Bronx -57 GMC project

[bronx]

I have been following several of the -55 to-59 projects on this site,and has been inspired to start on my -57 Gmc 1 ton.

The truck was sold new in Norway in -59,and was in daily use till -79.
Then it was sold to a guy that picked it apart for restauration,but he never started the rebuild.
I bought the bits and pieces in September 2005.
The windshield,frontbumper and most of the nuts and bolts where missing.

My plan is to convert to 4x4,and last weekend i brought home a F-150 chassi with 9"rear,dana44 front,205 transfer,4 speed manual and a 351 engine.

Here are some pics of what i brought home in September 2005

[bronx]

Here are some before/after pics.

[Jebb1978]

Hey man, I haven't heard anything from you in a long time. I am glad to see you are still around. Good luck on the build. I love those old GMC's.

[Ron 586]

It looks like you are going to have a interesting truck I missed a chance to buy a 1956 1 1/2 ton not long ago. It was in an estate sale and not listed on the sales fliers. It was a big 6 with a 4 speed (granny low) and a 2 speed rear. They didn't even try to run it just sold it as is. It went for $250. It was bad that I missed it but worse that he didn't do anything with it and sold it to a scrapper. I want to make sure I read this right, you are putting a F**d drive train in it? Good luck with your truck.

[bronx]

Thanks Jebb. I have been following your project,and its coming on good.
Really nice-59 dually you got there to.

Hey Ron 586. I was thinking about a suburban driveline,but this Ford chassi was almost for free.

[dwcsr]

I don't think I have ever seen a truck in that many pieces before. Good luck with it. The cab look real good.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by bronx

The truck was sold new in Norway in -59,and was in daily use till -79

Norway? Like on the other side of the pond Norway? Your paint looks good on your cab and nice work on your hub caps too!

[bronx]

Thanks Cal. Youre project is awesome!!
Yes,I live in Norway on the wrong side of the pond. (Very expensive gas and parts are hard to find).
The paint on the cab is a rustkiller/primer.

Here are some more progress pics.

[Jebb1978]

Wow you have been working. It's looking great! I can't even find one of those tail gates here.

Thanks for the compliments. I will bee watvhing you project close

[bronx]

This weekend i test mounted the f-150 axles and tomorrow the frame goes to the "sandman" for blasting and sinkpriming.
Took of all mounts except the ones for the cab.
Here are som pics of the f-150 chassi and the -57 frame.

[Ron 586]

Hey use what you can get your hands on to get the old girl up and running. I wish you the best of luck with your truck. Looks like in one of the pictures that you have a good crew to help you out in the tight spots. I can see how getting parts of any kind could be costly. You seem to be making good progress with it despite the fabrication required to make it fit. I'll be following this build real close so let me know if I can be of any help. I have a shop full of old shop manuals to go to for help.

[bronx]

Thanks Ron. Those little helpers are my youngest son (behind the cab) and my nephew, Both are crazy about cars.

Got the frame back from blasting/priming today and it looked nice.
Have to wait 4-5 days to paint it.
The brackets and coil springs will be powdercoated tomorrow.

I bought these shop manuals from LMC.

[Ron 586]

Man that is taking shape and looking good. I have a 20 month old great niece that lives with me and she thinks she has to go every where I go. It slows things down a bit at times but I wouldn't have any other way. If you get a chance click the photo bucket link in my Sig. and check out my parts pile. I hope to build a 72 short step from the frame up if I can get over these health issues. Have a good day.

[Jebb1978]

Yes sir you are moving along now. Keep em coming, I can't wait to get back into mine.

[CAL 58 GMC]

The frame looks good!

[bronx]

This weekend I have been mounting the new brackets and getting the axles in place. The powdercoated brackets came out good. The frame and axles will be powdercoated to.

[dwcsr]

looks good. what is the red color on the bolts?

[bronx]

Its a rustkiller/primer (corroless) I buy new bolts for my project,but the larger bolts with little rust is sandblasted and primed.
I use this homemade cabinet to blast smaller parts.

[Apache]

Project is coming along really good.

[bronx]

Thanks Apache!
Havent been much progress the last weeks.(waiting for parts)
I have ordered overhaul kits,brake parts,ball joints and new bushings for both axles.
Hopefully i get the parts tomorrow.

[Jebb1978]

I know that feeling well!

What are you running for a motor?

[bronx]

Hey Jebb!
I am going to use the 351 engine that came with the F-150 chassi to begin with.
My future plans is a 7,3 powerstroke diesel.

[Jebb1978]

You are going to have a pretty unusual truck there. I am still debating the motor thing. Decisions decisions....

[bronx]

This week i got my seals,gears and bushings,but the inner axle seals for the front axle wasnt there.
Now i have to wait 14 more days untill they show up.
I also bought a new windshield.
Here are some pics i took today.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Look's great!