my 47 build

[tttuba]

Here is the start of my build. I bought this truck about a year ago and it was restored by the previous owner about 10 years ago. It needs some work again and trying to keep it pretty much stock since it hasn't been chopped up before. Anything done to it such as power disc brakes and rear slider window can be put back kind of easily. It has been converted to 12v negative ground. I completed the wire harness replacement and the alternator switch over. I put new gauges in it but they are stock. I am now putting the gas tank back under the bed. Someone put it behind the seat and did a bad job cutting the filler in. I am also going to put a stock rear bumper on it and put original front bumper on it. So I will try to post pictures but last time it didn't work.

[tttuba]

OK this might work this time.

[tttuba]

more to come.

[tttuba]

more pictures of wiring

[Root2812]

Wow thats a really nice truck to work on for a project. I'm happy with mine but I wish it was that clean. I also like the wood bed side risers. I plan on doing that and matching it to the bed.

[Rednek13x]

Correct me if im wrong, but isnt the stock location for the gas tank behind the seat?

[hottrodd1]

Correct me if im wrong, but isnt the stock location for the gas tank behind the seat?

On his 47 and 48 had the gas tank under the bed on the passager side.
Then the 49-55 AD trucks had the gas tank in the cab behind the seat.

Hope this helps,
Jerry

[tttuba]

I have looked and looked and looked and get 2 answers all the time on the gas tank. I am told the 47 and 48 were under the bed and moved to behind the seat in 49. Some tell me it was behind the seat all the time. I have seen pictures of it both ways. So my preference would be under the bed on the right side and then I can get the seat all the way back. I need those couple inches of room. I bought the tank and hardware from one of the larger suppliers. Only thing I am changing is I put a sending unit in the tank that has the gas tube out the top. That way if I ever have a leak in the line I wont lose all the gas. Just what is in the line.

[tttuba]

I have looked and looked and looked and get 2 answers all the time on the gas tank. I am told the 47 and 48 were under the bed and moved to behind the seat in 49. Some tell me it was behind the seat all the time. I have seen pictures of it both ways. So my preference would be under the bed on the right side and then I can get the seat all the way back. I need those couple inches of room. I bought the tank and hardware from one of the larger suppliers. Only thing I am changing is I put a sending unit in the tank that has the gas tube out the top. That way if I ever have a leak in the line I wont lose all the gas, just what is in the line.

[wildearp]

47 and 48 the tank is under the bed. Many people false title their later trucks to get in to certain events. In a few rare cases, the cab is hacked for a behind the seat tank when the under bed tank is damaged. The interior sheet metal of the cab will be obviously hacked when this happens. The 47 has other distinguishing features, one of which is a single, centered rear cab mount.

They also had one piece side glass from the factory.

Since the VIN tag is riveted or screwed to the inside of the driver door frame, and often, the vin isn't stamped anywhere else, it is really easy to swap titles for an ADB truck and call it anything you want.

I will dig up some detailed features lists and post them when I get the chance.

[tttuba]

Thanks would love some details. And yes the inside sheet metal was hacked to make the tube come out the side. This is the other reason I thought mine should be under the bed. What do you mean by "one piece side glass" ? I am going to look for the cab mount as you suggested.

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by tttuba

Thanks would love some details. And yes the inside sheet metal was hacked to make the tube come out the side. This is the other reason I thought mine should be under the bed. What do you mean by "one piece side glass" ? I am going to look for the cab mount as you suggested.

By one piece side glass he means the door glass. Your truck has one piece of glass in the door. Some of the later AD trucks had the small triangular vent windows in the door too. I have, however, seen people put the vent windows and side glass from the newer trucks into the older ones like ours.

[Root2812]

You can also look at the trans and engine. The engine will have a month and year of casting and the tranny can tell you the month day and year of casting. These may have been changed but if you put that with your vin thats 3 pieces of evidence. Those with the other stuff may give you some ideas. If a bunch tell you the same thing then you have a good idea but either way if you want the tank under the bed put it there and keep going. No one will see the tank while you are cruiseing.

[tttuba]

Thanks Root. I do have the one piece window and I am going to put the tank under the bed. Already bought the parts. Maybe someone can answer this for me....Now that the bed is off I was going to replace the shocks since it is easy to do. However I find out I may have something different again. I have a modern style shock and looking online nobody seems to have that for a 47. I do find another shock which is a lever shock. Not what is on my truck. Parts supply places I have looked show the modern type shock starting about 1950. I put up a couple pics to see if someone can tell me what I have.

[tttuba]

Found the casting number on the block. B26. I would think that was Feb 2 46. Also on the engine is A228163251. This checks out to a 228 which is what gmc put in. It has a cab mounting at the center rear. Vin number checks out to a 47, cab serial number is 10113 so things seem to check out about it definitely being a 47. Now if someone can tell me why I have the top spring on the rear axle. And what shocks I should use as replacements or even how to figure out what I have for shocks.

[Dan Bowles]

Those look like stock mounts for the later Chevy/GMC trucks. You might just go for a 49-55S1 shock. Those flipped shocks look like some type of helper spring, though I've never seen one quite like that.

Nice truck, by the way.

[tttuba]

Here is before and after on the carb rebuild and the after on the under
hood wire harness. The before can be seen in a prior picture. Yes that is the same carb. I plan to get everything mechanical done and running smooth then take everything apart and do the under hood and rest of body restoration.

[tttuba]

Woo hoo ugly rear bumper is now off. More pics to follow. Will put a picture of it on here soon. If anyone wants it you can come and get it.

[tttuba]

OK cross member straightened and bumper off, and just a cool shot of a friend cutting off the bumper bracket

[tttuba]

Gas tank in old one out and it runs. YESSSSSS. Anyone want the old tank? Nothing wrong just wanted it under the bed.

[solidaxel]

You do plan to remove the overload springs on the rear now that you have the bed removed?

[tttuba]

I wasn't sure what those were. I didn't see them in anything I looked at online. Not sure what I want to do with them. Any harm in having them or any advantage. This will probably never be used to haul anything real heavy when it is done

[solidaxel]

I think those OL springs were for the trailer that they used to pull from the looks of the heavy steel bumper hitch you removed

[tttuba]

Wooo hoooo parts will arrive on Friday and can keep working on the truck. Pictures of cutting side of truck to make gas spout come out the side to come soon.New bumpers and wiring of bed with new tail lamps. Wired in a plug so I can release the wires to remove bed without having to cut wires. One plug disconnects whole harness to tail lights.

[tttuba]

OK wanted to get more done but found parts didn't entirely work on the front. And cutting through the rear rails with a drill was a bit more difficult. There was the remnant of the old rear bumper still welded to the inside of the rail.. Tried to cut it off with a torch but ended up cutting the rail. The front parts don't fit because prior owner put modern shocks on the front and are in the way of the bumper bracket. Oh well, a little more modification and should be able to get it to work. Can someone tell me if I have the rear brackets on the correct way. Bumper seems high. Did I put the brackets on upside down?