Projects 1959 Chevy pickup build

Building a 59 chevy pickup. My grandpa used it for landscaping in barstow CA before he passed in 89. He left if to my cousin, who started some restoration, but quickly cousin lost interest and parked it. 20 years later he saw I was working on an F100 and asked if I had any interest in gramps truck. A few weeks later I took a trailer down to Barstow and dug the truck out of the sand (literally). Now the truck is in las vegas where I live.

This was taken before it was dragged onto the trailer.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1776781&stc=1&d=1351493035

First thing I took it to a mechanic and had a custom mustang 2 style ifs put on, with a flaming river column, and grant wheel. I was in the middle of a moving houses, and it made sense to get it out of my hair and let a mechanic do the heavy stuff. I'm fully moved and the truck is at my house. I've stripped the cab, and am going to pull the bed this week. Originally I wanted to rebuild the 283, and I will at some point, but for now I've got a 91 firebird with a built 350 with oversized cam, high compression pistons mated to a 700r4.

This is the ifs from progressive
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1776782&stc=1&d=1351493035
Sorry if you guys think i'm lame for going to a mechanic, I just dont have the knowledge or tools to do it myself. besides that, the truck has sentimental value, and I dont want to mess something up like the front end.

I'll post more pictures soon!

 

None of your photos posted...

 

thanks! im new

 

Have some fun!

PS...it already was 12 volt

 

It looks like you have the beginnings for a really nice truck. Stick around here a while you might change your mind about the 283.

 

Are you going with the original orange and white paint scheme...I've always liked that combo. Hey, the 283 is a good motor and not ever going to be the same 'ole zz4 you see at car shows. Give it a chance, it'll grow on you.

You are going to keep this think looking more traditional that modern aren't you?

 

Nice truck you got there! x2 on the 283... I have one and I really enjoy. Had a lot of people telling me to drop in a 350 but I resisted. If you don't want it I'll take it off your hands ;D and that pesky old transmission too.

Hope you enjoy it.

 

Looking good. There is NO shame in having a pro do your IFS work. Safety before ego.

x4 on the 283. They are great little motors.

 

There is no shame in doing what you are good at and paying someone else to do what they are good at. Looks like its gonna be a fun truck.

 

Yes I want to keep it more traditional, in fact I've really been on the fence about the 283. I just want a dependable, comfortable ride. Band for buck, the zz4 has me. I deferentially need an automatic, besides 3 speeds being a hassle to drive, my left knee can't hang with a stiff clutch due to an old injury I got the ifs to have a better driver and smoother ride. I dont plan on bagging it or slamming it. I'm not sure about the color, I wish I could leave it patina, but some of the body is in pretty bad shape. I will most likely need a replacement driverside door, the lower hinge socket is rusted out, and that door is black for some reason.

Tonight I got the dash and firewall cleaned up. Its crazy how much dirt this beast was holding. This week I plan on removing the bed and maybe the cab so I can paint the frame.

 

here i got the motor mounts in, and have the firewall cutout.


this is a mockup of the new firewall


new firewall went in relatively smooth...


smoothing out the dash here, no more radio, heater controls or ashtray. I might do the stereo in the glovebox, might not. today I primered the firewall and painted the dash, ill take some pictures tomorrow. ive also got a built 350/400 almost ready to drop, waiting on some tools to do the brake lines.

 

Love the looks of that truck! Orange looks good on it!


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I look at your firewall and remember mine 22yrs ago....Great minds think alike

 

that is really nicely done! joe pass

thanks jmjager!


primered the firewall, painted the dash, and a buddy of mine traded me some bags for a paining. thats a built 350 with either a th350 or th400 im not sure.


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https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAADWs/BwLiQj0MlkA/w699-h524-no/photo+3.JPG

 

i still have the original 283 for the truck, but im going to use the 350 to get it on the road sooner. ill rebuild it later.

 

That's fun of it all is to change it up. we can personalize/customize as we see fit....The 350 is a big improvement over the 283 and a crate motor can be cheaper than a machine shop 283.

 

Exactly! @joe pass the parts alone for the 283 cost as much as the complete 350 with transmission.

 

The bags I got wont work with my front end from progressive automotive, so ill just do the rear with a 4 link. Today I got a c notch kit from jimenez bros and ill hopefully have time this week to do that. I c notched the front of my frame to make room for the tie rods, they looked like they would bump the frame.

this is where it was touching

cut some pipe i had in half

 

I had to "c" notch mine the same way

 

Its not the clearest picture but you can see how the rack sits level through the frame. I ditched that manual rack years ago for power unit and never regretted it...Joe

 

What ifs is that joe?

 

This is a Mustang 2....before there were kits, Fatman developed the cross member kit. Then you had to go to other suppliers for a-arms etc...I like it better than the Camaro for the installation reasons. I just can't get past how the Camaro clip attaches to the bottom of the frame, just doesn't flow. The cost between the two are not much apart when you figure the labor and the cost of rebuilding a 40yr old clip. Just my 2 cents

 

brings back memories of a truck I helped build!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=755576

 

Yes I agree joe

Very nice build chaddilac!


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Nice job on your build btw!!


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Pulled the rear end out and got the c notch started. Anyone have advice on getting rivets out? Cutting an X into it isn't working for me I'm really struggling with them.


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I grind the heads flush and drive the tails out with an air hammer...Its work anyway you go...

 

I'll buy an air hammer tomorrow thanks joe


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