51 Gmc

[Smokejohnson]

Ok guys here's my 1951 GMC build. I got it from a guy that had took it all apart but that's as far as he got, he just had to many other toys on the go. This is my first build so im going to take my time. My plan is 4 years or less on the road. Im planing on rodding it with a V8 small or big block (still undecided) and a 700R tranny. Going to use a must ll front end and a 12 bolt or 9in rearend. I have currently been stripping and priming piece by piece and I will update with pic's as I go. Thanks guys this site has helped so much already.

[jkaylor68gmc]

looks like a great start, if ya need help, let us know!

[Smokejohnson]

More pic's
I dont know what that is on the hood, it looks like a swan with the wings broke off.It must of lit up there's a wire going to it. Anybody have this on there's?

[entourageguy]

The hood ornament had plastic wings that would light up from the bulb.

Brian ...

[Smokejohnson]

Update
Ok so far I got both the doors and part of the grill sanded down and primed. I will do the body work later when everything is all done and its warmer out side. Im working on the front fenders and will post pic's of them when they are done.

[tiggerstoy]

looking good

[Kid]

your pics bring back memories! looking good, keep posting your progress. It's cool to see more "GMC" projects. Yours & Cole LOL, both 51 GMC's. My 51 GMC went over pretty good at the Midwest Nationals in September, last months Goodguys mag. had a pitcure of it, was a nice suprise! Made last months "Classic Trucks" mag also, another nice suprise! Anyways, Looking foward to watching your progress

[Smokejohnson]

The guy I bought it from told me it was a chevy but when I went to pick it up it was a GMC. It was all apart and he said it was all there. When I got it home and laid it all out I see im missing the rad support,running board,and 2 door latches. But for 500 bucks I think it's still a good deal. U don't see to many GMC's out there and KID I think yours is the nicest one I have seen yet, I love that truck.

[Cole_lol]

HAHA yours kinda sounded like mine, mine stated off being like a 48 chevy, then he though it was a 54 chevy, got the title said GMC I was going sweet after I looked at pictures and everything so im perty happy myself with it being a GMC and alos for 500 bucks you cant go wrong. Going to be alot of work tho but going to be cool at that. You are off to a good start im going slowly but surly myself. So did you use an air sander to get your doors down to metal? and what grit did you use? I just pulled my doors off today fenders yesterday and the day before, and the radiator and what not befor that hahaha. Im hopeing to get the engine and tranny out this weekend. Alos, anyone have a good sugestion for getting the cab off the frame with out hurting ones self or the cab? Keep up the good work looks great. Later, Cole

[Smokejohnson]

Originally Posted by Cole_lol

HAHA yours kinda sounded like mine, mine stated off being like a 48 chevy, then he though it was a 54 chevy, got the title said GMC I was going sweet after I looked at pictures and everything so im perty happy myself with it being a GMC and alos for 500 bucks you cant go wrong. Going to be alot of work tho but going to be cool at that. You are off to a good start im going slowly but surly myself. So did you use an air sander to get your doors down to metal? and what grit did you use? I just pulled my doors off today fenders yesterday and the day before, and the radiator and what not befor that hahaha. Im hopeing to get the engine and tranny out this weekend. Alos, anyone have a good sugestion for getting the cab off the frame with out hurting ones self or the cab? Keep up the good work looks great. Later, Cole

It is a lot of work but Im having a blast doin it. I used a DA sander for most of it with 80 grit. Had to use 40 grit in some spots first but 80 worked good. Then I used 220 before I primed. One thing I learned is don't buy cheap paper. Get the good stuff it lasts twice as long so it's cheaper in the long run and works faster. I also used a wire wheel on a drill and a 4 1/2" grinder for the spots I couldent do with the sander. I would get it blasted but there's nobody around here to do it. So this works just takes longer.

[54 jimmy]

to Cole_lol to get the cab on and off my 54 gmc i used en engine hoist with a good heavy duty strap thruogh the door openings around the top of the cab.

[pugs]

i pulled the doors of my 57 and used my hoist witha 2x12 against the upper door jam to help it lift works good can get it plenty high enough

[Smokejohnson]

Did it do any damage to the cab buy lifting it that way? I was thinking of lifting by putting straps under the cab but whatever works.

[pugs]

nope no damage, i did it this way a few times over the yrs, on other projects never any problems,plus the reason i gowith the board is cuz i do have real low ceiling inmy garage,but can lift high enough to be able to move cab out of the way enough to roll the frame out from under it

[Kid]

Hey Cole, I built a 4-way that attaches to a engine hoist. utilizes straps from 4-way to cab. Makes it a 1 man job, your welcome to use it. PM me with your phone # if your interested.

[Smokejohnson]

Originally Posted by Kid

Hey Cole, I built a 4-way that attaches to a engine hoist. utilizes straps from 4-way to cab. Makes it a 1 man job, your welcome to use it. PM me with your phone # if your interested.

U wouldn't wont to send that to Canada would u lol. Just kidding.

[Cole_lol]

Kid, I just looked at your build and that 4-way dosent look like it would work for me because my engine hoist dose not lift up that high... Thanks for the offer tho, its a awesome idea.

[Smokejohnson]

Has anybody used a different rad and support in there GMC? The reason Im asking is im missing it for my truck. I can get a support for $75 and I have to buy a rad anyway but just wanted to know my options.

[Smokejohnson]

Update: Here's some pic's of the front fenders. Been busy, went back to old job so not as much time to work on the old girl.

[Daniel U]

Nice work!

[Bishops Trucks]

Nice project!

[tiggerstoy]

sheesh!....the fenders look like they are new...nice job.

[Smokejohnson]

Thanks guys, its a lot of work but its worth it in the long run. I wish I could get everything blasted it would be a lot faster. Oh well no hurry.

No takers on the rad question?

[53lochevy]

Keep it up bud great job dont ya just love the grunt work heheh, but the more hours you put in it is worth it in the long run. Nice job keep it up.

[bambbrose]

fenders and doors turned out great! You got a nice solid project there