1955.2 GMC 350 series (future build thread)

[Ghetto Jet]

First post. Picked this for up my dad as a retirement gift/project. My younger brother and I thought he should have something interesting to work on.

After a considerable amount of time searching for the right kind of truck when I saw it there was no doubt it was "the one." It is dad's favorite body style, specifically the 350 series. We bought it the day before the first heavy snow here in PA. The first picture I took with my cell phone when the sun was going down. This was after spending a couple hours polishing the front, staining the emblems and sealing off the broken windows. It was kept hidden here at my brother's friends house for a while. I don't know anything about the Chevy to the left.





It has the original Pontiac 287 and 4 speed trans with a 2 speed rear end (works fine). It runs and drive but has no brakes. The engine runs smooth and quiet, no smoke. The transmission has to be forced into first and reverse with a grind (knowing that we just put it in those gears off) I'm hoping there is rust on the flywheel causing this. The odometer numbers faded away while sitting but looks like 48,000 miles. The truck is surprisingly solid with the exception of the door bottoms. It has was in storage for 20 years then bought and kept outside for the last 10 before being purchased. There is no rust inside the fenders, they still have the original paint and under coating. The floors are solid too.

Here are some other pictures that were hosted by someone else. I found a thread on another truck forum where a guy was debating buying this and took over 100 photos of it. I'm grateful that he never took the pictures down or purchased the truck.

We agreed on $1300 including a extra complete bezel with gauges and a factory tach that is supposedly worth some coin.













many more pictures http://s19.photobucket.com/user/GMgu...?sort=4&page=1

I love this truck broken glass and all, I've been calling it the beast. It looks like it belongs in a horror movie. My brother and I kind of disagreed about the size of it. I didn't think it was that big but we were standing in a field. Then the tow truck driver wouldn't put it on his roll back. (long story)

There is no clear plan of attack yet other then get it road worthy. We put fresh antifreeze in back when we got it and it holds just fine. I ordered belts, hoses, oil filters, picked up some Rotella. Brakes are on the agenda first. I'm keeping an eye on craigslist for a deal on some newer tires for the front. As of right now we're thinking remove all the rust, weld in new metal on the doors, but leave the dents and do a patina paint job. Probably switch the color to Aspen Green and white accents where it belongs. Who knows, we'll see. My dad also mentioned switching the rear to super single tires and lowering it some. That could be interesting.

[Kim57]

Welcome.
That is a real neat truck and will make a great project.
Very cool gift for your dad.
Kim

[Ghetto Jet]

Can anyone tell by looking if that should be the original stake body bed?

[buggy5872]

Looks like a good starting point. What size are the wheels? if they are 20", be careful with them because they are most likely rh5 firestone wheels AKA "widiw makers". They are a very dangerous wheels. If they are you will not be able to find anyone to change tires. If they have a lock ring on the lip of the wheel then you will be ok. I can not tell from the pics. IF they are 20" then try to find some 22.5 rims. They are one piece and there are lots of tire choices.

[G&R's57GMC]

Great find ! Looks like a great starting point.

The trans is non syncro in 1st & reverse . Try changing the trans oil to 85-90 or something lighter.

Check http://www.fillingstation.com for the brake parts and other stuff you might need.

BTW Rotella has very little zinc now to protect you cam. Be sure to add a zinc additive, you can find it at Autozone and O'Rilleys and other parts stores .

In the future, Order from Jeg's or Summit Racing they have Lucus 20-50 racing oil that is loaded with zinc. This is what I use in my fleet of flat lifter cars and trucks.

BTW I love the painted on white walls

Have fun with your project !

[Ghetto Jet]

Originally Posted by buggy5872

Looks like a good starting point. What size are the wheels? if they are 20", be careful with them because they are most likely rh5 firestone wheels AKA "widiw makers". They are a very dangerous wheels. If they are you will not be able to find anyone to change tires. If they have a lock ring on the lip of the wheel then you will be ok. I can not tell from the pics. IF they are 20" then try to find some 22.5 rims. They are one piece and there are lots of tire choices.

They are 20" so it is probably that style wheel, here is a picture. I didn't know these existed. We were happy they weren't split rims but the rh5 seem to be just as or even more dangerous than a traditional split rim. Thank you for telling me

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Great find ! Looks like a great starting point.

The trans is non syncro in 1st & reverse . Try changing the trans oil to 85-90 or something lighter.

Check http://www.fillingstation.com for the brake parts and other stuff you might need.

BTW Rotella has very little zinc now to protect you cam. Be sure to add a zinc additive, you can find it at Autozone and O'Rilleys and other parts stores .

In the future, Order from Jeg's or Summit Racing they have Lucus 20-50 racing oil that is loaded with zinc. This is what I use in my fleet of flat lifter cars and trucks.

BTW I love the painted on white walls

Have fun with your project !

Thank you for the tips! Yes, the white walls look fantastic haha.

RT6 still has about 1200ppm of zinc.

[_Ogre]

nice purchase for dad.
not sure that any flat bed is stock, most were sold as rolling chassis with an aftermarket bed

are you the same ghetto jet from hotrodders?

[buggy5872]

The rh5 firestone is the worst wheel out there. DO NOT try to add air or remove air from those tires......they can fly apart and kill you. Two and three piece split rims are not dangerous unless they are in poor condition. You need to look for accuride 22.5x6.75 wheels part# 28160 that are no longer produced. Wheels Now had ($350 each) some and I believe they are working with a manufacturer to produce them again. Check with big truck salvage yards and you might get lucky. The 19.5 10 lug wheels form the 90's 3500hd chevy trucks should bolt onto the truck but the tallest 19.5 is an 8r-19.5 that is only 34" tall. The tires you have now are probably 38" tall. The tires would look a little small but cost wise much cheaper.

[Ghetto Jet]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

are you the same ghetto jet from hotrodders?

Yes I am, I got the link to come here from you, thanks for that. I can't believe what a large community there is for these year trucks.

[_Ogre]

i ignored this site for years because of the 67-72chevytrucks.com name
wasn't until i found this sub-forum 3 yrs ago that i realized what i was missing
welcome

[Trekster]

Looks like a cool project. Good luck!

[gmtruckguy74]

Originally Posted by Ghetto Jet

Here are some other pictures that were hosted by someone else. I found a thread on another truck forum where a guy was debating buying this and took over 100 photos of it. I'm grateful that he never took the pictures down or purchased the truck.

Awesome purchase... and those are my pictures by the way! I truly went back and forth about buying this GMC... my townhouse garage is just a little too small for the size of this beast! I loved the fact this GMC came factory-equipped with the Pontiac V8 engine and the deluxe chrome trim front end - two rare options on a 1955 GMC Blue Chip 350 Series model.

I wish you well and look forward to more posts of your work on the "Beast".

[solidaxel]

Power steering and a Hydro-vac would do wonders for that truck!!