The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 59 gmc fenders

Hello fello bolts.. I just bought my first truck. A 1959 gmc 350 with a custom flatbed. I have three questions already. Your help is appreciated

Q 1:
My front fenders have some rot in the bottoms. How do I address this rot? I cant find anyone that reproduces the big fenders. Are there salvage parts available? Who do you recommend? Will the 1/2 ton repair panels fit the big fenders?



Q 2:
What is the easist most cost effective but safe way to lower the front? I think I know how to lower the back (lowering blocks) I dont really want to derate the truck by installing a 1 ton front axle. But id like to drop the truck about 6". Does anyone produce a 4" drop axle for a 2.5 ton? Or drop springs?

Q 3:
Are the 1 ton front fenders interchangable with a 2.5 ton? Ive thought about swapping my fenders with a 1 ton so I can narrow the front. This will be incase I do have to swap to a 1 ton front axle. Im not crazy of the extra wide front fender look.

Thanks again....
bcgmc

I would answer no to all of all of your questions. Maybe you should look into getting a 1 ton to begin with and put a flatbed on it.

Anybody else have an oppion? Where can I possibly find some fenders.

Big truck fenders are only available from other truck guys or junk yards, you have to get out there and look for them. Place a PARTS WANTED ad here on the Stovebolt in the Swap Meet area, you never know what someone might have laying around.

More that likely you will have to engineer everything your self to get your end results, there are no hot rod parts for the BIG trucks. Like Ken said, it might be easier to start with a 1-ton truck to get the correct fender wheel openings and lower stance. Or find a modern 1-ton and swap everything over.

Mike B

I have some very nice fenders from a 1959 Viking 60 2 ton that I'm parting out. The bottoms are solid and there is no headlight eyebrow rust or damage. I have pics available if interested.


Gary

I looked into lowering mine as well. Some of the issues I came across were, the axle hitting the oil pan if you tried to go to a shorter spring stack.The tires hitting the fenders if you did get it down that low. There are ways to get around these things but they are way more extensive than patching fenders. On the larger trucks if you can't find it you have to make it. Just did the lower cab corners on mine.Had to hammer the pieces out of sheet metal as there were no patch panels available.

wouldn't these be close??for cab corners?http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ca/full.aspx?Page=15

[quote=Straightjacket]I looked into lowering mine as well. Some of the issues I came across were, the axle hitting the oil pan if you tried to go to a shorter spring stack.The tires hitting the fenders if you did get it down that low. There are ways to get around these things but they are way more extensive than patching fenders. On the larger trucks if you can't find it you have to make it. Just did the lower cab corners on mine.Had to hammer the pieces out of sheet metal as there were no patch panels available. [/quote]

I thought the cabs were the same for the big trucks and the small trucks.

I thought about lowering mine with a 59 1 ton front axle that has a 4" drop. I just dont know if the 1 ton front axle is the same lenght as the 2.5 ton. I know id have to change everything else to a 1 ton also and thats fine. And I could lower the rear with blocks. My front axle is an F045 and 1 tons are F035 or F040. Not sure of the differences I just know that there are aftermarket 4" drop 1 ton axles.

I thought that all the cabs were the same on big and small trucks. Wouldnt the 1/2 ton cab corner replacement be the same for the big trucks?

The cabs, doors and hoods are the same on the 1/2 through 2 ton trucks, so the cab corner patch panels will be the same.

PM sent.

Front of the cab,COE. If they are available,I didn't spend enough time to find them.
I decided to go stock height with mine.I may drop it later.If I do it will be on a full custom frame and running gear.