"rock-a-daily" 'my 59 gmc pickup build

[grenade inspector]

This will be my first build thread, you can see what I am starting with in the pictures below, it is a 1959 gmc 100 step-side pickup. My goal is to do a shoestring budget pt truck to make into my daily driver.

The first step, which has already begun is to tear off the damaged bits, some wonderful person was so kind as to hit something hard enough to (presumably) destroy the front right fender as well as bending up the grill support, radiator support and filler panel. I will see what can be accomplished in straightening them, but my hopes aren't excessively high. The doors will also need to be replaced along with some glass, but the cab appears to be otherwise solid.

Second will be the removal of the unwanted running gear, the 270 straight six and 3 on the tree trans will be needing to find a new home. The rear axle and Conestoga wagon inspired front axle will be following shortly behind but will stay for now as a matter of convenience.

After as many unnecessary parts as possible have been removed I will start working on getting it back together, unfortunately I am trying to orchestrate all of this out of a (barely) 2 car garage which also contains all my tools, crap, the house mechanicals and a half disassembled firebird. Needless to say, space is at a premium.


In the end the most important thing will be to end up with a reliable, competent daily driver with enough power and suspension to be fun but still be maintainable and have proper street manners.

I hope that some of you can find this build as interesting as I have found many of yours, thanks for reading.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_1079-2.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_1082-2.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_1087-2.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/IMG_1089-1.jpg

[Yelcamino]

Nice project! I love the '58 and '59 trucks! I'd like to get my hands on an 58/59 Apache one of these days.

[CruizinKev]

nice project! can't wait to see more! :twothumbs

[frankenstang]

SO jealous!! Dying to find a 58-59 Apache or what you got there. Sweet project

[SicMonte]

well well well...you have tapped into my dreams!!

I used to own a 58 Apache a while ago but had to let it go. I have always loved these trucks and a PT versions is awesome!

Have you seen the one Fesler built?? You need to see that truck!

I subscribed.

[grenade inspector]

thank you all for the interest, I hope I don't disappoint.

I have not seen the fessler truck yet, I think I have a few conference calls this afternoon, I'll take a look at it then :ssst:

I've gotten a little bit of work done, the front end is now completely off with the exception of the radiator support (that can stay until I'm ready to dump the radiator). I've started disconnecting the linkages between the cab and the rest of the truck, not that there are very many of them. I was looking at the steering "box" it doesn't appear as though it can be disconnected easily, I think I will have to pull the wheel and drop the entire column through the floor.

Hopefully by the end of the week I will be ready to pull the cab :fingersx:


I will post some pictures later, currently they are all on my phone.

[grenade inspector]

attached is a photo of the truck without front sheet-metal, or a door.... on a less productive note, I managed to break of a bolt in each of the extraction holes on the steering wheel. I may be cutting it free of the column shortly.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/0506121744a-1.jpg