Just joined the forum... '59 GMC Fleet Option

[futameca]

Picked it up a few weeks ago. Super excited to have it. Drove a '64 Chevy 3 on the tree back in my late 20's, LOVED it. Ever since that truck went a way I've wanted to get into another truck.

Wasn't quite sure what I had until I started poking around. What's interesting is you've all seen this truck on this forum before. I couldn't believe it when I found a picture of my very truck posted here. Now it's in San Diego, not much has changed with it since that pic in Idaho.

The adventure begins!

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Here is one that shows up at a lot of the local shows.

Notice the white hood emblem. he also changed out the clear turn signals for amber and mirror has been changed.

[Highsider]

WELCOME!

...and we do love a good picture or three.

[OrrieG]

Welcome!! I took the Idaho pic at the Emmett show, very nice truck and fleet option example. Looked original and complete.

[tmoble]

wow, changed the hood ornament, grill, front bumper, switched from four headlights to two. the switch to amber park lights seems to pale in comparison.

Welcome to the forum, there's a wealth of help and info here.

[tmoble]

Orrie, all all those changes a part of the fleet option? or something the PO did?

[Kim57]

Welcome.
We do like pics.
Kim

[futameca]

Thanks for the welcome! Orrie, I hope it's ok I reposted your pic.

I'm new to this but as I've looked around for more info it looks like most of what you see is original to the truck. The amber parking lights are a change and of course the flat bed. That will be replaced to original down the road.

[OrrieG]

Tmoble, yes those are the factory changes. It was usually a heater delete too, dome light delete, radio delete, single carbboard visor, and if you look closely it has a Chevy truck V gauge cluster but with a GMC on the lense where Chevys have a bowtie. If it had a bed it was a GMC tailgate, no rear bumper and a lot of times was a factory flatbed.

[tmoble]

Wow, news to me. I guess I've never seen one of those trucks before. It's almost like a different brand.

[futameca]

I'll get some more pics. Mine does have a radio and heater. Maybe those were optioned back into this fleet option.

[futameca]

It took awhile, life is back to sort of normal, but as promised more pics. If you all see anything that is amiss let me know. I'm new to these trucks... be kind.

Some of the things I've noticed already and some questions:
- The bodywork done previously leaves something to be desired.
- Needs headlight bezels, I've ordered one set that didn't fit. If anyone has a line on what will fit this let me know.
- It was told to me that a number of po's ago it was lowered 4". Were springs removed? Or how is this done?
- It looks like it's missing the fuel filter.
- Missing some side kick panels in the cab?
- It's a longbed?
- The shocks and springs look and feel worn out. I have a gut feeling that that heavy flatbed is taking its toll on the rear suspension. It's secured via large i-beams welded to the frame.

Plans?
I want to keep this as original as I can. The flatbed will come off for the original type stepside. Wheels will be replaced. body panels fixed, saggy doors fixed, the little bits and pieces that are missing fixed, power steering added (to make it more pleasurable for the wifey to drive), may try to go original paint, may not.































Twin brother got me the scale model for Christmas.

[Kim57]

Looks like a real nice truck in the pics.
Cool gift.
Kim

[Ratpin]

Nice truck! I know where a '59 fleet option is sitting in a field just 10 miles from me. Pretty rusty though but not too bad.

Those springs are totally shot and your rear shocks are at an angle where they are not doing much good. Looks like some leaves were pulled at some point.

[Katrina/10]

I like your truck, looks like the rear was lowered by removing some of the leaf springs.

[octanejunkie]

Originally Posted by Ratpin

Those [rear] springs are totally shot and your rear shocks are at an angle where they are not doing much good. Looks like some leaves were pulled at some point.

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

...looks like the rear was lowered by removing some of the leaf springs.

I agree with both of these assessments, plus the PO flipped the lower-rear shock mounts over, decreasing the length of the shock mounting. All very ghetto.

I'd plan on refreshing all the suspension components; new springs, correct shocks, etc, and verify all mounting locations - unless you are going to modify/replace the suspension.

Nice truck. GMC Fleet Options are rare, congrats!

[_Ogre]

the more i see those gmc fleet option trucks, the more i like them
they weren't rare in the 70s, they were scavenged for parts by 4 eyed gmc and chevy owners; like me

it is definitely a long bed; half ton by the looks of the suspension
that was the fuel filter of the era, it's a sediment bowl type filter
before you install power steering, rebuild the king pins; you'd be surprised at how easy they steer

i believe the truck was lowered by removing the overload springs only, that in itself is not bad
but it would only lower the truck an inch or so if it had a stock bed on there and no load
but the weight of the flatbed is too much for what's left, probably too much for stock springs
not sure why the shock mounts have been reversed, in that position the shocks may bottom out

my truk rides on springs that have been modified the same way by removing the 3 short springs
my springs do not flatten out like yours; your's maybe shot or just overloaded with that bed.
truk also has the axle flipped on top of the springs for a total of about 7'' of drop
ghetto or not, it has ridden fine for 25,000 miles, just can't load it like a truck

[futameca]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and compliments!! It doesn't take much to bottom out that's for sure. I may start separate threads on these different things.

The more I look around the more I'm am amazed at what you all are doing on your builds. I'm humbled to now be part of this community.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Ratpin

Nice truck! I know where a '59 fleet option is sitting in a field just 10 miles from me. Pretty rusty though but not too bad.

Even if the body is shot, you might try and get some of the Fleet option specific stuff off of it, it is not repoped. bumper, grille, bezel, delete plates, single headlight bucket, etc.

[futameca]

Sorry Orrie, what do you mean by repoped?

[_Ogre]

reproduced is to long to type for most of us, thus repop

[futameca]

Ah, got it.