Well, howdy! Man! I finally got this thread read all the way through, making notes along the way, and can now post - not that it was really necessary, but I tend to be "retentive", or so I am told. Thanks for starting the thread, DD, and for pointing me this way; lots of good stuff on this'un. All of you have some great trucks going, here.

I probably have the longest running ownership on this thread - got my '59 3100 BW Step in October of '71; most of you were just "pups" then. It has been my commuter car, a work truck, a semi-hot rod, and now it's a yard car. I have plans to tear it down to the frame and make it what I always dreamed for it, but life keeps getting in the way. As it sits right now, it is on the original running gear and rear end, but has a mildly warmed 350 - it's third engine, and Muncie "rock crusher" in it. It has been sitting, basically untouched, for ten years, now, due to health and those "life" things (money, family, etc.), but hope carries on.

I have some experiential annecdotes, ideas, and a few questions to post, but for now, this will have to do; other priorities beckon. I'll be baack.

kim57, thanks, i am gonna try to contact him. looks maybe like home grown hinges.

Good to here from you Rrumbler it has been a while since you last posted on classicsandrods.com or on hotrodders.com There are allot of guys with really nice toys that have responded to this thread.I will start a journal one of these days but working 2 full time jobs and now my wife has cancer so it will be a while before I can find time for that project.I will be in town(Vegas) with my 58 (if the bearing comes in time.If not then in the 97 astro van) for the toy run and club Christmas Party on December 9( details at www. classicsandrods.com in forums)Stop buy if you can.The club Christmas party is open to anyone that wants to come.It is a pot luck but the meal is covered so grab the wife and stop by.Margaritas are on me.I make them at every party.Hope to see you there Rrumbler.

hotrodsbyray I put coil-over shocks on all 4 corners so the 58 rides on the coils when empty and the leafs when loaded.For the front I just drilled out the rivets on the old shock mounts and traced the mount onto a piece of 1/2 inch plate steel and cut them out with a metal blade in my skill saw and used the stock mount for the rear.I over laped one onto the other and hit them with a 10 lb sledge hammer to put a slight bend in them to make room for the coils.I counter sunk the top hole so the bolt head would not hit the coil when the shocks were mounted.I just measured the travel( from mount hole to mount hole.All the way extended and all the way collapsed) of the front and rear shocks.I was able to get Edelbrock sensatrack coil-overs for the rear and Americana coil-over shocks for the front from my local NAPA parts store.I can take pictures of them for you on monday if you want me to.The 58 no longer rides like a buck board.It rides as smooth as my 97 chevy van now.

Kim57 great find on the suicide doors.Not my personal cup of tea but a neat idea all the same

doubledick, i would love to see some photos. what spring rate did you use front and rear? when you say you measured fully extended - is it the distance from bottom shock mount to top shock mount with the leaf springs drooping, or the length of the shock itself extended - i dont quite understand?
this is something i will do to my truck since i am trying to get it back on the road and a front clip would set me back time wise. also am gonna get some roll or stabilizer bars since mine doesnt have them.
thanks

hotrodsbyray I measured the existing shocks while off the truck.I pulled them all the way open and measured them then I pushed them all the way closed and measured them.I measured from center of bolt hole to center of bolt hole.You don't get to pick spring rate on coil over gas shocks.but they pick up approximately 500lbs per corner.It just takes most of the weight off the leafs so it rides similar to a coil spring suspension.I got my sway bar kits from brothers trucks.They go on sale in the spring and fall for $99 each so watch for the sales.Go to their web site and get on their mailing list so you get the sale adds mailed to you.I just got back from Vegas about an hour ago.I will take pictures of them and post them tomorrow.

Duh! i get it now - i measure the old shocks. some days i am just more dense than others! thanks for the info and for all the time and effort you have put in this thread.

Dont mean to jump in the middle of your thread but I know a guy that is selling this truck for 1800.00. Is that a good price? What do you guys think?

Attached Thumbnails

         

smoke jumping in is what this thread is all about.Judging by the pictures it is in pretty good shape.I would buy it for $1800.I have seen trucks in worse shape sell for $2500 to $3500 in Vegas.

hotrodsbyray These pictures should help you.the first picture is the stock mount I used for a pattern.The second picture is the new mounts.you cant see it but the bottom bolt hole has been recessed into the mount and a carriage bolt is in the hole.the top two are grade 8 bolts.The third picture is the shock mounted on the new top mount and the stock bottom mount.The fourth picture is the drivers side.The driver side mount is in the stock bottom bolt hole but the top has been shifted forward(about 1/4 inch)to allow clearance for the steering arm.

Attached Thumbnails

       

What do you do with a 59 that has the engine out and is sitting in the driveway......
http://www.davemaggard.com/merrychristmas.htm

Kool idea Dave,

Haven't posted in here for a while,---but I am watching

Bryan

It's a hoot... lights blink with a medley of Christmas Songs. The only Christmas truck in the neighborhood.

Its beautiful Dave.Merry Christmas to you and yours.