs to have developed. Man he sold that truck about 5 years ago and never had the film developed.lol That’s my brother for ya.lol

I'm going to go by there this weekend anyway to take pics of this old school chopper he just finished building. I will also see what I can find in the family archives as it relates to classic cars. We had many of them through the years. I need to start taking pics of the family's cars he sucks at it.

[Jebb1978]

I will have those cables! Thanks

[CAL 58 GMC]

Hey kabwe, This truck will be a driver. Even if I had $200,000 dollars in it I would drive it. I don't know how anyone could spend all the time and money and never drive them except when their pull on and off a trailer. So I say buld them, then drive them and enjoy your had work!

I sure hope he took a few pic on that all film he has!

[Jebb1978]

Hey Cal what sort of goodies did you use on the frontend? I am looking at PST at the moment but am not 100% decided. I want to get a kit that includes everything and PST seems to have the most complete kits I have seen. Also I am torn on spring choices, I want a Hotchkis set up but am afraid to go any lower (14 inch tires already rub at full turn) all Hotchkis offers is a 2'' drop spring. Your looks nice and I know it's not PST. Whatcha runnin?

[CAL 58 GMC]

Hey Jebb, I used Energy Suspension polyurethane on everything encluding motor & transmission mounts. Just make sure you know the year your clip is. I thought mine was a 1979 and then found out it was a 1980 after trying to install the bushings. They are not the same. Also I'm sending you a PM.

[Jebb1978]

I noticed this may be a problem looking for parts yesterday. I remember the parts car well as it was a shame to carve it up. It was a 1975, has a heavy factory sway bar that I just may use. I have one more question for you. Sorry it never ends I know. As I was looking at the pics of your radiator support brackets I couldn't figure out where they are suppose to go on my truck. That's when I realized that you have square stock welded to the front of your subframe to make it straight like the stock frame and long enough to mount a bumper to. Look at where the steering box mounts to mine in comparison to yours. Yours looks so clean you really have to look to tell they did it. Can you measure from your A-arm to the tip of your frame for me so I can compare and lengthen mine as well?

[CAL 58 GMC]

Jebb, it’s never a problem asking question and anything I can do to help let me know, so ask away. I believe what was done on mine was the front of the original frame was cut off and welded back on the Camaro clip. I measured 23.75 inches from the upper A-arm mounting point. The best way to do it would be to put the fenders back on the radiator support and then put it back on the truck so you can see were the radiator support bracket needs to be welded on the frame. I hope that helps.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I had my truck towed to the muffler shop today and had the exhaust installed. Once I get the bed all done I will have the rest done with tips coming out from under the step on the bed.

[Igotachevyor2]

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

I had my truck towed to the muffler shop today and had the exhaust installed. Once I get the bed all done I will have the rest done with tips coming out from under the step on the bed.

your ride is coming together nice

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by Igotachevyor2

your ride is coming together nice

Thanks Igotachevyor2.

[dwcsr]

You need to put a plexiglass floor in that truck. It a shame to cover up all that nice work

[Jebb1978]

Wuff! Looks Hot!

Thanks for the info once again buddy!

[CAL 58 GMC]

Thanks again guys! And your welcome Jebb, glade to help.

[55ChevyPU]

Lookin sweet, I had the exhaust tips coming out from under the steps before I tore mine down, its definately going back together that way. Did you get those taillight buckets?

[CAL 58 GMC]

Thanks 55ChevyPU, I saw a 55 Chevy truck with them like that at a car show. They used the flat tips like the one's used on the newer Z-28 Camaro's. I haven’t got the taillight buckets yet, I've been real busy and just haven’t had the time to order them yet. Hows your coming along?

[55ChevyPU]

my trucks been sitting, ive needed a little time off. Today was my birthday so all I can say is windshield!