The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Any Big Bolt guys into Cannonballs?

or are they too big? too expensive? not worth it? Does anybody have any experience with restoring one? It's looking like I can get this one for a song but is it a giant money pit? It's pretty rough but I think it's pretty rare too. 1954GMC? ( superdash ) integral sleeper and a 4-71 Detroit with a 10 speed.

pictures...
http://sdrv.ms/18MzzCX

Thanks,
Greg

Man...I hope you got a torch and a whole fleet of good grinders...and a good supply of wood blocks, etc. lol...you're going to need it. OH, and a good first aid kit.

They are rare because most larger trucks were run into they ground and then scrapped. I collect larger trucks because I have owned semis for almost 50 years. I personally would have no interest in anything with a 471 and a sleeper. They were way underpowered for their day, but some collectors like them just for the noise. I see lots of stuff missing. The rear could be replaced with just about any rear with 4.11 or 4.33 gears. The sheet metal and other parts would be a problem. I see a huge money pit and if you ever finished it, it would be very difficult to sell because the demand is such a small nitch of buyers for something like this. If I wanted a cannonball, I would look for one that is much more complete and use this one for parts.

i can see what you are talking about when you refer to a "cannonball" - but where did the term cannonball come from?

I agree.
That said a cannonball with a 4-71 is not a common truck, I think more of them had a 6-71.
Several years ago I was seriously interested in buying one.. then reality struck. I like them but decided a less than useful truck is not where I need to spend lots of money. I suppose though if I happen to find lots and lots of money I'd still like a cannonball one day.

It'd be nice if you can save the truck but by no means will it be easy or cheap. It may very well be better as a parts truck and look for a good one to restore.

Grigg

...thanks for trying to talk some sense into me. I hope I can resist. I know it's just a parts truck, with not that many good parts ! But I can get it for what it cost me to have it towed. Probably $400. But then what? Not so sure I would want such a BIG truck anyway

Use the cab as Yard Art for the Apache Store......or at home in the front yard

a cannonball to me is kinda the holy grail! don't care how "underpowered" or weird they are. I think they are RAD!

Greg, I am restoring the brother truck to the Cannonball (see my sig). Like a lot of trucks, by the time you are done, you will have more money in it than you can sell it for but then again. I am not restoring it with the thought of selling it for a profit. It's the journey that I am enjoying and to have something different that me and hopefully other folks will like when it is done. Plus, I like the big trucks. I'm sure I have more money in my COE too than I could sell it for.
It's kind of hard to tell from the pictures how bad the rust really is but I don't think it looks to bad. It will be a challenge but I say , go for it!
Oh and, if you or the current owner want to sell parts off it, I need a door handle!! off it desperately!

Well,if you can score it for cheap and have a place to store it,you might as well bring it home. There ARE people who like these bigger trucks;some restore 'em and use 'em to haul other restorations to and from shows,some had a truck like that way back when,and want to build a "replica" of what they used to drive,etc. I just like trucks bigger than a one ton. I tend towards trucks that are considered "too rough to restore";I get 'em running and operable and just drive 'em. I figure an ol' beater truck is more fun because I don't give a thought to,"What if I scratch the paint? or What'll I do if it gets hit and mashes a fender?" Most of the restored trucks are just way too nice to subject to everyday work-n-play use.
Speed

I say go for it too. The engine is worth more than $400.00.

I the 10 speed a true 10 speed or a 5 speed with 2 speed axle?

I see the rear axle is missing.

If it was not so far away I'd buy it, been looking for one of those for years. Not many left in one piece.

I'm going with "GO FOR IT"!! If you can't find the parts,or if the engine is too under-powered,sell the engine/trans,and use that money for an up-gradable newer chassis/powertrain swap. If you have a place to store it,take your time,do your homework,and find a compatable chassis. In the "Gallery", Eric Bureau's got a NICE L.C.F. '55 Chevy,with a Freightliner chassis,Cummins 6CT,(8.3 L.),9-speed Fuller/Eaton trans.,plus air brakes/suspension. He did have to do some major firewall mod's,as well as narrowing the front axle 14",to tuck under the wheel wells. But,it's an idea. Pic's say it all!! Good luck!!

If I was smart, I would just buy Eric's - WOW what a great truck!

For no matter how much he would want - and still be money ahead !

They also came w/ a 6-71 as was said, might make more useful w/ that engine. Should have a GM 5 speed OD trans.