39 GMC service truck

Jl12valve · Jun 13, 2022

Ground has broke on my latest project. After failing to stick with my original welding/service truck theme on my 39 dodge thread here, I scored a 39 GMC to take its place.

I’ve been on the hunt for one for sometime and low and behold one popped up not 5 minutes from my house. Picked it up the same day and hauled it the long journey home.

Was happy to find that it didn’t take very much at all to actually get the ol girl running. That was never my real intention to do but it worked out. I will be sticking with the stock frame to keep all the body mounts the same. Will be boxing the frame and adding crossmembers. I’m hunting down a Cummins and 48re and tcase for it right now. Plan to put a set of 2011 ram 3500 axles under it with just leaf and coil. No fancy bags this time.

thatguy69 · Jun 13, 2022

This will be sweet man keep up the updates

Meyers Farms · Jun 13, 2022

thatguy69 said:
This will be sweet man keep up the updates

No doubt! Definitely keep us updated.

Jl12valve · Jun 13, 2022

Few pics of the start of rust repair and fuel tank removal. Sticking with the bench seat since I will be going with an auto. The drawing is essentially the end goal, I’m not an artist by any means just enjoy sketching my dreams.

Jl12valve · Jun 16, 2022

Little update: the engine is now out, picked up the axles for it today and going back next week to grab the donor truck from the same guy. Still need to find a good 47 or 48 with tcase. Donor truck has an Allison but I can’t have that boat anchor setup since I’ll be at gross weight as it is.

Slid the rear axle under to get an idea on width, I’ll be running singles on the dually to keep it a little narrower.

Jl12valve · Jun 22, 2022

Managed to get the rear suspension situated. Front will be a whole new ball game. Looking for a 4g front clip for the brackets and what not if anyone has one let me know! Also, little 9 hour road trip scored me a decent bed with crane. Not sure if I’ll use it or not or just trailer it behind but happy with the purchase nonetheless.
Ps don’t mind the lawn, it’s weeds and I don’t care to keep it alive in the summer

Jl12valve · Jul 6, 2022

Happy fourth everyone!
Finally making progress again, bought all my rod ends and what not from ruff stuff for my steering components and radius arms. Need to order the dom from the local steel shop. I was fortunate enough to be able to buy my 16x12 wheels back from smoken02 who bought my red and white dodge in my profile. Those are currently in route to my house as I write this. Was able to get the donor truck to the yard an pull the engine over the weekend. Engine runs great so will be leaving it as it is for now. Not going to be a race truck just a reliable work rig. I’d say slowly but surely the build progresses but it’s going fairly quickly thus far.

Red Sleeper · Jul 12, 2022

Very cool build. I’m curious about many things that you will likely address as the build continues. But I always wonder how folks adapt the emergency brake in axle swaps like this one. Not sure how much you have to work with from the original chassis.

Edit: mechanical cummins or common rail?

Jl12valve · Jul 12, 2022

Red sleeper, ask away! As far as the e rake goes I’m looking to setup the og pull handle inside the cab with the cables from the factory 2011 rear axle.
My wheels have show up so that’s pretty neat. Issue is(which I knew but was ignoring) the fact that the brakes won’t handle 16” wheels so I’m looking for 01/02 disc brake rotors and caliper brackets.

Red Sleeper · Jul 13, 2022

I recall drag race guys grinding the calipers or caliper brackets to clear smaller diameter wheels. Is this an option for your situation?
The wheels look good. I prefer the older bullet hole style wheel. Mickey Thompson Classic ll’s are my favorite. Classic look for a classic rig.

Jl12valve · Aug 4, 2022

Thanks red sleeper, it’s definitely a good combo with older rigs. My plan as of now is just to get it rolling, set the drivetrain in and then figure out my next move. If I can’t grind or fit 2g brake parts on to make it work I’ll swap 2g axles into it.
I was able to get the front radius arms built just need to build my track bar and spring mounts and it’ll be able to get out of my way.

Jl12valve · Jan 11, 2023

Been a while since I’ve posted. Been some decent progress. Picked up a bunch of parts, frame is pretty much ready to be blasted and painted. Found another cab that was in much better shape, in the process of blasting and priming it. Just need to prime the hood and doors for that part to be done. Made a slick little shift tower for my b&m shifter.

biggy238 · Jan 11, 2023

Makes me miss the 36 I had. It was too rough to do anything with.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

Jl12valve · Jan 11, 2023

It’s a fun project for sure

dieselbeef · Jan 12, 2023

look at that shop! wow! open floor space! i want one

Jl12valve · Jan 12, 2023

That building is definitely handy! Perfect for painting pressure washing etc. my actually fab shop is 30x 60 ish. Was a pole barn that’s been enclosed with 12’ roll ups.

Jl12valve · Jan 12, 2023

Frame is back rolling again have to mount engine and trans to get one final crossmember fabbed then I can paint the frame and axles. Brake work is next and unfortunately the wheels currently on it have to go due to the size of 2011 brakes

56cummins · Jan 13, 2023

Cool project. Service bed with a crane would be awesome.

Jl12valve · Jan 13, 2023

Crane is definitely in the works. I have an Autocrane 2703 at the moment but at 500 lbs I’d have to add a couple leafs to the pass side to accommodate the weight so not sure on my crane options at this time.

Jl12valve · Jan 19, 2023

Had some fun piecing the parts back together. Just primed at the moment, but will most likely be going with a flat white

39 GMC service truck

unfaithful CF user

Attachments

New member

Active member

unfaithful CF user

unfaithful CF user

Attachments

unfaithful CF user

Attachments

unfaithful CF user

Active member

unfaithful CF user

Attachments

Active member

unfaithful CF user

Attachments

unfaithful CF user

Attachments

Active member

unfaithful CF user

dick doggin

unfaithful CF user

unfaithful CF user

Attachments

Member

unfaithful CF user

unfaithful CF user

Attachments