My long term 57 project

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by 1959Chev

Chuck guess I never noticed at first but why did you put stand-offs on the engine mounts?

The stand-offs were done to move the enigine higher up in the engine bay. The way the sub was installed if you use the stock mounts the engine sits to low. I've seen some that have not been raised and the engine seems lost done in a hole in my opinion, so it's just a personal preference.

Good luck with your build!

[robozride]

Chuck, ireally like the way your truck is coming out. I noticed that you dont have a c-notch in the back... how much clearence do you have between the top of the rear and bottom of the frame? does it ever hit? do you have any kind of bump stop? thanks in advance for the info!

[bitbitn]

Thanks for the encouragement, well between the top of the axle to the bottom of the frame there is six inches. Right now there is still bar stock welded to keep the rear end from moving from where I set it. I’m not sure if I will use air bags or coil overs, before It’s over I might change the for link bars to all Johnny joint bars. Not really sure yet, I just got these bar system tacked in to see how I liked it there is no bump stops yet.

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by robozride

Chuck, ireally like the way your truck is coming out. I noticed that you dont have a c-notch in the back... how much clearence do you have between the top of the rear and bottom of the frame? does it ever hit? do you have any kind of bump stop? thanks in advance for the info!

I've measured it before, both don't remember the exact distance. I would have to say it only about 2.5 inches. I do have a small bump stop for when it does bottom out. It dosen't happen very often.

Thanks!

[Handfull 54]

Beautiful job on your truck. I used some similar wheel tubs from a 72 truck. I used some self adhesive foram weather strip from Loews to put between the bed rail and the fenderwell to keep the dust out. Not quite finished with the tail gate yet. Just my 2 cents worth. Keep up the good work.

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by Handfull 54

Beautiful job on your truck. I used some similar wheel tubs from a 72 truck. I used some self adhesive foram weather strip from Loews to put between the bed rail and the fenderwell to keep the dust out. Not quite finished with the tail gate yet. Just my 2 cents worth. Keep up the good work.

I like 'em! I plan to work on my tubs this week! Thanks!!

[spikes59]

Hi Chuck, thanks for the great detail on your 59 dash, I would not have atempted the dash project without your step by step guide.I have a question about your transmission cooler,is the one on the trans bracket the only one needed.I have a new radiator but it is for a manual transmission with no transmisson cooler lines,is the small cooler down under enought to cool a 700r4. thanks again,mike

[ChuckDriver]

Mike, (spikes59) I went with the smaller trans cooler on the advice of several of the local streetrod builders. As far as I can tell it works fine, but I am still considering changing it to a larger one in front of the radiator, or using the one from B&M that has an electic fan mounted to it. Looking at the blower motor you have in yours I would think bigger would be better insurance!

Love what you'e done with your 59!

[spikes59]

Thanks for the help.I should have cab and doors painted in 2 weeks. I will have some more questions then.Mike

[_Ogre]

all i can say is wow. i just found/read your build, don't know how i missed it before.
i've always thought those impala dashes were the nicest dashes out there.
you did a nice job on it

one thing i've never liked about a car sub-frame is how low the motor sits, you handled that well too.
even up like that you could put a blower on it and still close the hood

i used a 700r4 from phoenix trans too, i read about them in hot rod or car craft and bit the bullet,
but i chose the ramjet 350, never regretted that decision.
i hates anything carburated, i hates my weedeater, i hates my lawnmower and i really hates my chainsaw.
once i mess with a carb, it never runs again

[ChuckDriver]

Thanks Ogre! I've always loved the Impala dash too. I'm thinking of putting a FAST setup on mine someday to mazimize the performance of the ZZ4. The Phoenix trans was a great choice!

I've been watching your thread, always thought I'd paint mine yellow if I ever do, but have really atarted leaning towards a metallic blue!

[_Ogre]

my truck was always going to be metallic blue, until i saw the screaming yellow on the 04 mustangs

i bought my 700r4 from phoenix 6 yrs before i had my truck running.
i sent them my stock speedo type, rearend ratio and tire size so they could gear the speedo right.
when i finally had my truck on the road, my speedo and odometer were way off.
i checked it out with a gps that indicated i was reading %16 faster than i was going.
called phoenix, tech support said the housing and plastic gear needed to be changed and it would cost me $47,
i told him i didn't need the old parts... he said in that case it's only $5 to cover shipping

i sent my parts, he sent his parts. that is good service in my book

[ChuckDriver]

Well, after much delay I'm finally making some progress on the wheel tubs for the bed. I'm using 2 of the drivers side wheel tubs from 67-72 suburbans. Cut them down to 5 in wide and putting a flange on them so I can bolt them to the bedsides. Don't plan on doing any smoothing or paint work to them at this time a I think they'll look cool as the are!

Should have the flanges finished up this weekend and hopefully installed next week! Here are a couple of progress pics!

[Kim57]

That should work out pretty good.
Kim

[_Ogre]

someone has a shrinker... cool

[Dan in Pasadena]

Johnny, I have a couple questions about your tubs:

Why two driver's side tubs? Any reason why you wouldn't want passenger side ones? Or were two driver's side just available?

I can see you're adding a flange to the tub and you say you're gonna bolt them to the bed sides....HOW are you gonna do that and not have it show on the exterior; weld short studs to the flat bedsides?

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Johnny, I have a couple questions about your tubs:

Why two driver's side tubs? Any reason why you wouldn't want passenger side ones? Or were two driver's side just available?

I can see you're adding a flange to the tub and you say you're gonna bolt them to the bed sides....HOW are you gonna do that and not have it show on the exterior; weld short studs to the flat bedsides?

Dan, I used 2 drivers sides because the passenger side has a cutout for the spare tire well.

Handfull 54 is correct, the bolts want show because they are covered by the fender.

[ChuckDriver]

Well got it done! I'll do my best to give you guys a step by step update!

Pic 1: This is what I started with.

Pic 2: Centered it over the rear end and it lined up with an original hole towards the front in the bedside angle strip!

Pic 3: Had to move the rear crossmember back approx 2 3/4in and roughed in the cuts to the angle strip.

Pic 4: Cut line for additional clearance.

[ChuckDriver]

Pic 1: Had to space the mounting holes in the bedside so they didn't align with the 3 stamped detail lines. You can also see the cross in place and the bed board trimmed to match the wheel tub contour,

Pic 2: Mounting holes transferred to tub flange. Notice new square hole in the flange that bolts to the bedwood and cross sill. If I had made the tubs 1in narrower i could have used an original hole!

Pic 3: The majority of the underside of my truck is brushed on rustoleum Regal Red.

Pic 4: Pax side in place. Added additional board under the floor so I can fasten the bed boards from below.

Pic 5: Drivers side.

[Handfull 54]

I'm pretty sure the outside fenders will cover any bolts.

[Kim57]

Those came out real nice.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Thanks Kim!

Pic 1: Shot from underside. To the right you can see the supporting board running from side to side with screws going up into the bed boards. There is also another one to the rear that you can't see here. All of the wood is pressure treated yellow pine.

Pic 2: This shows the bolts through the bedsides to the tub flange.

Pic 3: All boards in place.

Pic 4: Close up of the tub fitment to the angle strip on drivers side.

Pic 5: Pax side.

[ChuckDriver]

Might stain them a flat red or gray? Also thinking of covering them with some old cedar planks I've been holding onto for years.

[Rods57]

Looks great, cool ideas.

[oldman3]

Nice job....Jim