1953 GMC Truck Build From Guilty Customs

[warden]

After the sudden cancellation on my 67 C10 project due to a shop that could not deliver, stole/sold my parts, as well as made major mistakes which ruined the build, i've scrapped that project and started a new one. Might as well cut my losses as much as possible. Thus i've sold off the 67. My new build which is on my own, with the help of a friends shop (very reputable) is a 1953 GMC truck. Picked it up in Alabama, but a driver, (and i'm awaiting delivery this week) and it has a new complete drive train front to rear. Granted the interior and body needs some massaging but we'll work through that. We saved the newly built 350 Chevy motor as well as the TH400 tranny, air bag system, and 20" billet wheels from the 67 project and they will be transferring onto this one. So, once it's delivered, we'll start work. So stay tuned.
The blue truck with the green flames is our inspiration for the new build....even though it's a 48.

[Kid]

looks like you found a fine looking truck to start from, keep us posted of your progress with plenty of pictures. Funny how these GMC models are getting more popular..

[warden]

yeah, your right these 53's are gaining popularity....which is good...more of these old trucks need saving...

[mr48chev]

That looks like a great start on a project.

[warden]

Here is a group of influencer trucks for our own build. We're stuck between utilitarian/raw vs low/smooths....we already have a set of 20" smoothie wheels (left over from 67 build) so trying not to spend more money on the wheels. But haven't found anyone making 20" white walls...at least that we know of...but if someone knows someone that makes them, let us know! We're planning on using the fuel cell from 67 on the 53 as a backup, the bucket seats, engine and tranny and hydraulic's....so rest is fairly easy i guess....any suggestions let us know.

[warden]

starting the search for a 53-54 Caddy Dagmar bumper...any one have leads?

[T Hilde]

craigslist and ebay are a good start. maybe look for a cadillac board that has a for sale section.

[MrTucker]

Here's another of that blue truck...

[warden]

Man, that blue truck is a sweet ride. Since my truck has the shades i'm definitely keeping it on the truck as we build. Thanks for sharing!

[warden]

One question i have about this 53 we bought is the front grill. It doesn't look like the prior owner kept the original as the horizontal parts look thinner/narrower than a traditional front grill. Anyone have insights into this? Did they have different models for the 53 grill? I want to go to the thicker/wider horizontal grill look. Also if any one has a 53 grill they are looking or able to part with let me know. thanks.

[MrTucker]

they only had the one design - yours is custom made.

One thing to be careful of is that 47-48 GMC grills are different than 49-53. The green and blue GMC you posted is a 47-48. Notice it has 3 horizontal bars, 49-53's had 4. Plus, they mount completely differently. 47-48's had a strut bar that was attached to the frame and went through the inner fenders. 49-53's mounted to the radiator core support.

[MrTucker]

Kinda hard to see the difference, but

Here's a 47-48:


Here's a 49-53:



Link explaining it all: http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/tag/grill/

[sgtusmc]

Here's my 53 GMC with Caddy Dagmars. I placed an add on craigslist last year for another set. A guy called me with two 54 front bumpers and one rear. I paid 100 bucks for all three.


Here's a pic of w/w on a 20" tire. I'm sure you know if the tire has raised white letters it can be buffed out to a nice white wall. I had it done on my 59. I don't know of any 20" tires with white letters though. You could always buy the white tire paint for them (I didn't have good luck with the paint). Good luck with your build!

[warden]

Originally Posted by sgtusmc

Here's my 53 GMC with Caddy Dagmars. I placed an add on craigslist last year for another set. A guy called me with two 54 front bumpers and one rear. I paid 100 bucks for all three.


Here's a pic of w/w on a 20" tire. I'm sure you know if the tire has raised white letters it can be buffed out to a nice white wall. I had it done on my 59. I don't know of any 20" tires with white letters though. You could always buy the white tire paint for them (I didn't have good luck with the paint). Good luck with your build!

IF you happen to hear of any front bumpers like what you've got on your ride i'll take'm!...love that look man.....on the tires i'm not sold on the whole tire paint approach...may just have to scrap the billets and see where i go with it...thanks for sharing!!

[warden]

Originally Posted by sgtusmc

Here's my 53 GMC with Caddy Dagmars. I placed an add on craigslist last year for another set. A guy called me with two 54 front bumpers and one rear. I paid 100 bucks for all three.


Here's a pic of w/w on a 20" tire. I'm sure you know if the tire has raised white letters it can be buffed out to a nice white wall. I had it done on my 59. I don't know of any 20" tires with white letters though. You could always buy the white tire paint for them (I didn't have good luck with the paint). Good luck with your build!

Question: when you put the 54 front bumper on, what mod's or challenges did you encounter? Did you have to cut down to fit or have to add length to fit?

[warden]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

Kinda hard to see the difference, but

Here's a 47-48:


Here's a 49-53:



Link explaining it all: http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/tag/grill/

Were the 49-53 front grills chrome from the factory or an option? Either way they just look cool....mine is painted and not sure if it was stripped and painted or came that way....

[MrTucker]

i'm not sure on the specifics on that one. I've seen restorations with both.

My '53 GMC came with a chrome grill of a 47-48, but I do know that some years had painted grills and bumpers.

check out oldgmctrucks.com. that site is full of gmc fanatics than can tell you everything you never cared about GMC's

[sgtusmc]

I had to trim the center bar on the bumper, and trim the bottom of the grill shell. I don't plan on selling my extra bumpers anytime soon. But, if I do or if I come across another one. I'll let you know.

[warden]

Originally Posted by sgtusmc

I had to trim the center bar on the bumper, and trim the bottom of the grill shell. I don't plan on selling my extra bumpers anytime soon. But, if I do or if I come across another one. I'll let you know.

thanks for the info on fitment.....i've put up a craigslist posting as well to see what i can find....

[warden]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

i'm not sure on the specifics on that one. I've seen restorations with both.

My '53 GMC came with a chrome grill of a 47-48, but I do know that some years had painted grills and bumpers.

check out oldgmctrucks.com. that site is full of gmc fanatics than can tell you everything you never cared about GMC's

thanks for the referral....i'll be checking them out shortly....

[GhostTown]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

Here's another of that blue truck...

Whew.... that little blue truck is sweet lookin'. I'm a big fan of leaving every little piece of stock trim on a truck, and then slamming it like that. Love it.

[warden]

i'm pretty much going to keep the door handles, badges on this truck as i too like to show the old with the new.

[warden]

FINALLY!!! After weeks of run-around from the shipping company, we finally had them pick up the truck from Mississippi! Now it's in Dallas Texas and awaiting a westward bound carrier....once here it's going directly to the shop for some needed "attitude and altitude" adjustments. More as it's unfolds....

[warden]

Here are a few pic's of set ups we're still considering. One thing is the dash configuration. What do you guys think? I've got a feeling, even though i don't have hands on truck now, that we're going to go with dropped spindles for front and notching rear. But we'll see once truck gets here physically.

[Kid]

I like an original look





gotta have cup holders too