1956 GMC to 1959 GMC Conversion

[hooliganshotrods]

Thought I would throw some pics of the truck I am working on. I've been wanting to build a little shop truck for some time, nothing fancy just a reliable little truck that I can drive daily and not worry about scratches, dings etc.

I sold my 1931 Model A coupe hotrod a while back and am building a 1937 Ford coupe custom but needed a daily driver, something the wife can drive as well. I've always had a liking for the 58/59 Chev/GMC short fleetside trucks. After looking for sometime and missing out on a really nice restored original truck I ended up buying a 56 GMC shortbox stepside. Now, it's not what I wanted because it was a stepside but it was an older restoration and in fair condition.

The truck already had a Nova clip installed with a SBC and rear end swap when I bought it.

I'm used to starting hot rod projects from junk so this truck appeared to be a nice start for once.



The truck was to have a good running SBC but it turned out to be a turd and had 2 dead cylinders so I bought a crate motor for it.

Next on the agenda was to redo the front and rear suspension. I installed new lowering springs, shocks and drop spindles in the front. For the rear I flipped the axle over the springs and installed new shocks. I had to C notch the rear for clearance. Ran with a set of wide whites and 57 Cadillac hub caps.

[hooliganshotrods]

I was lucky to find a really nice 59 GMC short fleetside box with all the stainless trim. It is in immaculate condition! So I sold the step side box and front clip in preparation to start the conversion. I found a nice 59 hood, grill and emblems as well as front fenders but decided to buy new front fenders to save on body work.



Also got a nice big back window section that I may use down the road.



Getting it ready for mockup of the new bed and front clip

[hooliganshotrods]

Starting to mock up the front clip.



And the bed:

[hooliganshotrods]

Had the clip on and off several times the last few days, got the inner fenders installed, the hood body worked and primed, installed the sun visor and final bolted the clip. Got the truck up and running again so that I can back it in the driveway to start to sand the box and get it ready for primer.







Hoping to have some color on it soon. I am painting it a two tone mint green and vanilla.

[59chev]

Wow!! That looks like a pretty nice truck to start with. I'll be following this one. Looks like you are making great progress. Where did you source the front fenders from? How is the fitment? I am debating whether I am better off to by replacements or fix my stock ones.

Looks like you are making alot quicker progress than I am. At the speed I am going it's going to be another couple of years before I am back out on the road.

[hooliganshotrods]

Originally Posted by 59chev

Wow!! That looks like a pretty nice truck to start with. I'll be following this one. Looks like you are making great progress. Where did you source the front fenders from? How is the fitment? I am debating whether I am better off to by replacements or fix my stock ones.

Looks like you are making alot quicker progress than I am. At the speed I am going it's going to be another couple of years before I am back out on the road.

The truck body was decent when I got it, the suspension was shot so I replaced it the way I wanted it to sit. It needs to be re-wired and I have the harness but will wait until winter to do it. The front fenders I ordered from LMC and the fit is pretty good, I had to open up some of the holes but nothing major. I am in need of a better front inner panel as mine is pretty banged up so may order one from LMC. The original front fenders that I have are usable but thought this would be a quicker route.

I was anticipating to have the truck finished a month and a half ago but life got in the way as usual, lol. Hoping to have it in it's new color soon.

[CMACDONALD1]

Geez your truck reminds me of mine!! My box was blue as well under the primer. Are you staying with the red or changing that to something else?

[hooliganshotrods]

Originally Posted by CMACDONALD1

Geez your truck reminds me of mine!! My box was blue as well under the primer. Are you staying with the red or changing that to something else?

I'm going to paint the truck a two tone satin mint green and vanilla.

[CMACDONALD1]

That will look great. When do you plan to have it back on the road?

[59chev]

Hope I get a chance to see both of your trucks in person. Looks like there is going to be lots of new 55-59 builds on the road in Southern Alberta in the next couple of years.

[Rods57]

cool project, i'm hooked.

[hooliganshotrods]

Originally Posted by CMACDONALD1

That will look great. When do you plan to have it back on the road?

I was hoping to have it back on the road a month and a half ago, lol. But life gets in the way and the projects have to sit. Now that I'm on holidays for the summer I'm hoping to have it back driving in the next month. There will still be things to do on it but I'd rather drive it and work on it vs. being bogged down with another couple year project like the last few builds I've done.

[Kim57]

Very nice project.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Very cool, keep posting!!

[tintbox]

Super cool!!

[joedoh]

I love this project, you took a truck no one would mess with and made it what you want. bravo!

[hooliganshotrods]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Very nice project.
Kim

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Very cool, keep posting!!

Originally Posted by tintbox

Super cool!!

Thanks guys

[hooliganshotrods]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I love this project, you took a truck no one would mess with and made it what you want. bravo!

Thanks, a lot of people thought I was crazy to tear this truck apart and change it to a fleet side, but I have no regrets and am loving where it's headed.

[hooliganshotrods]

Started to sand the box sides in anticipation for body work and paint. Also cut out the only 2 spots of small rust and made patches. Welding them in tonight or tomorrow.

My friend, whom I bought the truck off of is going to do most of the body work and spray it at his place. The plan is to get the box to him next week and get it in epoxy primer and then start the cab and front.

Wanting a little motivation, I fit the stainless trim to just have a look, gotta say I'm sure liking it!

[Kim57]

Very nice.
Kim

[hooliganshotrods]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Very nice.
Kim

Thanks

[hooliganshotrods]

Some more progress on the truck, it's going to be dis-assembled and off to my friends for body work and paint next week. Starting with the box first.

Wanted to fit everything I could prior to Tuesday to make sure it all fits so this weekend I got the tailgate mounted, rear bumper installed, made brackets for the front bumper and installed it, fit all the trim and grill.

Looking forward to having it in its new colors!

[ChuckDriver]

Its going to be a great looking GMC!!

[hooliganshotrods]

Thanks.

Well the box is off and at Greg's place for body work, the rest will go probably next week. I've been getting the bed wood stained and sealed the last couple days as well as starting to sand the inside of the cab and doors.

I chose an espresso stain for the oak and have 5 coats of stain and 6 coats of sealer on it. I am contemplating wet sanding it to 2000 and then polishing it but it's looking good as it is.

A poor picture but to give an idea:



I spoke with a friend the other day about reupholstering the bench seat so I'm dropping it off to him this Saturday. Gonna do a white upholstery with a mint piping as the dash and doors will also be in a 2 tone; mint and vanilla. I'll lay in the carpet and headliner myself.

[youngrodder]

Your making great progress... Nothing like buying a truck and truly making it your own with how you want it to look...

Marc