1950 AD Project

[Big Daddy Bear]

Howdy,

This will be a bit long-winded, please bear with me, a while ago, I posted my first thread about the 1950 3600 truck I had just picked-up for a project:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=658675

I have been searching and reading several threads on frame swaps, what is best, what is easy, what not to do, etc.

It is clear that the S-10 conversion or stay stock crowd are in the majority. I am sure there is a solid reason for that. Having said that, I also read some older threads where folks used 70-80's full-sized clips. There are issues pointed out about width, ride height, etc.

It seems most of those concerns are from people wanting to have a truck with a car's ride height. I am more interested in keeping my 3600 at stock height and as a 3/4 ton truck.

Here is where I am at presently. The truck I have came to me with a 70-80's 3/4 ton front clip already installed. I have not begun any work on the project, other than removing salvageable parts from the 1952 cab & nose I picked up about the same time.

I also obtained a 1992 S-10 extended cab, 2WD as a potential frame donor because it was a complete truck and very cheap. I have also been searching and trying to strike a deal for a stock frame, but that is not working out as well as I would like so far.

I have read that some fellows have narrowed the C-10 assembly by 1" to 1 1/2" or so, to keep the tires inside the fenders. Also one older thread mentioned widening the fenders slightly to accommodate the extra tread width.

The welding job on the clip is suspect at best, and dangerous most likely. If this were your truck, and you wanted to maintain 3/4 ton and stockish ride height, what would you do to utilize the parts on hand?

A) Narrow the cross member & linkage, then weld in (properly braced/boxed) new frame rails?

B) Widen the fenders?

If B), how would you go about doing that?

The S-10 frame swap is not completely off the table, but as I said, trying to maintain 3/4 ton truck capabilities and normalish ride height. But am not going to consider any car parts, Mustang II, Camaro, etc. It is a truck and would like to keep it that way, no offense intended for those who like the lowered, air-bagged, car type trucks, that is not in the future for this particular truck...