The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1959 Viking 60

Here is my 59 Chevy. My grandfather bought the truck new to use in his orchards after trading in the old '49 dodge flatbed. My grandfather ordered this truck like he did every other vehicle he owned. Bare bones. He used this truck in the fields hauling prunes, pears, apples and walnuts until 1969 when he sold all of his property to developers and started trucking cement. From 1969 to 1984, it hauled a cement blower until the front end got so worn out it would shimmy like a bastard going up the road. My dad and grandfather pulled the front axle out of the truck and had it rebuilt, but shortly thereafter my grandfather died of a heart attack. The truck sat in the storage yard my dad rented for the trucking business until 2007, when my dad died. I decided to put the truck back together and just drive it. It has been a fantastic truck, but ive had to stop driving it as the 261 burns more oil than gas.

I just recently bought a 64 chevy 1 ton cab and chassis with a good running 292. I am going to pull the motor and swap it into the viking so I can drive it and part out the rest.

The plan right now is to just get it back on the road and do rust repair (above windshield, cab corners).

-Carl

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k231/vwluver74/59%20chevy%20c60/IMG_3155.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k231/vwluver74/59%20chevy%20c60/IMG_3156.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k231/vwluver74/59%20chevy%20c60/IMG_3158.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k231/vwluver74/59%20chevy%20c60/IMG00135.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k231/vwluver74/59%20chevy%20c60/IMG_3164.jpg

Thank you for sharing, this one is just like my brother's. You'll make a lot of friends here , probably see you around the Big Bolt forum

Ken

I'm not sure yet if the majority of people here are purists or not, but I've been drooling over dropping a 6v53 detroit into this truck. There is a guy over on 4btswaps that has done this exact swap on his c60.

However, im trying to not get buried like with every other car ive restored. Take it slow and do what needs to be done first. Rust repair, new tires and the 292 come first. That way I can still use it as I repair things. After paint, new rubber seals and glass and a new deck, ill get into a detroit. Ive always thought I was in the minority liking these trucks, but its clear Im not and am glad to be here.

Oldtek88,

Welcone to the Stovebolt

You're not alone, but be aware...this is a sickness with no cure...lol

Mike B

Nice truck !!! This is propably exactly how my truck looked like before someone made the bed a bit longer.

Welcome to the bolt! You have a nice looking truck and yes it is a sickness with no cure, I know this as I have been working on my 56 for 7 years now. Money and mind changes are big time consumers. I however have also picked up a few more big bolt projects and I am sure I am A. D. D. as I can not focus on one at a time. LOL

thanks! I like your truck. especially the cablights.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x264/uffeg/viking%20in%20Eskilstuna/DSCN5831.jpg

Wow guys! great looking trucks! I don't know about anyone else here, but I dig the surface rust, dents and faded paint! Just shows character. I keep thinking about painting mine, but just can't bring myself to remove the battle scars and personality that has taken 60 years to accumulate!
http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/michelleturk/IMG_5403.jpg

I know what you mean. I can tell you where every dent on my truck came from. Its a little bit of history thats just part of it. However, I need to fix the rust, and doing that means sanding the patina off so im going to have to paint it.

quick question. what kind of transmission would be in my truck? its a 5 speed and original to the truck.

oldtek88,

Your transmission would be the optional "New Process" 5-speed. The 60 Series trucks had the SM-420 4-speed as standard equipment.

Mike B

what NP would it be? like an np540?

Sorry I can't confirm the model number...I've never seen it listed in any of my literature.

Mike B

'59 supplement shows the 5 speed as a Clark 267V

Bill

Thats fantastic! Thank you.

Also, after really looking at the truck today I noticed I had the rims that come apart in the middle. These are the original wheels that came on the truck and have only been taken apart once. (the truck is only on its second set of tires since my grandfather bought it new. The tag for the tires is in the glovebox). Are they acceptable to use? Or should I look for new wheels?


http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k231/vwluver74/IMAG0273.jpg

red58,

The Clark Transmissions were only used on the 70 & 80 Series trucks. The 60 Series (which oldtek88 has) used the New Process and the 90 & 100's used the Spicer transmissions.


oldtek88,

Those rims are the "widow makers" which should be replaced with either a lock ring 20" tube type wheel or a 22.5" tubeless wheel.

Happy New Year!

Mike B

The easy to figure out if it is a Clark or a New Process is by the shift pattern. A Clark will have 1st away from the driver and toward the seat and reverse away from the driver and toward the dash. A New Process will have 1st toward the driver toward the dash and 2nd right next to it. Also a New Process has 4 positions toward the dash and only 2 toward the seat while a Clark is 3 and 3.

As for the wheels, it sounds like you have the Firestone RH5° which are the dangerous kind.

definitely a new process and not a clark.

clark shift pattern

http://www.chevyc60.com/transmission/the%20tr1.gif

my shift pattern (the new process)

http://www.chevyc60.com/transmission/the%20tr4.gif