The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Completed Journals 1952 GMC Panel Truck - "Army Ambulance"

Part 2

Pic #1 shows the 1/4" plywood exact patterns I made from the glass from Auto City Classics. This is one complete side. Pic 2&3 I used these to pre-form the run channel for the sliders and the shape of the forward stationaries. Place channel on pattern and with rubber mallet pound the channel around leaving the extra several inches. This makes installing the channel in the window frame SO much easier.
Eight channels pre-formed ready for install. (not shown) One thing I forgot to mention is the old channel was screwed in in several places. IIRC there are 2 at the top near the stationary glass. These 2 are pretty close together and will be the beginning and the ending of the channel.(ends butted together). You will screw one end in then work your way around the frame using your pattern around the edges with the mallet to bend the channel. Am I making any sense? There may be a couple of other screws but not completely sure. When you get back to the beginning it will take some finesse to cut the steel channel with good sharp snips to butt up to the other end. Install that screw. (the screws are in the bottom of the channel)

Pics 4&5
I knew I would goof up somewhere! After I used the patterns to form the run channels, I cut the outside 2 inches off to use for clamping. These 2 pics show gluing/clamping the square spacer rubber in place. That is X4. #6 pic shows using the pattern to glue/clamp the run channel in. note the extra tail before cutting and screwing in place.

Pic7 shows the Stainless glass pull installed on the leading edge of the slider. Glass setting tape, water with a drop of dish detergent sprayed on and an easy hand with mallet gets it done. I had to buy 2 of the slider locks shown bottom left, Had all 4 but 2 were badly rust pitted.

7&8 also show the inner trim installed. This was the scariest part of the whole install! There is a small 1/4" X 1/4" sheet metal angle screwed to the bottom edge of the frame about a 1/4" in from the inside. The inner trim has a formed lip on the inside that hooks over that angle which pulls the trim up tight to the frame. You start from the bottom but scary part is that it is VERY difficult to get that trim hooked to the angle. The reason being you have that 1/2" rubber spacer and the run channel in there and it is a VERY tight fit. I read on another forum that the poster had such a hard time getting the trim on that he just used some screws and screwed it to the frame. I knew that wasn't going to work. So with my trusty squirt bottle and soapy water I wet the trim and run channel a little then took the soft mallet to it starting at one end and drove it down into place. And it was not just tapping either, I had to really pound on it! Did I say that was scary?! Install the 4 or 5 screws on the sides and top and that was that. I did have one trim that was thin due to rust on the inside that split when it was driven on but it was less than an inch long and in a corner. Have to look for it to see it so it stays like that.
Last couple of pics of finished product. I'm glad Clayton talked me into the original glass. It is really sharp looking.

Thanks for the thoughts Phil!

Your windows look great! Your attention to detail is fantastic! I also agree buying parts too early in the build will cost you money. Unknown issues cause a change of plans.

With the windows done it was time to think of finishing the interior. First pic shows the pattern I made for the carpet and padding. Padding ready to get started. Then padding cut and ready for glue down. Next pic of the padding heading for the seat pedestal. Note the white spots on the passenger wall. That is quilting batting from Hobby Lobby. I stuffed it in that void in the side panel front to back for sound deadening. Don't know if that's right but it seems to work. Then pics of the padding installed and ready for carpet glue down. Last 4 pics of the carpet installed noting the stainless angle that I cut off one leg and make square holes for the carriage bolts to hold down the strips fore and aft. Made a flap to cover the battery box lid. The carpet is 100% wool with German square weave, used in European cars mostly I believe. Son Clayton said it had to be this one. He really made good suggestions even if they did cost me considerably more $$. Company here in Phoenix area called Binding Pros cut and bound the carpet using the pattern I gave them. Ended up fitting really well. Had just enough left over to make a mat for the cab floor. I also used hole punch to make all the holes for SS trim pieces and seat mounts. I didn't take any photos of the cab floor carpet install. Got carried away with getting it done.

I may as well finish up the interior while I'm sitting here. Make up for the all the time I've not been posting. Tried to decide how to get cup holders. The console that came with the seats (see rear seats) would not fit in the front. I had to squish them in because the body narrows from the door jam forward. I hadn't seen that when I built the seat mounting frame.:( Anyway, I took the plastic cup holder out of the console, built box to fit, upholstered it with matching vinyl on the Honda seats, and inserted it in the top. Put 4 angle tabs inside the box and screwed it to the seat frame.
For the doors I bought the repo carboard panels thinking that would do. Nixed that idea. Didn't have the steel trims for them anyway. Found some brown vinyl that went well with the carpet and seats and I think actually accents the blue. Stitched it with a contrasting tan thread and horizontal lines like the door. Before gluing on the vinyl and foam I drilled the cardboard edge and door opening to accept push pins. No screws or washers showing. Also the ambulance only had one armrest. Purchased 2 repos but they were ugly gray so I took them apart ripping out the stitching to make a pattern for the new covering. Took me 2 or 3 tries to get the right fit but I think they turned out OK for a farm shop job.
The full length side panels were made with left over headliner PVC, the same push pins for attaching and the brown vinyl with 1/4" foam backing.
With the help from a You Tuber upholsterer I was able to cover the bare repo sun visors. They didn't turn out as well as I had planned. I need more practice stitching around corners. I can always redo them later.
A couple of other pictures of the dash and seat belts installed

Your cup holders look awesome. Nice work!

Man, talk about creature comfort. Very nice work all around!!!

Good afternoon Bolters,

It has been quite a while since my last posts. I must apologize if anyone noticed. Was a rough summer and fall for me and family. With 20 weeks in a neck brace and another 6 weeks of therapy, I wasn't in a position to post. Then we had 2 grand daughter's weddings on opposite sides of the county. Only got in a couple of weeks at the cabin in the mountains. Dealing with a year old cough that wouldn't quit. After many Mayo doctor visits and tests it was determined that I had a Flu virus and some high powered antibiotics knocked it out of me. Oh, and I hate to admit it, but while still in the neck brace I was pulling the GMC forward in my shop and got excited when it moved too fast toward my welding table..... Neuropathic feet couldn't find the brake pedal fast enough. Son Clayton watched in horror as I hit the vise on the welding table and dinged the grill surround and hood and GMC emblem. It took us months to even start the repair. Don't think he's really forgiven me yet, but getting used to some of my annoying health issues. Golden Years getting a little tarnished?!
I hadn't taken finished pictures of the car yet so had to wait til he could help repair and paint. Also power steering pump developed a leak while sitting in the shop. One of the only things I didn't replace when I built the engine. Wouldn't you know it!? A job I really dreaded. Turns out it wasn't near as bad as I thought. Pump is mounted to an aluminum bracket bolted to the head. Comes out as one piece. Any way, just a lot of little things kept getting in the way.

Thought I'd post a few more pics.

First 2 show the covers I found to hide the coil packs. Simple brackets and formed sheet found on eBay. Haven't painted them yet but will follow the theme of the intake manifold cover.

Next I saw the running boards of a friends AD pickup and liked them. Chrome covered hard rubber strips like from the 60's 70's for parking lot dings. 3M self sticking. Know what I mean? Not sure of the proper name. They do save the paint and seem to be quite durable. We'll see about the longevity.

Shot of the rims painted accent color in single stage. Period hubcaps and beauty rings.

I used everything serviceable that was on the card. Headlight buckets and trim rings original with upgraded headlights. Clearance light bracket original but no lenses. Converted to 2 element sockets with amber bulbs and painted trim. New clear glass.

No one has yet to figure out my vanity plate. (Our blue burb)

Then the finished product pics. Drove up to a local reservoir to get a little background.

Been enjoying driving our Burb! About 585 miles around the valley here. Has an occasional intermittent misfire or stumble that my tuner needs to address. Otherwise I'd take it out on the road for a real trip. It's really fun to get thumbs ups from other drivers isn't it?

That's probably it for this build. Got to get working on the 64 GMC 1/2 ton for the grandson. He'll be a Senior next year and I'd really like to have it ready for then. Not going to be a nice one to begin with. Comfortable interior, Shortened bed, slightly lowered, V/8 auto trans, no paint or extensive body work. All that can come later.

Been a pleasure and honor to be here with you all. Thanks for your kind words and help along the way. Couldn't have done it without support and help from this great forum! Wish you all well and happy, safe stovebolt motoring!

Richard

WHAT!! He didn't throw himself over the vise to cushion the blow?? (practicing my Carl52 impressions here )

But he redeemed himself with that paint job. Nice work on both his and your part. Looking awesome.

Fabulous looking truck and thanks for taking us along for the ride. I’m sure many other ‘Bolters, myself included, really enjoyed following your build!

Looking forward to your grandsons build!

Dear Stovebolt Members,

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the latest gem gracing our new Completed Journals forum: the incredible "1952 GMC - Army Ambulance A Father and Son Project" by our very own "azcornman".

If you've been following the journey of this magnificent machine, you know it's far more than just a restoration. For "azcornman," it began in 2014 with a clear vision and a list of "must-haves" for a truly exceptional build. Having already conquered the restoration of a '53 AD pickup, he sought to elevate his next project with a modern touch while preserving the soul of the original.

Imagine: a smoother ride thanks to upgraded suspension, the confidence of power disc brakes, the luxury of A/C, and the roar of a V8 engine paired with an effortless automatic transmission. Yet, throughout this ambitious undertaking, the commitment to retaining as much of the 1952 GMC's iconic character remained paramount.


We invite you to dive into this meticulously documented project, the challenges overcome, the ingenious solutions implemented, and the sheer dedication poured into every inch of this remarkable 1952 GMC Army Ambulance. It's a testament to passion, patience, and the powerful bond of a father-son partnership.


Congratulations, "azcornman," on this outstanding achievement!

Best Regards,

Phil (Phak1) Hakala
Moderator of the Project Journal forum