The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 57 gmc odd suspension parts & restoration questions

So we’re finally starting the restoration back to 100% original on our 57 gmc 100 it’s a 2 owner truck and really solid I’ll post a few pics we gotta rebuild the stock zenith carb on the 270 and also rebuild the glass bowl fuel pump so any recommendations on anyone who can restore the carb and replate everything would be awesome we just gotta make sure the engine is good before we pull it to rebuild or just re gasket and detail it out. I got to the front suspension and there are some odd cylinders bolted to the spindle or in that general area there’s a lot of crud so hard to see. I’ve tried googling it and using the search function to no avail. The label says warning high tension road shock damper made in Dayton Ohio part # 5025179 I’ve asked everyone I know what it is and with no result. Thanks for checking out my thread I will post updates as we go through the restoration I also need a set of doors thanks again lady’s and gents
Semper Fi

First welcome to the Stovebolt madness. Stop by the Welcome Center Forum and introduce yourself. There are many specific forums on Stovebolt.com and you should read through the entire list. You have touched on 3 separate areas in one post, Engines, Driveline and Parts Wanted. You will receive much more detailed answers by separating out your questions. That’s not to say you won’t get answers in GTT it’s just more efficient to spread it out. Please read the first post at the top of the page in this forum for some helpful hints on navigating around the site. Again welcome.

They are as you posted "High tension road shock damper...179" Very rare, but not in high demand either (In my opinion only). They were offered in an accessory catalogue back in the day that offered other trinkets that were dealer installed. If you search eBay for that accessory catalogue, you may find one...

Good luck on your restoration! There's plenty of help here on this forum. There's a source for a "plug and play" wiring harness that I would strongly recommend. Look to horsepowerproducts on ebay. Contact Seth directly with questions about it as he has been making them since the 70's. I used it on my restoration and have no regrets. I replaced mine in the 59 because I didn't want 60 year old wiring to make my new truck a road side bonfire so invested the $300 without hesitation.

Click on the link "Project Journals Forum "below my signature for my 1959 GMC build thread.

Welcome to the site. I have a '57 GMC as well and researching them has brought out a ton of info on all of the little differences between the Chevrolet Task Force trucks and the GMC Blue Chip trucks. Good thing is, it looks like you have all of the chrome trim pieces for the font end. If you are patient you can find some good grills out there on ebay if you cannot straighten yours out. They can be pricey.

Here is a GMC brochure which talks about those Road Shock Dampers. 55-59 GMC Brochure Look on the bottom left of the second page. They were a dealer add on. Not too many of them still out there. It's essentially just a big spring with a lead weight inside the cylinder. As to if they actually do what they say, is up to anyones guess.

Thanks I didn’t want to take up 4 posts for 1 question that kinda seemed generalized but thanks for the tip

Thanks for the tip on that it’s kinda what we wanted to do was put a lot of dealer accessories on it has the back bumper I can’t remember the name but it’s diamond plate and looks to have been painted from the factory and I will look into those harnesses surprisingly this truck only had 2 factory wires cut for the turn signals because they switch on the column went bad and they just then and aftermarket one on and it was hose clamped to the column.

Thanks for that link I’m not sure the concept of it but they seem neat we’re gonna keep everything that’s on it even drum brakes. My dad believes that it was a 2 tone truck from the factory with the inside of the belt line moldings being painted a lighter green his seat is also 2 tone but he has no upholstery on his door panels and only 1 armrest so we’re not sure if it was a deluxe cab or not any input?

Congrats on finding a cool old truck. I too like the GMC styling/ grille, etc. a little better than the Chevy of that period.
Thanks for posting the brochure. Was the 347 V8 an Oldsmobile engine?

There was no upholstery on door panels. The chrome trim around the windshield, side windows and the chrome at grill/bumper says deluxe. Chrome trim may be missing across cab back belt line. The truck is in really good condition. GMC way more rare (less made) than Chevy. About 20-25% production of Chevy.

In my 59 GMC with the deluxe package, it had upholstered door panels and arm rests too!
Not very common to see but they did exist. The Cameo had upholstered door panels so they did do them on on some trucks.

I have seen it on Cameo's and Suburban Carrier's. I've seen folks upholster their door panels. I have yet to see a factory truck with them or literature or brochure showing it on trucks. I guess if any GMC step side trucks had it, it would surely be on a custom cab/deluxe cab.

The 347 engine in a 57 GMC pickup would have been a Pontiac. Some larger trucks used an Oldsmobile engine.
Fred