Jeff 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Follow his build in the Project Journals 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible | 2020 Chevrolet Silverado | 3500 Duramax | 2021 GMC Sierra Denali USAF Veteran 1983-1987 | PSP retired 1990- 2012
1959 (and many other years) GMC 1/2 ton trucks came from the factory with caster shims installed. I assume that Chevy trucks did too. Stock shims are described in the GMC Master Parts Book as "shim, front spring, 2 inches wide by 3.88 inches long, 0.093 inches thick at one end (the front) and 0.195 inches thick at the other end". There was also another shim listed with the same dimensions, except 0.281" thick at the rear which would increase the amount of caster.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
The shims should remain and be reinstalled with the new springs as they provide proper front end alignment. Without them, your steering is going to be very weird without the proper caster inclination.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
I am confused about this. My 1958 stepside has power steering CCP, and new front leafs. It has no casters and drives great. I`m just wondering with the 59 , same thing and would a decrease or increase in caster help any? 4 degree? It has a less than 1 degree now.
To keep my sanity ,I`ll start on the 59 with body repairs as weather permits me to. Steps lower rear, fenders. Itll warm up some? www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtVF1mR-9pc
This trucks CVF serpentine belt system has been selected in a CVF Hot Rod Bio. They will drive up to video the truck this late spring /early summer. Pretty cool.
This is the next thing. Just the tread and forward panel to the step is rotted out. Metal going up under the seat is good and to the rear. That support under there needs to be saved . I`m just gonna cut out the bottom tread/step and cut the new step to just the step to replace. Use the metal cutoff to repair the forward section.
This truck has what Jerry called a Stove choke in the exhaust manifold. The plugged holes must have worked their way out from use. The tube that runs up and down was gone. I plugged them both and the performance is very notable. If the tube was in tact , there is no effect on the engine. The hole runs from the top diagonal to the bottom. About 10 inches. Ram horn.
Here we go. This 59 will get the same the 58 did. But this time, a year into welding I took the leap of cut and fit. Instead of overlapping the wheel well panel and use rivets and panel adhesive. This went well.
Getting durn close now. I did have to cut the top inner lip of the wheel well. It did not touch the tire but maybe under a load. The 1958 was fine with the stock wheels.
An old hood I bought years ago sanded and cleaned up real nice. I`ll have to drill for a 1959 emblem. But once all the surface rust came out it looks great.
Your making excellent and rapid progress. Easier going the second time around???
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Lookin’ good! You’re moving right along and nice work to boot!
Last edited by Phak1; 06/18/20251:19 PM. Reason: Typo
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Your making excellent and rapid progress. Easier going the second time around???
My 1st time putting in steps. The 58 was a whole floor replacement. So steps were there on that. I`m trying not to replace anything that does not need it. Part step replacement. If I don`t do it, it won`t get done
Passenger side in. All I`m doing is creating a 1/2 shelf by cutting out the step and laying the new cutout step on the shelf and welding. It`ll slide right in. I have to do all this sitting Indian style. Laying underneath the truck and welding that close up. I use a welding blanket, but still. I have this dent and another just like it on the passenger side. How would you guys go about fixing this? My first thought was to drill a small hole and use a "J" hook and try and pull it out. Still though some bondo would have to be used right?
A stud welder would be perfect for this. No stud welder, how about cutting an area inside creating access, tapping the crease back out, then weld the piece back in.
I don’t like drilling and using a slide hammer because it always stretches the metal.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
A stud welder would be perfect for this. No stud welder, how about cutting an area inside creating access, tapping the crease back out, then weld the piece back in.
I don’t like drilling and using a slide hammer because it always stretches the metal.
That hinge pocket was a bear. Just taking that loaded door off is a deal. My welding is still not good. Its got plenty of steel. Just alot to grind off. My cutting and dissecting, then fitting the metal skill is good. My Oasis Blue paint came in. That was the right choice to match the front clip. That blue to me is a Sky Blue. . I`m not sure if I sure clear coat or not. ????
Hey thanks! I don`t know about great. All the body and paint took me about a month and a half. Might be not what most would do but I don`t have the time or money to wait around. Drives excellent. Rattle can paint job. I think Id like to relic the thing. Cover up some inconsistency's in the body work. Its far from perfect. But neither is the truck. Neither I am. Rare pic of the Apache Hermit.
The steps ended up nice. Unlike my pickup, these panels have the room to ease the seat back to whatever distance is good for proper leg room. I have 65 Chevelle seats. 2020 Interceptor center console. Only one I could find that would fit between the seats and have enough arm room. And 2 cup holders for the Culvers. In my pickup ,my knees are kinda close to it all.
Gonna ditch the flex fan. Ordered an 18 inch steel fan and will install this barrel shroud. When its hot out its just pulling air from around the engine while sitting. It needs to draw that air from the radiator better.
