New here, dad's 55.1 project and hoping to find a 55-59 of my own

[bambbrose]

Hi guys!

Great website you have here.


My dad and I finished this 55 1st series GMC 5 window about 3 years ago. It came out great but he's all about keeping it original or close to it. I've wanted to build a street truck of my own for a long time now, so I decided it's time to find my own project. It was originally my grandpas truck way back in the day, and I'm certain it'll be passed along the generations for years to come.




My main goals for my own truck build are daily drivability, decent gas mileage, and a great handling ride. What good is a truck if you can't drive it around right?

I have a fear of carbs (opposite of most of the older guys it seems), so the current dream plans involve a newer genIII 4.8 or 5.3 swap, whichever I can find cheaper. The gas mileage is the main reason I want to go with something newer, plus I won't have to rebuild it. I'll be going with IFS up front, but not sure what type yet (still a lot of research left in that department). I'm also liking the idea of the late model S10 rear end with discs. Still have a lot of learning to do with these old trucks.

Being part of the younger generation I've also built a few modern cars. My latest one is this 92 honda (not all honda owners are ricers ). It ran a 14.2 at 5200ft elevation all motor 1.8l and still got 34mpg. They are fun and mostly CHEAP, but my true love will always be classic trucks, just couldn't afford to build one until now.




Anyway just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I'll update this post when I find a good truck to start with (maybe even make a new project thread). I've been researching them for a few years now while I went to school, but now I finally decided to buy something. Hopefully in the next 4 months I'll find what I need so I can have something to work on during the summer nights. I was going to build an AD originally but the more I looked around for ideas the more and more I decided that I like the taskforce style.

I'll keep you guys updated on my search, and maybe even ask a few questions as they pop up. Until then I'll keep on reading away and learning from you guys. Thanks for the great resource!

[CAL 58 GMC]

WELCOME!!! Your Dad's GMC looks like it turned out really nice. Being an older guy, I have to say I'm not into the tuner thing, but I can always appreciate the work that goes into them.

[pugs]

welcome from Pa, truck looks sweet

[entourageguy]

Hello from the cold north

[1-ton of fun]

welcome!

i am also younger, but the modern cars i have built are an '03 lightning and a '93 mustang coupe. at least you are trying to go fast, but one day you will learn if you really want to go fast, you need rwd. i just don't understand trying to race a fwd car. now i would love to own an rx7, that is some neat tech on those cars.

[Igotachevyor2]

welcome

[bambbrose]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone

I know that FWD cars aren't the best for drag, but I'm not really a drag racer at heart. I love the autocross and HDPE events just as much and the double wishbone 2000lb hatches are wonderful for road racing.



I want to build a classic truck simply because of the beauty. It's tough to find something that is as breathtaking as a beautiful well done street truck, not to mention the nostalgia of driving around in a classic.

[1-ton of fun]

road racing eh? my 93 coupe is slowly becoming a road racer. i'm doing the front brake upgrades right now. the first time i did it i was hooked. i had been running my truck, but it is HARD on brakes...

[dan42]

Welcome from Central Cal - I have a soft spot for '55 1st series too. Here is my (former) truck, now owned my my brother's mother-in-law (long story). And I agree on the driveability of these trucks, they sure are pretty but they aren't very fun to drive very long in the stock configuration. Hope you find just the right truck.

[solidaxel]

Welcome from the sunney rust free southwest Arizona.
I am fond of the 55 1st series also, but as a hot rod with power steering, A/C, prower windows and just like IT was offered stock, RADIO DELETE!!

[72BlckButy]

to the board! The truck you guys built is beautiful... and don't let them give you to much crap about driving a ricer. With todays gas prices everyone will end up with one eventually.

[shifty]

Welcome to the forum!

I love the 92-95 civics as well, they're a great car, for a sub-2.0L engine, they really aren't that bad.

Good luck!

[bambbrose]

So I have a question for you guys.

Where do you even begin to look for old trucks locally?

I've searched the local newspaper classifieds on a regular basis. I also have been checking the free classifieds ads that are around town as well.

Any other common places? Should I just drive around the country since I live in a large farm valley and just knock on doors of houses that have what I'm looking for rotting on the barn?

Just curious how you guys found your own projects.

[55dude]

welcome! i would think just driving your dads truck around someone will stop and ask if your interested in a old truck,it never fails when were hauling one home and getting gas someone always ask us if we want another old truck or car and lots of the time they end up being free for hauling them away.

[Daniel U]

Try http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/ut
I know my brother does the old country road drives and knocks on doors. Sometimes you get lucky, somtimes you get a shotgun, lol.