Projects Daily Driver 51 Jimmy

Cab front floors removed and ready for replacement.



Cab is actually pretty solid for one of these trucks. Usually all the cab corners are completely rotten.

--louis

 

Following along, good progress so far. I too like the GMC being just a bit different than a Chevy. As evidence by my 52 seen in avatar pic. The 350/700R4 will be a great combo in the truck. I went with Jaguar IFS and IRS out of the same donor, but the dropped axle and new leaf springs you have should work just fine.

 

I would have totally done a Sids axle if Steve had not started making his Dakota crossmembers and I stumbled upon a free front clip!

 

Thanks, I have looked at your latch kits and they look well made. I am going to use the stock ones for now but I may switch over later. That is a sweet ride you have.

--louis

 

I may switch to IFS later but sticking with the KISS method for now. We will see how my arse feels after a few long rides. Honestly, with living in Florida, AC is higher on my list.

--louis

 

I have an old under dash AC unit that I am going to mount under the seat in my GMC. It will be my daily and Lavin can drive our late model Subie

 

You shouldn't have any issue with the ride with the dropped axle and properly set up springs. who knows how many miles but at least 300K on my 48 says that the seat and it's degree of comfort and leg and foot position have far more to do with comfort on long trips.
I've been waiting for Steve to get to producing the Dakota crossmembers but need to sell some excess pieces off to swing it right now. I bought a Dakota donor and didn't get one ordered the first time around.

 

He is running the shop for the guy that bought him out. I do not think they are doing the crossmember yet. Been a few weeks since I talked to him. It is a VERY NICE piece.

 

New floor pans are in.



Also picked up a set of '57 Caddy caps for the project.



Going to add some bullets to replace the centers. Should look good.

Thanks,

--louis

 

I grabbed this shot off a HAMBer here. These truck look great with hub caps

 

Yeah and the Caddys are one of my favorites. I accidently bought a set of '56s which look the same but don't fit. Glad I found these.

 

Aren’t those hub caps off a Canadian Escalade pickup from back in the day, very rare and valuable is a 50’s Escalade pickup....
Lol!

 

Humm, early 50s Cadillac Suburban Escalade. I like it! But I would probably go with the 48 Sombreros on that.

 

Andy is still working on the Cab. Both pillars needed help from where the doors have been over extended.









Thanks,

--louis

 

Progress on the chassis.










Thanks,

--louis

 

Nice project I’m following along can’t wait to see the progress. I know things slow down a bit this time of year in your area. I myself spent several years working on rooftops A/C in your city. Weather can be brutal this time of year early morning is your friend.
I just got my 57 truck on the road driving the wheels off it every chance I get. Kinda like your story I had a 57 years ago as a daily work truck. Always wanted another one and after many years found a good candidate. Keep up the progress and get that truck back on the road.

 

Engine and trans are in. I was originally going to run some ram horn exhaust but they don't clear the steering box. It looks like 265 55-57 manifolds will fit if we space the steering box over a bit but I don't have a set. So I am searching for a good pair. (Aren't we all.)



Thanks,

--louis

 

@louisb , shoot me a PM, I think I have an extra pair of 265 manifolds

 

Andy has been busy hammering out the worst of the dents in the truck and the body is looking pretty straight.






Funds are running a bit low so we are trying to decide if we will do paint or leave it as a patina truck for now. I may just wait and paint it later. (or never) To bad there is not more of the original green paint left. We are hoping to have it running and some basic upholstery done by next spring. Then the plan is to drive it back form Penn to Florida where I live.

--louis

 

If you don’t paint it, you can call it “Low Down and…. Dirty! Great project.

 

So Andy is finishing up the last of the metal work on the body. The running boards were really solid but beat all the hell so Andy spent a good bit of time pounding them into shape. The hood needed a little work as well. Last area on the body is the bed.







Since I don't have the money to paint it right now and we are shooting for me to pick it up in mid March Andy is going to spray it with red oxide primer. Something like this:



I am actually really digging the plaid interior on this truck too though I know I don't want a cloth interior.

Thanks,

--louis

 

I am doing Faribault Wool and leatherette

 

Just saw this post Louis, really digging all the progress. Can't wait to see more.

 

Hello,

As far a choice for paint, patina or finished color, here is a sister truck with some aspect of original faded patina.
So Cal coastal salt air effect...
Some body work has begun, but the whole truck remains as a work in progress. We have seen this truck rolling around the So Cal area a different times, so it is not in a garage getting some upgrades or a finish paint any time soon.

In our neck of the woods, we have seen this style of truck all over So Cal. They are very popular.
Here is another sister truck with a finished paint and a different stance with some added accessories to make a completed truck.

They were finished, as a daily driver, and even for sale.

You have started a good project and we see plenty of the trucks running around So Cal all of the time we are on the road. Trucks are usually daily drivers. Here is one final front end of a finished GMC truck that may or may not be in your choices. It is a finished panel truck.


Jnaki

But, our favorite old GMC truck color and look is this one from So Cal.

The look and style of the GMC front end was the capper of all. The satin finished black paint was smooth and looked old, despite the similarities of the popular “ice” color paint jobs from the factories.

The choice of patina or paint in your style of trucks is always around. Hopefully, these will give you some choices to ponder. YRMV

 

So I asked Hotrod Jen to stripe up my caddy air cleaner with a tiki theme and this is what she did.


How cool is that? You can find her @hotrodjen on the Instygram.

--louis

 

Wow, Beautiful!

 

Getting the sheet metal ready for primer next week. Note the gas filler hole has been filled on the passenger side. Moving the tank under the bed for a little more room in the cab.






Thanks,

--louis

 

So we have color. After a lot of changes of mind we settled on blue suede. I think it is going to look good.

Thanks,

--louis

 

It worked for Elvis… keep posting progress, really enjoying the way your truck is turning out!

 

Cab is back on the chassis.

--louis