1947 - 1953 Advance Design

[sjaroslo]

Guys, not sure if this is the best place to post this but I'm looking for some resources on learning about the Chevy 1947 - 1953 Advance Design trucks (with a Pro-Touring bent). I ordered a catalog from Brother's Parts (which is taking forever to get to me) to see what's available in the market but I have to think that there's a forum somewhere that could help to speed my education but I'm not finding it. There is a hashtag on Instagram that helps, but I would really like to learn more about them other than just ogling pictures. My biggest concern right now is that I've read or seen a couple of sources that indicate that those of us who might be, uh, shall we say, above average in the avoirdupois category are not going to be comfortable behind the wheel.

There are two of these babies literally within blocks of my house, both sitting neglected (one is a '54 I gather from the grill, which does nothing for me!) (this is in the heart of Silicon Valley, so not an everyday occurrence) and the discovery of the other one of them has gotten my mind wandering on possibilities.... Thanks.

[dontlifttoshift]

What do you want to know? I drove one everyday for a year and half and put 30,000 miles on it. It was my only vehicle.

There is not a lot of room in them. The keys to being comfortable are keeping a bench seat, making sure the seat back is as thin as possible, and keeping the seat bottom high enough that your legs are supported.

Lots of solid info about the trucks in general here. https://oldchevytrucks.com/blog/index.php/2018/04/1947-1955-technical-article-listings/

ProTouring is a pretty vague description of intended use. If you mean not suck to drive, then buy a chassis from someone. They're cheap.

[dhutton]

I built one on a bagged No Limit Engineering frame with an LS and 4L80E. Ride quality was excellent as was handling. A reasonably priced option imho.

Don

[bootlegger]

Take a look at 67-72 chevytrucks.com in the 47-59 Chevrolet GMC Pickups message board. Loads of good reading and idea's.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php

[sjaroslo]

Thank you for the info! It is appreciated. Got some reading to do.

[Hotwire]

I built one on a bagged No Limit Engineering frame with an LS and 4L80E. Ride quality was excellent as was handling. A reasonably priced option imho.

Don

Rob MacGregor @ No Limit is the coolest guy you could meet. All he wants is for people to enjoy their vehicles and to make them work. I've been to his shop on a number of occasions and always look forward to the next time. I haven't spent a dime at his shop yet he's always welcoming, gives advice at the drop of a hat, and will do everything he can to help you out. He's welcomed car groups in and helped dial in their suspension set ups, even helped my buddy get back on the road after a weld let loose on his rear control arm mount. We had to ratchet strap the axle to move it into the shop: https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/yy69/Hotwire454/Miscellaneous%20Happenings/.highres/1012181704_HDR_zpsbyxomkih.jpg?width=450&height=278&fit=bounds&crop=fill

Took a pic of his award winning truck while I was waiting for my buddies to show up: https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/yy69/Hotwire454/Project%20Salty/2268_zpsig5peoai.jpg?width=450&height=278&fit=bounds&crop=fill

[andrewb70]

Icon 4x4 builds these and they look pretty comfy to me. I think they use Art Morrison IRS chassis, but as others have said, there are many options.

Andrew

[sjaroslo]

I have seen some of the Icon stuff and it looks absolutely amazing, but they are severalfold outside of my spending limit! But I'm really just trying to educate myself right now. Thank you.

[sjaroslo]

Rob MacGregor @ No Limit is the coolest guy you could meet. All he wants is for people to enjoy their vehicles and to make them work. I've been to his shop on a number of occasions and always look forward to the next time. I haven't spent a dime at his shop yet he's always welcoming, gives advice at the drop of a hat, and will do everything he can to help you out. He's welcomed car groups in and helped dial in their suspension set ups, even helped my buddy get back on the road after a weld let loose on his rear control arm mount. We had to ratchet strap the axle to move it into the shop: https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/yy69/Hotwire454/Miscellaneous%20Happenings/.highres/1012181704_HDR_zpsbyxomkih.jpg?width=450&height=278&fit=bounds&crop=fill

Took a pic of his award winning truck while I was waiting for my buddies to show up: https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/yy69/Hotwire454/Project%20Salty/2268_zpsig5peoai.jpg?width=450&height=278&fit=bounds&crop=fill

No Limit made my fantasy short list when I was dreaming about building a truck with a new chassis (plus Roadster Shop and Art Morrison). There are a lot of opportunities out there. But I would have to sell my Camaro and I'm not certain I'm ready for that just yet.

[dhutton]

If you are on a budget consider the kits from code 504 that adapt an S10 frame. Lower on the performance scale but lower cost.

I’m going this route on a 46 Chevy pickup build.

Don

[eviltwin_1987]

Tre5 customs just finished a pretty nice pro touring one they named bad apple and have built a few others. Make sure you keep an open mind on the 67-72chevytruck forum. A lot of the people on the 47-55 section are not very helpful or open to modern mods to these trucks.

Im 6'6" and 225 and have 2 53s that I fit in. One is all stock and not comfortable, the other is mid-build and a aftermarket seat(like snowden) will work wonders in making you fit if you are a bigger guy. The stock seat and wheel are not your friend.

[sjaroslo]

Tre5 customs just finished a pretty nice pro touring one they named bad apple and have built a few others. Make sure you keep an open mind on the 67-72chevytruck forum. A lot of the people on the 47-55 section are not very helpful or open to modern mods to these trucks.

Im 6'6" and 225 and have 2 53s that I fit in. One is all stock and not comfortable, the other is mid-build and a aftermarket seat(like snowden) will work wonders in making you fit if you are a bigger guy. The stock seat and wheel are not your friend.

Good info, thanks. "Tall" is not my problem... :-(

[sjaroslo]

Take a look at 67-72 chevytrucks.com in the 47-59 Chevrolet GMC Pickups message board. Loads of good reading and idea's.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php

Wouldn't have thought of this forum, based on the name, but it is a good starting point, thank you.

[eviltwin_1987]

Then a new seat and a tilt column with smaller wheel will be the ticket for you. Which I guess if your doing a protouring truck, thats just standard stuff.

[dontlifttoshift]

Since this spammer bumped this.....

If anyone has one of these trucks and wants to part with the factory seat sliders, I need a set bad.

[sjaroslo]

Since this spammer bumped this.....

If anyone has one of these trucks and wants to part with the factory seat sliders, I need a set bad.

Good luck! I have found a lot of info from this thread and I appreciate everyone's help.

[dhutton]

Since this spammer bumped this.....

If anyone has one of these trucks and wants to part with the factory seat sliders, I need a set bad.
Pretty sure I have a set.

Don