1959 GMC 9310 Canadian built Shortbox Fleetside Deluxe

[northerngmc]

NOS lights sure look great.

I must ask, why a painted grill and not chrome?

[Foot Stomper]

Painted grill for a couple of reasons. .. one, it didn't have it originally but more importantly getting it chromed is another $800... something I can do later if I want. For now I like the looks of the painted grill. I could even grab an old original bumper and head light bezels and paint them white too. I like options.

[59chev]

Personally I like the painted grill, adds some contrast.

I will be running a painted grill, bumper and headlight bezels when I get mine back on the road with no plans for chrome.

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by Foot Stomper

Painted grill for a couple of reasons. .. one, it didn't have it originally but more importantly getting it chromed is another $800... something I can do later if I want. For now I like the looks of the painted grill. I could even grab an old original bumper and head light bezels and paint them white too. I like options.

I guess with your avatar drawing having a chrome grill I expected a chrome grill.

Nothing wrong with it, just surprised me.

Mine was a plain farm truck and I had the grill bumper and head light bezels chromed. Cost me $1000, 15 years ago!

[Foot Stomper]

So Ken discovered a small hole in the side of the new transmission that leaked gear oil once he filled it. Did a bit of research and learned that the hole is used for a pin that holds the reverse shaft inside the transmission. The pin was pushed in a touch too far, so a dab of JB Weld was used (after a cleaning and scuff) to stop the leak. All good now.

The old truck is being shipped off tomorrow to end up in Cochrane, Alberta later this month. Ken's done taking required parts n pieces off of it and needs the space in the shop to prep and paint the box sides. Three tailgates, an extra set of rims and tires and other odds and ends will get strapped to the flat deck. Once I get the old girl home, I'll put it up for sale along with all the other 55 GMC step side stuff and 58/59 pieces I've accumulated during this build. Not going to part it out... one price takes everything in one sale. Hopefully, someone will want to make a stocker as the motor and transmission, brakes and all mechanical worked perfectly when I drove it to Ken's in the fall of 2015.

The box sides went to sand blaster this week and have a wee bit of filler in them which is understandable and acceptable. Ken tells me there is a small amount of rust repair but nothing too serious. The rest of the box is all brand new pieces so once he's done working on the box sides, he will be installing the hidden tailgate latches and drop down support cables. Once tailgate is done, it will get scuffed along with the new header panel and primed. Dry fitment will happen along the way before paint.

The upholsterer called to say the seat was ready for pickup/install.... sorry no pics... more on that later...

The passenger door is giving Ken some serious gray hair as it doesn't close anywhere near easy with the weather strip on. Nothing new with these old girls to be sure! The driver side door is a dream to open and close so there is some relief in that... but still, a stubborn door is a total pain in the ass for him at this point. I sent him some new(er) hinges and he's going to try them to see if that improves the situation. One thing I've told Ken a thousand times is "this is NOT a concours restoration and I expect to see irregular gaps and imperfect alignment... I don't want it over-restored!"... just like when it was first built is just fine with me!!!

Ken has sworn that I am not going to see any more pictures now that it's at this stage s no more pictures for you guys either until it's done.

[mongocanfly]

yall were discussing chrome and its cost back a few...have you ever seen this...pretty neat but I know nothing about it....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY0iNcApC8s

[GreasyLikeaBurger]

thats a new technique I havent seen yet. I assume durability is low, but for interior components it might hold up really well. They had that spray on chrome process that looks like water and than changes to a chrome like finish, but I have heard that also does not stand up well to environmental wear.

[Foot Stomper]

The exhaust manifold sprung when we took it off and no way no how could we get it to stop leaking so off it went to a machine shop for planing. Seals up perfectly now!

The box sides went off to the sandblasters and came back in great condition. There was a small amount of filler in them but that's not any concern. Epoxy primer is going on them and Ken says the amount of rust on them was minimal and won't take much time to get them into paint. See pics below.

Crystal Glass guys in Regina came out to install the windshield, including the stainless trim that I spent countless hours polishing and in two hours they were done! Very hard install but was made easier for them because the seat and steering wheel were not installed. Carpet is installed, seat is finished and installed too!
Ken painted the steering wheel last night so now the entire cab is completed and tight! Ken tells me he has the hood repainted. It **** him off that he missed a very small dent in it and won't accept that for one minute!

Sorry, no more pictures until it's done. Ken has cut me off! He wants to surprise me and my family with the final results. Looking to drive it home in the next few weeks. Once it's home, I'll post pictures to fill the time gap.

[Scottish58chev]

Can't wait to see it all done.

[Foot Stomper]

Every time Ken threatens to stop sending pics I get some more! Hahaha
He's cutting rust out of the bedsides and although found a few spots, the overall condition is pretty nice.
The remaining rust between the panels is going to get a healthy bath in cavity wax every spring. Nothing else can be done at this point since a "dip" is not available in the area.
Seems someone gave the passenger side bed spear a pretty good wack because the filler in it was pretty deep. A uni-spotter dent pulling tool must be used to pull it out a bit before any filler is applied.

[Foot Stomper]

A couple more rust removal pictures.
The tailgate hidden latches have been installed too.

[Foot Stomper]

Getting closer now. Many hours of welding, grinding, priming and sanding are paying off. Ken is busting his ASS trying to juggle life's challenges, and he's had many recently.
He is trying hard to get it done as it's so close!

[Foot Stomper]

All masked off and ready for the white paint.

[Scottish58chev]

Looks good man, makes all the hrs of heartache seem like a dream lol can’t wait to be at the same stage but a long way to go.

[Foot Stomper]

I'd like to point out that I am not personally doing all the work on this truck. I can't take credit. I've been helping, but 99.9% is Ken's time and skills going into it.

He let me know that the box is now painted and he refuses to send me any pictures!

Here's the last picture he sent.

Looks like I should be able to drive it home pretty soon! Can't wait!

[dsraven]

wait for the hail storms to stop, lol.
looking good. wish I could say the same, mine is stalled out for lack of time.

[idbeast]

looking good!

[Kim57]

Looks real nice.
Kim

[Foot Stomper]

The truck is done! Yahoo!
Flights booked for July 26 to Regina, to drive it home with my wife. Big reveal party planned for the 28th. Dad doesn't know anything about the restoration so hopefully he'll be both surprised and impressed!

[northerngmc]

Congrats. A very exciting times. Should be a fun drive.

[northerngmc]

So is your truck getting a few miles on it now?

I was in Calgary last weekend but didn't see it running around!

[dsraven]

did you happen to be out at the water valley saloon last weekend? there was a red and white 4 eyed truck out there, drove past it but never got to see it up close, was at a wedding. looked good though. I wondered if it was you doing a little run.

[northerngmc]

I am was just into Calgary for a couple of days getting my son set up in school at MRU. Didn’t get to see much for cars. When did Calgary get a Lamborghini dealer?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by dsraven

did you happen to be out at the water valley saloon last weekend? there was a red and white 4 eyed truck out there, drove past it but never got to see it up close, was at a wedding. looked good though. I wondered if it was you doing a little run.

Yeah, that might have been me... haha

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by northerngmc

So is your truck getting a few miles on it now?

I was in Calgary last weekend but didn't see it running around!

Oh yeah, I've been putting miles on it. Not in Calgary unless I need to... MRU is a great school! My oldest son loved going there!!