I'm 17. Bought my 50 & 53 GMC's as a pair about a year ago and the plan was
to restore the '53 with it's rare hydra-matic tranny and 1/2 ton longbed to
dead stock using the plain jane and very beat up '50 for parts, but my
intentions have changed a little.
I decided doing the '53 the way I wanted to really wasn't in my price range.
It would take too long to scrape up the money I would need to make the
project doable. Instead I've assessed what I've got, what I can afford, and
what I want.
As it stands now, the final product will actually look more like this:
48 GMC 3/4 ton, 5-window
turbocharged, injected, intercooled, dry sump lubed 270 six
stock 4-spd W/ 2 spd aux. box and 4.10's 'stead of the 4.56's
The truck will be a '48 because it's gonna have a '48 3/4 ton chassis and
title. I chose to go with 3/4 ton over 1/2 ton for the better brakes and the
open driveline. I'm also partial to the longbed and I want the heavy
suspension for hauling. The '48 also has the gas tank under the bed and those
coooool lever shocks.
I haven't bought the '48 chassis yet, but it's kinda a sure thing. The '48
comes with a running 235, so I can use that engine in the truck temporarily
'til I can get all the bugs worked out of the 270.
Besides the exact details of the turbo and injection, the only important
things I haven't figured out yet are where to get a 2 speed auxilary box and
exactly how to hook it up and where am I gonna get 3/4 ton GMC hubcaps?
I know this just doesn't sound feasable for a 17 year old. I can do it.
You'll all hear about my problems along the way and you'll definately hear
about the truck when it's done. I'm not jumping right into it just yet 'cause
I'm putting the wraps on my dad's '65 Mustang FB (GT350 clone).
A little background:
I'm above your average mechanical intelligence. I'm a mediocre machinist, a
certifiable MIG welder and pretty good at TIG, but don't have a TIG machine
in my own shop. My "own shop" is a 30X40 pole barn that's never big enough
for the million projects my dad and I always have going. We don't have much
money at all, but most people really think we do because of the quality stuff
that comes from our shop. We work mostly with favors and bartering to get the
parts, tools, whatever we need. We always find ways to substitute hard work
for the cash we don't have.
My dad DEFINATELY is not financing my truck. He thinks I'm stupid and insane
for messing with an "ugly old GMC" and I was on the borderline of being
disowned when I told him my plans include building a 6 cylinder for it.
Turbocharging and fuel injection are words not to be mentioned in his
presence. But he's got the best labor room and board can buy working on his
mustang so he's not in a position to say no.
Enough about me.
Dustin
50 & 53 GMC 1/2 tons
48 GMC 3/4 ton
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