From a death to a rebirth. My GMC 450's story - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Okiefromwatonga · 05-15-2017, 09:27 PM

As I sit and write this I am coming to terms that a very good friend and co worker passed away this past Sunday. I went and visited his family today and was told by his wife and daughter that he has willed me a truck I have been pestering him to sell me for years. I do not know the trucks exact year yet but I do know its a 1955-1959 GMC 450. All thats left is a frame and all of the sheet metal. What I do know is that she is save able and will be restored /restomodded in his honor. My current plans are to bring it home, and to swap the body onto a newer c60/Topkick frame. Power will come from either a Cummins 6CTA8.3 or a Navistar DT. John Robison this one is for you.

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C10 - C90 Bill · 05-15-2017, 09:56 PM

Nice heavy truck with a GVW of 25,000.

Five Window Cab to boot.

He sure must have thought a lot of you to leave it to you like that.

Keep us posted on it.

rkn463 · 05-15-2017, 10:12 PM

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

-Richard

**Bob B.** · 05-16-2017, 03:20 AM

My condolences. Best of luck on your project.

Very rare '55-'59 5 window cab there, only used on (I think) 450-up GMC's. Light duty trucks got the 'big back window' option, supposedly GMC didn't think that cab was strong enough for their larger trucks. May have had something to do with diesel engine vibration, I don't think I have ever seen this cab on a Chevy and Chevy didn't offer diesels until 1962.

flashed · 05-16-2017, 07:26 AM

Sorry for your loss of a good friend .Im in to see this one .

Okiefromwatonga · 05-16-2017, 09:12 AM

Thank you all for the kind words. A little update to it. In looking up what information I had it looks like the truck had a GMC 302 I6 in it originally and still has the 5 speed in it, best I can guess its a NP540 as gears 2-4 are in a standard H pattern with 1 to the driver and forward.

**special-K** · 05-19-2017, 06:39 AM

Sorry for the loss of your friend. I like your thinking and I am sure he would as well. Good luck to you on seeing this through. Sounds like a good plan

factorystock · 05-27-2017, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okiefromwatonga

My current plans are to bring it home, and to swap the body onto a newer c60/Topkick frame.

Very solid looking medium. Is the C 60 frame a 10 lugger with air brakes?

Okiefromwatonga · 05-27-2017, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factorystock

Is the C 60 a 10 lugger with air brakes?

Haven't found the donor vehicle. I want to get it home and get the paperwork done before I get too carried away sinking money into her. Worst case scenario she will be a sheet metal donor for a similar cab. Still figuring out if I want to stick with air brakes (and the resulting CDL required in Oklahoma) or put it on a newer frame with juice brakes. I would love to stick with the Dayton wheels as I have always loved the look

5Tractorguy · 05-27-2017, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okiefromwatonga

I would love to stick with the Dayton wheels as I have always loved the look

I second that. Daytons really "made" the look of those old trucks. Neat project....

Okiefromwatonga · 06-01-2017, 10:50 PM

Update, I believe just re a 55. Unearthed the the grille she'll.

05-15-2017, 09:27 PM	#1
Okiefromwatonga Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Watonga, OK Posts: 80	From a death to a rebirth. My GMC 450's story As I sit and write this I am coming to terms that a very good friend and co worker passed away this past Sunday. I went and visited his family today and was told by his wife and daughter that he has willed me a truck I have been pestering him to sell me for years. I do not know the trucks exact year yet but I do know its a 1955-1959 GMC 450. All thats left is a frame and all of the sheet metal. What I do know is that she is save able and will be restored /restomodded in his honor. My current plans are to bring it home, and to swap the body onto a newer c60/Topkick frame. Power will come from either a Cummins 6CTA8.3 or a Navistar DT. John Robison this one is for you.[/URL] Last edited by Okiefromwatonga; 05-19-2017 at 04:55 PM.

05-15-2017, 09:56 PM	#2
C10 - C90 Bill Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Moneta, VA USA Posts: 3,064	Re: From a death to a rebirth. My GMC 450's story Nice heavy truck with a GVW of 25,000. Five Window Cab to boot. He sure must have thought a lot of you to leave it to you like that. Keep us posted on it. __________________ '60-'72 Chev/GMC Fan GMC 9500 Fan Detroit Diesel Fan

05-15-2017, 10:12 PM	#3
rkn463 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Iredell, Texas Posts: 582	Re: From a death to a rebirth. My GMC 450's story Sorry for the loss of your friend. -Richard __________________ I may have too many Chevys... Is that possible? 68 c50 pickup build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=704713

05-16-2017, 03:20 AM	#4
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,308	Re: From a death to a rebirth. My GMC 450's story My condolences. Best of luck on your project. Very rare '55-'59 5 window cab there, only used on (I think) 450-up GMC's. Light duty trucks got the 'big back window' option, supposedly GMC didn't think that cab was strong enough for their larger trucks. May have had something to do with diesel engine vibration, I don't think I have ever seen this cab on a Chevy and Chevy didn't offer diesels until 1962. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

05-16-2017, 07:26 AM	#5
flashed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: canton ga Posts: 12,729	Re: From a death to a rebirth. My GMC 450's story Sorry for your loss of a good friend .Im in to see this one .

05-16-2017, 09:12 AM	#6
Okiefromwatonga Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Watonga, OK Posts: 80	Re: From a death to a rebirth. My GMC 450's story Thank you all for the kind words. A little update to it. In looking up what information I had it looks like the truck had a GMC 302 I6 in it originally and still has the 5 speed in it, best I can guess its a NP540 as gears 2-4 are in a standard H pattern with 1 to the driver and forward.

05-19-2017, 06:39 AM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: From a death to a rebirth. My GMC 450's story Sorry for the loss of your friend. I like your thinking and I am sure he would as well. Good luck to you on seeing this through. Sounds like a good plan __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

06-01-2017, 10:50 PM	#11
Okiefromwatonga Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Watonga, OK Posts: 80	Re: From a death to a rebirth. My GMC 450's story Update, I believe just re a 55. Unearthed the the grille she'll.



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