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Projects 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 59chev, Apr 23, 2014.

  1. Thanks! I just found your thread also, looking great! Good luck with those king pins. I ended up taking mine to a big rig suspension shop to get them done when I first got my truck on the road with stock suspension.


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  2. Apache Albert
    Joined: Nov 8, 2018
    Posts: 83

    Apache Albert
    Member

    Thank you! I beat the hell out of them but for now, it'll work. :D
     
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  3. Terrible80
    Joined: Oct 1, 2010
    Posts: 785

    Terrible80
    Member

    Aren't kingpins fitted with a reamer? No personal knowledge, but I seem to remember that method.

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  4. Torkwrench
    Joined: Jan 28, 2005
    Posts: 2,713

    Torkwrench
    Member

    It depends on what the axle is from. 55 -59 Chevy / GMC pickup axles do not need reaming to install the kingpins. This is according to the factory Chevrolet shop manual.
     
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  5. Apache Albert
    Joined: Nov 8, 2018
    Posts: 83

    Apache Albert
    Member

    Correct. For 3/4 ton and up they are. Every video or forum talking about bushing inserts were for the floating 1/2 ton. I didnt find out about reaming until I found a service manuel the next day. Gotta replace the bushings again and find me a .932 inch reamer. This is from a 1955 service manuel and boy does it make sense.

    Albert
     
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  6. Making progress.. I got the frame painted under the cab and remounted the cab back on the frame. Then I got the front end stripped down and de-greased and gave it a coat of red oxide primer.

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  7. Front end is now done. This is going to be a driver so I didn't worry too much about the paint. I just brushed on two coats of Tremclad Rusty Metal Primer and two coats of Tremclad Satin Black. It actually turned out alot nicer than I thought it would. All wear items in the front end have been replaced. I used mostly Moog front end parts with a Proforged Steering linkage kit and KYB Gas-Adjust shocks. Only thing left is to re-install the swaybar.

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  8. Now that the front suspension is done, I've been focusing on fabricating a mount for a rear gas tank. It's not quite finished yet, but it's coming together. I drilled out the rivets in the rear crossmember and flipped it around so it pointed backwards and moved it back a little. The bed floor will be raised by a couple of inches, so I built it so the top of the tank will be a raised above the frame rails the same amount for maximum ground clearance.

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  9. I got a bunch of stuff done since my last update. I finished welding up the gas tank mount and painted the frame and rear end. Installed all new wheel cylinders, shoes, springs, and drums in the rear. New rotors, calipers, pads and bearings in the front. I painted the calipers, drums and master cylinder with VHT Caliper Paint. I ordered a set of emergency brake cables from Control Cables that I will connect to the stock e-brake handle under the steering column. 1170.JPG
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  10. Jacksmith
    Joined: Sep 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,564

    Jacksmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Aridzona

    You're gettin' there... looks real good!
     
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  11. I've bent and flared most of the brake lines now. E-brake is done.

    Next up I started on the firewall. The plan is to just leave the body in primer and get it running so I can enjoy driving it again. Paint will come later but I want to at least get the firewall painted for now. I smoothed the welds from filling all the holes in the firewall and the patch panels in the floorboards. I used a strip disc on my angle grinder to get the majority of the paint off and I will go back with the die grinder for the spots I couldn't access.
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  12. carpok
    Joined: Dec 29, 2009
    Posts: 552

    carpok
    Member
    from Indy

    Just got up to date on your build great job.
    Thanks for taking the time to post pictures an all the details. Love all the history you’ve had with the truck. My son and I just finished up a 59 truck build real similar to yours. He loves the way it handles. I’m finishing up my 57 truck build now can’t wait to get it fired up this weekend maybe.
     
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  13. I used some filler and block sanded the firewall. My bodywork is far from perfect when you look close but I'm calling it good enough. I created a makeshift paintbooth in my garage with poly sheeting. Sprayed my first couple of coats of primer.

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  14. Got the firewall painted. Not perfect, but close enough to good for me.

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  15. Making progress..

    - Primed and used boxliner from halfway up the back of the cab to 2/3rds up the inside of the firewall, also did the outside of the firewall behind the inner fenders. I will put down sound deadening and carpet or a rubber mat at some point in the future but I plan to run it as is for now. I also switched to the 4 speed style floor hump to give me the inch or so clearance I needed for my transmission.

    - Installed 3 point seatbelts and a lap belt in the center

    - I've always wanted a Moon Gas pedal. I adapted a new heel pivot pedal to work with a reproduction of the factory v8 linkage

    - started laying out the wiring, will be a nice change of pace for a while

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  16. Jacksmith
    Joined: Sep 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,564

    Jacksmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Aridzona

    Comin' right along & lookin' good... The 2-tone dash looks great!
     
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  17. 57tailgater
    Joined: Nov 22, 2008
    Posts: 845

    57tailgater
    Member
    from Georgia

    I like your 3 pt seat belt. Any details you can share?

    Your Moon pedal and stock V8 accelerator linkage set up is also what I want to do in my '57. Can you share some pics and details?
     
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  18. Thanks Jacksmith!
     
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  19. I got the seatbelts from Bills Truck Shop in Ontario, Canada. I ordered the style with the airplane style buckle. I also ordered a plate with a nut welded on that fits up in behind the sheet metal for the shoulder mounting point. After I drilled the hole I fished the plate up there by taping it to a small piece of flat stock and pop riveted the plate in place.

    For the gas pedal, I used a reproduction of the factory V8 linkage. I did find that the factory holes did not line up so I ended up welding the factory holes shut and just drilled new holes. To connect it i just cut the portion of my stock pedal off that captures the ball on the end of the accelerator rod and used JB Weld to glue it to the bottom of the Moon pedal.

    I’ll see if I can get some more pics when I go out to the garage tonight.
     
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  20. 57tailgater
    Joined: Nov 22, 2008
    Posts: 845

    57tailgater
    Member
    from Georgia

    Thanks. I may have asked this on another forum too so you don't need to repeat your answer - you can just do it on here. I wondered what hole you used as it almost looked like the foot starter one.
     
  21. lcfman
    Joined: Sep 1, 2009
    Posts: 379

    lcfman
    Member
    from tn

    Looking good!
     
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  22. The spot where it comes through the floor is the stock one with the felt seal, same as where the 6 cylinder linkage did. Its just the two 1/4” bolts did not line up with the factory holes, so I welded them up and drilled new ones.

    I did weld up the foot starter hole as it was not used.
     
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  23. 57tailgater
    Joined: Nov 22, 2008
    Posts: 845

    57tailgater
    Member
    from Georgia

    Thanks! Keep up the good work!!
     
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  24. Here's the pics of the throttle linkage and the Moon pedal.
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  25. 57tailgater
    Joined: Nov 22, 2008
    Posts: 845

    57tailgater
    Member
    from Georgia

    Thanks for the pics! :)
     
  26. I got an amazing surprise for my birthday! My brother gifted me a known good running 305 to kick-start my project. He got the engine, cleaned it up and painted it over the past months. He lives almost 5 hours away so it was quite the surprise when he called me out of the blue and dropped it off. It is complete carb to pan, including starter, distributor and alternator. I was absolutely blown away!

    I still hope to rebuild my 327 some day but now I can get on the road sooner rather than later.
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  27. NashRodMan
    Joined: Jul 8, 2004
    Posts: 1,989

    NashRodMan
    Member

    You'e doing some nice work on the truck. Your interior colors are the same as my 55 2nd series (its how I got it and will stay the same)!
     
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  28. Thanks NashRodMan! I’ve always liked the contrast of the Tan / Gold with the exterior color.
     
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  29. Got my transmission de-greased and painted this weekend. I modified my extra engine stand by making a support out of some scrap steel that bolts to the tailshaft mount.

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  30. Great build…looking forward to seeing more pics of your progress.
     
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