In a message dated 11/21/99 10:05:22 PM Pacific Standard Time,
jforbes@primenet.com writes:
> Hi...wierd, I'm trying to turn my 57 Suburban into a 59! If you have
> any nice 58-59 fenders you want to give away in the Arizona are, please
> let me know!
>
> The 58-59 frames are longer, by 2 or 3 inches, at the very front where
> the bumper bolts on. You can probably cut off the end of the frame and
> drill new holes to fix this. Also, the radiator supports are differen,
> the bracket that is riveted to the frame will be in the wrong place, and
> I think also the wrong height.
You know Jim,
I've been trying to tell folks this for years, but everyone said "Oh no, I
measure the frames, they're the same".
I converted my '59 to a '55/6/7 and after it's all together it looks the
same...until you mount up the front bumper, and sticks out some.
I've left mine as is, and one day will whack off a bit from the frame,
probaly when I swap out the '55/6 grille for the '57.
I didn't do any modification for the radiator and brackets or anything,
they're still sitting where they were with the '59 sheetmetal, I did have to
do a little modding to the hood latch though, I had two or three different
ones, don't recall how many, but none of the arm bend angles were correct.
>
> The wiper motor thing: The 55-57 trucks used an electric motor similar
> to the 55-57 car motor. The 58-59 trucks used a 58 car electric motor,
> which is quite a bit bigger and mounts way different. So, you could
> probably (not sure, so don't quote me) use a 55-57 motor in any TF
> truck, but you CANNOT use a 58-59 motor in a 55-57 truck. I think all
> the vacuum motors are the same.
>
> The front fender stuff looks the same where it bolts to the cab. I
> haven't tried it yet...I really ought to before I get too far along!
I had no problems going from the '59 to the single head lght fender, you
shouldn't have one going the other way.
>
> Jim
Mike
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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