55.2-59 57 GMC how rare??

[jmlloar]

Mine was original its just rusted beyond any exact recognition. I have nothing to go by. do have a decent rad support and hood but nothing else. and my replacement cab is gmc also.

did a search for the above mentioned location, only thing I could find is an actual truck stop not a parts place.

[jmlloar]

Thanks for the link.

[dsraven]

what kinda shape is the new cab? pics?
don't forget to check with local authorities on exactly what you will need to do BEFORE you spend cash on fixing anything. some places are pretty strict on the vin and changing cabs etc. better to find out first than later.

[jmlloar]

current pics

[dsraven]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post8528361

check post 8 for a pic of the GMC grille surround with the dimpled spot for the mustache to bolt on.
whats the plan for the old truck, back to stock, upgrade a few things, full frame off and upgrades?

[Phungki]

Originally Posted by jmlloar

current pics

Are you going to put the big window in the new cab?

[jmlloar]

Thought about it, decided to leave as is.

Back of cab and inner window panel is good.

Needs steps, cab corners drivers side front cab mount, filler between roof and windshield, and lower part of dash. Couple of dings in roof skin but not sure if going to fix or replace it yet.

[Phungki]

Originally Posted by jmlloar

Thought about it, decided to leave as is.

Back of cab and inner window panel is good.

Needs steps, cab corners drivers side front cab mount, filler between roof and windshield, and lower part of dash. Couple of dings in roof skin but not sure if going to fix or replace it yet.

The section of my dash where the radio goes has been damaged. If you end up having an extra in good shape, I would happily pay you to cut it out and mail it my way.

[jmlloar]

Originally Posted by Phungki

The section of my dash where the radio goes has been damaged. If you end up having an extra in good shape, I would happily pay you to cut it out and mail it my way.

As stated above I NEED a dash myself. both cabs had bad dashes.

[dsraven]

is that section of dash available like the chevy dash section is? if not can you fab something up?

[jmlloar]

not the same as chevy

all the little recesses and creases would be hard to recreate
and to make it even better the glove box, ash tray, heater controls, and radio are different too

[dsraven]

hmmm, I better check that dash in my attic. I have a chevy and a gmc, one each. thought the glove box was the same. I know I have the complete set with heater controls etc but not sure if the gmc one was cut for the radio. the chevy one was for sure.

[jmlloar]

supposedly the door is different, I dont have one to compare. The paper "box" is listed with a different part number.

[dsraven]

there was a guy on here who made a stamp for making the divets around the radio knobs etc. wasn't even that hard.
I will see if I can get into my attic tomorrow and see what I can find to compare.

[Phungki]

Originally Posted by dsraven

is that section of dash available like the chevy dash section is? if not can you fab something up?

I have not found that it’s available anywhere. The repair panels list Chevy/GMC but they are not the same.

[jmlloar]

looks like hardest part to me would be the recessed lip around the glovebox and heater control.

I might go custom dash but not sure yet.

[jmlloar]

If you look close at the pic of inside of my cab you can see rust holes under the stamped holes across the bottom of the dash.

Might just repair the lower part and eliminate the factory ashtray and radio holes and use that area to install a nice double din radio.

Since not looking to restore it I might as well modify it to my liking.

[jmlloar]

Got a decent dash assy.

Now onto front sheet metal and doors.

[jmlloar]

Originally Posted by dsraven

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post8528361

check post 8 for a pic of the GMC grille surround with the dimpled spot for the mustache to bolt on.
whats the plan for the old truck, back to stock, upgrade a few things, full frame off and upgrades?

Already in the middle of a frame up resto mod build. The replacement cab was just set on the frame for some clean up around the truck.

Frame is almost ready for a good cleaning and a coat of paint. Rear bumper "homemade and welded on" was a pita to remove, but a lot of grinding and cutting later and its gone.

We pick up doner truck this weekend, 2002 gmc with 5.3 with a cracked frame. Already purchased a 63 up bell housing for a V8 chevy and sm420.

Next purchase is tubular frame engine mount to support the front of the engine with the cast iron bell taking care of the rear

new leaf springs and king pins.

Hoping to have chassis finished by end of june then on to the cab and cosmetics

Truck should run good since the 5.3 is almost 3 times the HP as the original 270 6cyl
Not sure on the rear axle ratio but if need be I'll swap it for a dana60 or a corporate 14 bolt with better gears and brakes in one package.

Anyone have some tips or suggestions??? This will be a daily driver and sometimes pulling a 32ft camper or 18ft boat.

[dsraven]

sounds like you will have lots of "go". you should think about the stop part as well. upgrade to a dual master cylinder at least.
think about seat belts
think about gear ratios
think about steering components
make a plan, a reasonable logic plan that is do-able in the time frame you want and in the budget you want
try to stick with the plan so you don't go down some rabbit trail that ends up digging a drain hole under your bank account
think about buying a wrecked donor vehicle that would possibly have the parts you need, engine/trans/computer/seats/rear axle/brakes/master cylinder/pedals/ radiator/fuel tank etc etc. sell off what you don't need from the donor to cover some of the costs of buying the donor

I just bought and sold a donor. bought an 04 envoy, sold engine, trans, transfer case, exhaust, kept some interior stuff, took the rest to the scrap for cash, made triple the original cost and the parts I needed cost me nothing that way. it does eat up some time and space though. I sold the parts really cheap to get rid of them quick and make space where they used to be sitting on my shop floor.

[jmlloar]

way ahead on that one.
got a donor truck with 5.3 and all the dodads I need
will be disk brake swapped on front factory axle
dual booster master cyl under floor

Basically other than bushings bearings and new pads shoes ect I have all mechanical stuff I need

Sheetmetal is next and most will be new other than the GMC only stuff that no one is reproducing at this time.

prob start a big debate on this but I am not putting seatbelts in my truck. My decision and I will live with it.

[Phungki]

Originally Posted by jmlloar

way ahead on that one.
got a donor truck with 5.3 and all the dodads I need
will be disk brake swapped on front factory axle
dual booster master cyl under floor

Basically other than bushings bearings and new pads shoes ect I have all mechanical stuff I need

Sheetmetal is next and most will be new other than the GMC only stuff that no one is reproducing at this time.

prob start a big debate on this but I am not putting seatbelts in my truck. My decision and I will live with it.

I’m not putting seat belts in either. I won’t even consider it. Seat belt laws make absolutely no sense. In Michigan you will be ticketed not wearing them (in a vehicle that was produced with them) but it’s also legal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. Just stupid

[jmlloar]

I think its stupid to have a law that " might " protect me in an accident, instead of enforcing the laws that prevent the accident from happening in the first place. such as swerving in and out of traffic, running stop signs and lights and just plain stupid driving. See it more and more every day that drivers are getting worse.

[jmlloar]

Originally Posted by dsraven

google it, bills truck shop scroll down for pics of the grille, bottom of the page. Canadian stuff so USD covers more. yeah, gotta ship but you pay shipping from anywhere for most stuff anyway.

http://www.billstruckshop.com/55-59used.html

This place had nothing. They need to update their website

[jmlloar]

Ok, got my donor truck
2002 GMC sierra 1500.
has good running 5.3 in it
will be hooking that up to the factory sm420 and rear axle.

also has a nice set of leather bucket power seats that look like will be an easy swap