New 59 3200 Project Newbie to this Forum

[Apachelee]

This forum is great! Lots of good ideas. Just bought this 59 3200 from my son-in-law who decided not to tackle the project. It's missing the total drive train. With it I got 3 extra doors and best of all a short box fleet side so I will be making it into a 3100 I guessI decided to put it on a 95 Caprice chassis and drive train. I just brought the Caprice home, 50 miles, 2 days ago in zero degree weather with no heater blower. It has the LT1 engine and posi-traction. I intend to get the adaption pieces from E-Z Chassis. I have done a similar project by putting a 52 Chev Sport Coupe on a 83 Caprice chassis. Temp was -26 this morning so I have to work up the courage to go out to the shop.
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[ghettoluxury]

Welcome to the forum, this should be a cool project.

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Sounds like a cool project.
Kim

[OrrieG]

Potential, sounds like the Caprice may have been a cop car, if so good drivetrain and suspension stuff...

[Apachelee]

I wish it was a cop but not so. It has drum brakes on rear. Oh well at least someone thought to order the posi.

[alaska gasser]

Good start and hang in there with the cold. I remember those days of heading out in insulated coveralls when building our '52 Chev panel.

[Apachelee]

Ya, 11 below again this AM, Started taking apart the Caprice yesterday. Big pile of bolts but looks like it will take quite some time to disassemble. Not like the older Caprices. Trying to remove major pares (fenders, doors, ect.) without damage so I can resell them. Tons of wiring and haven't gotten to the dash yet. Have to be careful that I don.t disturb the engine circuits. Should be able to get in at least 1/2 day of work today.

[Kingmike]

I'm subscribed! I am in the middle of something similar, I have a '58 I'm putting on a '92 buick roadmaster frame, frame should be identical to your caprice. I thought about e z chassis too but never purchased the kit and now the don't show it on the web site anymore. I going the fab up what I need. My project sits with the '58 cab body and paint done and glass going back in, ready for install on the frame, and the frame stripped of the buick body down to the rolling chassis. My plan is to use as much of the buick as possible, we will see... I did shorten the step area to clear the wide frame rails on the chassis, and I still need to find a fleet side bed, so I don't have to modify the step side step area.
I need to start a build thread with lots of pics maybe we can help each other out. Keep up the work and take lots of pics.

[yossarian19]

Very cool. I'm looking forward to updates... maybe around spring, yeah? I feel your pain on the unheated shop.

[OrrieG]

Ditto on the cold, yesterday it was 3 here, I went out to the shop looked around and came back in, 25 years a go would have put on the insulted coveralls, Thrillers and had at it. I converted mine to 4x4 in 85 during one of the coldest winters Boise had seen, I was out one night cleaning the bottom of the cab and my breath was freezing on the metal. Called it a night and found it had dropped to -15. Too old for that now....I'd freeze and the dogs would eat me.

[Apachelee]

Kingmike, your project sounds identical to mine. EZ chassis doesn't show all the mod kits on the web site as is has not been updated yet. Just call Ed at 320-226-2768 , he is doing the chassis kit mods full time now and includes the last generation RWD Caprice. I would think the Roadmaster is the same. The kit is $ 1600, No sense spending all the time and mental strain engineering when its already available.
I have floor heat in my 28 X 40 shop, keep it at 50 degrees so its fine after I fire up the nipco for a little. Not enough time in life for the important things in life like working on the "fun" projects.

[TJ's Chevy]

Cool start! Looking forward to this one!

[Apachelee]

Here is my up date. disassembled the 95 Caprice down to the frame and chassis. I used my forklift to remove the body from the frame. Couldn't figure out how to disconnect the gas tank fittings until I searched the web and discovered you need a special tool which I found at Auto Value auto parts store for about $6. Was easy to use. stripped out all the wiring inside, didn't cut any wires except for all the wiring going to each door. I found out this car has the "Sport" option which includes HD cooling, suspension, brakes, frame, and positraction. The LT1 had to be ordered to get the sport option. Seems almost like the Cop version without the rear disc brakes. Will lay out the wire harness and remove the unused wiring (carefully).

[Kim57]

This should be real cool when done.
Kim

[Apachelee]

hope so, just don't want it to be another 2 year project. I am going to take short cuts where I can as in getting the chassis mod kit.

[FarmerSid]

Any updates on this? I have a 95 roadmaster as a donor. How did you find out what options the car had? Mine has the LT1.

[Apachelee]

Project is on hold until this spring. I am in Az for the winter. I was lucky with the option info as it was in the glove box was the original bill of sale. I think the "trim tag" might also have been on the bottom of the trunk lid. Did all of the Roadmasters have the LT1?. Are you getting the chassis adapter kit or going to make your own?

[dubie]

Thought I'd check in and see if there were any updates on this cool project

[Apachelee]

Summer has been going fast and have not spent as much time on the project as I would have liked to. Got the EZ Chassis kit this spring. Ed was very helpful. I picked it up at his business as its only about 200 miles. Saved shipping. He had a couple projects started so that was helpful. Started wire brushing everything and painting with Chassis Saver paint. Nice stuff. Did the rear frame cut first and welded in the new cross member. Took about an hour and half. The front frame cut was much more complex and was about 2 1/2 hour. Rear cab mounts, one side I welded and the other I bolted. I like the bolted idea best. The spring support cut and reassemble took about 6 hours. Was about 1/4 " too narrow on both sides in the frame but spaced it and seems ok. Had to use the torch for that cut. the others I used a saws all. I also changed out the H2O pump, seal and distributor as lone as it was so accessible. I will try to attach some Pix

[Apachelee]

Summer has been going fast and have not spent as much time on the project as I would have liked to. Got the EZ Chassis kit this spring. Ed was very helpful. I picked it up at his business as its only about 200 miles. Saved shipping. He had a couple projects started so that was helpful. Started wire brushing everything and painting with Chassis Saver paint. Nice stuff. Did the rear frame cut first and welded in the new cross member. Took about an hour and half. The front frame cut was much more complex and was about 2 1/2 hour. Rear cab mounts, one side I welded and the other I bolted. I like the bolted idea best. The spring support cut and reassemble took about 6 hours. Was about 1/4 " too narrow on both sides in the frame but spaced it and seems ok. Had to use the torch for that cut. the others I used a saws all. I also changed out the H2O pump, seal and distributor as lone as it was so accessible. I will try to attach some Pix Also I sandblasted and sealed the box. Oerdered new tailgate as the one I had would take too much to fix.

[Kim57]

Looks like a nice clean install.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Cool project!

[dubie]

Thanks for the update! The chassis work is really coming along nicely. I gave been tossing around the idea of using a Caprice chassis so I'll be watching this build thread closely. Was it necessary to change the spring support on the rear suspension?

[Apachelee]

The top spring support was only changed. The bottom of the springs stayed the same on the axel. Also the bottom shock support stayed the same. In fact I didn't remove the bottom of the shock when modifying. Was a little tricky getting the springs in and out. You definitely need a spring compressor.

[dubie]

Is there a specific reason to change the top mount? Is it a clearance issue?