In a message dated 8/3/2004 12:14:40 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
owner-ole-trucks@autox.team.net writes:
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 21:01:57 -0400
From: "Dean Stoops" <67gto@myvine.com>
Subject: [oletrucks] Dream Truck
OK guys I'm looking for your' enlightened opinions! I want to build a truck
that is smooth and relatively quiet and doesnt drink gas like crazy. However I
will need to pull a 6000# trailer occaisionally on relatively level roads. The
given parameters are the 1951 3600 pickup that is in my barn at the moment. I
really want to run dual wheels and lower the truck slightly. I'm not against
running the straight axle up front if I can figure out how to mount the
"dually" style alcoa wheels. I keep thinking about just finding a later model
dually or 3/4 Ton that has been totaled and slide the whole frame and
drivetrain under the 51 body. I know that would require extensive fabricating
but I think I could do it. My concern with that would be the wider "track" of
the front wheels....I want them to fit under the fenders. I'm wondering about
the relative strength of the '51 frame vs the newer 3/4 or 1 ton frames. Any
comments will be greatly appreciated!!
Dean
Easy - look for a wrecked RV. Nothing will fit your '51 body quite like the
'51 frame, so if you don't mind adapting suspension components to your frame,
then look for an RV that's just waiting for the wrecking yard to pick it up. An
Independent front suspension will come with the RV, and if you're using the
1-Ton wheels with major offset anyway, you don't need to worry about the front
fenders. The rear fenders will need major modification to allow the dually
rear end. That's just one wide mofo to mount. Be sure to get the rear axel,
springs, mounts, etc when you decide on which one you want.
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
|