58/59 Single Cab

I guess I will start a build thread on my newest project. I'm not sure what to call it. The title says 59, but the numbers and everything about the truck say 58. My plans are to put a 4" narrowed beam up front with flipped spindles and IRS type 3 suspension in the back. I have a 2165 turbo motor for it. I am going to have a set of crows feet rims and a set of speedmasters to switch around every now and then. I have already made the turbo header for the motor and repaired the butchered wheel openings. I have also installed the IRS brackets and am ready to narrow the torsion housing. Today I decided I had to have dual treasure chest, so I cut a hole in the side of a perfectly good and rust free body. After I'm done, you won't be able to tell it from factory. So don't you purist freak out. Here are a few pics to start out.

Did have that done when we were there today?

bakertim2 wrote:Did have that done when we were there today?

Nope, did it a couple hours ago,

It's ok, once the purists see the word "turbo", they generally leave, since having a turbo usually entails cutting holes, and hacking the body for intakes, exhausts, etc., lol.

one day i hope to be rich enough to buy an all origional split oval, and hack it into a baja, and post very graphic, and details pics on thesamba

anyhoo, nice bus. i hope its done by yubuggin next year.

I finished the type 3 IRS install and narrowed my torsion housing. I re-welded the housing ends 10 degree's up so I have plenty of travel for the spring plates. I also notched the plates so I have unlimited travel in case I want to go extremely low. I also have raised the steering box 1 1/2 inch's. Almost ready for the blaster, then the body shop!





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Just...WOW.

what mounts did you use for the rear control arms? i'm thinking about getting some of the bolt on ones so i can make adjustments while setting up the suspension then weld them in place

Thats the same way my torsion is narrowed. The only way to go if you want to stuff some big meats under there. I was running a 225 and could still get my hand between the tire and spring plate and between the tire and fender lip. Good stuff!!

callahan wrote:what mounts did you use for the rear control arms? i'm thinking about getting some of the bolt on ones so i can make adjustments while setting up the suspension then weld them in place

I used the stock type 3 mounts that I cut off . I made a jig to keep them at the exact placement as they were on the type 3 housing. I had to modify the trans horns to set them inboard so I didn't have to narrow the trailing arms. I wanted everything to have the stock geometry. I figure the Germans knew more about what worked than me. It's alot of work doing it this way, but it turned out sweet.

bumblebuggy wrote:Just...WOW.

Ditto. Awesome work Hank!

Yes that is some serious work there Hank!

Hank repost your pictures they have been deleted by photobucket. wanted to check em out.

Knumb Knucks wrote:Hank repost your pictures they have been deleted by photobucket. wanted to check em out.

x2 wanted to take a look at you control arm mounts. getting ready to tackle mine

callahan wrote:

Knumb Knucks wrote:Hank repost your pictures they have been deleted by photobucket. wanted to check em out.

x2 wanted to take a look at you control arm mounts. getting ready to tackle mine

I deleted the pics on photobucket by mistake. I will take more and post tomorrow.

awesome thanks

Here are a couple concept drawings a friend of mine did for my latest projects.

awesome!

damn tht guy can draw! -looking good

Wow!!! That is a nice drawing!!!!

Looks awesome! Love those speedmasters!

Epic can't wait till its done

I lost the original photo's, but here are some I took today. I used a type 3 rear IRS. I made a jig to hold the brackets in there original spot before I cut them off the type 3 torsion housing. I then ground them to fit the type 2 torsion housing and cut my trans mounts to accept them. This is kinda tedious, because you want to have them fit as good as possible so you don't have any gaps to fill with weld. I also angled them up more than stock, so I could go pretty low and the geometry would remain the same. After you do this, you need to cut and narrow the torsion housing so you don't have to run offset spring plates. When I did this, I rotated the ends up so I won't have to notch my spring plates as much. Then comes modifying the spring plates. You must cut the spline portion off and lengthen them the same as the amount you narrowed the torsion housing. It's a ton of work, but this is supposed to be the most correct way of doing it.

Very Nice Hank,your work is allways innovative. You have a great talent.

Making a little progress. Made my inboard rear shock brackets tonight. Mounted them inside the frame to make room for some meats!


Made a new rear panel. Not original, but much cheaper than Gerson.





Also adapted my steering column to accept a Model T steering wheel.

Nice work! I think I am going to end up narrowing my rear torsion like you did and run the 68 swing that I have. I dont know if I will run bigger wheels/tires but it will be nice to have that extra room to get the rims on and off.