59 Panelmania
 

Finally got down to business today.



This is how I found her.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...edium/59-1.JPG




Here we go!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_17071.JPG




The journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single bolt.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...first_bolt.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

I set up the camera to take a pic every 2 minutes. Might make a decent slide show. Here are a few of the shots.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1720.JPG


Doors off

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1746.JPG



I don't think the guy was lyin' when he said the vehicle sat in a field for 10 years.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...1/IMG_1783.JPG



We spent a lot of time figuring out what to do next...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1804.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Off comes the grill.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1828.JPG



Right about this time a little wind kicked up. The breeze felt good, but it knocked over the tripod.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1848.JPG



The umbrella didn't survive, and the tripod was tweeked. Fortunately, they broke the fall for the camera. Ronnie had a smoke whilst I stressed out over the gear.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1852.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Unfortunately, the camera incident put a kabosh on the time lapse project. Here's the last action shot of the day.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1853.JPG





6 hours, a gallon of water, and a plethora swear words later, the front end is gone. All in all, it went pretty smooth.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1870.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Looks like a good start.
Hope you don't have to do it all outside.
Kim

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

now your committed... to the asylum :D

looks like the day went well
cowl, corners and rockers look pretty good

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Would have had the body off today were it not for the dvmned Pitman arm. My buddy thought he had something to pull it in his shop but his gadget was too large. Does Harbor Freight carry pickle forks?

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Only outside until I drop the motor in. I'll do the wiring, brakes, motor bits, and whatnot in my garage.

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

"We spent a lot of time figuring out what to do next..." i do it all the time

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Great start! Love seeing others suffer and use a plethora swear words.

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Picked up a pickle fork at HF for the Pitman arm, but the business end wasn't wide enough. Went to a parts store and grabbed a Pitman arm puller and got it off. Should have went with the right tool the first time, but I figured the pickle would be a multi-tasker. Oh well what's another tool, right?

Pulled the steering column and removed the body bolts. Everything is ready to lift off the body. Just need to figure out how...

Temp was about 104 so I kept the day short.

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Had to grind out 2 of the body bolts. The only two of the project so far. The ATF/acetone solution works quite well.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ium/grind1.JPG



Might rebuild the steering box while it's out of the truck.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ing_column.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Got the body off. Now we're getting somewhere!


We used extensions on the forks, then 4x4's clamped down for a little more reach. Lifted it by the door frames.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...dium/lift1.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...dium/lift2.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...dium/lift3.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...dium/lift4.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Set it on 4 HF horses, rated at 1,000 lbs each. 4x4s on top of the horses. Bolts through the frame, 4x's and horses. Should be sturdy enough to allow me to crawl around underneath to remove the bed wood and address some of the rust.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...dium/lift5.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...dium/lift6.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Now you're making some progress.
Kim

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Progress has been slow. Kinda tough to make headway when you can only get to the vehicle on Saturday mornings. Only got in a couple hours today due to rain. I'll be glad when the project moves to my garage.



Finally removed the axles and suspension.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...dium/axles.JPG



The only thing holding me back from the sand blaster are these jackarse pins in the rear hangers.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...medium/pin.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

grab it between your finger and thumb and unscrew it. :D

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Uh oh...

Tried that but they seemed pretty solid. The front ones came out easy so I assumed these were pressed in. Unfortuntely, I didn't have the manual with me this morning.

Hope I didn't jack them up by beating on 'em...


Do I need to take the threaded insert out before blasting/coating?

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

nice ! Keep chipping away at it

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Straightened out the frame horn yesterday. It's good to have a buddy with a machine shop. The hydraulic press made pretty quick work of the bending. We used pieces of aluminum stock as a buttress.

The result wasn't perfect, but it was pert' near. Forgot to take a pic of the result.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ium/press1.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ium/press2.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Progress has been a bit slow, but I've just about got phase one wrapped up. These rat bastard pins on the rear hangers are the only things that are keeping me from getting the frame blasted and coated.

If I grab them with the vicegrips there is a little back and forth play but they absolutely will not unscrew. The pliers just can't get tight enough to hold. Any suggestions?


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...medium/pin.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Finally got the dvmned pins out. Using a blow torch did the trick.

Scraped off some bondo as well...


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...dium/bondo.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Finally entered Phase 2 of the project, which is to say it's finally in my garage.


Took delivery of the powder coated frame today.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/delivery.JPG



Disassembled the front suspension.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ront_axle1.JPG



A self portrait titled, "Wrenchin'"

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../Wrenchin_.JPG



Also took some time to organize the sockets in my new tool case. Peg board and roofing nails with the points ground off. Used duct tape underneath to hold the nails in place.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ket_drawer.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Cool.
I like the peg board idea.
Kim

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Don't know, I kind of like the sound of mixing up the sockets as I search...but then my shop always looks like a 10# bag exploded in a 5# box anyway...

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Progress has been slow but sure. I finally have the front suspension fully dismantled.


Simple jig to loosen the end nut; vise grips and a dull chisel.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ium/TR_end.JPG
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...um/TR_bits.JPG


Ready for POR

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/steering.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

The panel came with a factory sway bar. Can't seem to find a source to replace the in inner sleeves on the arms. Any ideas?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../sway_arms.JPG


Also, How do I service the drag link ends? I assume there is a sleeve in there that is tired.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...drag_link2.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Improvised frame dolly.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...rame_dolly.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

On the sway bar end links, I think your only option is to pour your own and then drill them out. That's what I did. I used liquid urethane from McMaster Carr. - (Urethane Casting Compound 1 Pound Liquid, Shore (80A), Black Part # 8644K11) - http://www.mcmaster.com/#urethane-ca...pounds/=kyp3to.

I used pencils to rough out the holes for the endlink pins. I then drilled out the holes to the right sizes.

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

interesting idea elco.
have you driven your truck with the homemade urethane bushing in it?
how did they hold up?

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Yes, I drive the truck all summer and they held up just fine. Folks use this urethane for engine mounts and other high-torque applications if you do a google search. I didn't know what else to do, the I came across the idea of making my own and I've been happy with the results.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Any updates Arturo7? Looking good so far. Mine comes off the frame at the end of this summer.

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Interesting solution elco. I was hoping to find a sleeve from another application, but your idea might be the ticket.

Not much to report, Jon. I'm trying to resolve an issue with the harmonic balancer. Either the local parts store sold me the wrong part, or my pulleys, which came from a reputable source, don't match. I ordered an HB from JEGS, where I got the motor. It should should up any day now.

Hopefully I'll get some POR on the front suspension this w/e. I nearly at the turning point where the all work switches from disassembly and repair to reassembly and upgrades.

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Seems like I've been wading through mud lately. I think the pulley alignment issue is solved. Looks like the water pump pulley was the culprit Might have an incorrect bracket as well.

Finally got the first coat of POR is on the suspension today. Also baked the exhaust mani's to cure the VHT paint.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...edium/POR1.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...edium/POR2.JPG


Craigslist strikes again! This guy followed me home from the central valley this week. Now I just have to figure out how to weld.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ium/Mr_MIG.JPG


Big thanks to NEWFISHER for his generosity with the SM240 on a few other goodies. We were enable to enlist the help of a couple guys driving down from WA to the GNRS this weekend to transport the parts to SoCal.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/data/1790/SM-1.JPG

ever forward

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Man I do love the 58-59 panels and burbs. Joining this site really has me wanting one now!! ... But it's looking good man, keep up the good work!!

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Tried my hand at body work this afternoon. The result was far, far from perfect, but at least I'm getting a feel for it.

Here's the before and after. Try not to laugh...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ner_grill1.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...um/fascia5.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

There's nothing to laugh at. We all have to start some where.
Looks a lot better than what you started with and I'm sure will get better with time.
Kim

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

i'm not laughing either, looks good.
i used 2- 5 lb hammers to straighten a rear fender, one to swing and one as an anvil.
that is not light metal, it's not easy to reshape it.

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

Finally able to work on the truck this weekend!

Had to put the project on hold for a couple months; travel, visiting family, trade shows, etc.. Also added some infrastructure work on the garage. My cousin wired in an auxiliary panel complete with a 220 circuit. My uncle gave a half dozen bench-mount power tools he no longer uses. Lucky me! Had to build some new shelves to store them.

Back at it!

Started assembling the front axle but ran into an issue installing the kingpin bushings. Hopefully a day or two in the freezer will do the trick. The rear end is fully broken down. Looks like the axles are in good shape. I'll drop this diff off this week to be rebuilt and install the 3.39 gears.


New shelves and panel.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...el_shelves.JPG


Progress!!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ium/r_ax_1.JPG

Re: 59 Panelmania
 

You might want to paint the POR'ed parts that will see the reflected sun light under the truck. I understand the POR chassis paint is not UV protected.