espo Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 1 hour ago, Zippi said: I worked on the 59 this morning and got the bed glued into the body, hood fitting good, and the bed cover fitting even though it may not be used. I also worked on the tailgate for some time but unforgivably I don't see it being operational. I can get it looking pretty good if I glue in shut but if I try and leave it operational it won't line up right as far as the taillights and I want that to look nice. The kits hinge setup for the tailgate is a little loose and the tailgate sort of flops around when opening and closing. I would use a small section of metal tubing in the body and a corresponding size metal pin in the tailgate for a smooth working hinge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcoat Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 2 hours ago, Zippi said: I worked on the 59 this morning and got the bed glued into the body, hood fitting good, and the bed cover fitting even though it may not be used. I also worked on the tailgate for some time but unforgivably I don't see it being operational. I can get it looking pretty good if I glue in shut but if I try and leave it operational it won't line up right as far as the taillights and I want that to look nice. Opening doors I can see since there is something to look at inside. Opening hood is needed if there is an engine in there. Opening trunk, well maybe, if you have filled it with something other than air. Opening tailgate on a truck? Why bother? are you planning to throw bags of cement in there and need the lowered tailgate? That is a left over function from when models were more toys. Glue that puppy shut and sleep soundly at night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 23, 2023 Author Share Posted January 23, 2023 2 hours ago, espo said: The kits hinge setup for the tailgate is a little loose and the tailgate sort of flops around when opening and closing. I would use a small section of metal tubing in the body and a corresponding size metal pin in the tailgate for a smooth working hinge. Thanks for the info man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 23, 2023 Author Share Posted January 23, 2023 1 hour ago, Tcoat said: Opening doors I can see since there is something to look at inside. Opening hood is needed if there is an engine in there. Opening trunk, well maybe, if you have filled it with something other than air. Opening tailgate on a truck? Why bother? are you planning to throw bags of cement in there and need the lowered tailgate? That is a left over function from when models were more toys. Glue that puppy shut and sleep soundly at night. I hear ya man. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransAmMike Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 I agree about the operational tailgate..really whats the point. Anyway, its coming along Buddy and will be a cool build. Decide on an engine yet?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 8 minutes ago, TransAmMike said: I agree about the operational tailgate..really whats the point. Anyway, its coming along Buddy and will be a cool build. Decide on an engine yet?? Thanks Buddy. Probably going with the kit engine. I will need to change out the pully system for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBLNG Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 I like to have an operating tailgate if possible, but that doesn’t look like an easy one to do. I’m sure it will be a real looker when you are done with it Bob.😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 (edited) Warning- Not For Sensitive Eyes! Here’s what I’ve got! The Olde Kustom Kollection is back! Found in a junk box at a show eons ago. Some kid poured his soul into this one. It is from the kit’s original release. The cage on the bed was filled with tires when I got it. It had no tail lights so I added red round pin heads. (After this photo) The trailer with the red fur bed came to me in a separate transaction but hey the Elkie had a hitch! Edited January 24, 2023 by Tom Geiger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 34 minutes ago, NOBLNG said: I like to have an operating tailgate if possible, but that doesn’t look like an easy one to do. I’m sure it will be a real looker when you are done with it Bob.😎 Thanks Greg. I'm still looking at the tailgate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 6 minutes ago, Tom Geiger said: Warning- Not For Sensitive Eyes! Here’s what I’ve got! The Olde Kustom Kollection is back! Found in a junk box at a show eons ago. Some kid poured his soul into this one. It is from the kit’s original release. The cage on the bed was filled with tires when I got it. It had no tail lights so I added red round pin heads. (After this photo) The trailer with the red fur bed came to me in a separate transaction but hey the Elkie had a hitch! Pretty kewl looking. I'm liking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 On 1/22/2023 at 11:28 AM, espo said: Look forward to your build. The body chrome trim is a little vague probably due to the age of the tooling. The front suspension has three settings and the lowest one doesn't leave a lot of oil pan clearance if you're trying to lower it. I enjoyed my build and look forward to another sometime soon. As requested, a couple of pictures of the last '59 El Camino. I have a question for ya David about the ride height of your 59. Is your rear axle in the stock location and where are your stub axles located. Top, Middle, or bottom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 I think I got all the mold lines on the body cleaned up and ready for paint. The taillights look pretty good and lined up. Waiting on some good weather to paint. Even though the temp and humidity in the garage are ideal for painting, I'll wait til the weather outside is nice. I'm in no big hurry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 2 hours ago, Zippi said: I have a question for ya David about the ride height of your 59. Is your rear axle in the stock location and where are your stub axles located. Top, Middle, or bottom? Good afternoon Bob. I did some frame and suspension surgery to get the lowered ride height I wanted. Starting in the front. I cut the kits coil springs along with thinning the frame cross member and the part that has the lower control arms attached. The spindles were shortened and the mounting pins for the tires are in the highest setting holes. This allowed me to push the lower control arms higher so that the front sits as low as it will go and still have the engine oil pan as well as the lower control arms not touch the ground. For the rear suspension I cut the kits coil springs and drilled out the upper shock mounting point so that the shocks went up into the frame plate. I raised the differential to the point that the drive shaft just clears the bed floor. Hope this helps with your build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 42 minutes ago, espo said: Good afternoon Bob. I did some frame and suspension surgery to get the lowered ride height I wanted. Starting in the front. I cut the kits coil springs along with thinning the frame cross member and the part that has the lower control arms attached. The spindles were shortened and the mounting pins for the tires are in the highest setting holes. This allowed me to push the lower control arms higher so that the front sits as low as it will go and still have the engine oil pan as well as the lower control arms not touch the ground. For the rear suspension I cut the kits coil springs and drilled out the upper shock mounting point so that the shocks went up into the frame plate. I raised the differential to the point that the drive shaft just clears the bed floor. Hope this helps with your build. Thanks for all the info David. It did help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slotto Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 I've got one of these in the chamber too. I'm liking the look of yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 27, 2023 Author Share Posted January 27, 2023 12 hours ago, Slotto said: I've got one of these in the chamber too. I'm liking the look of yours Thanks man. It's going slow on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Nice start Bob, always enjoy your work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 27, 2023 Author Share Posted January 27, 2023 1 hour ago, slusher said: Nice start Bob, always enjoy your work! Much appreciated Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted January 27, 2023 Author Share Posted January 27, 2023 I got a little of the 348 engine put together thank's to the new Dehydrator getting the paint dry enough to handle the parts. I also got the coil over shocks made up. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobo2me Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 Hey Zippi; My best...so far. Best wishes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 Looks great so far Bob ! Good call on the tailgate (why open it?) and using the 348 from the kit , one of the nicest available ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted February 10, 2023 Author Share Posted February 10, 2023 5 hours ago, Lobo2me said: Hey Zippi; My best...so far. Best wishes That looks pretty kewl Steve. Thanks for the pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted February 10, 2023 Author Share Posted February 10, 2023 47 minutes ago, TooOld said: Looks great so far Bob ! Good call on the tailgate (why open it?) and using the 348 from the kit , one of the nicest available ! Thanks man. I appreciated it. It's been on the back burner as I've been working on other projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 Saw this pop up and thought you were back after it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted February 10, 2023 Author Share Posted February 10, 2023 15 minutes ago, espo said: Saw this pop up and thought you were back after it. Yeah, I need to get some paint on the body. I got a little side tracked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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