Project: Pack Rat

[MrTucker]

Eh - the frame looks better in the pics than in person. I just hit it with a wire wheel for a few hours, then rattle canned it with some VTH chassis semi gloss. I'm not very impressed with it and will eventually get it powder coated.

But yes - the HF 2ton crane did make it all possible, especially since I was flying solo
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[YahamaR1]

Like your story, a truck with a family history...
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[_Ogre]

hopefully he's not waiting for the wife & baby to leave again

i laughed when i saw the picture of the ''shed'' and again when he showed the interior shots
i learn something new everyday on this forum, did not know that any ad trucks had hydromatics
thought that was new for 55

[YahamaR1]

Do you mean my Hydromatic?.
The Big Block that I rebuild is out of a Ambulance from Texas.
Its a engine from 1990 with a 400 Hydromatic..
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[MrTucker]

He's talking about my truck. Chevy didn't put any auto's in until '54. GMC starting putting them in in early '53. In August, I believe, of '53 there was a huge fire that destroyed the factory that built the Hydramatics, which ended production for the year. Long story short, there are very very very very few remaining trucks with the numbers matching engine and auto. In fact, over the last 4 years of searching, I've only seen 2, and heard of 3 others on the internet (and one of those had a tranny swap, so it's not numbers matching).



The bad news is that I'm going through a divorce, so I dont know if this truck will ever be finished. It definitely wont be touched much at all over the next year, at least. Not sure if my father in law will want the truck back, and if he doesn't I wont have a place to store it or work on it for at least 3-4 years.

ah well

[_Ogre]

thanks for the history lesson, when you quit learning you die.
i've seen plenty in 55 up, never in an AD truck

as for the rest of your history, that sucks...

[MrTucker]

thanks, but it's for the better. The truck will get some love over the next couple of months, but probably nothing post worthy. Just more wire wheeling and paint on the chassis.

[johns truck]

dont give up ! ive been working o n my rust bucket for 3 years and probably have another year to go wont be a show truck but im gonna enjoy the heck out of it. so far ive replaced bothcab corners inner and outer both cowl panels both rocker panels all 4 lower door jams both floor panels new 4" drop axle new tie rod with modern ends u bolts and rear end. i have a 2002 rebuilt 5.7 vortec and a turbo 350 waiting to be put in. im also doing this solo learing as i go.SO HANG IN THERE MAN ITLL COME TOGETHER!
Good luck and best wishes.

John

[MrTucker]

Final update:

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to punt this project. If anyone has any interest or questions, IM me...

[PurdueSD]

Sucks man, there can always be another. Keep on keepin on!