58 Fleetside
 

My name is TJ, first time poster and to make a long story short; I was given a 1958 Fleetside in High School but my Father wouldn't let me bring it home and I've wanted one ever since. Recently got a 1/2 ton short box and I'm in the middle of a LS1, 700R4 swap and chassis upgrade. Waiting on my No Limit kit to come in. Wondering if anyone has any pictures of their task force with the No limit kit installed? Also, for those with rack and pinion, is anyone running an OEM steering column? I was thinking of putting in a Caddy tilt, telescoping column. Last question, is anyone running a Mustang 5 lug 8.8, and how does it fit?

Thanks, TJ Higgins

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Welcome, we like pix. Check out the build threads there are a lot of us that has all different kinds of IFS set ups. I have a ls and a 4l60e in my truck and love it. I have never seen a OEM column hooked up to a rack, don't think it can be done with out a lot of mods. OrrieG has a caddy column in his truck. I myself and a bunch more run the 8.8 and it works real nice. The explorer model is the good fit. With your overdrive tranny the 3:73 gears posi track and rear disc brakes are a nice upgrade for around 200 bucks, can't beat that.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Welcome to the site and please post pics.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Here she is. Got the motor ready sitting on a pallet, frame is now bare waiting for my No Limit kit (hopefully Friday). Need to make a decision about the firewall, Patch or replace? For the record I did not do that...

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

cool project love those fleetsides and :welcome2:

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Is that a 5.3 or a 6.0? I really like the 4l60e over the 700r4, I know that you have to have a computer to run it and you can't use the stock speedo. I've got both in old cars and the 4l60 out proforms it bad. JMO You can check out my thread project 2 wd http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=368287 I put a speed wat IFS under mine.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Black Diesel. I wanted a 4l80e but this truck is going to be my daily driver and budget is a primary concern. engine is a 5.3, planning on swapping cams and intake after I get it on the road. I'm scrambling to find a column, air management kit and a rearend since I blew all my money on the chassis. What year 8.8 are you running, and what is your rim offset? I have a nice set of 15x10 rally’s that I want to run, but they have a real sallow offset (4.5). Still need to make a frame tank, smooth the firewall and install the chassis. Saw your Dodge in your 1 piece window video, nice.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Got nine boxes from UPS today, now I just need time.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Welcome to the site. It sounds like you've got a really nice project happening. Keep that camera going, we want to see what you do with the contents of them nine boxes.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Finally got the cross member out (not fun without a torch) and the frame shaped up. Notched the frame for the No Limit cross member, thought I could save the factory E-brake mount (couldn't). Drilled out the firewall spot welds getting ready for my new one on Monday. Doing the work at the auto hobby shop on base, they don't have 220v. Need to find a generator so I can get this welded up.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

I've always liked the late 50's trucks. Nice project! Should be fun when its done!

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

welcome fellow short fleet!

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Successful day, today was half price day at the wreaking yard. Got a 3.73 limited slip with disc brakes, aluminum drive shaft, and a telescoping Cadillac steering column for $160

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Nice score there. I got the aluminum shaft out of the explorer all so. All I had to do is get a u-joint that the cross was big on one side than the other, to put it to my chevy slip yoke and it was the prefect length.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Sweet, thats what I like to hear. I figured worse case senerio I would put the explorer end on my shaft since I can't find the spicer adapter. Direct sheetmetal is right down the street so I'm picking up my firewall tomorrow. Hopefully I can get this 220v thing figured out so I can start welding. Started tearing apart that Caddy column. Thought I could weld up the ignition hole with some fill rod, but turns out the column in magnesium so not sure what I'm going to do now.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

I've seen guys cut the switch off and fill it with J-B weld and worked great.

Finally got a 58 Fleetside
 

Picked up my Firewall today. Got it rough fitted. Really wanted to start tacking it in, but was you can see from the pictures the previous owner was not an electrician. Gonna clean up that mess first. Still need to make the bottom patch panels to fix more of the prior owners mistakes.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Progress, finally. Had to borrow a generator to power my welder.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

That looks preetty good.
Kim

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Welcome to the site. You have the looks of a good build. Im also doing the 5.3 and 8.8 explorer rear in my 59. What are your plans for rear suspension? No limit fat bar?

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

I checked out your build last night, I'm a little jealous. I have always wanted a 58 Fleet and this one is replacing my 72 Malibu Wagon as my daily driver. I have given myself a three month deadline to get the truck on the road so I threw a bunch of money at it and bought the full No Limit airbag chassis package. I'm a month into it and behind schedule...

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Progress. mock up the motor this weekend.

Re: Finally got a 58 Fleetside, New to this site.
 

Nice work! Good luck with the time line! Keep the updates coming. In the link to Blindmans build he's got the No-Limit IFS with coilovers and Fat-Bar rear.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=377388

Re: 58 Fleetside
 

thats an alsome build dude looks great

Re: 58 Fleetside
 

looking good, keep it up!!!