Back with another project. I just picked up this 1957 GMC, looooong bed stepside. Believe it or not, this body is actually way worse than it initially looks. My guess is that someone watched too many master fabricator shows in the 90’s and figured they could do it too (I may be guilty of this too). The body filler has been caked on and sprayed over. It looks great from 20 feet and decent in pictures. There’s some questionable frame work done that also has body filler for some, likely insidious, reason. I was told the frame is from 19 It has a 350 and a manual 3 speed. It’s smoking pretty bad, but actually runs decent. I way waaaay waaaaaaay underpaid for. Despite its condition, it was a steal at $500. I would love to make some kind of traditional styled hauler out of this one tow my 53 Olds behind. Current plan is to rip the front end apart and see what has been cobbled together on it. I need this thing safe. I’m supposed to be building it for my wife. Most pressing issue is the tires. They look good, but super old. The current wheels have grown on me, but I know they’re not traditional, so I picked up a set of steel wheels. My wife wants to do the truck in black and teal, so may go with teal wheels and chrome center caps. Here I am wide open to ideas. As a hauler, I think some beefier tread would look cool, but didn’t know if that would follow traditional guidelines. I love me some white walls, so I’m not object to the painted steelies, chrome caps, and white walls. Again, open to ideas. Considering either of these: If I go with whitewalls, the truck has to come down. A lot. Like, maybe an inch… off the ground. Did you guys know Rustoleum makes white walls? Anyway, please provide any and all input. I know it’s a long bed. It’s growing on me, but I’ve considered shortening it. Right now, what I want is a good and functional truck, so the bed despite its overcompensating, is super useful. Pushed my luck a little far over the last couple weeks driving the truck pretty regularly. I haven’t done any maintenance or repairs besides replacing the fuel pump. So, I really lucked out a couple days ago. Drove the truck to work with no issues, but ran out of gas on the way home. Easy enough. But it pulled dirt from the bottom of the tank and clogged the fuel filter. Swapped the filter and likely clogged a jet. Truck runs like **** now. Hopefully I have time to work on it this weekend. I need to do a lot of basic maintenance anyway. Oil/filter change, plugs, wires, valve cover and exhaust gaskets, clean the carb, and clean the engine. As soon as I settle on tires, I’m getting those done too.
If you’re planning on towing with it, keep the long wheelbase. Much better stability, plus, lab fifties trucks are cool. Say no to wide whites. They’re overdone.
Ok, super cool to hear not everyone loves white walls. I already have them on my 53, and they're cool, but I'm not really wanting to go all lowrider this time. Can I get away with the BFG AT's on a traditional truck? How about the current wheels? They look too 90's to me. I wouldn't mind the AT's on the steel wheels.
There’s more there than you can buy separately for 500? I think you got a deal. Look at the front wheels/tires, where the ride height is at now, they look too far forward, lowering it will add to that. I’d expect major surgery to correct the front end. Maybe look for a ‘55-9 LWB frame? Can be lowered, made to ride nice, and much easier to put the front axle where you want it. Hey, you did ask for opinions Edit: I know 58/59 PUs the front frame rails were an 1 Inch or two longer on Chevies. But no clue(easily correctable) about the GMCs.
Pretty sure you stole it for $500. And, I had a 58 Chevy long bed that kind of grew on me especially after I lowered it. Should make a cool hauler. Congrats! Oh, and I wouldn’t put the 4x4 tires on or keep the wheels if you are looking for it to be sort of traditional. I would just put some regular black walls on some steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps if it were me.
As you may see I have no problem with white letters on cool trucks. I would skip the wide whites though. I’m going to put together a set of steel wheels for mine one day, just to mix it up a little
Congrats on the truck, I am moving this to the off topic forum because of the wheels and the frame swap
nice looking rig esp w it being a long wheel base nice price also w something running for 500,- nowadays , imo
My first of many 55-59's was a 57 GMC and was actually looking for another before buying my current 57 chevy. Those white walls were pretty hideous the way the whole side was white, so definitely don't use those. I was trying to buy this 55 that had a 9 foot dump bed, like you I'm looking to have a useful shop truck that can haul an open trailer. This one I envisioned low in front with a serious rake, tires sticking out the rear fenders, visor over the windshield and a pair of stacks behind the cab through the steps.
Thanks for all the replies! I still don’t know what I want to do with the wheels and tires. I need to get that figured out asap. I spent some time on the engine Saturday. Amazing the thing even ran before. Did valve cover gaskets, new distributor cap and rotor, new plugs, new wires, and cleaned up the rusty chrome as much as I could. Personally, I hate chrome under the hood. This will just have to do for now. After the tune up, the truck has way more power than I expected. Decent little 350. However, I am still suddenly losing power after driving for a few miles. Current guesses are either a clogged jet from when I ran the tank dry or vapor lock. Going to get a fuel pressure gauge on it and probably go ahead with an electric fuel pump. It’s a junk Edelbrock carb, but if I can keep it going for now, that’s what I’d prefer. After my first test drive, everything went great. But I came back out to the truck and fuel was pouring out of the gas cap. Obviously the tank is building some pressure somehow. Can I just replace the cap for a vented gas cap?
When you get around to the front suspension, you first need to figure out what it is. Judging from the looks and how wide it is, my guess is 73-87 chevy pickup, with part of the frame grafted in. These later trucks had the same 34" frame width under most of the truck as the 55-59s, but the front end of the frame pinched in to about 28" where the crossmember is. If it has 5 on 5" bolt circle, that's likely what it is. also the rear end would be from the same later truck as the front suspension, most likely, and it would be a truck 12 bolt, with the same 5 on 5" bolt pattern. good deal, but it'll be difficult to lower it without redoing the frame, since the track width is more than you want in these old trucks....so if you're wife is OK with how it sits, you could just leave it "high" and not worry about that.
Looks like most of the loss of power was due to a dirty carb. Pulled it off and cleaned it up, running great now! Added a fuel pressure gauge to keep an eye on things while I’m still getting to know the truck. I’ve been working on my needs vs wants list; Needs: Wiring Fuel pump Fuel pressure regulator Fuel sender Front end alignment Bed shims U joints Wheel bearings Diff & trans fluid change Bushings Wants: Rear bumper & brackets Trailer hitch Louvers Bed wood Painted mustache Carpet Sound deadening Exhaust cutouts Steering wheel Gauges Hardly a comprehensive list, but just what I’ve got going through my head right now. I did pick up a GMC mustache for the front. I tried some rattle can on it, but may still take it for paint. I found the parking lights in a box too, so won’t even have to go looking for them. I teach a super basic auto cl*** at a local middle school and also have an after school car club. I had the club learn how to change the oil using the truck. Sooooo…. I ended up keeping the wheels that came on it. I know they’re not traditional at all, but since I’m already in the OT section, I may as well share here. Not sure they’ll forever, but I like the look for now. Had them powder coated while I was getting new tires for them. Been driving the truck more and more. I still haven’t torn completely into the frame. It looks like the front clip is just grafted in. It’s a 73 clip for sure. The work isn’t as bad as I initially thought, but I need to rip it apart to be sure. I’ll be back when I know more.
Digging it with the black wheels and new tires, and REALLY digging the Oldsmobile! Good on you for taking the time and showing the kids, im sure they're having a blast!
Nothing new, but had to share. I gotta quit pushing my luck. Yesterday while I was at work, my wife asked if we could use the truck to go pick up a desk she wanted. I said sure, but warned her it has already left me stranded twice. Then she told me how far away it was. Anyhoo. I had AAA on speed dial, but managed to put 150 miles on the truck last night with very few issues. Have a bad vibration that kicks in at 60/65. Probably bushings. Kept it at 55 the rest of the time and ran great! Couldn’t believe it.
You guys and western tin , are killing me ! All I get is 90% returned to where it started “ rust dust “! Great lookin truck my Buddy has a 55 Got A Mechanic a Comin with the big rear window . It’s kinda like ridin in a green house
Well, as much as I need to do preventative maintenance, a guy did the right thing and ordered exhaust cutouts instead. Here’s a couple of different video links for whatever your favorite video source is: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/rbwgPwa9PyoyoSRX/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.instagram.com/reel/DACTYk-ykeF/?igsh=MWZ1NWR1aGs5MHBpaA== https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8dLeTPh/
Killer truck man, i know the feeling of wanting everything just right but sometimes you gotta just drive it and have fun, besides, for 500 that is a steal and you have the car too. Awesome find....
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