The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk New to the forum, starting work on my "new" truck

My father in law has turned over his 1955 GMC to me. I'm not a mechanic, but plan on doing a lot of the fixing myself.

Truck was put together by my FiL in 1982. He took three 55 GMC's to make this one. Put in a Chevy 350 from a '77 Blazer (along with the rear end from the Blazer). New paint and upholstry at that time.

Unfortunately, his age has gotten the better of him and the truck suffered. I plan on starting with small projects and down the road will get it repainted.

My first goal is to figure out exactly what model I have, to make it easier to order the right parts. I've spent a lot of my part shopping time on LMC and they seem to have a great selection.

My plan is to get the rims and tires replaced asap with something that will work for now, put in new carpet, get the wiring squared away then drop is at my local mechanic for a full mechanical diagnosis. After that, will begin working on everything else.

So, my first of many question to the pros on this forum, what model truck is this and is ther any thing specific I need to be aware of when ordering parts?

I know I have a 1955 GMC 100, stepside shortbed with an automatic tranmission, but I don't know if it is series 1 or 2.

I'm looking at this carpet and heat shield from LMC, but not sure which is right for the truck: http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ca/full.aspx?Page=115

Truck pictures

Lastly - I'm not looking to make this show quality, I just want to have a nice truck to drive my wife around in and bring a smile to her face. I'm also on a budget...

That is a '55 2nd series in Chevrolet terms. It is a 'Y' series in GMC terms but all the vendors refer to them as 2nd series.

That is a nice looking truck. I'd be looking for an original type engine for it. (Pontiac)

Please post photos, possible.

GMC trucks were not sold by year, so there was not really a 55-1st and 55-2nd GMC. The 1954/55 New Design body style GMC was a Z series truck (the Z is on the cab ID plate - driver's door frame, between the hinges); the 1955 Blue Chip GMC truck was a "Y" series truck.

http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0010.html

Z series GMC truck (early 1955)

Y series GMC truck (late 1955)

Another thing you should be aware of is that the standard electrical system in small GMC trucks throughout 1955 was 6-volt positive ground. 12v negative ground was available as an option, even on the 1955 Y-series New Design trucks. The 2-nd series 1955 Chevrolet Task Force trucks had 12v negative ground electrical systems.

See page 20 - a 16 plate 100 amp-hour battery was a 6v battery)

Some of us would call that done already. Nice truck.

I think it is too shiny, too nice to drive!

Welcome.... be sure not to get 'restoration-itis'. They are more fun when you can drive 'em... when they are not 'perfect' and you can actually still use it as a truck.

That is a really nice looking truck.

Be sure to 'explore' the Stovebolt site here as there is a lot of information in a lot of different places.

Tech Tips - various articles about fixing things on our old trucks

Links - a section of links to parts...do various rebuild services & more.

-W

Thanks for all the advice so far!

We plan on driving it, and that's my first goal - get it cleaned inside and get some rims and tires on it. I'm probably doing it more for my wife than me, it makes her smile to see that truck. I'm going to start with new carpet inside, then slowly try to fix some small things.

Don't worry, it's going to get driven!

Nice looking truck!! Although I really like my son's '47 Thriftmaster (and AD's in general) I ultimately would like a '55 or '56 GMC. That grill is great!

Smoothies with baby moons and your done!

Woogeroo has the right idea. mine is a little overdone but i still drive it and the further i get away from the initial shock of what i have in it, i drive it more.

Nice truck. If the mechanical condition is like the exterior and interior, you shouldn't have to do much. When you get it ready for the road, have your wife take it for a test drive. Some gals can drive the trucks stock and some need power steering and brakes added.