57 GMC Big Window low budget build

[57bigwindow]

Hello my name is Bern and I'm about to embark on a complete frame off custom restoration to my 1957 GMC Big Window. The 2nd series trucks have always been my favorite and I finally got myself one via craigslist 3 years ago. New England has very slim pickings so I had the truck shipped from Utah. I've been collecting parts for many years and this is what I have planned. 05 Escalade 6.0 ho, t56 6spd trans, 95 corvette IFS, Ford 9inch narrows with disc, and a bunch of other little but necessary parts. I have a very small 1 car garage that I'm almost done wiring and pluming so I can build the truck. I hope to get steady work done on the truck and have the frame complete by spring. My amazing wife just got me a new welder and plasma cutter for xmas, now that I'm done all the household renovations shes locking me in the garage. I'm excited for this build and to document it,this site has so much to offer with support and inspiration.

[Chiefjrock]

Sounds like it's gonna be a beast! Can't wait to see the progress pix...good luck.

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Sounds like a great build. Be sure and post plenty of pics of the build.
Kim

[OKGMC4]

Sounds awesome, can't wait to see more.

[Maximus]

did i miss where the "low budget" was going to come into effect????

sounds like its going to be a beast!!! but I don't see a truck with "05 Escalade 6.0 ho, t56 6spd trans, 95 corvette IFS, Ford 9inch narrows with disc" as low budget!!!

Low budget to me is "my grandma's '85 Caprice is going to supply my engine/trans and ill probably use the rear end too..." haha

congrats on your Utah survivor!! These trucks are truly classics!

[57bigwindow]

Thank you guys I will be sure to snap allot of pictures because I enjoy how all of you documented your builds. As for low budget I try to make my dollar go as far as I can and trading is always fun too. I owned a towing company for awhile before I went to Ups to be a mechanic and while towing I made some great friends and some great scores. I got the complete motor with computer and wiring harness and goodies from a salvage yard I towed for, for $800. I found the transmission at a antique swap meet for $600 and offered him $300 he didn't want to load it back up and he through in a racing clutch along with the whole slave setup. I priced out Mustang two front ends with all the polished goodies and they can go around 2k. I purchased the c4 front end complete rotor to rotor for $350. I plan on using the vette factory subframe like okg did. I was given a set of 17inch boyd billet wheels and I got a billet half wrap steering wheel and gauges off ebay for short money.

[meter swinger]

Dude your all over it! Thats gonna be a low-budget street killer. Nice.
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[Daze57]

welcome to the forum - looks like you have a great project there . good luck and keep us posted .

[hotrodrookie]

Great start, what kind of welder and plasma?

[57bigwindow]

She got me the 220v 175 mig from Eastwood it came with everything including a spool gun! The plasma cutter was part of the package its a eastwood versa cut it was i believe $799 for the pair. I have a lincoln weld pack 100 but I wanted something bigger for the frame work. This week I plan on finishing up my wiring in the garage, I ran a sub panel off my house main panel and I'm putting lots of outlets! I cant wait to start cutting!

[ambryatim]

Its gonna be awesome!!

[57bigwindow]

Thanks, Yea I sure hope

Sorry guys that I haven't posted anything yet just have had a bunch a family things but its seems to be slowing down now so I can get back to cleaning out and wiring the garage. I have a tiny garage that I'm attempting to do the build out of so its hard on space.I have allot of tools and parts so as you can see I need to get cleaning. I know allot of you are die hards building trucks outside or in lean-to's so I need to stop crying and start building.

Here is some pics of my messy tiny garage.

[57bigwindow]

I forget how to add a picture any suggestions

[ambryatim]

I use photo bucket and then get the image code and put it in your message.

Did you get my PM?

[57bigwindow]

Yes I did and I just saw it sry, Im still learning how the site works. I've never belonged to any forum or posted before this. I did't use photo thing before did this just changed so you have to use one?

[ambryatim]

No, that is just the way I do it.

Originally Posted by 57bigwindow

I did't use photo thing before did this just changed so you have to use one?

[57bigwindow]

here are some pics of my messy garage it won't be like this for long

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by 57bigwindow

now that I'm done all the household renovations shes locking me in the garage.

my kind of woman, my wife banishes me to the barn too, usually while she's cleaning house.
that's why i keep a beer fridge out there

[55Cameo]

Like the sound of this one. Gonna be a sweet build

[57bigwindow]

Small update with pictures to follow this week its been a hectic spring/summer and I was not able to touch the truck BUT I am on Vacation this week and have been working in the garage I got the garage all wired up for my welder and plasma cutter and I got a new huge tool box from www.motorheadextraordinaire.com. I should have the cab and bed off the frame this week along with plenty pictures.

[57bigwindow]

Did not get as much as I wanted done today but made progress. I found some damage on the truck that I never saw before, it appears the truck took a pretty good hit to the passenger side bent cowl and buckled the roof. There was allot of plastic filler hiding the damage.

[57bigwindow]

more damage shots

[57bigwindow]

I also got the glass taken out today, unbolted the bed and started building a dolly for the cab heres a few pics motor & suspension

[Kim57]

I hate finding hidden damage.
The engine and suspension look good.
Kim

[57bigwindow]

Although I found some pretty bad damage from a accident I got a chance to get under the cab and it is incredibly solid with all clean orig paint so I guess its better to be dealing with dents instead of Ma rust. more pictures tomorrow cab and bed should be off and started cleaning frame to put the c4 front ifs on.