55.2-59 1955 GMC Big Window Step Side Build; LSx, IFS, IRS, etc.

[AHenry014]

Hey all! First timer here and though this isnt my first rodeo, this is my first time getting deep into a classic. I have been wanting to do resto-rat-mod truck project for a long while now and the opportunity presented itself in late November this past year.

To preface, the fiance and i are getting married this coming November 2020 and she came across a photo shoot of another just-married couple. The feature of the shoot was certainly the couples classic pickup truck! She couldn't stop talking about how neat it would be to do something similar, which is when i connected this daydream and my dream of a classic truck build. "Hey, what if i built the truck?". The very quick "YES" had be scouring craigslist and marketplace for potential candidates. This proved difficult...

I am not a brand specific person, but was just seeking THE LOOK; rounded fenders, rounded hood, rusty chrome, ratty fenders, dent here, scrape there, etc. I came across a couple F100's, some C10 era trucks, but either they were not the look i was going for, or were way to much money!! My search came to an end one early morning as i was waking up for work.

My normal routine has my face in my phone for a couple minutes before actually getting out of bed, one stop being facebook marketplace. Up pops a 1955 GMC 1/2 ton that has THE LOOK. Holy crap, I thought, the price seems right and its 10 fuggin minutes from home!! AHH!! It had only been up for 7hrs at that point, so i shot a message over as fast as i could. I got a response quickly, confirming a time and place to be that evening. SWEET!! By the time i had gotten to work, the ad for the truck was GONE, uh oh. Luckily ive made a habit of taking a screen shot of the convo that includes contact info and addresses if for whatever reason the world ends and internet stops working. I shot him a quick text to confirm we were still good. He said he was happy i had messaged, as he lost my info when he deleted the ad. He said he had 70+ people sending him messages, but figured i would be a good candidate to take a look since i was in town.

When i got there that evening, it didnt take me long to decide that it was going to be my next project. I could not have got it from a better person either. I know he in on this board, but dont know what his username is. He was seemingly an encyclopedia of knowledge about these trucks and is proving that by answering all my dumb questions! We shook hands and i picked the truck up two weeks later.

Between then an now, after one sketchy brake-less drive into the garage, the truck has been disassembled to make way for the master plan.

Master Plan
Engine - I actually had a spare 6.0L Lq4 in my garage and a BTR stage II truck cam kit. Guess ill use that!! I will be using Holley standalone to manage it.

Trans - Picked up a used 4L80 for less than the cost of a core, so how can i go wrong!

Front Suspension - After much deliberation and back-and-forth between the Heidts MII and the Jag suspension, I went Crown Vic! A mechanic/tinkerer friend of mine, knowing i was on the lookout for a front suspension, sent me a picture of underneath a town car. That led me down the road of the Hot Rod Garage F100 shop truck and actually putting the idea aside until i came across Team321 "Narrow Crown Vic Crossmember". Didnt take long for me to order one of those and acquire all else from the junkyard. It fits really well so far!

Rear Suspension - When considering the Heidt's MII, i said hey, might as well buy the solid axle 4-link kit from them as well. Figure ill toss an explorer 8.8 under it if i am going 5x4.5 in the front. Well that went out the window when i saw a picture of the Lincoln Mark VIII IRS. The design of the upper control arms SCREAM low, which brings me to my next point...

Springs/Shocks - I have never had the opportunity to play with air-ride on my previous projects, so it was a must have this time around. I happened to come across another ad on facebook for a full ridetech air ride kit for a third the price of new. It fits coilover applications, so i knew i could make it work.


Ill leave it at that for now until i can find some time to get you guys some pictures. Who doesnt love pictures!