1947 Panel Truck Frame swap with ’88 k2500

[Second Series]

I got a call from the radiator shop. I went to get my custom radiator for a test fit, they helped me load it into my pickup, and I asked if they wanted some money. He said I’d be back to have them attach the brackets and paint it. It is a pleasure doing business with someone who believes in the honor system. Although he was surprised when I returned later that same day with the position of the brackets already figured out. The fab shop left a brace tacked to the front of the core support that needed to go, so I needed to come up with an upper core support. I cut a length of hat channel from a bed cross sill that was removed. Fired up the ol’ Oxy Acetylene rig and had at it. I don’t have much time welding, but it came out o.k. except for one blow through. I’ll finish those welds later, probably remove the core support for that. I did weld the lumber rack that is on my pickup with Oxy Acetylene and it’s holding up so far. The custom radiator fits well, the sheet metal won’t need to be altered. The latch panel had been previously cut to accommodate the old radiator mounted to the forward of the core support. This new radiator does stick up a bit, I may be able to lower it alittle, but I’m happy as it is.

[Second Series]

Progress is slow, but steady. I’m lucky to get 2 hours a week in on this. I noticed the rear shock brackets need to be moved back. The axle bumps and spare tire hanger need to be moved back also. The passenger side shock bracket is mounted to the frame where the frame transitions from wide to narrow. The bracket will need to be narrowed to move it back. I cut a V out of the bracket and welded back together. The driver side shock bracket is rear of the axle, so it won’t need to be modified. I will need to modify a cross brace though. I’ve removed the axle bumps, the other shock bracket, and the spare hanger. Once I got in there and started removing things, it looks fairly straight forward what needs to be done. Fortunately I am able to pull up the bed wood to gain access from above.

[Second Series]

Progess is slow, but continues. I got the drivers side rear shock relocated, and the axle bumps moved back too. I’ll use a piece of the old bed cross sill for the spare tire hanger. I’ve been looking at the Brake and Clutch master cylinders. The rod that connects to the pedals is not right for this application. The stock ’88 units have a long rod with eye on the end. The aftermarket pedal assemblies don’t have enough room for the length of those rods. I wanted to keep as much stock as possible, and keep the 10 ½” Brake booster. I see many use the cpp masters, I may go that route for the clutch. I need units with a short threaded connecting rod. I did find that the Nissan Quest uses a 10 ½” booster with short threaded rod, but haven’t looked if it would play nice with the GM master cylinder. I’m also looking at the drivers side door jamb. The door contacts to opening at the top front first. I’ll need to bend a hinge, bend the door out, or bend the door jamb in. I have some dimentions from the assembly manual and am devising a way to measure if the door jamb is out of spec. I have also been working on the speedometer drive. I will be using the original speedometer with this modern drivetrain, so I have connected a motor to the speedometer. I finally hooked it up to a ’90 chevy truck and tested it out, here's a link to a video I made:
https://youtu.be/K6YOm1WTpqg