58 GMC Project

[CAL 58 GMC]

Thanks Todd55! Over the last month I have not had much time to work on it, my job has taken up most of my spear time. I am planning on getting back on the project over the next few weeks. I love your 55!!! I was almost going to paint mine the same color. My 04 Chevy Silverado is that color so I thought I would go with a different color. Thanks for checking out my project!

[Jebb1978]

MERRY CHRISTMAS CAL hope you keep up this rapid progress! I will hopefully start digging in to mine after new years. Keep a look out for a thread I will start one

[mike nutt]

cal, the truck is looking awsome, i agree with your decesion to the 55 chevy frontend . also merry christmas and happy newyear.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Thanks Mike. And a Merry Christmas and a happy new year to both of you too!

I will keep a eye out for your thread Jebb.

[CAL 58 GMC]

After 4 months I still don't have my cab back from paint. I went to the body shop and found out the guy sold the shop and has retired What a joke!! He said he wanted to finish it at the shop he sold on the side. The new owner just wants it out. Man what a mess!! I think it's time to take it to another shop.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Okay, here's the lastest update on the paint. Yesterday the guy I took it to almost 5 months ago finaly told me he did not have the time to finish it. (man I wish he would have told me 4 months ago). I told him I would pay him for the work he's already done and pull the truck out. He said I did not owe him anything since he's jacked me around. He asked me if I had anyone in mind yet to take it over. I told him no and I was going to start looking he said, "follow me" so around the corner of his build we walked into a small shop were a I meet the guy that's taking over. I looked around his shop and he had nothing but classics that he was working on and he was just finishing up on a 56 T-Bird. His work was outstanding!! He is friends with the guy that was going to do the work so he agreed to do it at the same price and have the cab back to me in 3 weeks. So I went from your everyday body shop doing it, to a guy that does nothing but custom classic work! Maybe all that waiting has paid off!

[Jebb1978]

Wow Cal, what an ordeal! At least he took care of you. I actually struck a deal today that I am really happy about! My Dad has a buddy that does custom hot rods for himself to sell and to keep. He has an amazing collection of Ford's that he has done himself. He has a few World of Wheels trophies in his garage dating back to the 1980s. I have tried to get this guy to do paint work for me as long as I can remember and today he agreed to do the cab for me!!! I am excited because the cab is in really bad shape. I would have replaced it but, it is the what makes it my Dad's truck. I hope to dig into the frame as soon as we work out a figure and I can send him the cab. I just scored an original radio and original bench for mine. I can't wait to get started. Lots of luck on the paint deal. You have inspired me so much I think I may even sell my 78 to fund some real goodies!!!

[CAL 58 GMC]

Hi Jebb78

That's GREAT! I really what to see your progress on your truck, so take some pics and post them! WOW!!! It sounds like you really scored on the radio! GMC radios are really hard to come by. I scored a GMC deluxe heat control panel in really nice shape, another hard item to find for GMC's. Heres a pic of it and also an updated pic of my motor.

[Igotachevyor2]

makin me drewl

[CAL 58 GMC]

Thanks Igotachevyor2. I am taking the last few items into powder coating Monday such as the rear diff., and a few brackets. I hope to have some updated pics soon.

[55ChevyPU]

the project looks great and love the powder coating! Ive got a 79 camaro front clip in mine, I must admit I do like the chevy dash more than the gmc but those oddities will make yours that much different from the stock 55 Chevys!

[Jebb1978]

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

It sounds like you really scored on the radio! GMC radios are really hard to come by.

Actually I have to run a Chevy Radio because my truck is a "Fleet Option" model. It is a long story but apparently we had something really special and rare and didn't know it. My Dad got rid of some irreplaceable parts many years ago and then I did it too just a few years back. I tried to track them back down but hit a block wall. I actually talked to 2 people that had bought the parts after I sold them to someone else but the last guy sold them to an unknown at a swap meat. I sure with I had this info before we made any hastey decisions.

http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0287.html

[CAL 58 GMC]

So Jebb1978, with the fleet option you get a Chavy dash! Cool! Thats somthing I wish my GMC had, a Chevy dash. I really don't like the GMC one as I have said before.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I fill the same way 55Chevypu. The dash on the GMC is not really to my liking, that's why I have done somthing diferant with the billit bezel and filling the old opening in. hopfuly when it's done it will look better then the stock GMC dash.

[Jebb1978]

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

So Jebb1978, with the fleet option you get a Chavy dash! Cool! Thats somthing I wish my GMC had, a Chevy dash. I really don't like the GMC one as I have said before.

I spent so long trying to figure out why mine was the only GMC I could find that way. The Plastic Cover says GMC at the bottom, It has a crack but I guess I am just going to have to deal with it because I won't be able to replace it.

[CAL 58 GMC]

I just bought Air Ride's Shockwave air bag made for 70 to 81 Camaro. I was not planning on doing bags but I got a good deal on e-bay that was installed but never used. It came with a Firestone Air Compressor, rear air bags and brackets for leaf-spring application, controls, lines, fittings and a 3 gallon air tank.

[Jebb1978]

Your rig is going to look like the one I posted

[CAL 58 GMC]

I was on Air Ride's web site and they say I should be able to get it 2 inchs from the ground with the bag completly deflated. So I hope I can get as low as the pic you posted jebb1979.

[Jebb1978]

I will cross my fingers for you

[TEAM THC]

Very Cool Project. I Will Build One Someday.....

[CAL 58 GMC]

Thanks Team THC! Someday I'm sure you will. I like your Silverado, looks clean!

[CAL 58 GMC]

I spent most of the weekend working on the project. I got the rear end all rebulit with a posi unit and all new seals & bearings. I put new drilled rotors and new calipers on, You can also see in the pics I got the gas tank in now.

[57ToyBox]

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

I spent most of the weekend working on the project. I got the rear end all rebulit with a posi unit and all new seals & bearings. I put new drilled rotors and new calipers on, You can also see in the pics I got the gas tank in now.

Hi Cal
How do you like your rear end after you rebuilt it with the posi Camaro gears.
I got my S10 4X4 Blazer axle, and I was wondering what the manufacturer's name is on your calipers.
I did some online shopping for custom S10 Blazer Axle parts but haven't found anything I liked.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Hi Cal
How do you like your rear end after you rebuilt it with the posi Camaro gears.
I got my S10 4X4 Blazer axle, and I was wondering what the manufacturer's name is on your calipers.
I did some online shopping for custom S10 Blazer Axle parts but haven't found anything I liked.

It's works fine for what I use the truck for. If I had built the truck for the 1/4 mile then I would have gone with a 9 inch or a custom built Moser. I'm running the stock calipers.

[dwcsr]

Nice job, whats the rear out of?