Y'all are amazing. I really would like to keep it a manual truck so I'll look into that tranny! Squirrel, what's the story on my original 4-speed? Was that a pretty good transmission? If I throw a high-geared rear under it, would it make a good one to stick with for a while? I'm growing more accustomed to the idea of longer (200-300 mile) drives.
The two lower bolt holes are like that because of the design of the SM420 transmission. There is no way the bolts could go in from the back Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
The granny 4spd is ok...but they are not real driver friendly. You could try it and see how you like it Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
Thanks again, everyone. I'll probably roll with what I have for the time being, but a rearend and transmission swap will be in the works next fall I'm sure.
So Ive went around and around in my head about possibly subframing this thing, and no matter how "easy" it looks or how much better the ride is supposed to be... It just seems cheesy and gross to me to cut up a perfectly good frame. So Im going to stick with the straight axle. My question for yall is, my brother threw these 4" drop springs on when he was screwing around with this thing a few years ago, is there any additional mods (besides cutting the bumpstops down) that I need to go with to make sure it drives correctly? Granddad and I rebuilt all 4 drum brakes last winter, and I got to drive it down the road for just about half a mile, and it seems to stop ok as well. I guess what Im getting at is that I really like things as close to "1950s" looking as possible, and I love a straight axle, but I hear lots of guys acting like driving these trucks in this configuration is absolute torture. What are your opinions? I think Im gonna bring the rear end down a couple of inches. This rake is just ridiculous at the moment. What would you fellows recommend, removing leaves?
I have stock springs in mine, it drove fine today. I'm used to it...been driving it for 35 years. I guess a lot of guys are getting soft in their old age
It will drive like an old truck, that's straight axle manners. I catch BS cause I wont hack mine if I wanted a new truck I could go by one. This basic suspension was industry standard for many years, because it works (and tough as hell). If your not gonna put it on a road course roll with it. You'll learn it's quirks. I did upgrade mine with late model tie rod ends and drag link when it installed the drop axle I can't complain about that money well spent , and very little at that for the positive improvement. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Perhaps. I like Syndicate's truck. Im thinking something along those lines for mine. Also! Found out that the interior was repainted by my uncle (boring, off-white) in the 70s. Apparently it was a charcoal/black two-tone when it was new. I got the repro seat cover off and had a look at the original underneath, sure enough! Grey vynl with charcoal and grey houndstooth inserts. Excellent. I think the dash was charcoal on top and grey underneath. I am definitely going back to this look.
Thanks for all the encouragement, guys. I was thinking the same...I want the SOB to drive like an older truck. I am ready to get the wheels and tires under it. One more paycheck away..
59 was a fawn color, kind of like champagne, with charcoal on top of the dash, steering column, steps, etc. 57 was gray on the lower parts.
I need to look at more pictures of factory interiors. Most of the trucks like this I see are completely redone on the inside...nothing like the way they rolled off the ass. line.
this is the interior of mine (before I finished putting it back together). The top of the dash is the wrong color, and the dark parts should be dark gray instead of black, and the main color is off a bit, but it's close.
I get that color...Neat! Are you running the stock guages? Im going to keep the dash as close to stock as possible. A small tachometer mounted either on the dash or strapped up to the steering column will probably be the only real modification. I can definitely see how these pickups can be really addicting. I already want another one and I have only recently started on this 59.
Mines black on top and grey below with grey doors etc. it got repainted outside once. The interior especially the black is pretty sloppy looking so if it was redone they half a$$ed it for sure. But I've not seen many unrestored so the rough looking paint might be right???
Eric you could put the rear end on top of the springs and drop the back a bit. You would just need a small notch.
I like all the stock gages, etc. so I use them. I need a tach, of course. I made the tilt column for this one in 1981, I'm kind of used to it...but my 57 has the stock column and steering wheel. The top of the dash was originally a textured finish.
Squirrel, what are you doing for wiper motors? I heard the bigger trucks had factory elect. Setups that bolt right in. I did clean up my vacuum motor and it works good but it's still shakey at best
55-57 used a similar electric wiper motor to the 55-57 cars. it works good. I have one in my 57. The 58-59 use the 58 car electric wiper motor, which is a piece of crap....I put a New Port engineering one in my 59, works good. btw the cabs are different, 58-59 has a larger recess for the wiper motor
Thanks for the info, fellows. I might flip the back...but I dont really want to take it down that far. I like a rake, just not quite so damned ridiculous as it looks now! Ill have pics with the wheels/tires this month and see if yall can give me some ideas.
Yep, I noticed mine seemed easier to access than some of the others I dealt with. I will probably throw on a canister to help out till the electric upgrade, I do drive it so a little rain doesn't send running to the garage. But it does help to be able to see.
I never did believe in rain-x....but I got some and put it on the 55 before I went to the hamb drags, it worked great. Got into rain several times, only needed to turn the wipers on when stopped, not on the highway.
I got sold on rainx from those dang flat windshields on jeeps. It's good stuff. I really, really want to hit the drags next year. It looked like a great time. You ever head down to TX for any events?
Eric, there are about 5 or 6 threads you should subscribe to regarding builds a few guys are doing. Also, you should join the 55-59 Chevy/GMC group. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=680665 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=447466 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=219014 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625708 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=591746 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=705337 The Truck Group: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=360
The way my dash looked originally. Definitely will do it this way again, and may use that factory red color as well. Same Barrett-Jackson pickup. Lovely.
That's cool, I bet there was .5 red trucks built for every 25 green or blue ones built. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
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