C50 Pick-up Drill Sergeant

[atvpro]

I like the look of the hubcap and beauty ring combo with the black wheel. Pretty sure this is what I am going to go with.



The piece underneath everything is what I started with. The parts on top are what I cut them down to.


The next three are the process of installing the curve at the bottom with a body line.







This is what it looks like with the flare on.






Went to Pull-n-Save and picked up a Suburban gas tank, unforunately they like to drill holes into them. I am not going to complain though, with the sending unit it came to a grand total of just under $10.00. For that price I do not have a problem welding them up.




Just in case


Welded but will still be JB welded to insure an absolute seal. The tank will be painted with black zero rust.





Tank in the truck.

[phaus01]

The truck looks really good. Love the color you picked out. What is the choice of front bumper that will be used?

[Mater/10]

That is Awesome! i love the look of the wheels with caps and rings!

[l79m20]

I feel like if you added a running board to connect the front and rear fender flares that it would look awesome. Just my own opinion...

[bojak]

Flare looks great. The black steelies are the way to go. I would suggest black wheels with rings and chrome lug nuts. Like the style on older power wagons and 50's style GMs. I think the style of sarge is overland/classic. Like your version of a GM power wagon. Rings and center caps looks good but not as in keeping with the style thus far. Just my opinion, and it would probably look good with anything except 20" rock stars. Sarge would probably make those look good too.

[bojak]

[NewType72]

Man that flare has been wracking my brain too guess well need a video of how it all works when she's all painted up. I plan on being at next years hot August nights in Reno as well so hopefully I'll see ya there.

[lowrollin70gmc]

This is an awesome project, very thought out and executed nicely. I've kept an eye out for a retired grain truck to tinker with, but something has to be said that you're actually doing it.

As for your wheel problems, have you considered putting dually axles under it? The rear would get you extra width to fill the flare with a regular wheel on it and the front would widen out as well. Just a thought, or I run a 2005 AAM 14 Bolt that's wider than the stock 70s/ 80s 14 bolts at 69 1/2" WMS and has factory discs and parking brake.

I look forward to the updates and finished product.

[atvpro]

Originally Posted by bojak

Attachment 1175423

Hey Bojak, those are pretty damn cool tires. I think I will try to get more information on my application size. The tires I have on Drill Sergeant are probably going to have to stay but those tires on that Dodge look like the ones I need to put on my C50 Crew Cab project coming up after Drill Sergeant.

BTW, your killing me man, how was the biscuit?

[atvpro]

Originally Posted by lowrollin70gmc

This is an awesome project, very thought out and executed nicely. I've kept an eye out for a retired grain truck to tinker with, but something has to be said that you're actually doing it.

As for your wheel problems, have you considered putting dually axles under it? The rear would get you extra width to fill the flare with a regular wheel on it and the front would widen out as well. Just a thought, or I run a 2005 AAM 14 Bolt that's wider than the stock 70s/ 80s 14 bolts at 69 1/2" WMS and has factory discs and parking brake.

I look forward to the updates and finished product.

It's funny you should mention that on the very morning I woke up at 3:00 am thinking about it. My intention was after I got up, and it was light outside, I was going to go measure axle widths, keeping in mind I am not planning on going away from an Eaton, one of my most favorite axles. I guess you could say it's in the same league as a 205 transfer case. So this is what I came up with; I am going to have to stick with the 2wd 411 possi I have in it. The only other option that I could think of, is to bolt on one ton dually hubs which seem to be quite a bit wider, just not sure I would do with the axle shafts. With all that said, camper special wheels in the front and custom camper special wheels in the back to end up with a even stance front to back.

Thank you for your comments, your compliments are appreciate it and respected.

[atvpro]

Well showing the process of installing the jerry can recess/shadow box on the passenger side now. It went a lot quicker this time do to the fact I made the box on the bench and not piece by piece on the bed.

I finally figured out what I am going to do with the wheels. I talked to a guy here in Spokane, that is set up better to do the work than I am. What I am going to do, is use the camper special wheels in the front and on the back I am going to widen the camper special wheels by 3" each giving me 6'' overall. I think it will be harder for somebody to tell by looking at them that they are different front and rear but regardless, this is the way I got to do it.

[atvpro]

Originally Posted by l79m20

I feel like if you added a running board to connect the front and rear fender flares that it would look awesome. Just my own opinion...

Sorry I forgot to reply to your question earlier to answer it what I am considering is making running boards that go from flare to flare that are completely independent from the body. They will be mounted to the frame and have a very slight gap between the body and the running boards, enough to clear any frame to body flex but they will still maintain the body style of the original running boards of a C50. One of the major differences, they will only be 2 to 3 inches tall overall rather than the stock C50 running boards which I believe are at least 12" tall.

The only other thing I can say about the running boards I will be building, they will be able to sustain I pretty good side impact, ie they won't be just sheet metal.

Please keep in mind everything I am doing on this project is the precusor to the C50 Crew Cab that is next in line.

[duallyjams]

This is going to be so cool when it's done.

[bojak]

Running boards. It's a GM power wagon! That's awesome. You make recessing fuel cans look easy, but I know it's not.

About the wheels, so are you actually going to have a really wide rear wheel tire combo or is it just changing the offset ?

Your truck is killer. You should be proud.

You ever check out icon 4x4's website? If not, check it out. Good place to get some ideas from. Good use of products but retaining original styling. Interesting projects including a sick dodge crew. Go to there derilects section.

[NewType72]

Okay so it's probably already been mentioned but what is the purpose for the fuel cans? Obviously it would be a pain to get up in the bed everytime so you mounted them on the exterior but what will you be doin that will require fuel cans on the side permanently?

[atvpro]

Originally Posted by NewType72

Okay so it's probably already been mentioned but what is the purpose for the fuel cans? Obviously it would be a pain to get up in the bed everytime so you mounted them on the exterior but what will you be doin that will require fuel cans on the side permanently?

the same reason that I'm building a C/50 pickup truck. because I can.

[bojak]

Yo. How's the sarge?

[rustSpot]

One of my favorite builds! Super cool! Nice work as well!

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by atvpro

the same reason that I'm building a C/50 pickup truck. because I can.

Gotta love that!

It's really cool to watch you take your ideas and some old metal to make something uniquely yours.

Well done sir.

[bojak]

Bump.

[atvpro]

In keeping a very important body line clean, I came up with a sanding block made out of bondo the exact shape of the lower part of the grill on Drill Sergeant. I used it last night, and it worked flawlessly.

First I put tape down, and then basically made forms and poured in the bondo and waited for it to dry. Oh by the way, this much bondo and thickness gets really frickin hot.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by atvpro

In keeping a very important body line clean, I came up with a sanding block made out of bondo the exact shape of the lower part of the grill on Drill Sergeant. I used it last night, and it worked flawlessly.

First I put tape down, and then basically made forms and poured in the bondo and waited for it to dry. Oh by the way, this much bondo and thickness gets really frickin hot.

Awesome work as always. Love the filler sanding block idea..

[Z16]

That sanding block is an awesome idea!

[AMERICAN PICK-UP]

Lookin good!

[BMERDOC]

Absolutely killer work! I've been eyeballin' some of the local Big Trucks on CL but am not really sure what I would do with one. Your work is inspiring! I'll be watchin from now on.