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My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Hello everyone, my name is Darcy. I have been silently lurking around the forums for a few months and have really enjoyed reading up on others builds and projects. Well it is finally time to start my own.
This is my 1958 GMC 100 stepside that I finally picked up in May of this year after about 20 years of watching this truck sit and wanting it so bad I couldn't stand it. I thought many times about asking the ower if he would part with her but I didn't really have the time or money for a project like this and I don't think the he was ready to sell her anyway. This year with a little coaxing and support from my beautiful fiancee I finally decided to hit the owner up about it and he sold it to me for a steal at $1200. So, I aired up the tires and towed it the 30 miles home. Here are the pics from the day that I picked her up. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psgmvao5zg.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psonlvy0lb.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psxvhx5p94.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psguo6f6vz.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psgx6rc2sb.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8edhlb07.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psx9b4v9sy.jpg The day after I got her home I decided to see if she would run after so many years of sitting and the POs yearly ritual of pouring gas in the carb and running it for a few seconds. So I put a fresh battery on her, checked the oil which looked like it could use a changing but was clean, and ran a fuel line from the pump to a gas can. I could get her to start on carb cleaner but was not getting fuel through the carb, so after checking the fuel pump off came the carburetor for a good cleaning. A couple of days later when that was finished it was time for attempt#2. This time she fired off and was running a little rough but would idle on her own. After a few minutes of idling I heard a clank in the motor and she sputtered and died. I was a little bummed at this point to say the least, but it was time to figure out what had happened so I broke out the compression tester and found that I didn't have any compression on cylinders 2,4, and 7.:no: So, time to tear the engine down and find out what happened. I pulled the valve covers off and what did I find. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pskijli2mj.jpg A missing push rod on cylinder #2. Now it was time to go a little further. I pulled the intake and found this http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psyhlhdqj6.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psdz9plt4r.jpg I have been doing my own engine work and helping buddies rebuild engines my whole life and this is the first broken pushrod I have ever seen. Time to dig deeper, so off come the heads. I don't have any good pictures of this part but what I found were stuck valves on the 3 cylinders that didn't have compression caused by an unbelievable amount of carbon build up and sticky residue left over from the many years of dumping fuel down the carbs and firing it up for a few seconds. Up to this point I had thought what the PO was doing was a good idea. Boy was I wrong! Since then the I have rebuilt the heads and replaced the stock intake and 2 bbl carburetor with an Edelbrock performer intake and an edelbrock 4 barrel carb. Now she purrs like a kitten. I wanted to get a little drive time in prior to tearing her down for a proper restore, so I Checked out the brakes, installed a salvage yard seat from a 1998 chevy pickup, replaced tires, and installed turn signals for safety. Here is a pic from our fist time out for a test drive. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psgky9jc9i.jpg After about 200 miles of driving and going to a car show and cruise near by I am finally ready to start the tear down. Here is how she sits today and some of the issues that I am going to be dealing with. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psqo5wayry.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psel47qmvp.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pspobmgh4j.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pspi1bsuma.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psipbg6akk.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psyniddkdk.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psysuvdwic.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psz6uonqfs.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pswm2pcocn.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psbhphxppj.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psb2guns8y.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psxaz9rgtz.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psf4ae8jv7.jpg I am looking forward to an comments or suggestions and want to thank everyone for looking. |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Welcome Darcy!
Nice find ;) Well, after twenty years of watching this truck and finally tow her home, you must be really glad and proud now you have her! What are your plans with the truck? |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Welcome!
Can't really offer much in the way of opinions or suggestions if you haven't stated what your intentions are for the truck. If it's a full frame off restoration there are LOTS of threads on the Project subforum. If you just want a reliable, clean driver I'll be immodest and suggest you look at the first 3/4's of my thread and get an idea what can be done with cleaning, fixing, repainting while still driving it. But there are plenty of other threads that show a lot of the same. Best of luck and keep the pictures coming! |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
I apologize. I should have put what my intentions were in the initial post, but honestly I still have not fully decided what I want to do with her. This is my first project so I probably won't do anything too drastic like a front clip or bags but definitely want to make her into a nice looking driver. I am working in a single car garage with very limited space, so what I am thinking about doing this winter is stripping all of the sheet metal and the cab off of the frame and stripping it down to bare metal and priming everything while replacing cab corners, floor pans, and the damaged passenger step. I am probably being a little optimistic but I hope to have her back together and drivable again for next years car show season. Once the season is over Ill decide what to do the following winter.
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Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Welcome.
Looks like a nice truck to start with. Kim |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
No need to apologize!
When you buy a project like this, ideas will formulate and change as you go! Getting it running as you did and taking care of any safety issues is the perfect start. |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Well here we go. The first evening of disassembly. I spent about 2 hours on getting her in the garage, removing the hood, grill, and headlight assemblies. Wow there sure is a lot of dirt hiding in there.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psxwejofay.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pse0npfgkg.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7g8osty8.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pstunvynrh.jpg |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
That's a good start.
You're going to find lots of surprises as you go along some good some bad. Kim |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
For a truck that has been sitting outside since 86 I definitely expect some surprises but hopefully a whole lot more good than bad.
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Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
After making a 180 mile trip up north last weekend to scavenge some needed parts and a few days of taking care of family duties I finally got in a good day of tear down today. No real big surprises. Just a lot more hidden dirt, a few broken bolts from being so badly rusted, and some rust holes on the inside of the passenger lower hinge pocket. I was kind of surprised to see that the truck was originally white and who ever did the last 2 paint jobs didn't even bother to remove the fenders or bed. Guess some people don't care what is hiding as long as it looks decent on the outside.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5mxgq9xl.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psnv9yrgph.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psovwpt5co.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psokq7ojio.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psruhonq2b.jpg |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Congratulations on your truck purchase. Looks pretty solid. Have fun with the build! Will be tagging along.
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Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Thanks Advanced Design. Glad to have you along for the ride.
Finally got a full day in today and got the cab disconnected and off of the frame. Dad helping me get it disconnected http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psyomha5pp.jpg Dad and my brother in law helping get it lifted off. Wow I didn't realize how heavy this cab is, http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psa8lkfdba.jpg After a long days work finally got it on the dolly and back in the garage. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psboeslowj.jpg |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Nice progress.
Great you have family helping you. Kim |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Well, you go pretty fast with the dismantle of the '58 :metal: ;)
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Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
I like your project! Good start so far!
If you decide to get rid of that rear bumper if be interested in it. |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Nice truck to start with, and I think you got it for a steal. You could get close to what you paid for it just for that GMC chrome grill.
Here's some advice from an old guy who just celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary: Keep the fiancé involved and happy that you have it. |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Welcome and good luck with the build....
wish I could see the pics but the work 'putor blocks all photos from photobucket! |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Thanks everyone for the compliments and words of encouragement.
Kim - I agree, it is a great thing to have family that is willing to help with things that would be difficult to do by your self and I am very fortunate to have a dad that is there with me every step of the way. Rockinkees - The quicker I can get her apart while still being organized as I possibly can be the quicker I can get to the long process of cleaning, repairing, and reassembling. Spring is going to be here before I know it and I sure would like to be able to drive her next summer. 71'Tahoe - I was actually thinking about posting the old work bumper for sale to see if anyone might need it. I plan on going back with either a chrome bumper or roll pan so it is not needed.. Let me know if you are interested and see if we can work something out. Russell - Thanks for the advice. I am very lucky to have her in my life. She is just as anxious to get her cleaned up and back on the road as I am. Not much progress to report in the last few days. Still working on disassembling the cab and trying to get it ready to start replacing bad sheet metal. Hopefully some progress this weekend and more pics. |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Good to see anther GMC. I have a 59 Gmc that is a lot more rusty than yours. Take a look at mine throughout my sig down below my name. Eager to see your progress as well
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Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
I finally managed to get a few hours in this weekend dismantling the cab. Between the kids tearing up their vehicles and the normal family duties it seems like there is never enough time for the important things in life like truck time. Anyway, I managed to get the cab nearly completely stripped of all hardware and glass. I think the only things that are left are the two lower door hinges and finishing removing the wiring harness. I ran into a slight snag when removing the hinges and the nuts broke loose on the bottom bolt on both lower hinges. Now the only way I see to get at those nuts is to remove the inner panel on the hinge pockets. I guess it is a good thing I need to do some rust repair on or replace those panels anyway. Also I uncovered some more rust problems that will have to be dealt with.
This one is kind of hard to see but I found a couple places on the top windshield lip that the outer layer of metal is gone. It would probably be ok but I will likely patch it up just to be safe. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pshnb2czjo.jpg The transmission cover is in much worse shape than I thought it was so it will need to be replaced. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psntzrdnnc.jpg And last but not least I found a badly pitted place on the driver side where the inner roof meets the windshield pillar. After seeing how badly it was pitted I poked at it with a screwdriver and the tip went right through it. It doesn't appear to be a very big area but I'm not quite sure how to correctly repair this one. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0ynhciim.jpg and now some pics of how she sits today. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pslrh5bd7f.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psnilwn0cg.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pshzjlfmo3.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psprqiljxw.jpg At this point I think I am finally just a couple hours of work away from being ready to start stripping paint and making repairs. :metal: |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Loving the progress
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Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Nice progress.
The damage doesn't look to bad at all. Kim |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
I have been so busy the last few weeks with the holiday season activities, watching our high school football team win the Oklahoma 5A state championship, and getting our oldest son married so there hasn't been a lot of progress but I thought it was time for an update.
I have started the rust repairs by taking on the drivers side cab corner and now I understand why the body guys charge so much for these kinds of repairs. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psx1uvv282.jpg In the builds and discussions I have read a number of good reasons to replace the inner cab corners and good reasons not to replace the inner corners and just cap them off in the cab. I decided to just cut out the rusted parts and not leave the pocket there to rust the corners again. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pshjucr7w8.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pswmstqwf8.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psapg7o6pa.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pskaefi2ut.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psozzcayzh.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psx66d5a2h.jpg The corner definitely didn't come out perfect but a little body filler and I think it will turn out ok. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psz03htk5z.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psadyzt0er.jpg Next it is on to the damaged passenger step. They definitely put enough spot welds on these steps to hold them together. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psee4cgfiz.jpg I wasn't sure what I was going to find behind this filler panel but I knew it couldn't be good. When I started cutting it out I found that the floor support behind it was packed full of dirt and rust. and the bottom of the support was rusted out http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8wkymm3n.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pszt6bhpzn.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psoh9ujouo.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pscksgw65v.jpg Looks like I am going to be rebuilding the majority of the lower passenger side of the cab. So far it is the cab corner, step, front filler panel, inner lower door hinge pocket, outer lower hinge pocket cover, cab floor support, and floor pans. Some of the parts are already here and more on the way. Hopefully I can make some more progress this weekend. |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Nice project and great work on the cab corner!
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Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Nice job on th repairs.
Kim |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
It has been a while since the last update and things have been moving along slowly. I know it is a little late but I hope everyone had a good Christmas and new year. I guess I had my fiancée fooled into thinking I was a good boy last year. I gave her a Christmas list of a few tools that I needed thinking she would pick a couple of them but no.. she decided to buy the entire list.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psz7wzhmts.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psyiceojtj.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psprovqnm4.jpg Right after new years we had the joy of a major ice storm and losing power for about 24 hours so needless to say no progress that weekend and the following weekend was spent running a new circuit and wiring in the new compressor. Sure is nice now having a few more of the needed tools and plenty of air flow to make it all work. I am still working on the passenger step and floor pan area, so here are a few pics. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psnedapoor.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psrneokvng.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pspoyddxwv.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pswsl3jajs.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pswsavayhz.jpg It was my first time ever media blasting but I think they turned out pretty good. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pspbhuwg0j.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pssgwbybra.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psaq9dcj0y.jpg Now I finally have the passenger floor all patched up and the step screwed together so all I like to get ready for test fitting the door is to replace the front cab floor support. I had ordered a new support from Auto Metal Direct which is where I have gotten the other patch panels from and haven't had any problems until now. Today I finished cutting the old support out and attempting to put the new support into place and "Houston we have a problem". As you can see in the pic below, the cab mount bolt hole is way out of place on the new support. If I line up the mounting hole the support doesn't even touch the front of the step and lower hinge pocket. I went ahead an blasted the old support and It looks like I'll be patching it up and reusing it. I have read lots of bad things about aftermarket parts but wow that was a terrible fit and no way to modify it. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9r4yepzo.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psarqqsy9v.jpg |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Nice tools.
Repairs are looking good. Kim |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Nice new tools!
Now you have to build the '58, can't go back now ;) The new floor supports looks totally out of shape in the pics, not just the holes, or is it just the look of it? Good thing you can patch the old ones! |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Thanks Kim..
RockinKees. It doesn't look like it in the pics but other than rounded edges and the bolt hole the parts are nearly identical. I contacted AMD today about the issue and I have got to say they have great customer service. I sent them the pics and after checking the rest of their stock they offered me a full refund even though I have already cut on the part and they are going to work with their manufacturers to get the problem fixed. I'm not going to wait but maybe I managed to save the next person some frustration from a poorly made part. |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
I had the same problem with the hole location on the replacement floor supports. I cut a plug, welded the hole shut, ground it smooth and redrilled it. Ticked me off to have to modify new parts but my originals where rusted beyond repair.
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Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
59chev. I considered doing the same and if I were in more of a pinch I probably would have tried but I wasn't sure how it would turn out having to cut out the center spacer, redrilling, and welding it back together. Glad it worked out for you. I'm ok with a little trimming or reshaping but it stinks having to go to that extent to make a part work.
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Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Cool on the new tools~! its always better to have the right tool for the job, I did it for many years making things work with what I had laying around.
Project is progressing nicely! |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
I have worked several hours this weekend finishing up rebuilding door hinges and test fitting the passenger door before welding up the work that has been done on the step and lower hinge pocket replacement. I got the door hung and managed to get the gaps and body lines on both sides and the top adjusted better than I could have ever imagined for my first time, but now for the problem. The gap for the rocker panel is good in the rear but the front has about half an inch gap between the bottom of the door and the rocker. I have tried taking the front edge of the step loose and moving the edge and rocker panel up to adjust the gap but the step hit the bottom of the door before making very little improvement on the gap. The only way I can see of fixing the problem is to pie cut the length of the rocker between the rocker and the step and rewelding it to close the gap in the front. Any suggestions on a better way of fixing this are greatly appreciated. Here are some pics.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psfmt0r1aa.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psvszmkkin.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psno6mnico.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psqvaazi7c.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psksanub98.jpghttp://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pscc7h3ztv.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psuihglhh0.jpg |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Remember these things came from the factory with terrible gaps.
To get them to look good all the way around you need to cut and move things. On mine I had to add to the doors and fenders in different places to get a decent gap. Kim |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
It has been 5 busy months since I really had any time to spend on the old truck. In that time I married the love of my life and had a honeymoon in Vegas, moved into a smaller house with a bigger garage, and got our oldest daughter married. I have finally gotten somewhat caught up and got most of the new house honey do's done. So I finally got a few hours to spend in the garage yesterday. Nothing big just a little more patch work but hoping I can get this project moving.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psuphzj2dr.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psj4ivmsym.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2zvuqvap.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pspesggojz.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pswadzcffy.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pswadzcffy.jpg |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Another evening in the garage and a little more progress. Slowly but surely.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psooccdbdg.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psz7jxfver.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pssynmnmy9.jpg |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Any progress is good progress.
Kim |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
A little more progress over the weekend. I finished cutting out the filler panel between the roof and the windshield lip and started trying to fit the dynacorn replacement that I bought. I don't see any way of getting the new panel in place without having to either remove the roof or cut off the ends of the new panel that should tuck in behind the metal at the top of the roof pillar and butt weld it. Time for a little more research.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...pszqmefmup.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psfc45ahyb.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psorn6jru3.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...ps28lurobc.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psem5wuyft.jpg http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psu6lm64d0.jpg |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
One more thing. Can anyone tell me what they used for seam filler and how to remove it? I thought they used lead but this stuff is gold in color and I heated it with a torch until the metal around it was red hot and I could still only scratch it with a screwdriver. The only way I have found to remove it was a grinder. It just makes it tough in tight spaces.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psjqanst9z.jpg |
Re: My 1958 GMC 100 Stepside Budget Build
Looks like it was brazed. Once it gets that hot maybe go over it with a wire brush.
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