Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Well since my other trucks were built before I found this wonderful site I did not have build threads.. So today I am starting two...

I have been wanting an 47 to 54 truck for a while but kept buying 67 to 72's because of all the parts and knowledge I had.. Well it just so happened that I acquired a 98 S10 reg cab long bed.. It was my grandfathers truck, he passed in Feb and I ened up with it for FREE.. What a perfect opportunity to do a chassis swap... :lol: So I started the search for a 47 to 54... I wanted a clean truck with good original patina... Yes I am on the shop truck/Rat sytle band wagon right now.. Probably because I enjoy my 64 shop truck more than any other car/truck I have ever owned.. Its a cool old ride that you don't have to worry about rain or leaving it in a parking lot at the store..

Well my search turned up a 54 GMC... As soon as I had seen it I knew I had to have it... the truck sports an all original exterior right down to the lettering that is on the doors.. The GMC runs and drives great right now!! Almost ashame to rip it apart but I like technology and want to be able to roll down the highway 80 mph... The truck is super solid so when the shop truck thing dies off I have a good foundation for a show truck... Plans for now are to blow the S10 apart and start cleaning the frame... I am going to run drop spindles and bags in the front to start... Not sure about the rear yet but I am thinking a 3 link is soon to follow... I am leaving the 4.3 in the truck for now with the 4L60E... I will drive it like that for a while and build a small block with a tri power set up in the future.. Here are two pics of the GMC.. I want this to be done this summer.. Stay tuned for more..

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Subscribing to this one,...

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Here are a few pics of the S10... The "Old Man" drove like he was in a demo derby the last few years of his life... He drove fast and hard.. No carbon issues with this one...

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

This is a perfect candidate for a swap.... subscribed!

The patina on that truck is amazing, and perfect!

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Well I have to go pick up a race car chassis tomorrow at my powder coat guys place so I figured I would let him powder the wheels... I drove the 64 over to the garage where I am currently storing the 54 and pulled them off.. All I had was my cell phone to take pics with but I figured I would get a few side by side shots... Oh what a difference...I can not wait till the 54 sits like the 64... Back to the wheels.. The 54 has the factory 16" steelies.. I am going to run them at first.. I think it will look cool... As of now I am thinking powdering them an ivory or creamy white to match the lettering on the doors... What are your thoughts?? let me know..

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Ok so for some reason I can not upload pics tonight... I will try again in the am.... :buh:

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now its workin... Bring on the crapy cell phone pics!!:metal:

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

I like the idea of matching the wheels to the lettering....I'd like to see some chrome rings or part caps on there though as I love a little bit of chrome...to go with the grille chrome...

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

I plan on running the stock dog dish/hubcap... I just dismounted them this morning and realized the wheel is only 5.5" wide... thats cool for the front but I am going to call stockton wheel and see what they can offer for the rear...

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Yesterday was a fun day... I went up my parents shop and put the S10 on the life outside.. In about 2 hours it looked like this..... I threw it on the trailer and brought it to my house so I can finish gutting the cab and start cleaning and bagging the frame... I took it around the neighborhood with it looking like this... Lol... My nieghbors think there is something wrong with me!

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

That's classic :lol:

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

How do you plan to run the 6-lug stock wheels on the S10 chassis? Wheel adapters?
I have a buddy doing this same this to a '50 chevy. I just took him a 4x4 S10 rearend. The stock 2wd rearend is too narrow. (wheels will hit the bedsides) The 4x4 rearend is about 2" wider per side.

Cool Project!

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Yep thats my plan... The fronts and rears need spaced when you do the chassis swap.. THe 4x4 rear is a perfect fit for one of these trucks but I figure I will just run adapters front and rear... I think the 16" steelies will look cool when the truck is dropped..

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Wow so April is the last I posted on here... Got caught up in life and haven't spent too much time on this project.. I did get the front of the chassis bagged, the frame painted , the motor and tranny cleaned up and wired.. I am waiting for the rear air ride set up and notch to show up so I can get that thrown on.. I also ended up with a set of torq thrusts with the gray centers with wide whites that I am going to run.. I will roll it outside the garage and get some pics this weekend.. Just about time to swap some tin... I looked at the AD and the EZ kit but think I am going to make my own mounts.. Stay tuned!!!

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Subscribed

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Sweet cant wait to see her swapped..

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

nice project you got goin, so you baggin this one?

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

But of course!!! :lol: Bagged with dropped spindles up front and extensive metal works rear kit on its way...

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So here are a few pics... Frame painted,front bagged, wheels and tires on, motor and tranny mostly wired... The rear air ride kit is on its way to me and will be next weeks project.. I cut apart an old oil bath air cleaner and put a regular filter in it to use as my air cleaner... I have to weld a bigger inlet on it and it will be done..

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

Nice progress. I like the idea of the air cleaner.

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

subscribed

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

looking good!

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Looks awesome. I would love to bag my 50 but just trying to get it one the road. Post pix of the swap, I am hoping to have mine done in a few weeks

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Rear air ride kit came yesterday.. Let the cutting and welding begin!!

Re: Project "Poison Ivy" 54 GMC
 

You're my hero and patina partner - love the trucks! Have you ever discussed your favorite bag - components? and some of the costs associated? Sometimes you can save a little here and there - but need to spend the dough wisely - premium parts aren't always the highest priced! (but we know they often are) - subscribed. :chevy: