Project 47 GMC

[Fat Mike]

Well maybe I taken on to much at once but I couldn't pass this one up! I was told it is a 47 GMC 3/4 ton longbed truck. It had no truck bed but the truck appears to be in great shape for being $50. There is very little rust on it except the rear cab and the rear cab corners. The man I bought it from said he just didn't want it sitting there anymore and needed some beer. I gave him $50 and some beer. LOL !! He said if I gave him some more beer he would throw in some cab corners brand new but just alittle dirty. Well I instantly stripped the cab off the frame and removed the old straight six with tranny.

[Fat Mike]

[Fat Mike]

Here are the cab corners he threw in

[Fat Mike]

I was kind of dissappointed to find out they had cut the running boards but what can you expect for $50
My buddy had this grill sitting in his garage and was interested in one of my old bikes so I traded him for it. It is in very good shape and does not have any dents or pits

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Looks like a good basis for a project and not a bad deal for $50!

However, its not a '47. I'd say its a '50 based on what I see in the pictures.

If you study the firewall you'll see some horizontal and vertical bars embossed into it. Look around the cover for the heater motor where they are very visible in your pictures. These embosses were not on a '47, so the truck is later than that.

Also, '49 is the first year the fuel tank was in the cab, so the cab is not a '48 either.

And then its hard to be sure, but it looks like it has tube shocks which were introduced in '50.

And the door windows are single piece with no wing window, and the wing window was first introduced in '51.

So I think your GMC is really a '50.

From a build standpoint that probably makes little difference. And since very few car shows still have a pre-'48 rule it probably doesn't make any difference from that standpoint either.

But since it was sold to you as a '47 I have to wonder if your title matches the truck.

[mr48chev]

Looks good no matter what year it actually is. Parts got switched around on these so much when they were being used as work trucks that often a lot of pieces have been changed.

From looking at it, the first thing I would do after getting it cleaned up is get the door gaps correct especially on the drivers door. I didn't do that on mine the first time around and the doors never did fit the way I wanted them to.

[sgtusmc]

That's the best deal I've heard in a long time. I'll give you $100 and some whisley for it. I'll even throw in a shot glass and a pack of smokes.

[Fat Mike]

Thanks for the education on my truck. I cant wait to start building this truck. I am going to run a mustang II frontend and probably a 8.8 rearend again. I found an old pinto that I am going to use for frontend. My buddy works at a fab shop and has blueprinted the mustang II front crossmember so I will be putting that on the front of my truck. I will definetly start by shaving the frame and shorting it to a short bed frame.

As for the $100 and whiskey I would of probably taken you up on the deal but I have not drank in in 8 years. LOL

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

I have not drank in in 8 years. LOL

You're no fun

Great score for $50, you can't go wrong there. Looks about in the same condition as my 53.

[Fat Mike]

Okay it has been awhile and back at it!! Ready to get at least one of my trucks going and it will probably be the GMC. I started today by getting my welding cart built because I'll I have is dirt and the standard carts don't push real well through the dirt. I built this one hoping to use it alot in the yard and finally got my shop addition done.


Also started to shave the fuel door which came out alot better then my recentwelding jobs. Have the frame moved over so I can finish boxing it in and starting the mock up.

[chevyrestoguy]

All right, Mike!!!

That might be the best $50 car/truck deal I have ever seen. Keep posting pictures and we'll help in any way we can!

[bobinbc]

Nice job on the fuel filler. You appear to have mastered panel welding....I like the welding cart too, reminds me I need to make mine a little more heavy duty.

[MrTucker]

sweet deal for sure!

but you do know that's a Chevy grill, not a gmc right?

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

sweet deal for sure!

but you do know that's a Chevy grill, not a gmc right?

Yes, I have both because I plan on converting it over to the chevy frontend instead of the GMC frontend.

[MrTucker]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

...I plan on converting it over to the chevy frontend instead of the GMC frontend.

[Fat Mike]

Today I wanted to work on the 47 also, so I started making the templates to box int he frame. I have never done this so I was told to make it flush with the top and the bottom of the frame. Now I need someone to chime in and let me know how to grind the metal to get a notch so I can weld it in when the weld is on a 90 degree angle. I think that I am suppose to butt the two pieces of metal together and grind both pieces of metal so it makes kind of a v-shaped notch. Then weld it in and grind smooth???

[bobinbc]

Mike, this is how I was taught to do it.

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

Mike, this is how I was taught to do it.

Thank you!!

[Fat Mike]

I got alot done on the truck today. Put the cab on the frame today for mock up purpose so far. I bought some 1.5" adapters off craigslist so I put my rims on. They really tucked under the fenders nicely and fit on the 96 mustang rearend very nice. With 6.5" backspacing it makes the rearend seem like it was shortened and the way it looks I would strongly recommend it for the s-10 conversion. The width is approximately 61". I still have alot to do to the truck but making some progress.

[Fat Mike]

Okay I went to start trimming the front horns off the frame but noticed a little damage. The passenger side horn had a small dent that would be easy to pull out. Also one of the tie rod ends was bent so I am going to have to buy some new ones soon. Since I am going to tear the frontend down I will be installing the air bags. Once again I an very cheap, I mean I have 2 kids, so I never have money to spend on my trucks. I was pricing the upper airbag cups and they were pretty expensive so I made my own. I used one of the universal round plates, had my friend at the fab shop cut me a piece of 5" tubing, and welded it together. He cut the pipe so I could have a 4" spacer for the cup. I did some reasearch and found out that the hole is offset about an inch from the center. I cut out a small hole shaped like the nut and welded it in. When I get the all thread in I will weld that in also.

[RootBeer 6117]

She's a beauty,The frame looks like is seen some ruff days.

[sgtusmc]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

Yes, I have both because I plan on converting it over to the chevy frontend instead of the GMC frontend.

How dare you!!!! hahaha

[nickp51chevy]

Originally Posted by Fat Mike

Yes, I have both because I plan on converting it over to the chevy frontend instead of the GMC frontend.

Good for you!


(Poking fun at the Sargent )

[Fat Mike]

Originally Posted by RootBeer 6117

She's a beauty,The frame looks like is seen some ruff days.

It really is a nice frame. It still needs alot of work but got anxious to mock it up!

[Fat Mike]

Okay I wanted to start cutting the ears off the rearend but thought I would ask a question first. How much can you safely remove of this ear? So far I just cut it to the bottom but would like to shape it alittle better.