Hi folks.
I'm new to the forum. Don't quite have my truck yet, but it's on the way. The story goes like this.
When I was growing up, my Dad had a bunch of panel trucks for his Electronics business. He had a ’52 Mercury, 57, 59 and 64 Chevrolets. I learned to drive at a very young age, and leaned how to take apart and repair the trucks. When I was 14, I took apart my first 235, from our ’61 Biscayne. So I’ve always had a love for the old Chev trucks.
About two weeks ago, I got an email from my son who moved from our home in Mississauga, Ontario to Seattle Washington area to work for Microsoft. He knew I had plans to restore an old pickup once I retired, and he started to look around. Eventually, he found a '58 Fleetside in restorable condition. It had been licensed up to 2007. It wasn't seized, though he couldn't start it. He bought it and towed it to his house on a borrowed trailer. He sent me an email to introduce me to “Wild Bill” as he called it. He thought it would be best to confirm if I really wanted it, or if it was the right model. I was totally surprised, as I had no idea he was looking.
So far, he has bought a trailer and the Apache is loaded and ready to haul back to Ontario. Now he’s looking for a suitable tow vehicle. He plans on towing the truck to Ontario at American Thanksgiving, and flying back to Seattle. Then flying back here in the spring, and driving the tow vehicle back to Washington along with his girlfriend’s (Fiancée ?) stuff after she graduates from her nursing program.
So now I’m doing my research into how I’m going to restore ‘Wild Bill’. I’m leaning towards an original restoration, though my younger son would like to convert it to a hot rod. My Dad has a late 80’s Impala wagon with lots of parts. Running engine and transmission. Wheels and tires. So that could be an option. I think I’m going to start by doing some simple mechanical stuff to see if I can get it running first. If it runs OK, I think I’ll keep it stock. If the engine is done, maybe I’ll go the V8 conversion and Hot Rod route. I have access to lots of tools. I have a Miller MIG welder, so I can do the required body patching up.
At the moment, I’m needing some advise on what to do with the frame and body parts.
Get the truck dipped, or media or soda blasted?
If I need to upgrade the brakes, am I better off with new 5 bolt disks, or re-use my 6 bolt hubs?
Any recommendations on upgrading the front axle to IFS? Could I use the Impala wagon front frame section be used ?
Hope to meet up with some new folks on this forum
.
Regards.
And how do I upload a picture of 'Wild Bill' ?
