Words: Tommy Parry
Bob had wanted to build a classic GMC truck for most of his adult life, but for one reason or another, he couldn’t quite pull the trigger for years. However, when he found a former fire truck body in good shape for an incredible price, he jumped without hesitation. He loaded the 1952 GMC 9700 with little rust and no engine onto the back of his trailer, and found a 1989 S-10 chassis which would soon serve as the platform for this spectacular build.
Unfortunately, that’s as far as the build went for the next six years, but when his friend mentioned he had a 7.3 IDI motor and an E40D transmission, Bob leaped at it and started his build with newfound vigor. As the motor weighs half a ton, Bob wisely upgraded to D.O.M tubular a-arms, boxed the frame and added a crossmember behind the cab.
With ARP head studs, Feelpro head gaskets, an HX35 turbo and 20 pounds of boost, Bob would have approximately 300 horsepower and 500 lb-ft to play with. An upgraded shift kit and a Derale transmission cooler would take better advantage of that power, and the rear end – a Dana 70HD with a quad-link setup, 3.54 gears, a locking differential and 1.5” Moser axles – would put that torque to the ground without turning the four rear tires into grey clouds of smoke.
Bob opted for airbags at all four corners for some suppleness and the support needed for the weight. The air system is comprised of Viair 480c compressors, 24″ spun aluminum tanks (4 gallon) and an Accuair VU4 valve. The compressors are quite quiet up to 200 psi, and with 150 psi pumped into the front bags, the truck lifts 5.5″ off the ground. Not a bad ability to have on a bumpy ride to the car show.
With help from eager family members, Bob sanded and repainted the cab, added stepsides and rear fenders and had something resembling a functional truck. With the intercooler clearly visible behind the bold grille, the GMC resembled a genuine performance car, and with the truck riding on the ground, it looked like a bonafide show-stopper.
It was far from over. Spike-shaped lug nuts, LED headlights, window tinting and some pinstriping were in order. With those last touches, Bob was able to tour the eastern seaboard with his ultra-reliable GMC, which never broke down seriously – omitting one or two instances of overheating – and provided automotive fans up and down the east coast with plenty of reasons to smile.
