My name is Doug. First of all I would like to say hello to all. I am the new guy. I have owned very many old trucks (Chevy and GMC). Every one has been a daily driver except one.
Here goes my truck's life since I have owned it. It is a 1957 GMC Suburban 100.
I purchased a
body only restoration project back in 2004 or 2005. I dismantled it and started doing some of the patching and body work. Bought a whole bunch of new stuff for it.
At that point, I was driving a
1959 Chevy Fleetside sitting on a 1990 frame. It was a nice truck. I drove it for about 10 years till it started rotting out badly. (I live near the ocean.) And then the motor went. I was going to repair it. But in the meantime I happened to see this other 1957 GMC Suburban 100 on eBay. It was all original except the wheels.
I decided to throw a lowball bid on the truck. Wouldn't you know: I was high bidder! So I arraigned for it to be shipped here from Arizona.
This truck had been sitting in a garage for some time. (The owner passed away.) His wife decided it was time to make room.
From what I understand, the truck only had two owners. The last was in 1970. I got the truck in 2009. When it arrived here to MA, I drained the gas from the tank, installed a new battery, checked the fluids, and the thing started right up. It needed nothing.
So I started driving it. I put new tires all around. I had some leaf springs. Added and re-bent to give it a little more height. Had the gas tank repaired. It had a little rust on it and was leaking a little.
So I drove it daily till around 2013. I was on my way home from work with a full load of firewood in the back. Coming around a slight bend in the road, the rear driver's side axle popped out and the truck body dropped down on top of the tire.
It sat there for two days till I had time to deal with it.
I had it towed home (about one mile from where the axle popped out). I had it lifted into my garage, still sitting there with the tire off with the axle attached to it.
It sat for a while. Then I started looking for new axle bearings and seals which I eventually found. At that point, I decided to start using some of the parts I had squirreled away for my other (project) truck.
I had a 4 wheel power disk break kit for it. I had a one piece side door glass with power window kit and a whole bunch of new restoration parts I had bought a while back for my other truck.
I decided to use all the new stuff on this truck.
I currently have it completely dismantled, except the motor and tranny. I am keeping them original (for now). I have cut out both side steps and have the new ones fitted and ready to be welded in place. I made some patches for the bottom of the sides into the wheel wells. (Why nobody makes those patch panels is beyond me.) But I bent them myself and shaped them and it is ready for welding also.
I will have to rebuild the side sliders because all four of them have the typical rusted out bottoms.
I just ordered a new wiring harness and will be adding an aftermarket A.C. kit. I'll drop down entertainment system with a big fat stereo system. Will find some nice seats, heated hopefully, to install.
Fortunately, this project is right in my garage -- all I have to do is go downstairs. I can work on it all night if I want and just shut off the light and go back upstairs.
I will periodically send some pix in. And I am sure I will need some pointers and or advise as this project moves forward.
As for the other truck, I have my original plan was to drop the body on top of a 2005 Chevy Tahoe, which I am currently driving. Not sure if that will work yet, seems the '57 is much narrower than the '05, but the wheelbase is similar. Guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it.
Edit: Bunches of pictures further down this thread. 
Here is a thread about the Sliders. 
