Wanted to say hello and introduce myself, along with give a short bio. I just bought a 59 gmc wildside (yes i have pics). I recently was awarded full custody of my son after a 8 year horrible divorce and move. I spent every day of my life with my son till he was 4 and I moved to a different state to start over my life. a few years ago I was injured on the job (teamster). Right after the injury my exwife was arrested for a bunch of differnt felonies and put in prison. I spent all my savings getting a lawyer and fighting for custody and trying to survive on work-comp. In 2010 I was awarded full custody of Drake (my son). Back in highschool i built my first vehicle (1976 chevy truck). I always saw the old chevy trucks as beautiful works of art. I figured why not try to find a truck to build with my boy and build our relationship. I grew up without a father and always missed those fun times. Anyways enough about me I am sure you all would rather hear about the truck! So a few weeks ago I was searching around and found a guy in my area with a 59 for sale. I went to take a look at it and got to chatting with his wife and him. His wife was raised where I grew up. Needless to say all three of us hit it off real well. Wound up talking about the truck. it lived in Canada for most of its life. however the PO, started the restore on it then lost interest and its just taking up space in his garage. It has all the original parts 2 spare windows (p***enger/driver). The truck still has the original motor and trans (4 on the floor). So the PO is going to be getting the ***le moved over to colorado and then we will be putting it in my name. I have started to research a lot of different aspects of what i want to do with the truck. I know some may cringe but i plan on taking out the original motor and trans and putting in a LSx in it with a 4l60e. However to keep it somewhat original i am going to keep the solid front suspension. I thought about doing a front clip but alas i just cant chop out 50 years of history just for ride quality. And before you ask why even take out the original motor, this is due to living at 6000 feet and in a bowl. there are 2 p***es north and south of me to go out of town and I plan on driving this truck not just letting it sit in the garage and fetching groceries. I want to have something that i can drive back home to california if i felt the need. Plus in a few years Drake will be getting his licence and i would love for him to be able to take his prom date to prom in it. or out with the boys every now and then. WOW this post got long! So without further a due. here are the pictures. all comments, questions, concerns, opinions are welcome! http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/Curtis59Apache/IMG_20110725_175547.jpg] and the last one was taken right before the PO parked it and started working on the front end Thanks for looking Curtis
Nice find on that '59. Sorry to drag up a 2 month old post, but I was searching LSX motors and this came up. I'm a big GMC fan. I have a 302 in my '45 GMC 1/2 ton with a truckstell OD and 3.55 gears out back. The truck is capable of an honest 100mph. I also have and have had a couple of 60-66 Chevys and GMC's. What does this have to do with you? Well, I like the old straight 6's as much as anyone, but in this economy, I a have struck out in a new direction. I acquired an LS motor for my 51 GMC Suburban. The burb came with a 235 Chevy engine that was tired. i have a 302 Jimmy lying on the floor in the garage. I'm not using them, because they are too expensive to rebuild at this time for me. A rebuilt 302 could be huge bucks if I let it get that far. An improper 235 rebuild (for a GMC) would still run into a couple of thousand easily and then add in some transmission, overdrive and rear end choices, and the bill could go much higher. So, for $1400 dollars, I bought a 4.8l truck engine (LQ4) with a 4l60e WITH the redone/reprogrammed harness and computer. (big part right there) 300HP 300 ft/lbs of torque, 22 mpg with overdrive and fuel injection. Turn the key and go. I think that this is the modern version of hot rodding. Using something cheap to get the performance that you want. Once you start to understand what these LS motors are all about, then they really make an awesome choice for some inexpensive power. Many guys are pulling off the FI and putting on traditional intakes and carbs. Coil relocation kits really clean up the valve covers. If you paint that engine in GMC red or Pontiac blue and add some old school breathers into the holes in the front of valve covers, you could really make it look old school Pontiac. Top it off with a big Pontiac air cleaner and now you'll have some people wondering what that engine is. Later on, when money permits, a cam and headers can really up the horsepower bigtime. So, maybe you aren't old school enough, but you're not the only one out there. In this economic crisis, sometimes "field expediency" has to be used. I look forward to seeing how it turns out.
Howdy from Ohio! Luckily I haven't had to fight during my separation/divorce. As long as she stays cool for another 12 years.....LOL Everyone has a chapter in their book of life that they didn't know was coming!
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