[gator412]

2 to 4

So here is the axle and tranny/tranfer case combo I bought. I test fit the axle and the spring perches line up, so no cutting and welding there. I spent about 40 minutes last night removing the old axle and then placing the new one under the springs. I need to get some 3" axle bolts and a new plate.

So does it matter which way the u bolts that hold the axle face...up or down. It appears that I will have to put the u bolts facing up and have a plate on the top of the springs. Can't say I've done this before so I need some advice.

 

[lodown58]

Looking for a 1958-59 Chevy fleetside bed!

And does anyone know if the fleetside bed can be used on original stepside pickup ?
Thanks
South Carolina

 

[57halfton]

Gator , looks like your headed in the right direction. Your U bolts will go up from underneath and you will need the plates the U bolts go through on top of the springs from the same style pickup as the axle came from. Whats your steering box out of ? Remove the shock mounts from the frame where they are in front of the axle and move them to the rear behind the axle. Make a center line mark on the side of your frame rail that marks the center of your front axle housing , move the shock mounts to the rear the same distance from the center line that they were to the front.
Everything that you bolt on to the frame of your truck try and use grade 8 bolts , you can get them as you need them at Home Depot or Lowe's.
Keep the pics coming , Gene

 

[gator412]

Gene...I was waiting for you to chime in...since you have been down this road before. :thumbup: I was thinking of just making the plates myself out of 1/2" steel plate. It might be hard to find them...the axle is out of a 1977 Blazer. It is a corporate 10 bolt. Not the strongest I know but I won't be doing any major off roading, just in the snow a little and in the mud a little. Do you (or anyone) see any problem with making my own from plate steel?

The steering box is out of a 1977 1/2 ton truck. It is on the outside of the frame with another piece of steel inside the frame rails for some extra support.

The drivers side shock is already mounted on the rear side of the axle, as I had to move it when I installed the power steering. But the passenger side is still on the front side of the axle. Will I have to move it also?

Nothing but grade 8 bolts go on the truck. I bought a bolt bin years ago that was stocked with grade 8 hardware....got that, a 7 hp HD compressor, and a double stack of drawers full of misc parts, bolts, electrical stuff, etc, for $500 from a harvesting company going out of business. Sweet deal!

Keep the info coming and I will keep working and taking pictures.
Everyone chime in if you have a thought on this or any ideas....I'm open for suggestions!

 

[Roadkill58]

Better check them rotors, they could be backwards. Do a goggle search on how to install slotted rotors and you'll see what I mean. Don't you just love having to do something twice? olnolan

I looked at a picture in Classic Trucks and went with that. I think I can R&R the rotors in my sleep now. I have to take everything apart when I paint anyway. I got some brake fittings and a tee at Hose and Fittings (Parker Store) in West Sac today. Rode my motorcycle as it was a nice day for it.

I went to the swap meet in Turlock on Sunday. I bought two truck tilt wheels with keys. One chevy, and one GMC. I also bought two rear fenders for a stepside. I got 4 camaro 15" rims with new tires (cheap). I can use them on something. I didn't stay as long as I wanted. I forgot my camera, missed some picks of some nice trucks :spank: The next Turlock swap meet is November 29th at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds.

 

[gator412]

Roadkill sounds like you made out at the swap meet! I wish there was one around here.

Does anyone know if the tri 5 trucks came with the spare mounted on the passenger side...you know mounted to the bed with the fender cut out for it. I know they were made for the drivers side...just not sure about the passenger side. I think I would like to mount a spare on each side of the truck. I think that would look cool and the truck on tall and skinny tires...like back in the day.

Let me know if anyone in California or Las Vegas area hears of a "spare tire fender" for sale cheap or any one have one to donate?

 

[OLNOLAN]

Hey Roadkill

Well I started to post to Gator and You, titled it to Gator, sent the brake ? It all happened right before I dosed off. Anyway about your rotors, when I read this http://www.zeckhausen.com/how_to_properly_install_rotors.htm I learned that the outside slots are not the deciding factor on installation, the internal vanes are. Just thought it was interesting. Sounds like you already know. Keep up the photos, looks great. :thumbup: olnolan

Hey Jmigatr, You going after the Napco look or the La. ******* look? As in two spare tire slots, twin stacks, 6" lift kit, quad shocks, cattle catcher bumpers, bull nuts on the hitch, monster mudders, bed full of beer cans(and cab),20 ft cb antenna, never washed, just blow the big chunks off at the local carwash to piss off the owner. Ha,this is gettin better and better. Twenty empty skoal cans on the dash, popeyes chickin boxes under the seat, Ha Ha!!!! Post photos!! olnolan

 

[Roadkill58]

Roadkill sounds like you made out at the swap meet! I wish there was one around here.

Does anyone know if the tri 5 trucks came with the spare mounted on the passenger side...you know mounted to the bed with the fender cut out for it. I know they were made for the drivers side...just not sure about the passenger side. I think I would like to mount a spare on each side of the truck. I think that would look cool and the truck on tall and skinny tires...like back in the day.

Let me know if anyone in California or Las Vegas area hears of a "spare tire fender" for sale cheap or any one have one to donate?

They were on the left and right fenders.

 

[gator412]

Well I started to post to Gator and You, titled it to Gator, sent the brake ? It all happened right before I dosed off. Anyway about your rotors, when I read this http://www.zeckhausen.com/how_to_properly_install_rotors.htm I learned that the outside slots are not the deciding factor on installation, the internal vanes are. Just thought it was interesting. Sounds like you already know. Keep up the photos, looks great. :thumbup: olnolan

Hey Jmigatr, You going after the Napco look or the La. ******* look? As in two spare tire slots, twin stacks, 6" lift kit, quad shocks, cattle catcher bumpers, bull nuts on the hitch, monster mudders, bed full of beer cans(and cab),20 ft cb antenna, never washed, just blow the big chunks off at the local carwash to piss off the owner. Ha,this is gettin better and better. Twenty empty skoal cans on the dash, popeyes chickin boxes under the seat, Ha Ha!!!! Post photos!! olnolan

Hahahahahahahahaha.... never thought of it that way...but that was funny. Ya know I grew up in Louisiana....in Cut Off / Bourg area. The real reason for my change of heart is that I am buying land up in Alaska and need 4 wheel drive as the land is one mile off the road system. I am looking at putting a pto on my tranny to help me clear the land for the cabin and run a snow plow. (Bet no La ******* has that!) But the twin stacks....havent seen that since the little red wagon from Dodge. By the way I love Popeyes fried chicken! In reality I was looking for the ability to carry two spares and not have to use the bed or mount them under the truck. I am looking at putting a gas tank where the spare mounts under the truck.
Nolan you crack me up.....

 

[DOUBLEDICK]

Gator my brother lives in Alaska.His property is back off the highway.You will need a Rino with a snow plow just to get in and out of the drivway after it is put in.He has 6 wheel atv's because 4 wheel atv's just sink into to muck and leaves.When working on his property he carries a Ruger Blackhawk 44 on his hip.I asked him if that was for the bears.He said the bears just want to get away but a moose will hunt you down just to stomp you.He killed 3 in self defense the first year.He built his house himself and says there is no better place to live on earth. I can see the 55 now ....2 over wide tires with snow chains mounted on each fender,snow plow on the front kc lights,30.06 in the back window,Moose antlers above the broken windshield instead of a visor,One over sized mirror half torn off the passenger door,100 gallon fuel tank in the bed,a high lift jack, a chainsaw and a half dozen chains in a home made tool box with half a lid and whats left of a badly abused bumper hanging from the frame in the back and the only tail light that works has no lens,Wearing overalls and a Ted Nugent hat...... ohh wait thats just me all dressed up with no were to go I think olnolan has been peeking in the window of my truck All kidding aside man have you guys been busy.It is nice to be home again,just in time to get snowed on :thumbup: Cleary building corp delivered my building materials and are scheduled to be back to build it when the weather clears up next Monday.I will post pictures but it is snowing right now and I am not going outside till I have to leave for work.

 

[57halfton]

The vision in my head of this ******* truck and this Alaskan truck gives me shivers up my back, you guys are terrible.
I don't think I would put the gas tank under the back of the bed in a 4x4 unless you put a skid plate on to protect it from getting damaged.
A tall large diamater tire may be too big around to fit those fender cut outs ??
Check your front axle Gator , the passengers side center casting has near the cover has places for the u bolts to go , measure how far apart they are and make your plate to fit that side then the other side make it just wide enough to clear the side of the spring. 1/2 inch plate will work fine.
Sounds like you really scored at that harvesting store closing.
Gene

 

[57halfton]

Lodown , My guess would be the step side and fleet side all bolt on with the same holes in the frame, wouldn't bet money on it , but I would think they are the same. Gator , how far are you away from Pomona fairgrounds and Long Beach, they have big friggi'n swapmeets there.
Turlock Nov. 29th I'll write that down , gott'a go to that one then again the end of January.
Gene

 

[AntnyL]

Hi guys, long time no post. Sorry, been busy making progress on the truck. Finally got it all primered, interior is underway, and hope to get it wired up before the nasty cold weather arrives. It's currently primed in PPG DPLF epoxy, red oxide. Hood is obviously black, same epoxy stuff. I was planning to leave it like this, and painting the grille and bumpers, headlight bezels creamy white.......but am having second thoughts on the colors. Any suggestions on colors? Send em! Should I leave it as-is? I'm soooo confuzzled! The interior is hot rod black. Seats are black. Roll cage is black. I like black....I guess! Hah! Anywho, here she is. Send me your thoughts.

 

[OLNOLAN]

Hey Ant

Hey Ant, Thats a damn good lookin truck. Right stance, smooth bodywork, nice tire and wheel package. You go. Keep up the photos. olnolan

 

[OLNOLAN]

Redddd Neck

The vision in my head of this ******* truck and this Alaskan truck gives me shivers up my back, you guys are terrible.
I don't think I would put the gas tank under the back of the bed in a 4x4 unless you put a skid plate on to protect it from getting damaged.
A tall large diamater tire may be too big around to fit those fender cut outs ??
Check your front axle Gator , the passengers side center casting has near the cover has places for the u bolts to go , measure how far apart they are and make your plate to fit that side then the other side make it just wide enough to clear the side of the spring. 1/2 inch plate will work fine.
Sounds like you really scored at that harvesting store closing.
Gene

Come on Gene, you can't tell me you ain't seen one in California. ******** are everywhere. Every state has its fair share. But seriously, the old Napco look is cool in my book. I was just messing with ya'll. Then again, I'd drive the GRAVEDIGGER around town just for kicks. olnolan

 

[AntnyL]

Hey Ant, Thats a damn good lookin truck. Right stance, smooth bodywork, nice tire and wheel package. You go. Keep up the photos. olnolan

Thank you sir! :welcome: I wish I could settle on a color though. It's making me batty!

 

[OLNOLAN]

My Favorite Color

Hey Ant, Any color primer is my favorite hotrod color. If you want it shiny, paint it any color, as long as its red or black. Ha, mine is green. olnolan

 

[OLNOLAN]

Gone

All of Boudreaux's buddies are going to the drag race on Sat. morning. They invited ol Boudreaux to go but he declined cause his wife wouldn't let him. Sat. morning all his friends show up at the dragstrip and Boudreaux is already there. They say, well Boudreaux, how did you talk you wife into letting you go. He says, a didn't have to. I go home Fri., pops a cold beer to drown my sorrow and pouts in my recliner. My wife comes up behind me and kisses my neck. I turn around and she got on some negligee, she says, carry me into the bedroom, tie me to the bed, then you can do anything you want! Hell I been here since yesterday afternoon. Dumb Boudreaux joke. olnolan

I'm goin to Talladega, talk later.

 

[Apache_Boy]

I need to post pics of my toy. The paint looks terrible but I cant afford a real paint job it sucks being broke... but acourse my truck aint being built from the ground up.

 

[gator412]

DD...Glad to hear you guys are home now. Check your mail box...something is on its way. Make sure you keep up in pictures as your building goes up. I am jealous that you will have such a large playpen, ahhh...I mean shop. I'm gonna have to get in touch with your brother at some point and see where he lives. I was stationed at Fort Wainwright for 18 months in the Fairbanks area. So I have some experience living up there. But you are right about the ATV. A snow machine is next in the works. I have been horse trading the last year to get the gear I need without having to lay out much cash. I have to clear a 1 mile trail to the property. The weapons depart....lets just say I got that one covered. It was funny when you started talking about the coveralls I was thinking ...wait DD wears coveralls...

Gene, Yahooooo! ******* coona$$ meets the bushmen of Alaska. The skid plate for the rear tank would be a must. I have a side saddle tank I am going to try and fit on the truck also. If I can get it on I may forgo the rear tank. As far as the tires I am not looking to put massive tires on the truck just enough to get a little clearance than stock.

Ant....THAT IS A NICE LOOKING TRUCK. I really like the red. I vote for the red exterior and black interior.

Nolan, I know for a fact there are ******** everywhere...heck I escaped didn't I? Nolan did you ever go top Southland drags in Houma?

Apache boy. Even if the truck looks bad keep working on it as every little bit helps. Post some pics so we can see your truck....we love pics!