Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

This is a new project we’re working on. My son’s first. It’s a 49 GMC 100 longbed named Orson. it will be going on an 84 extended cab S10 chassis and be powered by a LM7 5.3/4L60E combo. It has 17” Torque Thrust IIs and huge meats in the rear. It will be getting an Astrovan 2nd row and full door panels.
Pretty solid truck to start with. The splashguards are in a box in the cab.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

More pictures

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

This is the sunroof. Notice how it has flattened out the whole roofline.
Here’s how we intend to fix it. Another cab was sourced, we used a plas to remove the roof skin. And here is the patch panel.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Here is the donor S10. An 84 extended cab with the venerable 2.8L Power train!

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Then the S10 was stripped down to the chassis.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

These are the wheels and tires we’ve picked for Orson. 17” Torque Thrust II's with 275/40R17 rear and 245/45R17 front. Pretty friggin' beefy!

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Next we cut the cab brackets off and welded on the new cab stands

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Then we tackled the motor. Disassembling and cleaning everything!

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Got the motor mostly painted today

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

And the last items stripped off the frame

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Hey Chris, I'll tag along...Jim

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

I Will be watching this thread as well,
I have a 1950 3600 and just acquired a 1996 S-15 ext Cab, my other 1991 S-10 frame was bent, so I had to get a new one.
Are you planning on leaving it a long bed?
I am curious as how you are going to address the bed.
I have read that you can swap the leaf springs around gain the extra wheelbase, I have not seen it reported if this is correct.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

waytogoidaho! :metal::metal:

I wish I could start with trucks that nice haha

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Jim, thanks... We’re back, and I’ve got some serious catch up to do!
TravisC: yes, we’ll be leaving it a longbed. If you read my Rico F. Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651164 you’ll see what I do.
Yes flipping the springs will gain you 1.25”. The second part is to remove 1.25” from the splashguards.
Thanks Joedoh

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

looks like a solid truck...will be nice

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

I'm in. Nice start.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

my son is building this one, I’m just the creative genius! Send any compliments his way!

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

This is the bare frame ready for new ball joints and drop spindles

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Here’s the engine all churched up. And the header’s we chose for this build.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Nice starter truck . . . . . too bad for the 'moon roof' .
Great start , Chris . . . . . so, what do we call 'the Son ' ; he's doing good.

I'm looking - in , thanks guys

from Chino Valley, Arizona ……….. jim

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Dunno he’s only a PFC. My other son Michael also works for me now. I’m thinking of changing the name (at least unofficially) to Ole Sarge and Sons Customs!

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

That Works . . . . Good for them !

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

looking good, sarges son :haha:

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

The ground was finally dry enough to pull Orson in the shop

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

They started by getting the front end blown apart. They’ll move on to the cab tomorrow.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

The 49 getting blow apart

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Well in the process of installing the spindles and upper ball joints, one of the lowers and an outer tie rod end spun on us. Then both sway bar end links broke. So you’re getting new upper and lower ball joints, drop spindles, new outer tie rod ends, and end links. Parts are on order. Meanwhile we’ll be working on getting the cab on and driveline set.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

more pics

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

New parts! Moving along.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

yup, not as fast as I’d like. But it’s their first one, so I give slack!

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Spoken like a true DAD!

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

what can I say?

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

The front suspension is all buttoned up. New upper/lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, sway bar end links, and 2" drop spindles installed. The pads and rotors looked good. Just waiting on the 2” spacers to arrive (fri) and then those torque thrust His go on the front.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

and here’s the cab, going on the frame for the first time.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Last few.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

loving this build, especially the sit in a lawn chair and stare at it pic, I do that all the time

please forgive me but I am taking liberties to correct your side pics as they add value but are giving me vertigo (I use a free program called IrfanView to rotate them as the iPhone has a mind of its own sometimes)

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

one more maybe

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Thanks, not sure why they do that. The picture is oriented properly. When I upload them they rotate.

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Removing the old clamshells and building motor mount adapters

Re: Orson the 49 GMC ~ Chris C.
 

Here’s the finished adapter and it on the engine