Mr48chev
04-21-2010, 09:15 AM
I picked up a couple of 51 or so 1-1/2 ton Chev trucks a couple of weeks ago and was originally planning on swapping the good cab over to a half ton frame but then had a wild haired idea and want some thoughts on it.
This is a big truck with the big ribbed front bumper and I was considering putting 67/72 half or 3/4 ton front suspension and rear axle under it and shortening the frame to a 114 inch wheel base and building a nice looking flatbed on the back.
As it stands the truck has a clear Oregon title and is listed as a flatbed. With all the hassles in this state on doing frame swaps and building frames right now I think it might be easier to just go in and tell them that I swapped axles and springs and I want a lower weight rating. Plus it will be a somewhat inexpensive build that will end up with the 350/350 that is in my 71 now or maybe the 350 and a three or four speed.
I even have a pair of 4x4 axles and could make a 4x flatbed out of it with a trans and transfer.
This is the monster in question
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/mr48chev/Trucks/002-1.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/mr48chev/Trucks/003.jpg
The cab is pretty solid and outside of the back panel it is pretty straight. It even has a pretty nice seat in it.
I have a near perfect bumper off the other truck and enough pieces to make a nice painted grill.
It would be a few hundred pounds heavier than a half ton but that isn't a real issue as far as I see it.
Am I nuts or would it make a decent looking truck?
This is a big truck with the big ribbed front bumper and I was considering putting 67/72 half or 3/4 ton front suspension and rear axle under it and shortening the frame to a 114 inch wheel base and building a nice looking flatbed on the back.
As it stands the truck has a clear Oregon title and is listed as a flatbed. With all the hassles in this state on doing frame swaps and building frames right now I think it might be easier to just go in and tell them that I swapped axles and springs and I want a lower weight rating. Plus it will be a somewhat inexpensive build that will end up with the 350/350 that is in my 71 now or maybe the 350 and a three or four speed.
I even have a pair of 4x4 axles and could make a 4x flatbed out of it with a trans and transfer.
This is the monster in question
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/mr48chev/Trucks/002-1.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/mr48chev/Trucks/003.jpg
The cab is pretty solid and outside of the back panel it is pretty straight. It even has a pretty nice seat in it.
I have a near perfect bumper off the other truck and enough pieces to make a nice painted grill.
It would be a few hundred pounds heavier than a half ton but that isn't a real issue as far as I see it.
Am I nuts or would it make a decent looking truck?