Do I need called to repentance???

[NKenny]

I just brought home a '58 Chevy Fleetside longbed that was abandoned (Really in fair shape for what it is). The '58 is unique in that it was the first year for the fleetside longbed and Chevy's first year with two headlights.



I am planning on builiding it with the 6b, getrag, and np205 from my '93 Dodge. I will also likely use a dana 60 and 70 from a '90 Cummins Dodge. I really would like to use an NV5600, but that is not likely going to happen.



I think the VE 12V Cummins would be a great match for this project. What are other opinions. Am I breaking the ethical code of not swapping with a Chevy driveline. I think a 1st gen drivetrain in a classic truck would be great.

 

[PKozlowski]

Wow, from what I can see that is in great shape!

I wish I could find somthing like that.

Have fun!!

 

[DValentine]

Go for it. I have a 66 chevy K 20 and have entertained the same thoughts. I just haven't gotten outside of thinking about it. Have you thought of swapping the 58 body onto a regular cab chassis?

Dave

 

[Sri Ram]

Right on! Those old Chevys are among my favorite classic trucks, especially the Apache. I say if you have the time and determination, then go for it. That truck would make a sweet conversion. I'd like to echo what Dave said. Might be doable…Be sure to post in the Cummins/Diesel Conversions forum on this site.

 

[NKenny]

Have you thought of swapping the 58 body onto a regular cab chassis?

The trouble with the chassis I have is that the truck was lightly rolled twice so the chasis was broken bad... So, I chopped the chasis a bit and was going to use it as a base for a rock-crawler. Preliminary thoughts are to build a chassis using rectangular tubing rather than putting all of the efforts in to strengthening a 50 yr. old 1/2 ton chassis to hold up to a Cummins. I think it will be a bit more effective along the whole build process to have a clean, square frame to work off of.

 

[TJJEEPER]

Very cool My Dad had one just like that new in '58. Nice that it has the small rear window too. The full rear window was a cooker.

I agree with tossing the stock frame. It'll never hold up to the torque without a LOT of reinforcement. As other have said, maybe see if you can mount the body on a stock frame? But then a custom frame will allow some nice suspension mods (Coil overs, tri link, etc?)

Keep us updated!

 

[RedRamAndy]

Cool! I wouldn't feel bad about the 'ethics' of your swap. Heck, I put a Plymouth 400 and 727 TorqueFlite into a '69 Ford F100 I had some years back. I got the strangest looks when I started that Ford in the parking lot. :-laf
I love your idea! I have a '54 Chevy 1 ton and the frame under that truck makes the one under my 89 D250 look like a toy. Sorry, but the old Chev is really way over-designed. If the old Apache is a half-ton, probably too light. If it were a 3/4, you might have been close.
Some of that old iron is a lot stronger and purer than the later model material that contains recycled elements.
Good Luck!!

 

[Niki]

Its a cool project, but you might be better off starting w/ a 3/4 or one ton if you want to put a 6bt in it. A 4b would be a cool swap too.

I'm so jealous of you southwestern guys and your dry climate. Everything there is soooo solid, while everything in the midwest is rusted junk. I'd like to pick up a car hauler and fill a warehouse full of solid cars/trucks.

 

[MEby]

Go for it, I have entertained putting a 4bt in my 64' chevy c-10. Besides this is america, put in whatever you darn well please.