Give me your ideas!

[bretcopsey]

I picked up this truck earlier this week. From what I can tell it's a '51 3/4 ton longbed. I am barely into getting my Camaro together (check vbgarage for pics), and now I can't wait to dive into this truck! At least the wife is somewhat understanding. Anyway, I want to put this together as cheaply as possible but have it be reliable enough that it could be driven every day. This truck needs everything though, so I'm working with a clean slate-well err a rusty slate. I like the fact that it is not coplete because I'm free to do what I want without felling like I should restore it to original.

So, what do you think? Second gen Camaro front clip? Leafs with 8.5 posi rear? Four link, watts link? Small block/4-speed? Four wheel discs? Let me hear it!!

[wiedemab]

This has been my project since I was 15 (about 10 years). I'm finally getting somewhere on it. I know it's not considered "Pro-Touring" so yell at me if you must. I'll probably end up with 20's out back and 18's up front.

Just thought you may see an idea or two that you could incorporate.

IMO - subframes look too wide under these trucks. Mine is Mustang II.

Some details are on my website

www.wiedos.com

Later

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[astroracer]

Look at an S10 chassis. This would probably be a good fit. Plus they are a dime a dozen on the side of the road, there is a ton of aftermarket suspension support and a small block bolts right in... :icon996:
Mark

[trapin]

Those old trucks are cool as hell. I like the stance on yours wiedamab. I wouldn't go ape sh*t on it. Just clean her up (rust removal, body fixes, paint)...crate motor...drop kit...new wheels and tires and be done with it. Keep us posted.

[bretcopsey]

Thanks guys! Sweet truck Wiedemab!!

I've been thinking (dangerous!) I've seen a lot on the S-10 swap. How would an AWD Astro chassis compare to the S-10?? I would guess they are pretty similar dimensionally, and shouldn't be too hatefully expensive for one that has been junked??

[BonzoHansen]

Look at an S10 chassis. This would probably be a good fit. Plus they are a dime a dozen on the side of the road, there is a ton of aftermarket suspension support and a small block bolts right in... :icon996:
MarkAWD....

[jy211]

Look at an S10 chassis. This would probably be a good fit. Plus they are a dime a dozen on the side of the road, there is a ton of aftermarket suspension support and a small block bolts right in... :icon996:
Mark

same thing I was gonna say!

[canadian]

1) s10 frame (try getting a 4wd one)
2) make it awd (bravada/astro/syclone/typhoon transfer case and front diff)
3) 4l80e
4) ls1

[wiedemab]

Tons of people have put these trucks on an S10 chassis and they don't look too bad. One downfall is the way the rear frame section is made on the S10 basically eliminates the majority of the space for a bed floor. Most of the ones I've seen just put a bed cover on them so that you don't see that the bed is only a few inches deep.

I put a Mustang II and a parallel 4-link 9" rear in mine. I'm sure it won't be a road course worthy machine, but it shouldn't be too aweful.

Just curious, but are you going to leave it a Longbed?


FYI: If/when I ever get mine done I should have a bunch of left over parts that I've collected over the years

Later

[bretcopsey]

I have been thinking about this truck almost non-stop for nearly a week now. It's making it difficult for me to focus on the Camaro.

My overall goal is to make this something that could be dependable enough for daily transportation. That to me means more modern drivetrain, power disc brakes and power steering. Drop it a few inches, throw in a decent sound system and some sort of hvac unit and call it done. It may get a Macco paint job if I don't go with primer. I guess I am trying to build some sort of Rat Rod?? I do not want this to become another long term project nor do I want it to distract me too much from working on the Camaro.

That said, I have not found too much info on the Astro AWD chassis except that it has too short wheelbase (111" compared to 125") and too wide track. They also only came with a 4.3l six. I assume 7.5" (or so?) rear. I wonder if this would even hold up to a mild small block. I assume the Bravada etc is similar?? I'm excluding the Syclone/Typhoon since those are "rare" and therefore not likely to be found in a salvage yard, at least not cheap.


I hadn't thought about changing from longbed to short. I want to keep the budget as low as possible, so I will likely leave it long. Is there a junkyard bolt on disc brake swap using the stock axle? What about power steering and small block in the stock frame? I know about the possibility of using a clip from a secong gen Camaro or G body, but have not yet found a good write up with photos. A camaro clip would be cool because they are so widely used in circle track so bolt on race parts are readily available as well as being easy to get stuff at Auto Zone etc.

Any links you could provide to sites related to clipping or frame swaps would be great! I think I will need a left rear fender if you know of a good source for cheap parts. I don't know if I'll be able ot fabricate an accceptable patch and I cannot see spending $400 for an aftermarket fender.

Thanks for the replies so far guys!! Keep them coming!!

[Matt]

I'm never gonna convince you all AWD is a bad idea.

I say 6.0L iron block, 4l80e, brakes, wheels, drop it a little, fix up the body and be done. Don't make it another project.

...then when you get the camaro together the 6.0 is a great basis for a turbo project, or just a nice cruiser.

The biggest things: Don't go nuts and distract yourself, whatever power plant and drive line you go with, get something with downstream support so you don't have to spend your money again.

Give this guy a ring, every time I drive by his shop he has the nicest classic trucks I've ever seen, and a nice '69 RS too. Nice guy the few times I've bsed with him.

PJ's Classics
4107 Lomas Blvd N E
Albuquerque, NM 87110 - 7746
(505) 268-4100

[bretcopsey]

I'll bite,


Since I have zero experience with either the 6.0 or AWD, what would you recomend as donors? Is there something out there that can be made to work together without expensive aftermarket upgrades? Is there an existing AWD platform running the 6.0 and 4l80e that perhaps I could roll the chassis under the '51 sheetmetal? I think using a complete chassis and making my own cab/core support mounts etc would be the quickest, least stressful route.

[Matt]

You'll never find an escalade that is a bargain (6.0l, awd, think it's a 4l80e but not sure)

But you can get the 6l and 4l80e for pretty cheap, or do a 5.3l and 4l60e, 4l65e, or 4l80e, and still have something pretty mean (read most v8 chevys for the past few years). You should have enough space, and the motor mounts shouldn't be too hard, and the ls1 swap guys know how to do fuel. It'd really be a clearance issue with other stuff like steering.

[astroracer]

That said, I have not found too much info on the Astro AWD chassis except that it has too short wheelbase (111" compared to 125") and too wide track. They also only came with a 4.3l six. I assume 7.5" (or so?) rear. I wonder if this would even hold up to a mild small block.

Forget about an Astro "chassis" of any kind Bret. The Astro/Safari is a uni-body vehicle with a bolt in front subframe. Plus, like you mentioned it is way too wide for your truck and, even if it did have a chassis you could use, the engine would be poking out the grille.
And, just so you know, a small block is a bolt in swap with stock parts and the rear axle holds up fine. A BBC bolts in also and makes for a fun sleeper.:3gears:
Mark

[Analog-kid]

I am helping a friend do a 53.
We were looking into doing a frame swap with a newer chevy pickup like this guy. http://ca.geocities.com/kevin32jr/Truckpage.html
until his dad gave him an s10 longbed so we are probaly going to use it since it was free.