51 Gmc

[55dude]

really solid for being up north. keep the pic's coming of your project. SWEET!

[jkaylor68gmc]

Really looks good, those panels are turning out so nice. So what is next the cab, if so I would love to see bare metal pics of the cab, its always cool.

[Smokejohnson]

Im thinkin the hood or the box sides will be next. The cab's still on the frame. I found a little sand blaster at work so I mite try it on the front inners when it warms up. If it ever warms up man it's cold here.
It's -34c with the wind chill.

[Atomsplitter]

Hey Smoke'n,

It's nice to see another Canuck on the board! Looks like your off to a fast start, nice work too. Is yours a Canadian Truck or shipped up from the US?

You had a radiator question? I assume it's about how to replace your missing original rad. If your keeping it stock with the "in-line 6" you can pickup a good used original and use it as is (up to $100). If your making a V8 driver, like I am, you can get an original re-cored ($200-$300). If you have lots of money, or putting in a Big Block, or if you're making a show truck you can get an aluminum aftermarket rad. ($500).

What are your plans for the truck? Show, driver, Rat Rod, original......there are lots of members here that have all types of trucks to help you along the way.

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

I used a alum rad & made the core support....Don Meye

[Smokejohnson]

Thanks for the replys guys. Im making a driver,more like a toy, with a small block Im thinkin a 383 but I'll see when I get to that stage. With the rad thing Im missing the rad and support. Ive found lots of Chevy supports but not to many GMC's. I did find 1 for $75 but no rad. Thats y I was wondering If anybody had used anything other than the stock stuff.

[Cole_lol]

How much primer have you gone thru? Also how soon you you put the primer on after your done sanding? I think im going to start sanding down some of my stuff just because I have to pay for a stupid wedding before I can start buying my stuff so I figured it would be a good chance for me to work on it without just moveing stuff around haha.

[Smokejohnson]

For primer Ive been going to the autobody supply store and getting 1k etch primer in rattle cans. Its not as good as an apoxy but theres no clean up with the cans. It takes about 1 can per panel. It costs a little more but with winter here I cant wash up out side and the wife would kill me if I did it in her new house. I will spray apoxy after I do the body work later. As for sanding as long as there's no dust in the air the sooner the better for covering bare metal.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

That swan hood ornament is something that was sold at truck stops years ago. I used to have one on my over-the-road truck back in the 70's. There's one for sale on ebay now (link) if you're interesed. It has green wings. Don't know what color you're looking for. It's only bid up to one dollar right now. And, the guy has it listed in the wrong catagory.

[jkaylor68gmc]

I would recommend buying a simple, new V-8 radiator from someone like Brothers. I believe they are about 350 bucks or so, but it is new, looks great and cools very well. Aluminum is so expensive.

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

I bought my aluminum rad fron Ron Davis, Summit also sells alum rads for around $200. I mad my core support from 1" x 2" tubing. I found a pic of it w/a Camaro $100 rad that I punched a hole in & had to rfeplace. I have always used a cross flow rad when I build one of these trks.

Don Meyer-Mech Engr

[Smokejohnson]

I was out getting some more parts to work on today and took some pic's of the heaters. I don't think the 2ed one is factory. Ive never seen them on any other truck. What do u guys think?

This is on the drivers side

The passenger side

[Smokejohnson]

I got a bed side done and my TCI- ifs came in the other day. Here's some pic's

[solidaxel]

If you found a Rad support for 75.00 that may save you a lot of time and hassels when you go to hang the inner fenders and ling up the front sheet metal as that is a major support for the front end.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice little truck you got there seems to be pretty rust free and for 500 bones you cant go wrong.

[tiggerstoy]

look's like it's comeing along nice, it will be a sweet ride keep the pics comming.

[Atomsplitter]

There is a guy on e-bay that's selling aluminum radiators for AD trucks for $350 on a buy-it-now. I tried and tried to find a plain copper/brass radiator for my truck and wityh local taxes it would have cost me the same so I bought one yesterday. It fits in the original support as well! Just search under "1951 chevy truck radiator" and you should find it.
good luck.

[Smokejohnson]

Do u have a link for that rad? I did a search but no luck.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Nice work so far Smokejohnson!

[Atomsplitter]

This is a link to his e-bay store.
http://stores.ebay.com/dissrad
I did a quick search and didn't see one currently for sale either. You can give them a call and see if they are putting any more on sale soon.

[Atomsplitter]

The e-bay link to my new rad. is:

http://motors.search-completed.ebay....00QQsofocusZbs

Shipping is $65 US but even taking that into account it's still a smok'n deal for a welded aluminum rad. and it has a transmission cooler.

Here's a cool picture of a GMC, one of my favourites.

[Smokejohnson]

Hey guys a bit of an update for ya. I took the cab off and seen that the frame was in bad shape. It had been broke in 2 spots and rotten in 2 spots. It could be fixed but I found one out of a 48 that looks pretty good. So I stripped it all down and getting it rety to be boxed in. I ordered new rear fenders and smooth running boards and they should be here tomorrow.
Before I box the frame in what should I do to the inside? Blast it,prime it,leave it?
Here's some pic's

[pugs]

now if im not mistaken the 48 frame has only a center rear cab mout as to the 51 having 2 outside rear mounts

[Smokejohnson]

Ya your right. I'm going to take the cab mounts off the 51 frame and put them on the 48. Not a big deal just have to drill new bolt holes. I got them off and i'm rebuilding them. The paints drying right now.

[Smokejohnson]

Hey guys I got the frame blasted,primed, and all boxed in. Got the front end all installed and now i'm working on the patch panels for the cab. Here's some pic's.