1959 ford f-500 superior 4 window

[Lilbitfurthur]

Update on the remodel : we have liftoff!! New frame is ready , way beefier than the original ! Dry fitting her on frame to get everything just right,...mucho cleanup underneath but soon we'll be getting to fun stuff. Sorry if pics are sideways....🤔

[Rwnielsen]

That's gonna be awesome

[Ronnie]

Nice job, it is going to be a great bus.

[Lilbitfurthur]

Thanks Ronnie and Rwnielsen, I'm pretty stoked to be getting her on the road again. Been in family for over 30 years, she's very special to me.

[peteg59]

Looks good. Always great to see another "vintage" bus getting a new life!

What is the newer chassis, and what is it powered with?

[Lilbitfurthur]

She's going on a 1998 chevy k3500 4x4, vortec 350, 5 speed manual . I wanted a motor I could work on, get parts anywhere and not break the bank if I had to have a shop fix it. Probably not the ideal motor for some, but the old girl went all over the country , loaded down and towing 30 ft rv , with the straight 223. So a small block v8 will be way more get-up, and hopefully not too bad on gas.

[peteg59]

Can't go wrong there!
Good luck on finishing it.
Post progress pics if you can...

[Lilbitfurthur]

Lil update, everything going good so far...shes down on new frame and fits great! Grill is fitted to new radiator assembly , more work to be done on firewall and sides. Decided to replace floor ....🤔😖😳 I will gain 1 1/4 inch so that's pretty awesome for me at 6'3".

[peteg59]

2 thumbs up on your progress!!

I guess if you're going that far, you might as well make it "fit" properly as well.

[Lilbitfurthur]

Peteg59 a lot of the sheet metal floor needed repalcing anyway, so this was a viable option . it will be stout when im done with her ��

[Lilbitfurthur]

Progress is good. Floor was in pretty bad shape, and this was definitely the way to go

[RamRod4]

This is good stuff. Keep the pics coming. Your fit up looks great on the crossmembers and sheetmetal.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Originally Posted by Lilbitfurthur

She's going on a 1998 chevy k3500 4x4, vortec 350, 5 speed manual . I wanted a motor I could work on, get parts anywhere and not break the bank if I had to have a shop fix it. Probably not the ideal motor for some, but the old girl went all over the country , loaded down and towing 30 ft rv , with the straight 223. So a small block v8 will be way more get-up, and hopefully not too bad on gas.

cool you get the whole upgrade platform and something you can work on.
i can and can not believe chevy put a 350 in a 3500?opinion?
love what you are doing but even in this day and age that little inline 6 might have more torque than that 350?
not questioning what you are doing or the powertrain. i have always built mine and never needed the computer but i am an old school mechanic and my oldest son is the new school mechanic.
an inline motor by design makes more torque than a v style.
once again not questioning your decision.
dont know that the 350 is going to be happy? but i dont know horsepower/torque specs on it yet? should be up there in a 3500 class.
van,truck,cutaway,flatbed?
looking good and i love a 350

[Lilbitfurthur]

Well I hope the 350 is happy....it came out of a service body truck. I'm ok with the same horsepower, just want something easy to work on and easy to get parts, time will tell if it was the right decision ....

[Ronnie]

the 350 has so many after market goodies available for it you can make it whatever hp you want. Turbos, blowers, heads, stroker cranks. Lots of options even for mild builds.

[RamRod4]

That 350 makes just as much if not more hp than any of the diesels we have in the same vintage fullsize buses. Torque will be lacking but that can be fixed with the correct gear ratios and number of gears. Lots of old C3500 rollbacks that haul 5-7k with a 350 or 454 gasser. They're just not geared like a 1/2 ton pickup

[Lilbitfurthur]

Good to know. I'm thinking the rear end has 4:11 but will have to confirm .

[Lilbitfurthur]

Rear end is 4:10, not sure what that translates to with 36" tires....but I'm thinking it will be fine. Floor is done, working on pedals and dash , seam seal , and getting closer to having body ready for paint...

[Lilbitfurthur]

Things are progressing well! Couldn't be happier with how it's falling into place

[Lilbitfurthur]

45 gal gas tank is mounted, rear bumper is fabricated and looks proper, front bumper in perfect spot. Will be taking her off frame soon to paint and undercoat