Thinking about new project.....

[Michael_e]

This may have been done before and if so, please point me to the appropriate thread. I skimmed thru the 'Project' area and even tried some searches but came up empty. So here goes....
I've got a 1949 Chevy 3/4 pickup and would like to find a newer chassis/drive train. I sometimes have to tow a good size loaded trailer and it is at or past the limits of my 1/2 ton pickup.
The current wheelbase of the '49 Chevy is close to 126". Does anyone know which 73-87 3/4-1 ton trucks would be close? Also, what was the narrowest dually axle setups for the 73-87 trucks?
I would like to try and keep the tires inside of the front/rear fenders, but if it starts getting really close, I could widen the fenders a bit, or I could maybe add some sort of fender flares or something.
Haven't made any decisions on engine/trans yet, but was thinking about 454 fuel injected vortex/4l80 or maybe a 6.2 diesel/ trans???
Let me know...
Mike

[greg64]

Hi Mike,

I don't have all the answers, but one thing I can tell you is the wheelbase. The short boxes are 117.5, and the long boxes are 131.5. The spring hangers are rived on the sides of the frame rails. These can be slid forward (somewhat) to change the WB.

I think the widths would be all wrong, though.

[Michael_e]

Thanks Greg.
I know the width is gonna be a problem. Were all the 73-87 3/4 & 1 tons the same front width? How about the dually rear widths?

I saw a picture somewhere of an original 1950 1 ton panel with a factory dually setup. And it fit inside the stock rear fenders. Now that's one really rare panel truck!

So that makes me think that there are different widths of dually rear axle setups. I realize I might have to widen the rear fenders and that is not really that big of a deal, but the front fenders present a bit more of a challenge. I was thinking fenders from a 1 1/2 ton truck might provide a extra inch or so. Widening the fronts and making them look right will require a bit more skill.
Mike

[greg64]

Mike, have a look: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/

Looks like 67 or 63 from wheel mounting surface to wms.

[andrewmp6]

The most narrow dually axle is from a cab and chassis truck,Its so narrow it won't fit under a normal pickup bed with out widen the inter fenders on the bed.

[mrolds88]

Cab and chassis rears are the narrowest. as far as the front goes, the only way I could see to narrow the track while keeping the rail width would be to use a srw front end with wheel spacers if you can get away with it. And use a set of big truck fenders.

[andrewmp6]

If you air bag the front porterbuilt does make a set of control arms narrowed a inch and half.