realized i spelled chassis worn.. i guess i cant edit title


Hello,

  Im new to these forums, ive been looking through them for a couple of days and i have to say you guys are great...

Here is what i got as a project....

1958 Chevy Apache Longbed

Im first wanting to  make it a short bed. Ive seen prject shorty and seen some other forum post but cant seem to find one of anyone doing it to 55-59... Would like to get some measurements. So if anyone could help me out there it would be great..

Next to the rear suspension..

Planning on going with TCI 4 link wandering what rearend you guys would recomend. Wanting disk brakes all the way around. Would it be best to just go buy a blazer rear end like i have seen in the forums.. I know whatever i get it will have to weld the 4 link brackets to them. it will be strictly a show truck so anyone have any ideas here would be appreciated..

Then the front suspension.

I want to go with the TCI Mustang II front end with 2" drop spindles.. what modifications am i going to have to make for a v8 ... Anyone have any links to a mustang II install in  a  55-59

thanks again for all your help guys...  

Don't worry about your spelling. I noticed we have dual master, spelled duel... Oh well. Anyways, what kind of budget do you have, and how much skill and time? If you can afford it, the absolute best way to go is to buy a rolling shortbed chassis. TCI Engineering, Morrison, Jim  Meyer, Fatman Fabrications, this is just a few good manufacturers that have a Tr-Five chassis.  

well  i want to try to stay away from buying a new chassis... i just got my truck in from oklahoma im wanting to measure the frame looking for some measurements now...

Im an auto body collision tech so this is the same type of work that i do i just do it on new cars.

thanks  

Bingo, that's what I needed to know. There's a lot of people out there that have never put air in their tires, or checked the oil, and now with the help of some Internet wizard are going to whack their frame.

With the skills you have you shouldn't have any problems. If you can weld, and understand the basics you are good to go.

And of course if its just going to be one of those "show trucks" all it needs to do is lay flat on the ground and then pump up high enough to get back on the trailer right, or are going to drive it?  

i want to be able to drive it for sure lol... no trailer queen but very nice...

are the frames on a 57 the same as 58-59  i think i can buy a 57 shortbed frame bfore chopping this one if it will work ok... i cant find any specs on these frames...  

There you go, yes the '55-59 frames are all the same. I'm sure its sold by now, but Brother's had a shortbed frame on their bulletin board for $300.00. One thing good about a frame from Calif. is they are almost never rusty.

I bought a '56 frame for my '53 F-100 for $800.00 that was all set-up. The guy went to a TCI Engineering frame.

Yeah, I thought maybe the TQ remark would get a rise... Glad to hear you're gonna drive it! That's what trucks are for.  

Sorry for the typo John, if it is super critical I will change the title spelling. Either way it's still pulling in hits.  

i ordered an assembly book for it im hoping it will have some dimensions because i cant find any... need to know how long the shortbed frame is and how long the wheel base is... anyone got any refrences..????  

1955-59 chevy factory assembly manual shows the wheel base to be 114" and overall lenght to be 178" for 3100 series truck. I hope that helps.  

I don't know if this helps, but Project Old School they cut 8 inches off the rear and 12 in front of the rear wheels.  

yeah i ordered a manual so hopefull i can compare what i got to what i want...

anyone got any suggestions on rear ends... what has everyone gone with????  

I used a 1980 camaro rear-end. Works fine. Which ever rear-end you use You will need to buy a kit to convert the stock rear-end to a 3" rear-end.