The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 55 first series 350 hydromatic (im a new member)

Ok ill start off by saying hi im alex im a new member here... ive read alot on this fourm and found it very useful. . Ok I have a 55 1st series gmc 350 hydromatic. The trans is no longer the hydromatic and was swapped out for a m420 sometime in the past. I had this truck giving to me and its rough but worth saving. The frame is actually in really nice condition but I need to find some front end sheet metal since everything for the cab is basically available. So my first question being. Where can I get fenders from? Second question. . Ive not heard of or read of anyone doing this but I have a 2000 gmc 3500 I just picked up and I want to use the front half of frame to marry to the original 55 frame. I dont want to here negative responses to this one and here its impossible because nothing is impossible. I have the other frame and I have the 55 ive got both for free and I love free I like the ifs front from the 2000 3500 truck has the big breaks and will make a smooth ride. My plans for the 55 is to make it into a car hauler ramp truck. Im thinking of possibly switching the rear from the 55 and running the 3500 rear also.. again big breaks and parts easy to find.. so all that being said I thank you and love the advice from this site

First welcome to the Stovebolt. Second, I think everyone here agree that its YOUR truck so do what YOU want with it. Either way folks here are very helpful...if they've been down that road which I'm sure many have.
I'm not familiar with your particular size truck but I do know many have set sheet metal on later model frames many times....even diesels and so on. I also know two bolters who have used earlier model GMC front clips under they suburban and 3/4 tons.
Right not be patient and give them a little time to see your post and to chime in with opinions. I'm sure you'll get some. Good luck and be sure to take plenty of pictures.

Its a 1.5 ton possibly a 2 ton.. cant find fenders for it

I don't know about the East Coast for parts availability,but here in Iowa,the parts are here,but you have to look for them. I know one guy,who has three '54,'55 1st-series 6500's,and two of the front clips are in good,to 95% excellent condition. The 3rd one was used year-round,until the fenders are literally falling off of the truck. How long is the frame of the '00 3500? Is it a dually? you may be better off switching the cab/front clip,onto the 3500 frame,(as long as engine/trans,are in good shape). If you wish to use your '55 frame,you may be able to graft the I.F.S./brake system, without "marrying" the two frames,which would more than likely be different widths. Same thing with the rear axle. With some mod's,it should be do-able. Just be sure to use the 3500 brake system,since the brakes are designed differently,for disc,and G.V.W. There's a recent post,here on the "Big Bolts",of a 2nd-series 2-Ton car hauler. It may give you some ideas on how to build your ramp bed! If anyone from N.J.(or close enough to be cost-effective),is planning on heading to K.C.,I could get you a front clip for maybe $300.00, (95% dent/rust-free),but you'd have to work the shipping cost out with whomever may be willing to work with you. I'm on vacation starting this Saturday (Aug 30),so ANYTIME between then,and Friday (Sept.5) works for me. Clip is located about 60 miles north of I-80. Welcome to the "Bolt"!! Sorry,guys,but he's "Moderated",and I couldn't send him a P.M. I'm not selling a front clip,myself. I just know of one available. I'm not in this thing for any money,just trying to help. Thanks for saving one from the crusher!

The 3500 frame I have would work if I wasn't planning on a hauler. . The frame rails on the 55 extend 19 ft after the cab.. plus the frame is in nice shape. Everyone is doing frame swaps mostlt the s10 but that takes the fun away.. when I said marry in my head I ment graft but couldn't remember the word at the time. Im definitely interested in the front clip but its not something I need right this minute I have a lot of work to do before getting the clip but going to need one probably 4 to 5 months from now. The breaks I took the Booster and all from the 3500 already to mount on the gmc. I also picked up a 1/2 ton 53 5 window that ill probably use my old front clip and just leave the 53 ratty.. but the hauler I want to make nice.. since winter is coming quick i want to get the whole cab ready for spring. It needs lower floor patchs from seat up.. much to my surprise the fire wall is beautiful. Hopefully this week end ill have the cab off and in my garage so I can start the frame process. Im still deciding on what motor to use. I just picked up 2 350 chevys but I really want to do a 5.9 cummins. But im cheap and haven't found one of those in my area for under 2 grand

A 350 series GMC is a 2 ton. 300 series is a 1 1/2 ton. Check out www.oldgmctrucks.com for more tech. info.

Another question that some of you probably wont like but I want to air ride my 55.. I want it to sit pretty low.. but I dont want to flip my rear I want it more like a semi truck so I can go low but also be able to haul loads.. wondering if anyone on here has done anything like this with the original frame or not.

You could drive it "low",when empty,but you'd be bottoming-out,with a car on the back. Great idea! You not only adjust for stance,when parked),but for comfort,on the road. Here's a video,of a '50 Chevy Cab-Over,on a '72 3/4 ton frame-BAGGED!

Wetwilly can you still get a front clip for $300 I went to Carlisle show and the guy there had parts but he wants $400 a fender thought that was really high.. ive checked out having a front clip shipped and it was roughly $400.. so if I could get it from you for $300 and pay $400 for shipping im a head of the game

Update on my 55.. I changed my mind about the 2000 frame graft and got a semi front I beam with air brakes and big 10 lug.. once I get a little more money will be changing rear out with a semi rear. Im going to air bag front and rear for the low stance I want with the ability to tow without bottoming out.. its coming together slowly but hopefully its done by summer

Have you compared the tread width of the steering axle out of a semi to what you now have? You might be surprised once you put the tape to it.

Why not just swap your cab and sheet metal to a complete newer frame and running gear? Here in Tennessee older big bolts are just sitting around in farmers' fencerows, and a whole truck can be bought for just above scrap metal prices. You've got a cobbled-up mess already, and making it more of a Rube Goldberg situation with a hodgepodge of old and new running gear is going to be a nightmare every time you need repair parts. There's very little sense in trying to haul a load with a lowrider- - - -the suspension modifications necessary to lower the ride height make it impossible to use it like a truck.
Jerry

Sorry,i haven't seen your post for a while. Yes,the front clips are still available,for $300.00.The owner just had a chainsaw accident,a month ago,and needs to sell everything,to pay the hospital bills! There is a video of the three '54-'55 1st-series trucks,on my "Photobucket" link. http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/willybickey/media/MOV00199.mp4.html?sort=6&o=21 Thanks.