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Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
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Ok so I have had this truck since the summer of '99 when I was still in high school. Been working on it since... even though these pics don't show a whole lot, quite a bit has been done. The truck started out as a "Mr. Potato Head" project... meaning he came home as a body, chassis and 'a bucket of parts'. I have a bunch of pics from over the years but these are the most current and only ones I have on hand. I'm going the sealed primer route on this truck, no comments on this please as I'm aware of the pros and cons. This incarnation will be running my 350 HO Deluxe crate motor with 1997 5.7 Serpentine pulley setup and turning a 700r4 which connects to a '75 Nova 3.73 ration rear end. I have an Ididit column hooked to a MII front end w power rack. Seats are courtesy of a 2000 PT Cruiser that donated its front buckets and rear bench and floor mount. Budgets are still tight on this just like when I originally started the truck so the carpet is equestrian trailer tack room carpet, for now, with some juke insulation. Shifter was a Lokar when I had the Th350 but is now a B&M Mega Shifter. I like the Lokar better but the tranny swap forced a new shifter and this is what I could afford! The body of the truck is mostly stock. I love the lines of the truck so I'm keeping it mostly the way it was intended... just lower! I am shaving most of the emblems, keeping the GMC above the grill, and I'd like to shave the handles but we'll see. I am converting to bear claw latches though. I've also shave the original filler neck and switched to a flush mount motorcycle gas filler cap in the body. My To Do list is lengthy but I hope to be on the road in the next few weeks and to a specific show on September 11th in Brigham City, Utah. I will only make the show if it can drive there by its self so I have some good work to get done!
Oh, and it is actually quite low but right now its on big jack stands for the trans swap! More pics to come! |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
More pics I forgot about on my Photobucket account: (the flames are just decals and will be going away very soon)
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/IMG_1153.jpg This is a static ride height BTW. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/IMG_1154.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/IMG_1155.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/IMG_1156.jpg |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
And lastly, I have considered this as my first primer job... we'll see. A little in your face but I really like it!
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...meatwagon2.jpg |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
That is a good looking project! The primer job would be an awesome attention getter.
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Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Update: Today I was able to fab up a gas tank cover to seal up the giant opening in the rear floor of the truck and while that cooled get the filler neck finished up. Then sealed it all and called it a day on a count of the heat!
On Monday I will have my torque converter bolts, as part of a big order with Jegs, which will mostly finish the transmission. I can install the dust shield , exhaust. and trans cooler, also in the Jegs order, and then set it down on the ground! After all that I can fill the fluids, prime the engine, and fire the thing! Pics of today's work coming tomorrow... forgot to take some today! |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Good looking project...i like your firewall, i wish i had went with that type.
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Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Its back on all four wheels!!! Last night I managed to get the dust shield bolted on, the exhausted bolted back on, and the transmission cooler lines hooked up (to the trans but the cooler isn't installed yet). Here are some pics. (I don't remember 5megapixles looking this bad, maybe I'm use to my 8.5 camera!)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink Had to wait until this morning to take some pics but this one is the truck at ride height. (5.75" off the ground at the running boards.. static!) http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink This is the engine bay of the truck... in all of its dirty glory! You can see the 1997 Vortec serpentine pulley system. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink A good shot of the serp. setup. This was bold on piece and I only paid 50 bucks for everything including the accessories themselves! http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink The interior looks pretty much the same as the last pic but I thought I'd throw it up anyway http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink Interior #2 Tonight after work I'm going to stop and buy a few more inches of 1" square tubing so I can fab a mount for my trans cooler. I am going to be doing the cookie sheet radiator fan shroud so I will also be working with the guy that will be welding the sheets together for me as well. After that is all hooked up/wired up I can fill all fluids, prime the engine, and get the thing fired. Hopefully this will all go down on Friday before I spend yet another weekend somewhere besides my garage! If that all goes down on time then next week will mark the beginning of some body repair, some natural like rust and some man made like a botched suicide door install, and getting my bear claw latches installed. After that I'd be basically ready for my deadline so anything else is just icing on the cake! |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
What rims are those?
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So last night I wasn't quite as productive as I had wanted to be. I only got a frame for the trans cooler built. Its pretty heavy duty, I'm not messing around!
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink I am still considering the idea in my post located in the main forum about cutting a whole in the inner fender behind the grill and mounting it there but, honestly, I probably won't do it. I like the idea but I think that after I dress these welds and paint it black this will be a cleaner installation. I did get to talk to my wife's cousin's husband about welding my cookie sheets together for my new fan shroud and he's on-board, I just need to cut them and mark them for assembly. Unfortunately I am out of time this week and won't get back to the truck until Monday. |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Been awhile since I updated and that is because I haven't gotten to spend as much time as before in the garage. I do have some pics though!
Since getting it back on the ground I finished up my trans cooler install, started repairing my door jams from the botched suicide door install (long story), and I got and started installing my bear claw latches with the new install kit. Trans Cooler: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/IMG_2566.jpg Still need to get the hoses right but close enough for now. Door Jam Repair: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/IMG_2560.jpg Driver Side - I cut this side up a lot for testing and so I have a bigger mess to clean up. I'm doing the repair on the still open part in pieces rather than try to form a single patch. Easier to match the shape from the other side. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/IMG_2558.jpg Passenger Side Bear Claw Latch Instal: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/IMG_2562.jpg I'm using the big latch kit from AutoLoc. I learned a lot on my first set of doors and so this time I'm going slower and doing what I can to retain as much of the original door as possible. (The idea of not using an entire patch panel just only what you need...) I'm pretty close here, I just need to make some slight modifications with a body hammer to the patch and then I should be able to weld it in. The cut marks on the door edge are mostly in the rubber though I did knick the metal a little bit... oops! |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
New pics from last night:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/4d738df6.jpg I made a cap for the in and outlets on the A/C compressor for now. When I actually have the cash for a system I will open it back up and run it. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/acabc88e.jpg My driver's door bear claw latch is almost done and the door shuts soooo nicely with a full two stage solid latch. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/62f0fc73.jpg Door jam side. This is still pretty messy since I had some big huge gaps to fill from the previously mentioned suicide door attempt. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...y/a8e149e2.jpg And the door side. I wish my welds looked better... and were actually better but I am finally getting some practice with this project so hopefully they will start getting better. Plus I still don't have gas for my mig, I'm just running flux core wire. Next on the list is to finish putting in all the fluids, heat wrap my exhaust where it gets too close to my shift linkage and brake booster, then get my power steering lines installed so I can fire this thing without fluid shooting out all over! *Knock on wood* If it fires and I can get it tuned up, and the door latches done, then I should be able to make the Peach Days Car Show in Brigham City, Utah on September 11th like I've been working towards! |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
looking good. Hope you make your deadline!
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Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Ok, so the work paid off and I made it to Peach Days car show in Brigham City, Utah this past weekend. Here is a pic on the show grounds:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...911_162532.jpg Here is a pic right after unmasking the truck after spraying an olive green primer in my garage the day before the show and only a couple hours before jumping in it and driving three hours north to spend the night closer to the show at my parent's place. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...910_142712.jpg What do you guys think? I was planning a more elaborate primer finish but just ran out of time so I know it looks like a lot of green on such a huge truck! |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Looks good. nice classic primer color.
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Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Quick update:
So I obviously made the show and the truck did over 350 miles that weekend and handled 75+mph just fine and other than needing new rear shocks, it road great and was fun to drive! I did learn a few things though: 1- I have a heat problem. It might be because the electric fan on the trans cooler wasn't running and was obstructing enough of the radiator to let it warm up or it might be because the radiator isn't up to the V8. I have a rad priced out but will try getting that second electric fan spinning before I order it. 2- I need mirrors.... I need them badly! 3- The Flowmaster 40s that I have nearly killed me with the amount of drone they emitted at 70mph cruising. They have to go. (Already have a buyer for them actually) 4- As I said I need new rear shocks. The current ones are air shocks and they are so old and nasty that they won't hold air. 5- My ignition switch is on the fritz and needs replacing. 6- I found out about a month after the show that I didn't have working break lights... oops. The turn signals all work but not the break lights. So I will have to figure that out. 7- My driver's side headlight went MIA at some point during the drive home. The whole bulb, bezel, and torn the wiring up a bit.... so that is a problem. 8- My gas filler system sucks .... sucks badly. Gas wouldn't go down the neck, would backup and spill down the side of the truck. Real nasty mess. So I'm going to have to completely redesign that thing. So, in summary, it was a good experience to finally get it on the freeway and put some miles on it! Over all I was VERY happy with how it all worked out and drove. A few minor things to address which is part of hotrodding! Spring will be fun! The truck is in winter hibernation since my condo complex has dismal snow removal and I didn't want my wife and son having to fight for parking spot and then tromp through the snow all winter; so I gave up the garage. I did do this mockup and look forward to changing the truck over to this scheme in the spring as well! http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...ly_mockup1.jpg |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Ok so Curly is getting ready to come out of storage, hopefully this weekend if weather permits. In the mean time I've ordered a bunch of parts including a new 4 core Champion Cooling aluminum radiator which arrived yesterday. The other parts should be at the house by friday before I would leave to retrieve the truck.
Today I was browsing the net while on lunch and happend to find a site I built while in high school when I first got the truck! I was amazed that the site was still technically live after being out of school for this long! The great thing about the site being live is I was able to retrieve some old photos that I had presumed lost! Behold, photos of the day I first met my truck! http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000001.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000002.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000003.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000004.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000005.jpg |
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http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000006.jpg - My two brothers.... wow that was a long time ago!
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000007.jpg - In this pic you can also see the core support for my dad's numbers matching 1964 Tri-power GTO! http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000008.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000009.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000010.jpg - My youngest brother who is now 18. My son looks a lot like this! |
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These pics are after the truck was hauled home and was put in cold storage in and old barn till we could get the shop emptied.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000013.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000014.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000018.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000019.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000021.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/P0000023.jpg |
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So I picked up Curly last weekend. I drove up to my parent's place on Thursday after work and spent friday putting a new radiator in and then driving it home. Here are some pics of the install.
This is after getting the old rad out: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_123019.jpg This shows my serp setup that I got off a 1997 Chevy pickup for 50 bucks: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_123025.jpg Close up of the mounting channel: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_123005.jpg Another with the old rad gone: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_122956.jpg |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Here is the new rad sitting in place. The radiator is from Champion Cooling, I got it off ebay:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_135355.jpg and another: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_135340.jpg and another: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_135346.jpg The only problem is that the rad is for a Chevy rather than a GMC so I had to make some modifications here and there. Like here is the piece the crosses over the top of the radiator: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_135404.jpg I also had to make a couple little notches in the lower part of the core support but I don't have pics of that. Here is the truck driving down the road: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_180951.jpg And a shot of the speedo, the truck runs great at 70 but around 75+ I start to get what I think is a drive shaft vibration that I have to look into. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_180926.jpg Here is a short video of the truck on the freeway with a shot of the speedo and the quad gauge: http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/k...422_181027.mp4 All the noise you here in the video is my Flowmaster 40s without tail pipes and the nasty drone at cruising speeds. Those mufflers are going to go cuz I just can't have that kind of noise. I had to have ear plugs in just so I could stand to drive it. They sound great at idle but suck while driving. From here I am going to make some changes here and there and then jump into getting it registered and on the road all the while work on the interior fabrication. -Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
killer deal on the serpentine setup! That didn't include the alternator and A/c comp for that did it?
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-Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
One other thing, you will notice that Curly hit 500 miles on the odometer! 500 miles in 11 years.... I'd say that is pretty low milage!
-Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
This last weekend I got some new shocks installed on the rear and also got started on the custom interior fabrication.
I started by adding 1" wood to the floor per my thread on the topic found here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=448875 Here is pic number one: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...430_172027.jpg Pic number two: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...430_172020.jpg This was only a short work day since it was punctuated with a few hours in the middle of the day where I was watching my son while my wife was out so I didn't get quite as much done as I wanted but its a decent start. Two more piece in the back then I can do the front and move onto the major construction. While I was getting supplies I also picked up some MDF for some boxes that will run down the sides and across the back that will function as a 'trunk' of sorts. Here is a rough sketch of what I want to build (this is looking from front to back into the rear of the truck, also the actual design has changed since I drew this up but structure is the same.) : http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...407_115035.jpg Here is a sketch of what I'm going to do with the front seats: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...406_082940.jpg This week I hope to finish off the floor coverage and start on the MDF boxes. From there things will get difficult because I want to keep the panels for the side, doors, kick, and also the headliner removable. I don't want to have them stuck simply because this truck is going to be a continually evolving vehicle. If I want to take the headliner out and add some speakers then I want to be able to do that. More pics to come. -Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
I put new air shocks on the back of the panel last week but since I don't have a working air compressor right now I didn't want to put it on the ground until I got some air in them. So I went and bought a air storage tank and filled it up at a gas station then filled the shocks and put the truck down, all yesterday. The truck now rides higher than I really want but still looks fine. I can always add drop blocks later if needed. There wasn't time to get it out and take a pic so I'm not 100% on whether I like it not though.
On a side note, I picked up an old Western Flyer Rocket wagon for my son and I've started building that into a hotrod wagon for him. Here is what I started with: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...425_084218.jpg Here is a mockup after disassembly: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...503_220240.jpg I bought the wheels at Harbor Freight and everything else is either left overs from other stuff or from the original wagon its self. All that is needed is some more square tubing, some welding, and then I can do body work and spray it! -Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
those sketches look cool and the wagon is a neat project!
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The wagon is gonna be a lot of fun! Building for myself is great but building for my son is almost more exciting! Guess it has to do with giving him something and also introducing him to the world... though he is only 1 1/2 years old and won't remember any of the build! I'm planning to spray it the same green as the panel truck and then adding the Western Flyer Rocket logo back on the sides, in black though, and then I'm going to try my hand at pin stripping, also in black. -Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
This last weekend I was in Vegas with my wife and our close friends so nothing got done on the truck but I did get it pulled out of the garage before leaving for some pics of its stance with the new air shocks on the rear. The shocks have a 25psi minimum and what you see here is 30psi so I could get it lower but this is going to be my starting point. What do you think of these before and after pics?
Before: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...153_edited.jpg After: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...505_172831.jpg I know, the 'after' pic isn't a great shot but if you flip between the two you can see what looks like nearly two inches difference in the ride height of the rear end. Can't say how I feel about it cuz the rake does add some attitude but it just feels like too much space around the rear wheel. Thoughts? -Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
The panel truck has had some small progress, very small.... I got the in-radiator trans cooler hooked up, got some more wood work done on the floor in the back, and my LizardSkin showed up. The task for this week is to get the floor wood all cut and then start coating it in oil based primer all the while prep'ing and coating the entire inside of the body with the LizardSkin.
In the meantime, here are some pics of my son's wagon that is nearly ready for body work: Right before I started the custom pull handle: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...513_151435.jpg After the new handle is done. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...513_164929.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...513_164936.jpg And here is a pic right after my son and I took a walk around the block with him riding in it! http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...515_154754.jpg |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
Well this week didn't go quiet as planned and I didn't get as much done as I wanted but a little progress was made.
First is the wood on the floor of the truck. I got all the rear floor done finally. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...518_210034.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...518_210011.jpg I also was able to get my through panel electrical lugs installed in the rear floor. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...518_210023.jpg The battery will sit right between the two lugs. The truck's thermostat housing was leaking coolant, it was the o-ring style which I find out now is prone to leaking, so I replaced it. I found this housing at a swap meet this past weekend. Five bucks, some wire wheel-ing, and some black paint and it was as good as new! http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...522_144933.jpg and after installation: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...522_145731.jpg The flooring on the front is started, the passenger side piece is roughed in and needs only some massaging to get to fit. The driver's side is next and then the floor is done and then construction of the boxes and trunk (see drawings above) can commence. -Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
I finished up cutting the wood for the floor, pulled it all out, set it up, and oil-based primer-ed the top and sides.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...524_151237.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...524_151222.jpg Now I just need to flip them over and prime the undersides, lay down my Lizard Skin on the truck's interior, and then install. Also, I pulled appart my son's wagon for paint. Here is a pic of it in primer. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...524_213023.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...524_213036.jpg Going to paint the frame black and the body the same green as the panel truck. Then I want to put the Western Flyer Rocket logo back on the wagon sides and accent with black pin stripping. -Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
So this weekend was nearly a bust for Curly. Spent most of it at my parent's place and then spend the middle of Memorial Day putting new lower control arms on my 2007 Pontiac G6, because the ball joints are integrated and non serviceable! What I did manage to get done was strip out and prep the interior for the Lizard Skin, hopefully I can get a coat or two on tonight and will take some pics.
Also spent a few minutes after my boy went to bed sanding down the chassis for his wagon and getting some rattle can on it. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...530_222412.jpg Not a great pic since it is black in a poorly light garage but you get the idea! http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...530_222444.jpg Close up of the front end. Planning on putting a few more coats on it and maybe hitting it lightly with some color sanding and then reassemble the chassis. The body still needs to be cleaned up so full final assembly is a little ways out! -Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
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Here is my swap meet wagon I have been modifying over the years. I can switch between tracks and wheels with 4 bolts. The wheels pull a lot easier (tracks are kind of stiff, they are off a snowblower)
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I've been making slow progress on my wagon. I found one of the welds was starting to crack on after I got some paint on the the chassis so I have to go back and fix that. But I did get some of the other components painted this weekend and also got the body all metal worked out so I just need to sand it down and do the paint work. Curly got a lot of attention this weekend too by way some Lizard Skin. I still need to upload the pics though, those are forth coming. -Panelrodder |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
I see we have a similar taste in wagon building! Here is one I did for my 3 year old daughter. Its still a work in progress but she insists on playing with it now :)
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k..._6373246_n.jpg |
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Here are some pics I took last night after cutting out a new floor for the wagon out of diamond plate. The floor had some stress cracks and was beat all to hell so I decided this would be a great substitute. I really want him to be able to use the wagon when he gets older so this solution actually restores some strength and is more durable than my other options, imo. After Cutting out the new floor: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...606_221836.jpg The body in place on the frame: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...606_221728.jpg Body on Frame #2: http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...606_221826.jpg |
Re: Project Curly - 1953 GMC Panel Truck
When my kids out grew their red wagon I used it for moving transmissions, etc. around. NP203 transfer finally killed it.
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The diamond plate is a awesome idea. I may have to steal it :)
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