I picked up a 1953 6500 a while ago from Nevada City, and I've slowly been working on getting it running. Came to me with no bed, seized engine full of water, and a lot of problems. As far as I can tell, this was a work truck and treated just like it the entire time. I've been stripping back bondo, finding rust and broken supports, and removing most of the truck. Radiator was no good, engine was no good, cab needs a lot of structural support, and generally this truck needs a lot of work.
My build plan is a little different from what I've seen from most of the other builds here so far. I've got a 454 BBC to swap in. Redoing all the electrical to full 12V, all new wiring, new fusebox, MECO, and new switch panel. I'm adding a rollcage and tying the cab to the cage for structural support, because the floor pan is so rusted out I would be replacing almost the entire thing, supports and all. For now I'm keeping the original axles, but getting some mil surplus MRAP wheels with removable centers so I can make my own adapters for the oddball lug pattern. Eventually I'll be swapping in Rockwell 2.5t axles with a 4 link suspension, and then I can just replace the wheel centers and use them again. I'm gonna box and bob the frame, and reinforce it because I've got an interesting setup - that I don't think is factory - double stacked C channel where the bed goes. Eventually this will be a very very large rock crawler/heavy hauler. The work has definitely been made easier because I don't need to find manuals for stuff like the old engine because I can't reuse it.
Eventually I have an inherited all serials matching 1958 GMC 100 farm truck to get to restoring, but that's a more difficult project because I don't want to just start chopping, and the parts are scattered across 3 different family homes. Bottom of my very long list of projects
Outside those, I own a 1969 Ford F350, 1969 Toyota FJ40, 1943 Willys CJ2A, and a 1991 4Runner.
Welcome to Stovebolt. That's a different type of project for your '53, which will best fit into discussions in the HiPo Shop with all the planned changes.
On a side note, the upper stack of "C channel where the bed goes" is the standard factory setup to support a cargo stake and platform bed. I don't see any hydraulics, so it doesn't appear to have been a dump bed.
I'd love to see more of the '58 GMC 100 when you get a chance to post more pictures. See you in the forums.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Indeed -- Interesting project. I'm looking forward to watching it come together.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Now that the weather has cleared up and the snow is gone I took a few more pics of the 58. The bed is full of all the scrap I inherited along with the truck, and the window is broken from some kids breaking into it when it sat in a lot for a long time, but otherwise it’s not in terrible shape. Some dents and paint damage, but it was a work truck on a farm so I didn’t expect anything less.
Deluxe heater, factory radio, A/C, 4 speed and a 336 V8! Well equipped. Love the custom-bent shift lever.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
I've got a 454 BBC to swap in. Redoing all the electrical to full 12V, all new wiring, new fusebox, MECO, and new switch panel. I'm adding a rollcage and tying the cab to the cage for structural support, because the floor pan is so rusted out I would be replacing almost the entire thing, supports and all. For now I'm keeping the original axles, but getting some mil surplus MRAP wheels with removable centers so I can make my own adapters for the oddball lug pattern. Eventually I'll be swapping in Rockwell 2.5t axles with a 4 link suspension, and then I can just replace the wheel centers and use them again. I'm gonna box and bob the frame, and reinforce it because I've got an interesting setup - that I don't think is factory - double stacked C channel where the bed goes. Eventually this will be a very very large rock crawler/heavy hauler. The work has definitely been made easier because I don't need to find manuals for stuff like the old engine because I can't reuse it.
