55.2-59 This ole girl followed me home - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

58pan · 10-04-2019, 09:25 AM

55 GMC has some rust but not bad. Runs but has blow by. Just picked up the bed yesterday has a couple of small dents but no rust. Not bad for 800

**Ol Blue K20** · 10-04-2019, 09:28 AM

Nice find....

**GOPAPA** · 10-04-2019, 09:30 AM

Nice find ,,,is it a original dually ? your in Idaho but way north of me . like to see this in person.. keep in touch with your improvements with this diamond in the rough ..

notsolo · 10-04-2019, 09:35 AM

Can't wait to see that cleaned up, nice score.

**Getter-Done** · 10-04-2019, 09:39 AM

I like it.
Great deal.

.

**truckster** · 10-04-2019, 11:51 AM

She's a beauty. Congratulations.

**FleetsidePaul** · 10-05-2019, 08:19 AM

Nice. I would have snapped that up in a second for 800

68panelman · 10-05-2019, 08:32 AM

Looks solid

58pan · 10-05-2019, 09:44 AM

The rear is not factory. The winch is home make but the guy that built it sure used his noodle. The truck hasn't been licensed since 1975. The guy I got it from only used it a couple of times. For the time being I have to let it sit as winter is around the corner and I have a lot of wood to get in.

Question for all you wenches. I'm looking for a rear end for this thing. What would be a good rear? I'd like to be able to do atlease 65 with it. It's a 3/4 ton.

**truckster** · 10-05-2019, 10:21 AM

Are you asking about ratio or specific rear end units? I like a 3.73 rear as a good general-purpose rear for a truck. It will get you to freeway speeds easily enough.

58pan · 10-05-2019, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

Are you asking about ratio or specific rear end units? I like a 3.73 rear as a good general-purpose rear for a truck. It will get you to freeway speeds easily enough.

I need a complete rear. I was wondering if there was a specific year truck I could the rear from?

**Getter-Done** · 10-05-2019, 04:01 PM

A 14 bolt full-floating rear axle would be your best
choice IMO.
Ratio choices :3.21, 3.42, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56, 4.88, 5.13, and 5.38

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10.5%2...t_Differential

.

**truckster** · 10-05-2019, 04:34 PM

I would also recommend a newer model 14 bolt FF.

**Getter-Done** · 10-05-2019, 04:51 PM

^^I agree^^
One change that occurred in the second design was that on some models the brake drum could be removed without having to remove the hub and axle shaft

.

58pan · 10-11-2019, 09:35 AM

Guys, these 14 bolt ff rear ends that you are talking about. Are 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive rear ends the same? And it must be 8 lugs.
I've always been a motorcycle guy this is all new to me. I have lots of dumb questions. Thanks

cornerstone · 10-11-2019, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58pan

I have lots of dumb questions.

Glad I'm not alone anymore.

**biketopia** · 10-11-2019, 11:21 AM

Ask a dumb question, feel dumb for a minute, don't ask a dumb question be dumb forever....

Looks like a nice score!!

67ChevyRedneck · 10-11-2019, 11:50 AM

I was kinda hoping for a bad wife joke, but this is much better. Cool truck. Definitely don't see many 55-59 GMCs.

**Getter-Done** · 10-11-2019, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58pan

Guys, these 14 bolt ff rear ends that you are talking about. Are 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive rear ends the same? And it must be 8 lugs.
I've always been a motorcycle guy this is all new to me. I have lots of dumb questions. Thanks

Here some of the specs I found with the differences.
Spring perch will probably be the main issue for you.(maybe or Maybe not)

14 Bolt Axle Dimensions

WMS to WMS width

'73-'91

Axle tube diameter

Axle tube thickness

Hub type

Driver axle shaft length

Pass. axle shaft length

Wheel stud threads

Brake type

Pinion centered

SRW
67.5" '89-'00 3.375" 0.5" Outboard 37.625" 31.625" 9/16"-18 Drum Yes

SRW
65" '00-07 3.375" 0.5" Outboard 37.625" 31.625" M14-1.5 Drum Yes

SRW
68" 3.375" 0.5" Outboard 37.625" 31.625" M14-1.5 Disc Yes

DRW
72" 3.5" 0.5" Inboard 9/16"-18 Drum Yes

C&C DRW
63.5" 3.5" 0.5" Inboard 37.625" 31.625" 9/16"-18 Drum Yes

SRW Van
70" 3.5" 0.5" Outboard 39.375" 33.375" 9/16"-18 Drum Yes

14 Bolt Axle Spring Perch Width

Axle

Spring perch spacing

3/4 ton 14 bolt 42.5"
1 ton 14 bolt 40.5"

Info came from this link: https://www.roundforge.com/articles/...rw-drw-and-cc/

.

58pan · 06-25-2020, 09:48 AM

I found that this truck is worthy of a back yard restoration. The rust is not bad but needs some love. The question I have is where the front motor mounts are there two pieces of channel welded to the frame. Is this right or Mickey and goofy working on it before I got it. Thanks

nvrdone · 06-25-2020, 09:57 AM

those mounts look like they were used to install an early style engine with the front motor mounts - the ones that look like a bolt with rubber washers.
Not being really familiar with this era truck, maybe some one can clarify. some one may have done an engine transplant.

58pan · 06-25-2020, 10:17 AM

Here is a better pic.

mr48chev · 06-25-2020, 11:44 AM

I'm thinking that the mounts show that someone did a quick and nasty engine change in it. That doesn't happen to be a 235 or 261 rather than a GMC engine?

You are going to have to watch the axle width on the back real close to keep the tires under the fenders. I'd check the rear axle to make sure that they didn't just adapt it for the dual rear wheels and leave the 3/4 ton axle. My buddy did that a time or two but he is in a nursing home with dementia and isn't able to tell me how he did it. A real dual wheel rear axle is usually a bit narrower than a single wheel axle. That would let you remove the duals and fit the bed and fenders to it while hunting down the right axle with road gears.

That truck looks pretty good for having a wrecker boom on it. I've seen a few with those home made booms used for yard dogs in wrecking yards that were beat to death but that one must have had a specific task to do in it's life.

1project2many · 06-25-2020, 01:01 PM

Quote:

I'm thinking that the mounts show that someone did a quick and nasty engine change in it. That doesn't happen to be a 235 or 261 rather than a GMC engine?

I agree. GMC engines mounted in the center of the crossmsmber. Chevrolet engines have mounts on either side of the crankshaft.

I'd love to see more pictures of the boom and winch. I see a manual crank... is it also powered by PTO? There's a hydraulic brake assembly to slow or stop it... Is that park brake lever connected to a master cylinder? very cool stuff.

For the axle a Dana 60 or 14 bolt corporate axles are both good choices. You may want to look for axles from a cutaway van chassis instead of a truck. I believe they are narrower. Also, the 2003 and newer G vans have a bolt-on spacer that allows a single wheel front end to use wheels for the dually. If the dimensions work out you would be able to run only one type wheel.

These are some axle dimensions for a 98-2002 ish van.

.

nvrdone · 06-25-2020, 08:38 PM

58 pan - you're lucky you are in Sand Point. There is a guy down the road in Athol that deals in old Chevy truck parts. he's posted on craigslist - Spokane. if you cant find his number, I may still have it.
Looks like a fun project.

10-04-2019, 09:25 AM	#1
58pan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Sandpoint Idaho Posts: 47	This ole girl followed me home 55 GMC has some rust but not bad. Runs but has blow by. Just picked up the bed yesterday has a couple of small dents but no rust. Not bad for 800 Attached Images

10-04-2019, 09:28 AM	#2
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,834	Re: This ole girl followed me home Nice find.... __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

10-04-2019, 09:30 AM	#3
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,344	Re: This ole girl followed me home Nice find ,,,is it a original dually ? your in Idaho but way north of me . like to see this in person.. keep in touch with your improvements with this diamond in the rough .. __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

10-04-2019, 09:35 AM	#4
notsolo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Md Posts: 2,451	Re: This ole girl followed me home Can't wait to see that cleaned up, nice score. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635605

10-04-2019, 09:39 AM	#5
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 7,721	Re: This ole girl followed me home I like it. Great deal. . __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

10-04-2019, 11:51 AM	#6
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,794	Re: This ole girl followed me home She's a beauty. Congratulations. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

10-05-2019, 08:19 AM	#7
FleetsidePaul R.I.P. E.S.L.L. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kernville CA./ Lake Isabella CA. Posts: 11,411	Re: This ole girl followed me home Nice. I would have snapped that up in a second for 800 __________________ 1971 Custom C/20 1970 CST 20 1970 C/30 Flatbed 1983 C/30 Dually 2015 Corvette Z51 2021 Corvette Z51 1991 Cadillac Hearse 1982 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 2000 Porsche Boxster S 2020 Jeep Gladiator 1973 VW Thing 1973 Plymouth Satellite wagon 1963 Baja Bug 1959 Bug Dune Buggy 1970 Baja Bug 1987 Jaguar XJ 350. R.I.P. El Jay R.I.P Jessie. R.I.P Grumpy. Every day is a gift from God.

10-05-2019, 08:32 AM	#8
68panelman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Delaware and Long Island, New York Posts: 3,450	Re: This ole girl followed me home Looks solid

10-05-2019, 09:44 AM	#9
58pan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Sandpoint Idaho Posts: 47	Re: This ole girl followed me home The rear is not factory. The winch is home make but the guy that built it sure used his noodle. The truck hasn't been licensed since 1975. The guy I got it from only used it a couple of times. For the time being I have to let it sit as winter is around the corner and I have a lot of wood to get in. Question for all you wenches. I'm looking for a rear end for this thing. What would be a good rear? I'd like to be able to do atlease 65 with it. It's a 3/4 ton. Attached Images

10-05-2019, 10:21 AM	#10
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,794	Re: This ole girl followed me home Are you asking about ratio or specific rear end units? I like a 3.73 rear as a good general-purpose rear for a truck. It will get you to freeway speeds easily enough. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

10-05-2019, 04:01 PM	#12
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 7,721	Re: This ole girl followed me home A 14 bolt full-floating rear axle would be your best choice IMO. Ratio choices :3.21, 3.42, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56, 4.88, 5.13, and 5.38 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10.5%2...t_Differential . __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

10-05-2019, 04:34 PM	#13
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,794	Re: This ole girl followed me home I would also recommend a newer model 14 bolt FF. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

10-05-2019, 04:51 PM	#14
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 7,721	Re: This ole girl followed me home ^^I agree^^ One change that occurred in the second design was that on some models the brake drum could be removed without having to remove the hub and axle shaft . __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

10-11-2019, 09:35 AM	#15
58pan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Sandpoint Idaho Posts: 47	Re: This ole girl followed me home Guys, these 14 bolt ff rear ends that you are talking about. Are 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive rear ends the same? And it must be 8 lugs. I've always been a motorcycle guy this is all new to me. I have lots of dumb questions. Thanks

10-11-2019, 11:21 AM	#17
biketopia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Warrenton VA Posts: 1,008	Re: This ole girl followed me home Ask a dumb question, feel dumb for a minute, don't ask a dumb question be dumb forever.... Looks like a nice score!! __________________ 71 c-10 Long Bed, under the knife for a No Limit Engineering Wide Ride Chassis Pack and coil over static drop. 07 Silverado Classic 2wd 95 Camaro 427SBC/TH350



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10-11-2019, 11:50 AM	#18
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: This ole girl followed me home I was kinda hoping for a bad wife joke, but this is much better. Cool truck. Definitely don't see many 55-59 GMCs. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

06-25-2020, 09:48 AM	#20
58pan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Sandpoint Idaho Posts: 47	Re: This ole girl followed me home I found that this truck is worthy of a back yard restoration. The rust is not bad but needs some love. The question I have is where the front motor mounts are there two pieces of channel welded to the frame. Is this right or Mickey and goofy working on it before I got it. Thanks Attached Images

06-25-2020, 09:57 AM	#21
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,425	Re: This ole girl followed me home those mounts look like they were used to install an early style engine with the front motor mounts - the ones that look like a bolt with rubber washers. Not being really familiar with this era truck, maybe some one can clarify. some one may have done an engine transplant. __________________ 49 chevy 3100 3 window. 327 / m21 4 spd, 12 bolt w/ 3:55's Bought in 1973 for $235.00. Had it longer than my wife & Kids!!

06-25-2020, 10:17 AM	#22
58pan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Sandpoint Idaho Posts: 47	Re: This ole girl followed me home Here is a better pic. Attached Images

06-25-2020, 11:44 AM	#23
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,281	Re: This ole girl followed me home I'm thinking that the mounts show that someone did a quick and nasty engine change in it. That doesn't happen to be a 235 or 261 rather than a GMC engine? You are going to have to watch the axle width on the back real close to keep the tires under the fenders. I'd check the rear axle to make sure that they didn't just adapt it for the dual rear wheels and leave the 3/4 ton axle. My buddy did that a time or two but he is in a nursing home with dementia and isn't able to tell me how he did it. A real dual wheel rear axle is usually a bit narrower than a single wheel axle. That would let you remove the duals and fit the bed and fenders to it while hunting down the right axle with road gears. That truck looks pretty good for having a wrecker boom on it. I've seen a few with those home made booms used for yard dogs in wrecking yards that were beat to death but that one must have had a specific task to do in it's life. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. Last edited by mr48chev; 06-25-2020 at 11:52 AM.

06-25-2020, 08:38 PM	#25
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,425	Re: This ole girl followed me home 58 pan - you're lucky you are in Sand Point. There is a guy down the road in Athol that deals in old Chevy truck parts. he's posted on craigslist - Spokane. if you cant find his number, I may still have it. Looks like a fun project. __________________ 49 chevy 3100 3 window. 327 / m21 4 spd, 12 bolt w/ 3:55's Bought in 1973 for $235.00. Had it longer than my wife & Kids!!

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