where do I start

[bryansfinishes]

its a 1949 gmc I want to fix it up as a daily driver. the truck has been siting for a long time. all the parts are there grill and bumper are in the bed. I just don't know where to start any ideas

[Blue Beard]

Try a bit of planning to give you a direction...

[TATE228]

You will soon findout that the more you get into the project the more is wrong with the truck, i thought i was doing a sheetmetal swap and paint. 2yrs later i've had the rearend apart the brakes totally off, all the wiring is needing replacment, the carb is shot and not to mention the frame has some severe structural damage. I may also want you to know that the fron shock tower had been tourqued off the frame.
make sure you go under the truck and go over it with a fine toothed comb. the 47-54' are differant than 67-72 in the fact that most of the parts on the 47-54 are so old they are disfunctional.
to make a daily driver it takes 5,000 not inc. paint. i though i could do it for 2k i was wrong, my project is stalled.

[1971 Cheyenne]

Start with drivetrain and brakes. You will probably need to replace 99% of all the brake lines, springs, levers, wheel cylinders etc. Make sure that the frame is not rusted to hell so that your truck dosen't fall apart when you go to take it for a drive.

Does the engine turn over? Rebuild the carb, put new lines and plugs on it, and then redo all the wiring and electrical.

that should get you on th eroad, and if you still have money left, work on the interior/body.

[horvath]

I agree with Brian. Get all the mechanical stuff going on first. Get it running ... then get it road worthy ... then start cleaning up the looks of things.

[TATE228]

this is what my truck was like when i got it it ran and drove i thought i had a gold mine. lol

[bryansfinishes]

ok guys first of all thanks for the direction . I went over the frame really good this weekend and it looks good. the brakes are shot including lines so I'm going to sart there. Do you guys have agood source for parts I've seen a few on the net but would like your input. Also should I convert to roller bearings.
thanks
Bryan

[TATE228]

i just used good ol napa bearings and seals.
i used napa wheel cylinders and brake shoes.
the rubber hoses are chevy duty, and the lines are inline tube's stainless setup.

[TATE228]

are you keeping drums up front or going power disc?

[sider68]

The best thing you have done already..use this board.I wish I had come here along time ago before I even started thinking about a project.The original truck was the cheapest thing,then came the travel,time,tools and build a garage and on and on.
If I had to do it all over,I would of immediately bought a parts truck as the little things really add up fast and you can use it for reference.It might be very hard in your case as there aren,t that many of your year around.

[bryansfinishes]

I'm still trying to decide if I should go power disc up front now or wait untill it is going down the road for sure. I'm leaning towards disc since it looks like I've got to redo the master cylinder anyway so by the time I'm done the upgrade makes sense and more cost efective now than later. Did you bend your brake own lines or get them pre made?
Oh and I was wrong on my first post its a 51 not a 49

[sierrasports]

let your wallet be your guide

[rebarjoe]

Take 1971 Cheyenne advice. I should have 17 years ago instead I took the whole truck apart and am still putting it back together. Do the mechanics and then while you are enjoying driving it work on the body. ChevyDuty.com, Americanclassic.com, Brothers.com, LMC.com have good catalogs. Get them most are free. Stovebolt.com has lots of advice and how-to's for GMC owners. They don't sell parts. Chevy Duty has a forum also. The only thing I have in my favor now is I'm starting semi-retirement and finally have free time. The truck is a ALMOST as old as me!!
Enjoy it while working on it.
Joe

[solidaxel]

Save all the money you can, then buy a good 70's Camaro drive it and fix all of the mechanicles and when you are finished fixing everything recycle everything into the pick up.........JMTCW