1950 AD Project

[Big Daddy Bear]

Howdy,

This will be a bit long-winded, please bear with me, a while ago, I posted my first thread about the 1950 3600 truck I had just picked-up for a project:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=658675

I have been searching and reading several threads on frame swaps, what is best, what is easy, what not to do, etc.

It is clear that the S-10 conversion or stay stock crowd are in the majority. I am sure there is a solid reason for that. Having said that, I also read some older threads where folks used 70-80's full-sized clips. There are issues pointed out about width, ride height, etc.

It seems most of those concerns are from people wanting to have a truck with a car's ride height. I am more interested in keeping my 3600 at stock height and as a 3/4 ton truck.

Here is where I am at presently. The truck I have came to me with a 70-80's 3/4 ton front clip already installed. I have not begun any work on the project, other than removing salvageable parts from the 1952 cab & nose I picked up about the same time.

I also obtained a 1992 S-10 extended cab, 2WD as a potential frame donor because it was a complete truck and very cheap. I have also been searching and trying to strike a deal for a stock frame, but that is not working out as well as I would like so far.

I have read that some fellows have narrowed the C-10 assembly by 1" to 1 1/2" or so, to keep the tires inside the fenders. Also one older thread mentioned widening the fenders slightly to accommodate the extra tread width.

The welding job on the clip is suspect at best, and dangerous most likely. If this were your truck, and you wanted to maintain 3/4 ton and stockish ride height, what would you do to utilize the parts on hand?

A) Narrow the cross member & linkage, then weld in (properly braced/boxed) new frame rails?

B) Widen the fenders?

If B), how would you go about doing that?

The S-10 frame swap is not completely off the table, but as I said, trying to maintain 3/4 ton truck capabilities and normalish ride height. But am not going to consider any car parts, Mustang II, Camaro, etc. It is a truck and would like to keep it that way, no offense intended for those who like the lowered, air-bagged, car type trucks, that is not in the future for this particular truck...

[Big Daddy Bear]

Lower A-arm to ground clearance currently, and a level on the floor boards showing slight up bubble in the front. I figure when together, will drop the nose down and the truck should (might) sit level or slightly racked forward??

[jetnow1]

Too bad they cut the frame and welded the clip on- the mid 70's cross member is a bolt on unit fairly easily mounted to a stock frame, though a little wide. As the trucks were considerably heavier in the 70's than the early 50's I suspect a 70's 1/2 ton has enough capacity to match the original 3/4 ton suspension- remember that 1/2 ton trucks and 3/4 ton trucks used the same front springs, and the ratings on the front axles was not much different. The main difference was the diameter of the front brakes, and any 70's disc brakes were way better than the original drums, especially the Huck style used on 3/4 tons till 53.

Guess I am saying consider locating a stock 3/4 ton frame. It will accept a dropped stock
axle, dropped 1/2 ton axle, Mustang 2 suspension, the later 70's suspension, etc. It will
make mounting the front sheet metal easier, can be set up to whatever ride height you
prefer, and is stout enough for it's factory rating. You are aware the capacity of a 3/4 ton
truck from the 50's is not the same as a 3/4 ton truck today correct?

[Big Daddy Bear]

Thanks, I am looking for a stock frame. I have not taken any options off the table yet.

Only thing I have been able to locate was one a tad bit too far to get and a short, half-ton frame that I am waiting on a response from the owner.

First week of April we have a giant swap meet at the Portland International Raceway, if nothing has turned up by then, maybe I will find something there.

Or, I could buy lottery tickets and just pop for an Art Morrison when I win...

[ghettoluxury]

The good news is the crossmember for the front clip is bolted on. You can cut the front frame back off and build a new one allowing you to set the ride height exactly where you want it. If you want to widen the front fenders the easy way is to get the front clip from a 1 1/2 ton truck they are 4" wider and about 6" longer.

[Big Daddy Bear]

So the bigger fenders bolt on the cab the same way?

Then do you trim the length down or use those to cut a strip out to weld in and widen the smaller truck fenders?

Are the inside measurements as far as core support, inner fenders etc the same?

[ghettoluxury]

The entire assembly is larger both longer and wider. The core support bolt about 6" further forward than the original but the fenders bolt to the exact same spot on the cab. All of the cabs are the same from 1/2 ton-2 1/2.

[Big Daddy Bear]

[scottybaccus]

Visit my shop page on FB and look at a chassis I delivered about a year ago, in my albums. My number is on the page, and you can message me there. I can share a lot of technical info with you by phone that would be to laborious to type.
Tejas SteelWorks

[Big Daddy Bear]

Thank you all for responses!!!

Another question: I found a 1948 3800 frame fairly local. It was a running and driving truck less than a month ago, the fellow has pulled the body off and since mounted it onto another frame.

Everything else is there, now, aside from the wheelbase and overall length differences, could this frame be shortened down to the size of a shortbed?

My thought is, since the cab & nose section of the frame appears to be the same basic size as the 3100 & 3600 series, I would grab it and just shorten the middle section....thinking kind of like I have seen fellows on here do to make their Long beds into short beds, just have to take a little bigger chunk out?

Thoughts?

[Big Daddy Bear]

I do realize that this equals to about 40" of frame being removed, but I think it would break down to being 21" in the middle to shorten the wheelbase, then the remaining 19" come off the rear...

[Big Daddy Bear]

Ooorrrrr....not do anything to the frame and make it a flatbed!

[ghettoluxury]

That frame would work out great for you and it shouldn't be very hard to shorted it to match you 3600 wheel base. You can even unbolt the crossmember from your current frame and use it to keep the ifs. If you decide to make it a flat bed you may be able to use dually wheels up front an keep the wheels tucked under your original fenders (minimal spacers may be required for this).

[Big Daddy Bear]

Thank you, that is what I was thinking, just wanted to see if those who have more experience with these old rigs confirmed.

The frame is only about an hour drive from me, but getting the fellow to respond to questions sent to him is frustrating, so am just going to keep sending emails till he replies or the ad disappears from craigslist!

Just hoping he is just very busy and not that his silence is because it has been sold....

[Big Daddy Bear]

Been a busy last couple days, never was able to make any contact with the fellow advertising the 48 one ton frame, very disappointing.

But I have located a parts truck, short bed that I can't pick-up till Wednesday due to the fellow's work schedule.

Another fellow has a 1953 GMC frame that I may be able to get as well. My question about that is, I thought that there was some issue with the rear hump height over the axel between early ant later model year AD trucks and it may or did cause bed mounting issues??

Couldn't find the thread when I searched, so hoping someone can chime in??

[Big Daddy Bear]

Body work by John Deere...

[Big Daddy Bear]

The left-overs:

[scottybaccus]

In my experience, 47-53 differ only in some stamped details up front. It affects shock mounting, but that's all I discovered.

[Big Daddy Bear]

Thanks, appreciate that info, last thing I want is another frame that has or causes trouble!!

[docrock]

I heard that the 70s and 80s were wider. I went with a 93 Silverado chassis. I had some issues but overall I would do it again

[steve aleve]

I apologize if I missed something earlier in the thread but I wanted to ask you what are the plans for the chopped frame? I am looking to buy some running board mounts and thought that if it was going to the scrap yard it might be worth asking if they can be pulled off and bought.

Thanks and the progress is looking good!!

[Big Daddy Bear]

I do not plan on getting rid of any parts just yet, at least until I know what I am going to need on/for whatever frame/parts rig I end up with.

The GMC frame owner has expressed an interest in it, and I have located a parts rig that I can get, but not until next week, and I am told it is fairly rusty.

[lower50's]

Good luck getting your frame.

[Big Daddy Bear]

Thanks, it is turning in to quite an adventure!

[lower50's]

That can be the fun in it. Just don't get frustrated things will all come together.