<Current Plan>

March 16 , 2009

I've started to update this page several times over the past year and just have not finished...  And then I adjust the plan, so the work becomes wasted.

Tonight I'm going to try once again to capture my current plan.  I hope you enjoy my indecision and developing projects as much as I do.  I just wish I was able to show a little more progress!

My truck projects remained intertwined somewhat, often relying on the same parts cars or trucks, and requiring some things to move before others can be accessed, I've sorted through an order of precedence for the projects. I wanted to think through my resources and make sure I don't have things being used before they are available...

2005 and 2006 weren't good for my projects. 2007 was been a lot better but still slow and 2008 saw many changes to the plans.  In early 2009 the only issues I see slowing me down are time and money, and though both remain real limitations neither should be any more of an issue than they have ever been.

Describing the projects in order this is what they look like.

Trailer Puller

This was called the Dually when I last articulated a plan.  It changed dramatically when I  bought a '54 GMC 5-window 1-ton Dually along with a '55 GMC 1-ton parts truck.  The parts truck has become the basis of this project. I had originally thought this one would be an extended cab, but probably won't bother. Its a lot of work, and not really necessary at this time. Too many others have done it and I'm not as interested now that I've seen lots of others.

The Trailer Puller will have a big utility box to carry tools. I'll create bedsides under the box either using standard fenders over the tires or maybe using side rails from a flat bed to dress it as a flatbed with tool boxes instead of a modified slide in tool box.

My plan is to adapt the IFS from a '72 C20 with disk brakes and use the GM 14-bolt from another 1-ton.  The  engine and  transmission will be a Cadillac 500 with a Turbo 400.

As I write this the frame is setting in the shop with the GM 14-bolt rear axle mounted under it.  I've marked the floor with the centerline and suspension positions prepatory to the IFS swap.  It may happen real soon.

Its still possible I'll back off the frame swap plans and put disk brakes on an original type straight axle. Stay tuned I'll make a decision someday.

Little Suede Truck

The Little Suede Truck was concieved as a g-machine/pro-touring car. I've less interest in that approach since I've become a Corvette owner.  Its just not likely I'll create a pickup that would compare.

My current plan is to use the '54 Chevy cab but modify it to make it a 5-window. I have a S-10 4x4 frame that I think will go under this cab.   Today I think the engine/transmission package will be the 454/Turbo 400 from the wrecked '89 K3500.

While this remains a truck intended for my wife's use the big motor and four-wheel-drive will make it more flexible and will increase the utitlity of this vehicle.

OldSub

When I last updated the plans I had decide to push the Suburban back, but do some drivability work on it. With things coming together on the Tow Rig I'm now considering advancing the Suburban project. The risk is I think it will be years before I finish it.

In any case my next steps with the Suburban are to fix the heater and align the front end, and see if I can make it a bit nicer to drive. Then maybe I'll take it down for some serious body work. Maybe.

I've had a lot of ideas how to approach this project, but today my thinking is more traditional.  I may pull the GMC 270 but am not committed to that thought.  Today I'm thinking a Saginaw 4-speed (because I have one) or a T-5 manual transmission.   A V-8 may still find it's way under the hood.

I'm planning to repair the rust while mostly preserving the original look. I now have almost all the metal parts to start repairs. The interior will be updated, perhaps in serious modern SUV fashion, but since that will cost a lot of money, we'll wait and see where it really ends up.

Parade Truck

This project has changed so much I've deleted the earlier description and am starting over.

Instead of basing this on the '51 4400 or the '52 6400 or even the '53 GMC 350, I'm now thinking I'll use the '54 GMC 250 (1-ton dually) with the Hydra-Matic.  I like the look of the truck and particularly the wheels, and making it a parade truck means I don't need to put modern tires on it, which are difficult with the stock 18 inch split rims.

The truck is a GMC 248 with Hydra-Matic.  I might replace the 248 with the 270 from the Suburban but I'm not sure where I'm going with this one.

Ideally this truck will have a Holmes Chariot back type wrecker body.  I don't own one and they aren't common around here so finding one may be a challenge...

Hot Rod COE

1947 was one of those strange years where GM changed their trucks mid year.  While there is an early and late, my understanding is they never called them first series or second series.  That acknowledgement aside, if I say I have a '47 second Chevy COE you probably know what I mean.

My plan is to drop that cab on a newer chassis.  Candidate frames are the '72 Chevy 1/2-ton I've owned for ten years or the '79 Chevy P30 motorhome stashed out back.  Power will either be a 350/350 combo, a 454/t400 or maybe a Cadillac 500/400.

COE Suburban Cargo

Utility Trailer

This project is sort of finished. I've modified a frame to create the tongue, mounted an axle and the bed. The trailer is now parked out back with some panel body parts in it, that had been in the way in the shop. The structure is done, it roles and is now usable. The bed floor is in need of repair, the ride height is not the low rider look I wanted, and I did no electrical. And its complicated by the lack of registration and license. But otherwise it is done.