Considering purchase of '53 gmc 3/4 ton

[highonpottery]

Hello, I'm new here and hoping to get some advice before jumping into a future project.

I have been offered the opportunity to purchase a 1953 GMC 3/4 ton pickup from a faculty member of the university I work at. I have always admired the AD trucks and have been thinking long and hard about taking on this project, especially since I got the OK from "The Boss" because I told here it is like Mr. Miyagi's truck in Karate Kid, and he mentioned selling for around $800, maybe less.

I have only seen the truck in person once a few years ago and it looked fair, I will go and look at the truck sometime soon. I recently saw photos of the truck on a laptop from when he documented the truck and it seems to have very little rust or anything out of the ordinary save a broken corner window. The only spot of rust that is not solid metal is the front of the bed where water would normally sit as well as a few small holes in the floorpan. The truck is stock w/ 9 windows, straight 6, and 4spd. Engine and trans are pulled out and sitting on a rack, both look good.

So my questions are: why is the 3/4 ton less desired? He intended on restoring the truck to stock - I have considered IFS, disc brakes + power steering just for safety reasons. which would you go for? which require less energy to be put into getting it back on the street?

Is there anyone out there who has done a "green" restoration? Like a bio-diesel or something that gets great gas mileage? I do not intend on hot rodding this truck out. I want to drive it and not be passing everything except the gas station.

Lastly, is there a forum besides this one where AD truck enthusiasts like to hang out and give advice?

Any advice would be much appreciated. THANKS!!! Brian

[Mr_Mac]

Brian,

First of all, welcome to the forum! Second, there are no other forums for AD trucks. Anywhere. So don't bother looking! Just kidding! :p There are some others, but they're not as good as ours!

As for wanting to take the plunge and buying a new project truck, let me say that you could certainly do worse than a '53 GMC! If memory serves me though, Mr. Miyagi's truck was more along the lines of a 1946 Chevy similar to this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1946-Chevolet-Pick-Up-Custom-Off-the-Frame-Restoration_W0QQitemZ290211810556QQcmdZViewItem?ha sh=item290211810556). An AD truck would look like this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-3-4-TON-1952-4SP-5-WINDOW-CAB-OPEN-SHAFT-TRADES_W0QQitemZ150222351009QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em150222351009). Either way, you'll enjoy the restoration process!

As to why the 3/4 ton trucks are less desirable is because they ride like tanks (not that the half ton rides any better)! Everything about them is heavy duty but there are still plenty of them out there that are evry bit as beautiful as any half ton! Which brings me to the next question you have, and that's fuel economy.

These trucks are not light and though the original engines would get things going, they slurped their fair share of petrol. Remember (or not), gas was 18 cents a gallon back then and a dollar's worth went a long way! That doesn't mean you can't get some sort of fuel economy, but the first question you have to ask is where are you going with the restoration?

My choice was to go the hot rod route and stuff a TBI 350 and R700-4 into mine (with a new IFS and disc brakes). This combination will give me good power and still provide a bit better fuel economy versus a 400 CID V8 with a pair of 650 CFM dual feed carbs and a Muncie M22 close ratio tranny mated to a Dana 4:11 rear end (insert Tim Allen growl here)!

If you want to restore your truck in a manner that lends itself to winning concourse shows, then just rebuild the original drivetrain and go from there. Again, it's all in what you want the end result to be.

Price wise I think you're right in the neighborhood as to value. It's a shame that these old beauties don't fetch the same money as their newer brothers (55s on up) but that also works in our favor when it comes to buying donor vehicles (in some cases it's cheaper to buy a donor than just the parts you need).

Regardless of how you want to go forward, remember, we are your best source of information (next to GMC)! :D And, we'll be glad to help in any way we can as long as you post pics! Another really good resource for you is to look up a local club devoted to old trucks/cars. Some of those people will be able to show you how and why to do things and some will even help you do them!

Mac

[Rich-Md]

Mr. Mac is Right On.... Of course safety is the issue here. Consider a front disc break modification. They make a kit for the orignal front straight axel and you may even find them on eBay at a reduced price.
The 3/4 ton is definately the heavy duty truck. Most parts from a 1/2 ton should work well on the 3/4 ton but you may find a few things that might not work at all. Don't forget these trucks and worn out and need TLC. Not to mention they were designed back in the 50's to do about 35 to 45 miles an hour at best. To be safe and do today speeds you need some heavy modifications, like Intergrated front suspension (IFS) with rack and pinion steering, open drive shaft with a rearend out of a later model car with a gear ratio of 3.55 or better, SBC V8 engine, and a transmission of your choice and of course front disc breaks. Just some things to ponder about.
It all depends on what you want to do with the truck and how long you want the project to last and of course $$$$$$.
Best of luck....As they say...Don't crush 'em, restore them.

[highonpottery]

Thanks Mac and Rich! I took a look at the truck yesterday and it was in fair condition. Definitely needs some lovin'. The only rust that was not on the surface was in the bed along the bottom where the wood would meet the metal. Everything else is good. Has a few dents on the tailgate and one on the front grille, also has a cracked driver window but everything else is there. Engine is disassembled and on a mount which looks good and turned easily by hand.

as far as what i plan on doing i'm not 100% sure yet. i know that i definitely want to upgrade some items like you listed like disk brakes in the front, upgraded steering, newer drivetrain. i like the idea of the s10 frame swap - seems like a good source of parts to do multiple upgrades like IFS, brakes, gas tank, etc. As for engine choice I think I would go with something like the 4.3 V6 instead of a 350. But lately I've been watching "Invention Nation" on TV and saw their bio-diesel schoolbus and thought that would be an awesome thing to do since a lot of people out there get old vehicles and drop a hemi in there with no emission controls which is definitely where i do not want to go. I'll leave that one to my dad and his '68 Olds Delmont 88.

I'm going to have to think longer about picking up the truck I saw and make sure to plan things out so it doesn't just sit around in pieces. It's not going anywhere anytime fast. I also know of another gm truck on my girlfriend's great aunt's orchard. I think it is a 3100 pickup that has been sitting in a barn for about 20 years. I only saw it briefly out of the corner of my eye. It was covered with old crates and misc crap. Might even be in better condition than the other one. Not sure how title would work out, but we'll see. Until I get one, I'll keep dreamin' and savin' up some $$$

Thank again!

[Mr_Mac]

as far as what i plan on doing i'm not 100% sure yet. i know that i definitely want to upgrade some items like you listed like disk brakes in the front, upgraded steering, newer drivetrain. i like the idea of the s10 frame swap - seems like a good source of parts to do multiple upgrades like IFS, brakes, gas tank, etc.
Absolutely you must have a plan before embarking on this journey! How many people have started on a project truck and changed their minds in the middle of things because something they saw really caught their eye and now they have to undue whats been done, return/swap parts, etc. Big hassle depending on where your project is when you change directions!

I'm going to have to think longer about picking up the truck I saw and make sure to plan things out so it doesn't just sit around in pieces. It's not going anywhere anytime fast.
Also a very smart statement! There are lots of these trucks around (just look at thE Bay! ;) Get what you want! Don't settle! You have to be happy with your project or it'll turn into something you despise and regret ever buying!

Until I get one, I'll keep dreamin' and savin' up some $$$
Friendly advise...write down a budget you can live with. Add up what you know you'll need (include any taxes/shipping as required), add what you know you want, add up what you might like to have, add 10% (minimum) then double the result. When finished, frame it as a novelty 'cause that's the only way you'll ever look at your budget again! :D

Again...the object of this whole thing is to have fun! Enjoy your time and with your truck and you'll wind up with a great truck you can drive and show off!

Mac