Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed

[RockinKees]

Finally!!
I am gonna live my childhood dream!

Today arrived the 59 Fleetside at my friends home, where we make it ready for the Dutch registration.

After that I will lower the truck somewhat

This is going to be a low-budget build, so don't expect a full on showcar, this one is going to be driven!!
As I said, just arrived, it's an original V8 car, according to the VIN.
It has a V8 and automatic, but don't know which block or what automatic...we will see tomorrow.
Only I thought it to be a 1958, see the trim, but the VIN says 1959.
So be it, I am a happy guy!!

Pics follow later, must upload them...

Grtz,

Kees

[RockinKees]

The pics:

The arrival:


Stoved to the roof of a 45 foot seacontainer.







This has to change...



Sorry for the big size, have to look for how to make it smaller.

Grtz,

Kees

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Looks like a real clean truck.
Kim

[tune_1]

Glad to see you on board. Include lots of pictures.

Dwight

[RockinKees]

Thanks!

It is a "clean", solid truck.
Have some work to make it my own tho.....

[RockinKees]

Today's work:

Cleaned the inside of the cab a little, so I know what to do...
Two rust spots in the corners by the front cabmounts, nothing serious and one little thin spot at the left step, that's all.



The engine is a 350, but can some identify the trans for me?
I think a powerglide, but not sure. Didn't count the bolts yet but have a look:







And some cleaning of the mess, called autowiring...

[Larry Lindley]

welcome to the forum,looks like a turbo 400 for the transmission.

[RockinKees]

Thanks Larry!

If it is a Turbo 400, that should be a good trans, or??

[Kim57]

Here's a GM pan guide that should help identify it.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Thank you, Kim!
I found this too, by the look of it, it must be a TH400.

[Kim57]

If it's a TH400 that's a very strong trans.
Kim

[RockinKees]

I've heard that too, Kim.

The trans looked small to me.
Before I had a 81 Chevy Van with a TH350, that looked much bigger.

But maybe I get older and need glases to see right ;-)

[RockinKees]

So today I worked at the wiring a bit.
I have no diagram yet, so it was more cut out what not was connected to anything.
Basicly all wiring

I didn't get any keys with this truck, so had to demolish the ignition switch.
Made a starter knob out of two relais, one to get current (+15) and from there one to get the starter activated. This works....

For the Dutch title you need turnsignals and a horn, among other things of course, so pulled the "wiring" out of the steering column, well it had a small fire in there in his previous life.
Took the turnsignal switch apart, and soldered on new wiring.
Also checked the light switch, isn't any better, except for the burned wiring...

My plan is to make my own wiring harnass, have done it before so it'll be fine. I therefor need a diagram, and OrrieG is so nice to get me this.
From there I make my own harnass, own colors and a nice fusebox and relais to keep it save. All written down of course!!

Rest me to say, I am Dutch, I also live there, so if my language is not correct, excuse me for that

I know you all love pictures, so here they are:

[Kim57]

You're doing a nice job.
Your English is just fine, better than my Dutch.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Thanks Kim!
I'll do my best, only just began

[_Ogre]

truck looks solid, floor pan is good
needs a total rewire; but that can be expected
the side trim is 58 for sure

but that interior

[RockinKees]

Interior is allready gone, I developed a bit asthma in there

I thought it was a '58 too, bought it as '59, so says the title....
The truck is pretty solid, only a few places that need to be done.

Today I tried to start, probably after 8 years of standing, and you know?
It runs
But boy, it's loud!
There are only two cherrybombs on two exhausts of three foot length...

After that we pushed it at a car bridge or ramp (how do you call it??) and found out that there's an old damage, the driveshaft is bent. The PO must have felt that I would think?
Other than that I need new brake hoses, and indeed a complete wiring.

No Problem

[1958Warrior]

Maybe the PO did feel the vibration from the bent drive shaft ...., that could've been his thinking he needed more down force , by added that wing on the back.
I'm pretty sure you could loose that thing and not notice any handling drawbacks.

CHEERS!
[IMG]url=http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39392&title=shiner&cat=1928][/url][/IMG]

[RockinKees]

Hahaha, I think you are right 1958Warrior!!!

I'm also pretty sure I loose that wing... ;-)

[RockinKees]

Didn't find a driveshaft that fits...so I ordered two conversion U-joints. A friend had an Heavy duty driveshaft of a Chevy Van lying around.
I only have to move the engine forward, about 11/16", is a good thing because the distributor sits almost against the bulkhead, problem solved!

Next was the frontaxle, leftside was loose at the leafsprings. The bolt in the center of the leafs was broken, made a new one.
I also did get my new brake hoses, so that's for tomorrow!
Also made a new eye for the rightside shock, was broken off.

Next on the list is a radiator, mine is leaking. I can let it fix or I can order a new one.
I thought of ordering a new, aluminium one from Speedway Motors. These radiators are very, very expensive overhere!!
Tips about the radiator are welcome!







As you might have read, this is only to get my Dutch registration. Plan is to put a Jag IFS and IRS under the truck.





Well, you can see where it's leaking, don't you?

[Kim57]

Nice fix on the shock mount.
I'd probably replace the radiator.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Ordered a new radiator today, coming from Speedway Motors in about 10 days.

Made a small frame for the fueltank and fitted it at the back between the framerails, and plumbed it. I only have to make a fillerneck. This is temporaraly going to be at the back above the rear bumper.
In the near future there should be a filler with a nice door so you don't see it right away. How and where I don't know yet...



First I took the fuelpump out of the tank, it was broken,and put in a suction tube. So I hope the mechanical pump at the engine does the job..



Test fitting fueltank..





Fits like a glove



New temporaraly plates to get my engine 1 inch forward and a bit higher at the front.
When I get my IFS, I build new motormounts and do it the right way

Again a few points nearer to my Dutch Title
I'm getting there....

[Kim57]

Fuel tank fits real nice.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Thanks Kim, that's all I need, a small fueltank.
In the near future I will ride on liquid gas (LPG or GPL, what's it called in English?) LPG is much cheaper, it's a third of the regular petrol price, so this fueltank is only a backup for when I run out of LPG.

Engine and trans are at their place, with the new enginemounts I had to adjust the trans crossmember...



One inch to the front and 3/4 inch up. This is the leftside of the engine, you have an idea how it sits.



Even for temporarely fitment you must do it right





This should work for a few weeks!
Tomorrow I will make a fillerneck for the fueltank and start with an exhaust, so it is almost ready to start up.
Next on the list is all new wiring.

We're getting there!

[Kim57]

Nice job on the mounts.
Kim