Wamego: 1949 GMC 150

[joedoh]

I forgot to cut the angle pieces on the bed sides so most of the morning was pulling the s10 floor back OUT, then putting it back IN. after that I got it adjusted with jacks till it was level on the frame. the running board apron is just clamped on there to line it all up.

IMG_1013 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I measure 6 ways of sunday but what really helps is some distance. walk away and look, you would be surprised to know you can spot a misalignment of even 1/8" side to side.

IMG_1016 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I adjusted till it all looked right and tacked it in. I closed the gap on the bed a little and put the rear wheels just a 1/2" back, I like it better than a big gap at the cab like I had on the last 49. I doubt anyone will notice (although I just got done telling you that you can spot even 1/8"!).

IMG_1014 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1019 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

the running board/apron isnt jack up in position,I was showing my wife that it was part of the truck now, bolted down and at least tacked.

IMG_1017 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1018 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


the running board is at 8 inches and the front fender is at 5, so I am thinking I need a 2" block, but I will wait till the bed is complete and has wood/tailgate etc. the springs should settle a little too.

IMG_1021 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

someone asked on the last one why I wasnt fully welding the bed floor to the bed sides, I do use long ~2" tacks about every 4 or 5 inches but I dont like burning the paint off the outside of the bed, its very visible. I do use a seam sealer that can grip a little but if you think of the forces on the bed, bending the bed sides outward is very hard to do, most of the force from a bed load is going to be straight down. the original wood was bolted to the angle on the bed side and that was IT, the straight down load was handled by the crossbars and the wood planks, which were bolted down at the rear but I weld in a piece to the floor and the bed to join them.

tomorrow is the rad mount and various mounts for things under the hood like the fuse/distribution box. should go fast as long as I have enough 18ga sheet. the die on my nibbler broke! so I have to cut it all by hand.

[oldman3]

joe Looks good...Jim

[joedoh]

thanks jim! still plugging


I cut the inners to make room for the rad, I have done this before (using the original S10 rad) and its nice because you keep the trans cooler and dont need to really adapt anything, even the rad hoses fit. and you know for a fact the rad will cool the engine. on the last one I was even able to use the s10 fan shroud!

IMG_1025 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

the rad has to sit up a little higher than stock because of the power steering lines, but it still fits under the hood.
IMG_1026 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

start with cardboard templates, this side can be a c channel because I took out the superfluous oil cooler, then duplicate in steel with tabs to weld in.

IMG_1027 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1028 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1030 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1032 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1057 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

passenger side. this side will need further modification for the AC condenser lines, and for the rad/lower trans cooler hoses to go along the inner fender.
IMG_1033 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1058 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I think I used all my clamps (at least as many as I could find in a short time) on holding this in to check the fit. but it fits, and has room to sandwich the condenser. the width of the core is only about an inch wider on each sid than the opening in the 49 core support, so plenty of airflow is expected.

IMG_1056 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1055 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1054 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

once I get the holes for the rad rubber bushings cut and the condenser test fit I will weld it all up. today I went after a seat though, called around and one shop said "we have more that need work that arent listed on the website" so I took a drive. found this beauty in a public school transport suburban, I am guessing public school because of the cage haha. it was already recovered once but I will recover it again. (well have it done)

IMG_1066 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

they let me wander around to look at seats so I had the run of the place for a while. I have a plan for a steering wheel but I got the bench and this wheel (GMC!) for 75 buckaroos.

IMG_1060 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

saw these rare wagons languishing there too.
IMG_1069 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1074 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


ran the seat to the upholstery shop and right out his back door found these, never can tell what is in peoples back yards.

IMG_1080 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1082 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1083 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


I went with a nice chili red, no picture but think of cinnamon hearts. got matching carpet and some extra pleats made for the door panels. no picture but he works fast. expensive day, but worth it!

more coming!

[Old57]

Coming along good. It's nice when you learn what works and doesn't work from previous builds. You can get a lot of work done by already knowing what and how to make it. I need to think about getting my seat covered before long too. I thought about getting a seat cover kit from LMC or something, but I'm wondering if it will look decent. Probably just need to have it covered at an upholstery shop.

Keep it up!

[joedoh]

I like the look of a brand new seat and carpet in a truck, and I match the dash and wheels to the color, its kind of a thing I like to do. I dont know what you want to pay for the seat work but this guy is in the middle, not super cheap and not super expensive. he is off washington downtown.

I think the learning curve helps me in some areas like you say. there is always new work it seems, like the front jambs rotted off of this one, and the crash damage. I love figuring stuff out though. like the core support, last time I used the piece from the s10 core support to mount the core and the rad, but on this one I built my own.

speaking of, I built the little rad rubber standoffs and mocked up the core and the rad. everything fit perfectly so I am ready to build the top mounts and the air directors and MOVE ON.

IMG_1084 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1085 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1086 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1091 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1093 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1094 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

the condensor sits in rubber lower mounts and is sandwiched bewteen the core support and the rad, just like in the s10.

once I get the air directors and some other mounts done under hood, its time to clean everything off the frame and finish weld the mounts.

[joedoh]

today was beautiful! partly cloudy and low temp/humidity, just super-fied gorgeous. I decided to clean the garage (again) because all the rust and dust I have been beating off Wamego (again). my beautiful wife was home so I went ahead and pushed the truck outside by myself.

IMG_1120 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

checked fender alignment, looking great so far.

IMG_1124 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1123 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

the new tire size will be almost the same diameter in the back and just a little bigger up front.

popped the hood back on just to be sure, its still up in the back on the drivers side because of the dent put there by "I dunno". you can see the big half moon crease.

IMG_1150 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1131 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

here is a good tip, if you buy a bed as a truck bed trailer and they left you a piece of running board on each side, you can use 1 ton running boards and slice the last inch or so off to make a short running board.

img_11897 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1148 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1147 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1129 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I was cleaning up and actually took a picture of the chevy tailgate I took off to put on craigslist for a quick buck. but then I thought, will I ever need it in the future and wish I had kept it?

IMG_1135 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

went in for a bite of dinner and this I am not kidding popped up at the top of the ads.

IMG_1153 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

ok so now I need to keep the tailgate. two beds, one with a tailgate, for less than I would have asked for my tailgate. pretty nice shape too. when I picked it up I took extra money in case he had other stuff I wanted, he had a camaro stub and rearend there on the ground.

IMG_1151 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I didnt buy it but made a mental note in case I need it.

tomorrow I blow it all apart for the last time! should be able to finish weld, then grind and paint the frame and clean out the cab.

[Palf70Step]

You got busy for sure. Truk looks good together, even if only temporary.

[Old57]

I haven't checked here for a couple of days... you're not done yet???

The stance is perfect, it looks great. Yes, we sure had a beautiful day here yesterday!

[Advanced Design]

It was good your wife was home so you could push the truck outside by yourself.

Truck is looking good!

[joedoh]

bill give it a minute! you to old57, hey there is a show this weekend right around the corner, yours drives, if mine drives we should crash it

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

It was good your wife was home so you could push the truck outside by yourself.

she AND my daughter were BOTH home this morning, so I got the bed AND front clip off by myself.

IMG_1157 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I got all the fender bolts out except the core side, because my dumb butt thought you could change the fender without changing the inner. even though I just put the other side together. HUBRIS!

found a leaf spring bolt in my parts stash and thought I better change it out for that one I cut before I did something galactically stupid like try to drive it. the extension was to tap the old one out without losing the spring, but there was almost no tension on it.

IMG_1158 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1159 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

got the front sanded and painted right after lunch (missing the areas I had to weld) and the rear painted right before dinner.

IMG_1160 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1165 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

all the mounts are finish welded now.

IMG_1168 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

just need gussets, and a couple "cab-off" tasks (like fuel line hookups, driveshaft, exhaust fix and O2 wiring) and its ready for final assembly. plan is to drive this weekend, I have a new contract starting next tuesday, lets see how my luck holds out.

[Old57]

You sure are getting close to having it going. It's always nice to see the difference a little black spray can action makes... frame looks good.

[oldman3]

Moving right along joe, nice work...Jim

[joedoh]

thanks jim!

got the backs of the mounts made and welded up, and the exhaust repaired. remember I bought this truck with a "bad cat", but he had already removed it, and had removed the rear O2 sensor as well. luckily I noticed a while back and bought the sensor and piece of pipe back from him, it would have cost a couple hundred dollars to replace!

IMG_1171 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_1178 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


also got the fuel lines re-hooked and routed. need a new fuel filter, better to do now with the cab off instead of later from underneath. also put the driveshaft in. guys who are running a 700R4 or 4L60e and a V8 or V6 that is right up at the firewall, this is what a reg cab shortbed driveshaft looks like. POYfect.

IMG_1175 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

I would be ready for the cab tomorrow but while its on the ground I want to [s]make the neighbors mad again[/s] grind that deep rust off the roof. I got a good tooth on it today with the 40 grit flap wheel and thought the grinder timed out from the workout, but it had just come unplugged. good stopping point for the day anyway, it was only about 80 but the sun was out for sure.

IMG_1176 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

[northern 49]

Just read through this thread. Man you work fast! Last I checked you were finishing up Hannah or was it fenix, hard to keep up. Great work as usual. Your threads are like a good book, hard to put down once you start reading.

[Matt_50]

Each time you post some progress I get antsy to work on mine.

[joedoh]

thanks northern! I told my wife this one would go a butt ton faster than the 41's, I am still not anxious to do another.

hell yeah, go work Matt!

[Matt_50]

Well if you say so.. lol I am expecting all new front suspension goodies in the mail tomorrow!

[Nut Case]

Dude

Strong work.

Great rims!!!!

NC

[OutlawDrifter]

That factory muffler is HUGE!

[BIGglaSS]

Originally Posted by joedoh

plan is to drive this weekend, I have a new contract starting next tuesday, lets see how my luck holds out.

Say what? Now you're really making me look bad. That's what my truck looked like 3 years ago. And, I still have another year or 2 to go. But no, you're going to drive it this weekend!

[docrock]

Outstanding!!! Great pics

[joedoh]

thanks fellas! I still need to pick up a fuel filter but I got all the paint off the cab and started the rust repair on the windshield and floor. should have that done tomorrow and wiring install on sunday.

Outlaw I learned on the last one that I have no business changing the exhaust, its such a personal thing what people want it to sound like. I will stick with stock. haha.

Originally Posted by BIGglaSS

Say what? Now you're really making me look bad. That's what my truck looked like 3 years ago. And, I still have another year or 2 to go. But no, you're going to drive it this weekend!

they say dont rush perfection, so it makes sense your truck will take longer than my old beaters. and drive just means up and down the road, probably no drivers door, probably still no glass. just wired and working. easy when you havent changed the harnesses or any of the systems.

[OutlawDrifter]

Yes exhaust is a very specific thing, 100% agreed.

[Old57]

No update for a few days... must mean you're already done with it, and have been out driving it all over... or already sold it and are half way into the next one???

[joedoh]

HA! no I started a new contract (I contract engineering from a home office) on "tuesday" but it bled to saturday-monday as set up work. so I havent gotten as much done as I hoped.

I did get the under cab stuff buttoned up, the firewall painted red, and the cab bolted back on. still fixing windshield channel rust.

I might have some new stuff to post tonight, future project wise.