Builds My 78' Barn find FJ45 (3 Viewers)

[Michael B]

My Fathers Day gift showed up today! I’m pretty stoked!!

 

[middlecalf]

 

[Michael B]

We have had some pretty spectacular sunsets this week. Here is the view from my front porch.

 

[Michael B]

Hey James @jamesurq I’m putting the large bag to good use. It doesn’t quite hold the larger items but it will help with noise. It does fit very nicely though.

 

[jamesurq]

Nice! Had a friend use one for his pistol and a few boxes of rounds. Works well for lots of “hand tools” and “small accessories”

 

[Michael B]

Well fellas I’m going to take a step back to my roots for my next project. I cut my teeth on bow ties. My 1956 GMC 100 series finally arrived today. It’s mostly original with the stock Pontiac engine (that is not a typo) and top loader 4 speed. She runs, but not well, stops and steers with a complete body. That’s better than most of my projects.

For the immediate future I will just make it run better, fix the seat and put some seatbelts in it (they were an option in those days). I may take care of some of the ugly spots on the body while I’m removing the small amount of rust it has.

Long term I’m contemplating a 6BT, 6 speed, 4WD, PS, AC and a suspension upgrade to 3/4 ton. But we will see! My tentative investigation says the 6BT is a very tight fit and difficult to accomplish without moving the firewall back.

Enough with the words .........

 

[Michael B]

Here are few pictures of delivery day (today).

 

[Michael B]

Now the Dynamic Duo are standing watch!

 

[jamesurq]

Hell yeah! Nice one.

 

[a.greenspan]

Enjoy your new 1956 GMC
Do you own this book ?
I bought it 1996 in a bookstore during a USA trip.
Pickups: Classic American Trucks
Moses, Harry; William Bennett Seitz
The first American pickup truck was introduced in 1896, as part of the similarly great industrial revolution: The King High Wheeler built by a Chicago machinist. As they developed, the first major manufacturer, Ford, brought forth the Model C Delivery Van in 1905. It was not a runaway success. They produced 10. The 1914 Dodge was another matter. Sales: 30,000.
Here are glorious vehicles, purchased for a song or traded for a shotgun; lovingly restored for thousands of dollars; and proudly entered in contests and shows.
"Old pickup trucks don't merely recall a simpler America or a better America. They ARE America. Pickups reflect this country's essence in its purest and most concentrated form. An old truck is a novel by Faulkner, a drawing by Rockwell, a building by Wright. It is Spencer Tracy in Bad Day at Black Rock, Henry Fonda in The Grapes of Wrath, Gary Cooper in High Noon.
These basic, rugged reliable vehicles have a remarkably widespread appeal. In researching this book we found old pickup trucks owned by farmers, lawyers, furniture makers, doctors, inn keepers, actors, plumbers and musicians. Some drive their trucks every day. Others have lovingly restored their pickups and drive them sparingly. But all the owners share the same singular experience: whenever they take their pickups out for a spin, people stop and tell them that this truck of theirs is the most beautiful thing they have ever laid eyes on." -- Harry Moses"

I

 

[a.greenspan]

Enjoy your new 1956 GMC
Do you own this book ?
I bought it 1996 in a bookstore during a USA trip.
Pickups: Classic American Trucks
Moses, Harry; William Bennett Seitz
The first American pickup truck was introduced in 1896, as part of the similarly great industrial revolution: The King High Wheeler built by a Chicago machinist. As they developed, the first major manufacturer, Ford, brought forth the Model C Delivery Van in 1905. It was not a runaway success. They produced 10. The 1914 Dodge was another matter. Sales: 30,000.
Here are glorious vehicles, purchased for a song or traded for a shotgun; lovingly restored for thousands of dollars; and proudly entered in contests and shows.
"Old pickup trucks don't merely recall a simpler America or a better America. They ARE America. Pickups reflect this country's essence in its purest and most concentrated form. An old truck is a novel by Faulkner, a drawing by Rockwell, a building by Wright. It is Spencer Tracy in Bad Day at Black Rock, Henry Fonda in The Grapes of Wrath, Gary Cooper in High Noon.
These basic, rugged reliable vehicles have a remarkably widespread appeal. In researching this book we found old pickup trucks owned by farmers, lawyers, furniture makers, doctors, inn keepers, actors, plumbers and musicians. Some drive their trucks every day. Others have lovingly restored their pickups and drive them sparingly. But all the owners share the same singular experience: whenever they take their pickups out for a spin, people stop and tell them that this truck of theirs is the most beautiful thing they have ever laid eyes on." -- Harry Moses"

I

Not cheap then.... found the price tag on it 40$....

 

[Pauciflora2]

Now the Dynamic Duo are standing watch!

View attachment 2035954View attachment 2035955View attachment 2035956View attachment 2035957

G'day Michael, Congratulations on the fantastic new addition to the family. Would the 4wd conversion involve sourcing old NAPCO parts or would you use something a bit more modern? Cheers, Ben

 

[Michael B]

Thanks guys!

Ben I intend to modernize the truck for every day use so NAPCO components are not in the plan. If I were restoring it that would certainly be the way I would go.

Alan I have seen that book but I don’t have a personal copy.

 

[Indestructible 47]

Nice addition looks to be in really good shape. I do like the big turbo diesel idea, but from where i sit i am thinking that a 6bt may be too long. Have you considered a duramax? Either way looking forward to updates! Cheers

 

[Michael B]

You’re correct mate the 6BT is 40” long. Some have made it fit in this generation of truck by removing the mechanical fan and installing an electric fan on the opposite side of the radiator. I have looked at the Duramax and while it is an easier fit, physically, the electronics required to run it are more trouble, to me, than it is worth. I may settle for a 4BTA. I can get similar torque numbers to a 6BT and it’s an easier install.

 

[Rainman]

SO when the rotation squirts the 45 out... Call me.

 

[Michael B]

We had a club “wrench” meeting Sunday afternoon. Rory has a 79’ Troopy with a very well used H motor that is being replaced by a rebuilt 2H. We helped him install the head and then we went trail riding on his 18 acre farm.
We had a new member, Jack, show up with his Brazilian FST 40. A very nice rig!

 

[Rainman]

Nice mix of trucks.

 

[cult45]

Nice trucks, nice GMC and nice sunsets Michael!

 

[Michael B]

I installed some reproduction decals today thanks to @gilmorneau I like em’!