The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts I need input asap... on some kind of a truck...

Ok, My truck is home and it is now time to start building the rear body. Here is the Goal: It was a Holmes Tow Truck from Factory. Someone sold it off the truck two owners before I got it. What I would like to do is get the max amount of storage but retain the styling of the era. I will be using this truck to tow a goose neck Trailer. With a hidden hitch and also I will install a class 3 Hitch for reg. Trailers. Let me know what you think.. The truck will be black with a dark red metallic of some type. I am also taking suggestions on that. The rear may have a flat rear or curved. In my pic you can see both.

Let me know what you think.... Only positive input.

I will be posting on the company website I work for at psaa-c.com
It will be posted in the projects area. as Pictures are not allowed here. It should be there in a day or two.

Thanks

What year is it?

Shall we assume this truck is a 1ton or larger? A dually? Sounds like the best bet is go for a flat bed. Good luck finding a Holmes bed. Since you want red & black, I'm guessing an Advance Design truck? You can look through the gallery & give us a ballpark.

Pictures are allowed here and encouraged! You merely have to link to them individually instead of embedding them in the post itself.

Either way you have to post them elsewhere before they show up here.

As for holmes tow truck information, spanky is our resident expert on those.

Give us more information on your project and maybe we can help you.

-W

ok, let me respond here

It is a 1953 GMC COE 351

I don't need a Holmes body. It had one and I know as much as I need to. The holmes unit was sold before I got it. Please read my posting. I may not have been clear but, I hope this will clear it up.

I am wanting to make this truck look simular to the styling that Holmes did use. but, I want max. storage space.

Yes, It will be a flat bed of sorts. Behind the storage boxes. This is why I want a Hidden gooseneck hitch. I am planing on using the old square pattern steal and not diamond. for the deck surface.

I did get the pics listed on my site.

Here is the link: http://psaa-c.com/poetseatautowebsite_002.htm


as for pictures I understand they are encouraged. What I ment is that on some boards you can inbed the picture in the message. It is alot more on the easy side.

For those who do not have their own website. If you post your pictures on sites like photobucket, etc. once you do they own your pictures. Read the fine print.

I copyright all my pictures as they are used on other sites.

So, I did post the pics on my company site. so, Check them out.

My idea of the rear body is at the bottom of the page.

This is a very short truck. It is the smallest lingth that was made and there is very few that were made.

thanks guys

The tow truck beds I always thought looked best on the AD trucks were the ones with flat sides and round tube along the edges and those round fenders that stick out the sides.

The size of the truck probably means it will take some big curves, so something similar to your drawing should be about right. I think if it were me I'd keep the whole thing lower than the windows on the truck. Not only is that practical in that it improves visibility, but also I think it will look better.

I'd spend some time looking at the modern beds made for exactly what you describe to see if you can borrow some storage ideas from the pros.

Those are my thoughts...

I like the concept you have for your COE. The drawing looks period, but custom.

yeah, what they said. before i saw the picture that is what i envisioned. maybe building a cabinet near the front with wont for a better name, golf club doors, on the side.

I do know that I do have to hide another gas tank withing the body. so, I must plan out the storage/bbq and Icebox area out then plan for the gas tank. I will have an external Propane tank. easier for me to remove and fill. I have a diability with my hands. so, function is very important.

I will add another picture to my website. I found two trucks that people have made and look just like what I have in mind. In their case they have modified rear panel truck fenders onto the body. which I like alot and I now plan on doing. a 100% flat side will just not look right to me.

Is that a 302 big 6 hiding under the cab?

Psac,

If you do not know the size of your engine (and you are interested), post the code that is on the ID plate (on the left hand hinge pillar) and/or post the code that is pressed into the ledge/boss on the block just to rear of where the distributor goes into the block.

A 248 would have been standard in 1953 but a 228, 248, 270, or 302 could have been used as a replacement engine.

Tim

nope. I know the motor size etc. it is a 270 replacement engine. It did from what I understand have a 248 if crossed with the model number of 351-24

If all goes well, now that the snow is finally cleared. they now call for rain/snow on Wed. so,,, I hope to now get some work done on it. I would like to fire it up if possible for a sec or two. the gas tank is coming out. everything needs a clean out before I get to far.

I have now made a list of items needed for the truck to order from Jim Carter. I will be upgrading to a Alt. wire harness, etc. as this truck has original parts on it. plus with the upgrade to 12volts. I am only upgrading due to the LED and for the reliability. This will be an everyday long haul truck...