3100 or 3600?
 

Hello, I was wondering if anyone can tell me the significant differences between the 1948-1953 chevy 3100 and 3600's. Is one bigger? Thanks

Paul

As I recall- The 3100 is a 1/2 ton, while the 3600 is a 3/4 ton. I will check my Chevy data book to make sure I am correct.

Yup 3100=1/2
3600=3/4
3800=1 ton

Body wise they're the same though,as long as the bed length is the same.So I'm told.

What would be the differences between the 1/2 ton and the 3/4 ton?

Axle? Engine?

I have a lead on a 52 3/4 ton five-window.

I am thinking about building a "rat rod" with it for now. Is a 3/4 ton too big to do this with?

8 lug wheels and heavier suspension.Prolly a few small things I'm missing,but basiclly that's about it.

The 3/4 ton will work,you could swap it out for the 1/2 ton suspension fairly easy,install late model rear axel,and aftermarket front suspension,or do a frame swap,graft a front subframe into it.There are a lot of alternatives

the 3/4 ton is probally a long wheel base, but it could be a short wheel base. The 3/4 ton would be a 8 lug where as the 1/2 is a 6 lug. The rear axle will be bigger, and with lower gearing (higher ratio). Heavier springs rear and front, bigger drums and brakes. I dont know if the front axle (the metal beam) is thicker or not, may be. It being a heavier duty 3/4 ton it probally has the 4 speed am I right? Engine should be the same as was offered in the 1/2 ton.

Like brainchild said, you could swap out the 3/4 ton stuff for 1/2 ton if you wanted too. Make it lighter and be a little easier to find parts for (brakes, springs, axles) when/if you need them.

From what I understand it has a 4 speed with a later model six cylinder.