(1959) fifty niner gmc all orginal survivor first time mods

[jonny..2008]

IM JONNY.
I HAVE A 1969 C20 THAT CAN BEE SEEN IN THE LINK IN MY SIG.
AND MY GENERAL INFO IS THERE IN THE FIRST POST.

NOW THAT WE HAVE MET......LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT WE PICKED UP THE OTHER DAY.....


this is the first post on the pic thread:
A project i (and my friend) found the other day.
its a runner.
i love it already.
but the deal is we cant keep it.
when i get it home this weekend, ill post more pics and start a build thread.
when i divide up the parts budget and make a few decisions, ill let you all know.
(and for the record, i still have the 69 and drive it everyday)

all the rust is on top of the metal and looks worse in the photo than it is, it just got here (or.coast) from idaho.
ill be needing two fenders.

i know this, job one will be getting that blasted canopy off.
and that rear bumper.

[JML55]

cool truck

[jonny..2008]

i have only spent the first hour with this truck and didnt get enough pics or real info.
first impressions are this is a 95% original truck. the only non stock thing i saw were the s10?? cloth buckets.

now im not talking smack when i claim that originality, there is not 1 ectra hole in the fire wall. the dash and cab interior are perfect patina and not one extra hole. all original knobs and switchgear.

motor is unknown sb v8 installed in original manner off the front og the motor.
trans is lo plus 3. rear end is also mystery until the weekend.

EDITORIAL NOTE:
unlike many of my recent projects, this one has a real budget, not unlimited but a solid number to produce a quality build.

so.

since hotrods are better than stock, and this is a "clean slate" we are going to do a simple and refined build solid first, trick second. always following the quote:'beauty is simplicity refined" and "form following function".


unless something changes when we do an inventory of the truck, motor, and spares the plan is:

400hp small block mild th400 undecided rear end with ladder bar/ panhard bar set up.
cpp power ifs. (shipping by friday!!) and level stance that can do a speed bump.
nice paint but not afraid to drive it.

no body mods but full frame off every nut and bolt resto.

like with my personal truck i will be prowling the boards and copping ideas and info from all of you.
i will me trying to build a fan base for the truck with lots of video and stop motion like my popular ho 72 rear brake rebuild time lapse on my YouTube page.

and the getting more popular steering column repair series....;-)

so thats the fun part laid out:

budget secure? check.
clean baseline? check.
all operations within skill set/tool set? check.

time to complete? 300 hours in 10-12 weeks.


can he do it? stay tunes folks and see hoe it goes. feel free to lend a hand or offer an opinion. be real, be honest, but dont hate.

taking possession of the truck this weekend, going to drive it home.
picks and walk around video coming within 72 hours.

and i still need original fenders if you know where are some.

[Kim57]

Sounds like a real nice build.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Sounds like a real nice build.
Kim

the next few days will tell the tale.

Originally Posted by JML55

cool truck

if its really all original then the hot rod might not be the way to go.


i would like to poll opinions on unmolested factory spec vs hot rod spec?
key strategy decisions are going to be made over the next three or four days. so get those two cents in while you can, your opinion matters...........to somebody.

[Russell Ashley]

In original condition these trucks aren't much fun to drive. I'm more into the restomod style as I like to keep the original appearance but add some updates for comfort and driveability. I and most everyone else on this forum will say build it like YOU want it.

[Kim57]

I agree with Russell Ashley to build what you want.
I have no problem cutting these things up and making something totally different.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

Originally Posted by Kim57

I agree with Russell Ashley to build what you want.
I have no problem cutting these things up and making something totally different.
Kim

the under statement of this thread so far!
because you do kick ass work kim.

BTW poll is over.. we are going to rod it.
decisions have been made sticking with the original plan.

[jonny..2008]

it was a nice three block drive home except for the stuck throttle and redline moment.
i like rowing gears.

it was rainy so no vid. but here are the pics as it sits now.
also went to yard to look for 700r4 ($275) a rear end from an 86cheyanne ($125) and better motor(nothing worthy that was pre tbi).
and just because its how it is, now that i need a nice 350 they have all dried up.
unless i want to start with one thats been sitting there with its hood up in the yard....

so with out further ado the new project, i want to call her "rusty" but thats just mean...

[jonny..2008]

[Kim57]

Rusty looks like a good start.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

were going to hit it hot and heavy starting this week.
getting part$ list together.

[Madd Doc]

Nice looking project and welcome to the board, just curious, where on the Oregon coast are you? we might be neighbors.

[jonny..2008]

we are within a couple of hours so that makes us neighbors.
im in coos bay.

got any fenders?

[jonny..2008]

spent three hours after work cleaning up the spot for ifs install.
parts got ordered today.
the spot:

[jonny..2008]

drove truck to the spot (5miles) tonight after work.
got wheels today for the build.
now hunting for the rear end.............

and whoever said these trucks arent fun to drive in their natural state is crazy!
i had a blast.
i would trade my truck for this one right now......

[Russell Ashley]

They are fun to drive in stock form, as long as you don't have to drive them often or for a long way, or want to go fast.

[jonny..2008]

it"ll be more fun with a rack and pinion front end.

[jonny..2008]

going over tonight to start stripping the front end.
maybe pull motor.
there will be pics and MAYBE a vid or two.

[Madd Doc]

Sorry no extra front fenders, Been to Coos Bay a lot, its a nice drive up the coast in the summer. Good luck on your build if it ever stops raining I can get some more work done on mine.

[jonny..2008]

Rusty in the spot. Had a little wire melt down at dmv. Pics later

[skymangs]

Looks like a great start. Subscribed!

[Rods57]

Looks like a great start. the licence plate is from Boise glad to see someone getting them back on the road.

[jonny..2008]

actually it got tagged as an oregon truck today.
changing shoes and emptying the phone of photos then going over to shop to get the first pieces off the truck.

[jonny..2008]

got started tonight. 5 hours in
this is what I got done on old rusty: