1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Yesterday our new project arrived, a 1958 Chevrolet 60 Viking. it's a 1 owner car, original delivered as a brand new car here in the Netherlands (first registration is december 1958) it was impounded by the Dutch IRS because the owner (stated on the side of the truck) was dealing in illegal fire-arms and drugs... so we bought it for a very nice price. and despite the cabin having been thrashed by a fire, I think we've got a great basis for a project car.

https://myalbum.com/photo/gedVkrF465cz/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/g3M5X1Jdu4j9/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/QeguqnIdfOCx/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/0iAUy8hwS99p/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/VyjmkFf2eCi0/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/6cvU1PvVVUNW/360.jpg

first plan is to get rid of the back-end and shorten the wheelbase, because otherwise it won't fit in our garage! currently as it stands it's 24 feet long and almost 11 feet high.
I know there will be haters, but we're going for the rat-rod look.

Keep u posted!

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Im in ,that thing is cool.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Damn is that thing wicked. Can't wait to see some progress

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Cool truck, cool story. What was it originally used for? The fire damage will be a challenge to fix, I would think. Sounds like you have a good plan.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

the PO was a transport company, it even has a hydraulic tailgate. so I guess they used it for shop deliveries and such.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Good luck with the project! Be sure to update.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Nice project Steve!
I’d like to see a Rat Rod, what are the further plans?

What is IRS? Hetzelfde als de Domeinen??

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

I am in !

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Ofcourse ratrod! we're going to shorten the wheelbase by 5Feet and add airrides. (we'll come see you, because we'll need some help designing that :) )


ISR = Belastingdienst. The PO was arrested for drugs/guns and tax evasion.
must have been a real nice guy...

So we cleaned the cab a bit and had a closer look at the fire damage, as far as structural only the roof is a bit warped, but that doesn't concern us.

what suprises me, is how rot free is the truck. driving in the Netherlands for 59 years and it looks like it has been standing inside most of the time
https://myalbum.com/photo/BODP5sK835SF/360.jpg

we managed to open the hydrolic tailgate and took it of...this already saves 300 pounds :)
https://myalbum.com/photo/CzmiH3dtR0g1/360.jpg

then we cleaned the inside of all the debris. the blask on the sides is a kind of kit where the insolation was up against. the aluminum back close to the cab was all melted because of the fire.
https://myalbum.com/photo/uWCR7THfCv9x/360.jpg

here's a pick of the hydrolic cilinder underneath the truck. removing that will again save a lot of weight
https://myalbum.com/photo/AjfGxOJPziXW/360.jpg

and check out that rear end!!
https://myalbum.com/photo/InYMe2c1OXWW/360.jpg


the project almost went down the toilet, because I was a bit optimistic in regards to our timeline dismanteling the build-up. So I called the landlord and asked if he wouldn't mind it standing outside for another 2 months.

luckily he gave the green light!
project is a go!

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

I'm looking forward to seeing how this one goes.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Looks good, I am going to follow this build..
Succes... :metal:

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Very cool story on the truck! What are your plans for the back of the truck after you shorten it? Build a new box or flatbed? Do you have plans to use it as a hauler or just a cruiser?

Looking forward to this cool build.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Ah belastingdienst....a really nice guy Haha!!
You are not afraid of big projects!
Have to come visit sometime, when do you think it’s inside?
Should be fun!!

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Well seeing the holiday season is here and I'll be spending xmas abroad we're aiming for the end of Januari.

But we made some progress today. I took the afternoon off frpm work and got some work done.
https://myalbum.com/photo/RGze8ARYwIK0/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/O8KjCuG7nnWE/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/4WkpZ7chbqbw/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/IStoToEyT6jU/360.jpg

Saterday and Sunday we'll be trying to remove the rest of the bed.

And now for the first dumb question: is the glass the same as a 1958 Apache?

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Pretty large vehicle....

Would make a very radical flatbed truck for hauling Hot Rods around :lol::metal:
As for the glass, I thought the carbs are the same.
If you can measure it around the opening, I will do the same, then you know.
You have my number, call or app me.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Looks like a cool project and I will be tagging along.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

I'd love to make it a flatbed but we have to shorten the wheel base to make it fit in our garage 😂. And Will measure the window. Thanks Kees!

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Saturday I was grounded by my wife, because she wanted to do x-mass shopping without me or the kids.. seeing it was horrible weather anyway, I didn't really felt like being outside.
Sunday was dry-ish, so we got some work done.
https://myalbum.com/photo/R9QeMzGMlyLK/360.jpg
Thats my mate Ferry

https://myalbum.com/photo/kfp987apDMuo/360.jpg

https://myalbum.com/photo/4TdFJRz70TU3/360.jpg

https://myalbum.com/photo/eKCcABz6XSMm/360.jpg

https://myalbum.com/photo/qp4RxlRsCT2p/360.jpg
that frame looks a mile long.

the bed of my c10 is already full with the debries from last week, didn't have time to go to the dumpsite yet. I think I'll need to make 3 more runs to get rid of all the old crap :)

I also contacted our dutch DMV, because you can't just cut up a frame and not have it changed on the VIN details. we'll be aiming for 132.5 Wheelbase like on the 6100 serie.
They'll come by and have look to discuss our plans, because if you do it wrong, the vehicle could loose it's VIN and I'd be left with a 9 ton paperweight.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Yep, that’s pretty long!
Good to let the DMV come first. Document also everything they say, probably let them sign too. I think they will take pictures of it in original state.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

pretty sure the big truck cabs and doors are the same as the small truck cabs it is just the fenders and hood etc out front that is different. with that said, you could check with an auto glass supplier and they would know if they looked in their application guide.
good to get the dmv involved early and ask/write down the answers. ask what the proper procedure is because they may have a hand out or a web link that explains the whole procedure and what needs to be compete before they come and inspect it again or you have a certified shop do an inspection. hopefully they don't deem it as requiring some sort of heavy duty inspection due to the fire damage.
my truck is made up from 3 different vehicles and they took the original vin tag then issued me with a new 17 digit vin tag and rivetted that to the body. now I need to get an out of province inspection done when the truck is complete. they also renamed the truck. I am in Alberta Canada though so different there.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

https://myalbum.com/photo/iIOTrgWzVHQE/360.jpg
I think you're right

what do you mean? you created a new brand?? :)

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

have you seen this site before?

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/index.htm

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

No not this site, thanks for pitching in!

Not that it is of any importance now, but would anybody know the lug patters of the Viking? 20" 6 lug wheels..an odd combo if you ask me, or not?

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

just copied from a stovebolt forum found here, but I think the 6 lug wheels are 6 lugs on 8.75" circle. don't have one so not totally positive on that one.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads...1036713&page=1

The 8 3/4 6-lug wheels were also found on many Ford, Dodge, International, and GMC 2 ton trucks and school buses into the late 1960's (and perhaps later). Most of these have 8.25x20 tires.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Yeah I think you're right! thanks.

yesterday I went on my first rubbish run, getting rid of most os the sidepanels, the cargo lift and the side frames. today I loaded up most of the bed floor. this is all metal, so I'll be visiting an iron recycling company instead of the landfill :)
https://myalbum.com/photo/dmOyiyw4y6zH/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/HEKdu8yJBeQt/360.jpg
Slightly leaning backwards with aprox 1000 pounds in the back.
I enjoy using my truck for what it was intended :)
#IdonthateshowtrucksIjustdontneedone

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Yep, that’s what these trucks are made for!

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

I here that! I am afraid that if I paint mine, I wont want to pull stumps with it anymore. So have you got an idea for the power plant?

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Well..a matter-a-fact I just bought it. I saw an add in our version of Craigslist for a 6.2 V8 Diesel with a TH400 attached to it for $800,-
Didn't expect much for that price, but I drove 2 hours to go and have a look.
the PO has all the documentation and showed the engine came from a G30 which drove around as an ambulance since 1984. I don't know where the engine number is located, so i took a picture of the biggest i could find :)

https://myalbum.com/photo/eVjhNTkXn7ID/360.jpg

If I google it I come to the following.. what have I bought??

ARMY TM 9-2815-237-34P
AIR FORCE TO 38V1-6-4
MARINE CORPS TM 2815-34P/4C
(SUPERSEDES TM 9-2815-237-34P, 31 January 1996)
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENTS OF THE ARMY,
THE AIR FORCE, AND MARINE CORPS
MARCH 2001
TECHNICAL MANUAL
DIRECT SUPPORT AND GENERAL SUPPORT
MAINTENANCE REPAIR PARTS AND
SPECIAL TOOLS LIST
FOR
ENGINE, DIESEL: 8 CYLINDER, NATURALLY ASPIRATED,
FUEL-INJECTED, WATER COOLED,
DDA MODEL 6.2 LITER (SERIAL NUMBER 1-99,999)
(NSN 2815-01-231-3672), (SERIAL NUMBER 100,000 AND ABOVE)
(NSN 2815-01-314-7940) (1990);

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

it would be good to get the wiring harness with the engine if you could. Ido know they usually have a dual battery system and glow plugs. they also have a weird looking fuel filter/water separetor. the good thing is the wiring diagram should be easy to find if you need to wire it from scratch. they had hydro boost brake systems so you could incorporate that into your build if you wanted.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

it comes with the full wiring harness! so that's a plus. I'm leaving for Poland this weekend to celebrate Xmas and new years there with my in-laws, so I've agreed that we'll pick up the engine the first week of January.

Oh and we've come up with the brilliant idea to add turbo's.. yes plural.
Not super big ones, just to add a little extra grunt...and coal.

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Awesome!,

The Dutch Diesel Brothers!!

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

here is a link for the banks turbo kit that gm used. not cheap but maybe you can find a used system somewhere. some info anyway.

https://usdieselparts.com/i-13464441...-2l-25241.html

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Thanks and I already found that one, indeed pricy.
So the casting number I posted on the 16th is obviously not the engine ID plate. where do I find it? I thought all chevy v8's had it on the back behind the left cylinder row (from drivers view)

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

We haven't really givin it much thought. First IT had to fit our workshop

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Hope everybody had a great Christmas, as I mentioned I went to Poland to spend time with the in-laws...must have gained 15 pounds..

Anyway, back to business. first we drove to Lelystad ("Lilly-town") to pick up the truck we bought on our recent trip to Riverside CA.

https://myalbum.com/photo/oGTX4iTISZjS/360.jpg
I know it's the wrong brand! but this 1970 F250 XLT Ranger is squeaky clean, drive's great and is definitely well looked after. we paid $4000,- and I think thats a very decent price.

seeing we still had some sunlight left, we decided to cut the last piece of the Viking off.
https://myalbum.com/photo/T7mnWNlUoIOb/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/Zlo5c1Wq26ru/360.jpg

We had some luck, because we wanted to flip it over on it's topside, so it would be easier to cut into pieces..it almost went into the cab!
https://myalbum.com/photo/zkoFFD75IZVk/360.jpg
https://myalbum.com/photo/vDwepzvlyQXB/360.jpg

lets cut it up!!
https://myalbum.com/photo/EotNg41DpqQH/360.jpg

Oh in looks already so much better with the empty frame!

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Yesterday did a 300 mile round trip to pick up our 6.2L Diesel with Th400 for the Viking
https://myalbum.com/photo/p0giprNyGKhj/360.jpg

My poor C10 did the job without any hassles, but I did notice the +/- 900 pounds perched in the back. It doesn't lean back to bad, but the rear coil springs and dampers are a bit soft, especially going over speed-bumps! I hate speed-bumps... and the Dutch suburbia are littered with these #@$$#%# (rimes with Other Puckers)
But after 2,5 hours, mainly highway and doing 55mph, I got back to our garage and we borrowed a forklift to get it out.
https://myalbum.com/photo/IbydPGA0e8a5/360.jpg

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Nice Ford Steve!
Also lekker bezig on the Viking!!

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Wow, that was a scary moment when the back almost hit the cab!

Good to see the C10 handled the load. I dislike speed bumps too, and appreciate your rhymes with humor. Had a good chuckle on a bleak day!

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

Hope the bleak day was just because of the weather and nothing more serious.


Today I dropped off another load of old metal to our recycling guy. Still had the hydraulic mechanism from the Viking laying around and had to get rid of an old 4-cyl Merc Diesel engine, gearbox and some other stuff (I've rented the nextdoor garage as well because between the F250, the viking chassis and the space we need when we take the cab and front-clip off, a double garage just didn't cut it.

anyway the metal man, as I will refer to him, has an excavator but today he had the metal cutter on it instead of the normal "grabber" (don't know what you call it) Metal man said he could pick the parts out of my c10 bed anyway.. of course he drops the hydraulic arms from 7' high right on the back of my opened tailgate!! (+/- 200 lbs) miraculously the tailgate survived with only a dent and closing a bit more difficult. Then Metal man tried to pick up the diesel Merc engine by the oil filter housing...a couple new dents in the bed are the consequence. In total he lifted off 1400lbs which in returns got me $75,- enough to buy a decent bottle of scotch to help me forget about the damages :)

Tuesday morning the DMV guy is coming by, so we can discuss with him about shortening the wheelbase by either cutting the frame, or just bringing the rear axle forward. He can also have a look at the 6.2 Diesel and tell us if he expects any trouble there with some sort of compliance.
(Unfortunately the Dutch government is very strict on hod-rods)

Re: 1958 Chevy 60 Viking
 

“Houston: Tranquility Base here; the Eagle has landed”
DMV guy came by and gave us the green light to proceed!

He put a couple of tags on the chassis and cab, so that when we make the changes and bring it to the DMV for re-certification, they can see all the original parts are still there.

he also gave us a good advice, because they're allergic for engine swaps, especially if the new engine is completely different...lets say 261 straight six turns into V8 diesel. So he said first get the chassis certified and thén swap the engine.

we also decided we'll bring the rear axle forward, instead of cutting a piece out of the frame for structural integrity.