great, come to Michigan and help me too

Rear traction bars(Brothers trucks part # RTB5559) are a good upgrade and improve the handling by stooping(spring wrap) the truck from squatting when you accelerate.It is an easy bolt on install.You just bolt in the brackets on the rearend.Attach the bars and the front mounts.Clamp the mount in place and use the bolt holes as a template to drill the holes in the frame and put the bolts in the holes.They will cost about $250 but the difference in the way it drives is as much an improvement as the front sway bar.

Thanks DD, I could probably use those traction bars. I spun the wheels once coming into the school parking lot and had a lot of wheel hop. I didn't realize that they would make that much of a difference driving the truck.

Gazim and Gator...Haha I will help with what I can, but I am no authority on the subject/job. The EZ kit is fairly straightforward, the fact that each wire says where it's supposed to go is a huge help. If I could've seen EZ's different kits in person before buying, I probably would have gone with their more basic 12 circuit kit. The 21 circuit kit that I bought contains a whole lot more wiring than I need, like A/C, power door locks, power windows, power antenna, and several other things that I will probably never have (all I have is just a stereo). I don't even have the heater hooked up. If you have a late model GM tilt column it will be easier for you. There are connectors built in with the kit for this type of column ignition switch, and they give you two different plastic connectors to use with the other column wiring (signals, horn,etc). Since my truck is still pretty much all original, I cut off the provided ignition switch connectors and adapted the wires to the original style switch. For the turn signal switch, I just cut off the male end of the original harness's column connector and thanks to DD's wiring information from earlier I can adapt the kit's wires to the original connector.

I worked all day today, didn't have time to do anything to the truck. All that's left if I remember correctly are just all the lights and the fuel gauge.

One tip if anybody hasn't heard of this...I have used lots of butt connectors with this project, and instead of using the outer plastic insulation, I like to use a nail and tap out the metal connector from the plastic sleeve, then use it crimp the wires together, using shrink tubing over the connection. I found that idea somewhere a while back, maybe here on Hotrodders. I think this looks much better and probably seals it up better as well.

I will be glad to help all that I can.
-Matt

Been using butt connectors for that for quite while, thanks anyway.

Keep up the good work Matt.I am still trying to find time to pull the transmission out of the 58.I need to do all the maintenance to the 68 that has been neglected for a while.I put a carrier bearing in it last weekend.I got on it a little and it burned those 33x12.5 tires easily.The 327 in it has,a HEI distributer,double camel back heads,headers,and a holly street dominator manifold with a carter AFB carb.It only has about 20,000 miles on the engine so It should be a good work truck for me.Now I can start doing some of the custom work to the 58 without the time limits that I had when it was my only truck.I miss my stereo the most

By the way guys, I was just reading back in this thread about camaro clips. if I was going the clipping route I would use a Monte Carlo from 1978-1988. I just like the track width a little better. You do the surgery the same as doing a camero clip. I done on own my brothers 55 Panel truck and it was nice (the dummy sold the truck).

Well here are some pics of my frame finished and painted. Its a mustang II unit from TCI. I painted it with zero rust as a primer and Chassis Black Acrylic Enamel with Hardener. I'm very happy with the results. Its was cheap, looks nice and seem quite durable.

Nice looking frame mkabwe.
Kim

I'm new to this tread but enjoy reading everyones comments and suggestions. The pictures are an added bonus! The frame looks great. My 56 is a daily driver but hope one day to do a frame off. Keep up the good work.

The frame looks good keep posting those pictures

I'm trying to get this thing done. I got really motivated at the brothers truck show. I was starting to lose interest in the truck. This was not supposed to be a frame off (at least that’s what I told myself) but one thing lead to another. Rust, rust, and more rust. I was suppose to clip the frame and do the body and paint and move on, but the more I dug into the truck the more I problems I found and before I knew it the frame was over here and the cab was over there and parts were everywhere. This is not my first frame off but I hope it’s my last.lol

Next weekend I plan to put the 58 in the driveway and pull the engine so I can get the transmission out.I will fix the oil leak on the engine while I have it out.The chrome timing chain cover I put on it is cheap junk.I will take out the crossmember that is in the way while I have the engine and transmission out and build a crossmember that just bolts in.I just need it to reinforce the frame because the shackels for the leaf springs are right there.I am working on the 68 this weekend.It has been neglected so there are alot of little things that need to be done.I have to put in the new ignition switch and door locks as well as all the rubber boots for the shifter,clutch and brake rod.I also have to install the new bendix in the starter and clean this filthy engine.This is one of the few 68's that has a factory choke cable.The cable is missing so the truck has no choke at all.That will be a major issue when it hits single digit temps in a few months.

Wow DD
Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you.
I've gotten a little more done on mine. Will post some pics when I get a chance.
Kim

Good to see that everybody is getting on with their getting on; me, I'm not even spinning my wheels - I'm just standing still, or laying about , or ?? ?? Later, gents.

65 in Vegas, come on, No one can stand still there.

I have a couple of 10 day vacations in August so I let the 58 sit out front and made my self a new grill for when I am out camping.I like to go for a week at a time and I do all the cooking when I am out camping.I call it the FRANKEN GRILL because it is a monster.It is 14x38 with a 3 inch back splash.I made it that big so I can just set it across the 36 inch fire rings at forest service camp grounds.It looks like the 58 will just have to wait till I am done vacationing.

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