Father/Son '58 GMC 4x4 Build

[dyno]

My 14 year old son and I have been working on restoring this '58 GMC that we found on Craigslist for 400.00. This is going to be his first truck! We plan on doing a full restoration and 4x4 conversion over the next year. I built a '58 over 30 years ago and just fell in love with these trucks. Now it's time to pass on that passion, some valuable skills and have some fun working together.

[Rods57]

Welcome to the forum, love to see more people in Idaho on here. let us know what you need and make sure to post lots of pictures. lots of resources here in ID as well.

[meter swinger]

GMC, fleetside, NAPCO? Very nice truck for 400$. Looking forward to more pics.
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[Wheelie]

Very cool! I look forward to the progress pics.

[dyno]

Thanks...pics are coming. We are not doing a Napco conversion, but have collected all the drivetrain parts from 80's chevy trucks, including leaf springs...on the cheap! We decided to go with a short box step side, so we shortened the frame.

[_Ogre]

nice find. you couldn't find a 58 hood for that price in michigan

[dyno]

Drove it home spewing old, stinky gas from bad fuel pump...




Let the fun begin.


Dillon, lifting out the old 336.


Found all the drive train parts also on Craigslist; SM465, NP205, 4:11 axles, leaf springs and hangers, all for 250.00


Found this 283 out of a '63 Chevy that never left the farm for 125.00. We will do the rebuild on it soon.

[dyno]

The boy wanted a stepside short bed, so we found one in good shape. Time to shorten the frame.

[dyno]

Here we are putting the new springs and axles under the stock shortened frame. We used a shorter set of 72 Chevy truck front leaf springs that were very close to the same length as the stock springs. Used rear leaf springs and hangers from an 80's Chevy.






Here is some front shackle detail. Just used stock location, welded a bushing on the outside and steel brace on the inside. The rear brackets I made for the rear are a bit on the "hungus" side...

[dyno]

Re-posting the first pic of this thread. For some reason, it got lost in photobucket. Is there any way to edit older posts?

My son Dillon and his first rig:

[wayne4252004]

Looks like fun. Keep the pics coming.

[blue57]

Looking good.

[6BT 56]

I saw in the 58 dump thread you wanted to know abt pitman arms . I used a dodge box in mine . Almost identical to a gm one . I had a second hole remed out with the same taper in abt 1 inch away from the orriginal hole Clears fine now I haven't even cut the end off of the pitman arm yet . It was reall y just the tie rod end that was hitting . there maay be a pic in the end of my thread . if not then i can get you some for sure

[dyno]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

I saw in the 58 dump thread you wanted to know abt pitman arms . I used a dodge box in mine . Almost identical to a gm one . I had a second hole remed out with the same taper in abt 1 inch away from the orriginal hole Clears fine now I haven't even cut the end off of the pitman arm yet . It was reall y just the tie rod end that was hitting . there maay be a pic in the end of my thread . if not then i can get you some for sure

Thanks...I will go over to your build thread and see if I can find some pics of the box. BTW, we have a second build coming up after this one is finished. My kid wants to do a Cummins in a 58 4x4.

[6BT 56]

make sure you have a good strong eng hoist...... lol

[dyno]

We have been making good progress over the past few weeks now that all the cutting and buffing is finally done. Assembly time!

[dyno]

Decided that orange motor did not look right with the red truck...re-paint!

[dyno]

Got everything re-wired in a couple days. Decided to splurge on Auto Meter gauges and billet dash. Figured I better make a pigtail for easy removal of the cluster.

[dyno]

Raptor lined under all the fenders, inside bed/tailgate, floor pan, behind seat and steps. It's a great product.

[6BT 56]

Man that truck sure looks nice . I wish I had the patience and skills to do body work like that . That was the big appeal to my truck . If I went with the old shop truck theme it didn't need paint . Keep up the good work. What wheel tire combo is going on it ? Did you get your steering worked out?

[dyno]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Man that truck sure looks nice . I wish I had the patience and skills to do body work like that . That was the big appeal to my truck . If I went with the old shop truck theme it didn't need paint . Keep up the good work. What wheel tire combo is going on it ? Did you get your steering worked out?

Thanks! I think I'm going with the Mickey Thompson MTZ 35/12.5r17 on mod wheels. I wish they had 35's with a little narrower section width as I like the tall-skinny look. My kid gives me grief about it though telling me it's going to look like an "old man truck'' if we do that! The Ididit chrome tilt column is going in today.

[_Ogre]

color me impressed dyno
nice progress in 2 years

[dyno]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

color me impressed dyno
nice progress in 2 years

Thanks Ogre...I struggled with the color as I have 2 other red trucks, but this baby was screaming for it.

[SCHRUMGMC]

That is what I am shooting for, LineX on the cab floor and other places.. How much did it run you?

[dyno]

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

That is what I am shooting for, LineX on the cab floor and other places.. How much did it run you?

It's called Raptor Liner, bought it at a local body shop supplier. I think it was about 130 for the kit, including the spray gun. Super easy to shoot and a really excellent product. I went thru 2 kits to do everything including under the fenders.