1959 GMC 9310 Canadian built Shortbox Fleetside Deluxe

[Foot Stomper]

My Dad brought this truck home in around 1973ish when I was 10 years old and it's been in my family ever since.

https://goo.gl/photos/NVg8VbQ9Xdfrn6Y99

It's been kept pretty close to original and is a daily driver to this day. Dad has handed it down to me and now my high school friends Ken and Janice are going to restore it for me as a huge favor and honor! Ken has done many before and I just know he'll do a wonderful job of our family truck.

The truck originally ordered with a 235 but a 261 now resides. The radio and speaker, deluxe stainless bed side trim, stainless window trim, deluxe heater, deluxe seating upholstery, chrome dash panel and full gauges, inside visors, dual exterior mirrors are all original equipment and everything works... even the parking brake.

It has brand new dual exhaust coming out Dad's brazed refabricated exhaust manifold, thru Red Devil bottles and then exit just beneath tail light and inside a touch.
https://goo.gl/photos/2jjJw5v5U8KsprsH6
https://goo.gl/photos/UTGUzcc5YsQDv2oo9

It's going to be a frame off restoration to it's original Omaha Orange and Bombay Ivory colors and 16" steel rims with Coker Classics 4" wide whitewalls. This link goes to a concept drawing I had made specific for this truck. Concept means we may make some changes, but in the end, it will be very similar.
https://goo.gl/photos/1s7bnXE78ZdWnEP18

The interior is functional and design is stock except the plaid upholstery. I'm thinking original style upholstery if I can find some.
https://goo.gl/photos/6yqj8uzuu9DRRkLb6

I'll post pictures as we go along.

I invite you to join us on our journey to renewing the very truck I drove to high school back in the late 70's.

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Cool back story.
Link didn't work for me.
Kim

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Welcome.
Cool back story.
Link didn't work for me.
Kim

Rookie forum poster finally figured out how to post pictures... I think... please let me know?

[59chev]

Welcome to the forum! Looking forward to seeing pics of the rebuild. Looks to be in pretty decent shape, as a starting point. I wish mine was that nice when I started out.

[Foot Stomper]

Some of you will notice that the rear differential (in the exhaust pictures above in thread introduction AND below) is not OE. Dad didn't like the stock 3.90 with the smaller 235/85R15 tire/rim combination as you can imagine getting to highway speeds of 60 mph would have the 261 screaming like hell. He found a 81 Chevy 2 wheel drive diffy, slid the 6 bolt axles in and ended up with 2200 rpm at 60 mph. Still a tiny bit of a strain but far more comfortable. I don't yet know the gear ratio I have now but am thinking the 31" Coker Classics mounted on 16" rims will bring the rpm down enough to make a top speed of 65 or so more likely. Once I get the gear ratio confirmed, I use the many "calculators" on line to figure out my final rpm at 60 mph.



If someone can tell me why my pic is rolling over to be up-side-down, I'd sure like to hear about it.

[Kim57]

I've had my pics do weird things when I use my phone to take them.
Kim

[Foot Stomper]

UPDATE - my bed wood showed up today. It looks incredible. I found it on Kijiji and purchased it from a gentleman in Ontario, Canada who tells me that it's Elm wood and very rare. Elm isn't being harvested in Canada anymore for a long time. These pieces have been in a cabinet makers shop for the past 25 years, then more recently milled to make bed wood boards. I've learned that Elm is "harder than nails" so that combined with its unique grain, I'm certain it will look perfect once its finished and installed.

Here's a very cool video of an Elm tree coming down in Seattle.
https://vimeo.com/81240461

[Kim57]

Very nice.
Kim

[Foot Stomper]

I learned some interesting facts recently about my truck.

There were only 2697 short box GMC's built in Canada in 1959 including both step side and wide side.

I also learned that in 1959 only did GMC in Canada only offer the stainless bedside spears!

[ptc]

Welcome and nice project you have there.

Also thanks for posting that video, brings back many memories as I was a Climber/Cutter back in the day down here in CA. I did many removals of ENORMOUS redwood and sequoia trees on the northern coast and bay area. Worked on many HUGE oak trees too in the central valley many of which were more than 500-700 years old. It was a great job but short lived. I still have all my gear and even have an old MAC 101 that was used by a logger back in the early 60's that had a 72" chain bar on it at one time. That thing weighs in at about 40 lbs and I could never dream of hauling that up a tree, but the old timers did!

Good luck on the project!

[RockinKees]

Welcome from me too!

Cool story, and I like the drawing of your "new" truck!!

[Foot Stomper]

I acquired a used tailgate and wanted to see how much body filler it had on it so I got my grinder out and went to work. The PO had welded in a smooth panel so there was more filler on it that should have been.

After I removed most of the filler, I painted it with some RustOleum black to prevent any surface rusting (until full attempt to repair it) and to help show any dents and imperfections.

I think I just might have a tailgate worth using after all. Unless the center panel is no good but won't know that until we get the smooth panel off. I don't like the slight curve in it however.

[Foot Stomper]

Official start date on the restoration is today! I'm super excited!!

Ken has pulled it into the shop. Looks like he took some sandpaper to the lower box side looking for either Omaha Orange or as I suspected, Bombay Ivory. This confirms that the truck was painted two tone as it should have been according to my research and records.

[Kim57]

Cool.
Post lots of pics on the progress.
Kim

[dsraven]

hey footstomp, any work getting done over there? world of wheel interuption maybe?
ya, me either. work always gets in the way.
what part of calgary are you in?

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by dsraven

hey footstomp, any work getting done over there? world of wheel interuption maybe?
ya, me either. work always gets in the way.
what part of calgary are you in?

Slow start but I expect a flurry of activity shortly. My buddy Ken is just finishing up getting retired then I think he's going to start on it.
I'm in Cochrane actually.

[fisherman420]

Nice truck Stomper! didn't want to keep those stacks eh? This will be a beauty once your driving that paper rendering down the road! Perhaps one day we will meet on the QE2

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by fisherman420

Nice truck Stomper! didn't want to keep those stacks eh? This will be a beauty once your driving that paper rendering down the road! Perhaps one day we will meet on the QE2

Thanks! I am sure looking forward to putting some serious miles on it too! QE2 not out of the question!

[59chev]

Did any of you guys see the 58 Fleetside at the World of wheels this weekend? That truck alone was worth the price of admission for me this year.

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by 59chev

Did any of you guys see the 58 Fleetside at the World of wheels this weekend? That truck alone was worth the price of admission for me this year.

Do you mean this one???

[59chev]

Originally Posted by Foot Stomper

Do you mean this one???

That's the one. I spent a fair bit of time checking it out.

[84blaze]

Originally Posted by Foot Stomper

Do you mean this one???

That truck was built by Sam at Epic Rod and Custom in Calgary, AB. He does awesome work.

[dug224]

Can't wait to see it in the original color! Early on, I did not appreciate the GMC front grille. Now I think I prefer it. Subscribed.

[Foot Stomper]

Looking for some input about a GMC tailgate.

I realize my 4 original tailgates just aren't worth putting on the truck. So I'm looking for a new one.
Mar K is my first choice but they don't stamp the "race track" around the GMC script...damn! I guess it could be painted on. I don't want to go without it as I do like it on there.
Classic seems to have a nice kit that includes an inside box release handle and support bars but I don't know anything about their quality. Can anyone share their experience with a Classic tailgate?
All other options seem to only offer the original design providing the hanging chain latch system which I don't want. Now I realize this can be modified once I get it but would prefer to just buy one ready to install.

So that leaves me with only one option it seems, Classic...unless you guys can suggest another option?

[Foot Stomper]

The truck is coming apart. Lots of rust is not surprising. The media blaster is going to work on it shortly so we'll see just how good metal is left.
I'm curious if this is going to a floor replacement piece or will several pieces be better...