1952 Chevy Pickup build help

[Thp_Stang]

I have a 1952 Chevy pickup, I presume it's a 3100 but haven't looked up the vin info yet, and I'm going to be starting my restoration/build in July or August and have been stumped on some info. I've found a motor and transmission setup that I'm going to use, and I need some help figuring out how to do the swap. The motor and transmission that I'm using is a 4.8L Vortec and a NV4500 5 speed out of a 99+ Silverado 1500, and I need to find some motor mounts and a cross member that will work with the setup.

However.... the problem I've run into is that when I first got the truck I was told that it was sitting on a 1974 K5 Blazer frame, but I just found out by some frame research that it happens to actually be on the stock frame, or at least a 52 model frame. Now this wouldn't typically be an issue except for the fact that the front and rear ends have been taken off of the 74 Blazer as well as the 4x4 system, so the cross member and motor mounts that I found to work with a 74 Blazer are for, of course, the 74 Blazer frame and not the 52 frame.

The cross member is the Pacific Fabrication LS swap cross member for the 70 model Blazers, and the motor mounts are LS mounts made for the Blazer... I'm not sure what the difference in the width of the frames are, but I was thinking about ordering those mounts and the cross member and then just cutting, or welding where it needs it since I know it will clear the suspension on the front end, if it matters. If anyone could help me figure out what I need to do, or what parts I need to get I would greatly appreciate it! This is my first build, so I'm not sure what all I need to do.

[Matt_50]

I see this is your first post, welcome to the forum.

Pictures always help..

So your sure it's definitely sitting on a 52 frame? And it has the blazer stuff installed on 52 springs? I got one of those universal tubular crossmembers when I put my 350 in, cut to fit. Can you show a pic of the one you have, and maybe take some measurements so we know what your dealing with.

[Matt_50]

I misread, you don't have the crossmember, just looking at it.

I asked a lot of questions when putting mine in. Maybe it'll help you.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=750079

And I asked a lot of questions on using a universal crossmember too.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=748245

[mongocanfly]

welcome....
are you leaving it 4x4? the nv will take some work to connect to a ps t-case..unless it has a divorced t-case....
if your wanting to go 2wd then the questions all change
since none of this was made to work together the universal x-member is what you need ..or fab your own..depending on your skill level
im curious how they attached all the 4x4 blazer springs to the 52 frame what with the frame width differences

[Thp_Stang]

I'm going to leave it 4x4 for now and going for a daily driver quality build, I'll try and post some pictures later today once I get off work, but I haven't taken anything off of the frame yet due to not being able to get it into my garage yet, so I'll the best I can with the pictures. I looked up the dimensions on the two frames and saw that the Blazer frame has a rise in the frame in the front where the original frame does not. I'm basing my conclusion off of that, but i'll definitely put up some photos today. Also, I'll try and get the measurements in today as well.

[mr48chev]

Photos help greatly in any situation where there are questions.

Back years ago it was real common to stick 4x4 axles under the stock springs on AD trucks to turn them into a 4x4. Not a thing wrong with that as long as it was done right and not scabbed together. Of course that holds true with any modified truck.

3100 in Chevy AD parlance means 1/2 ton short box. If the truck has the short box it is a 3100.
GMC made a long bed half ton but Chevy didn't.

I'm not really understanding why a guy would buy a truck that has been converted to 4x4 thinking he would turn it back to two wheel drive unless it was a real bargain with a geat body but in that case I think I would just build a new two wheel drive chassis for it and not spend any money on the 4x4 part. If it runs and drives you could drive it while you build the chassis and just set the cab and bed over to the new chassis and out the door you go as a fresh two wheel drive with a 4x4 chassis to sell. Simply meaning if you invest a bunch of money in the 4x4 chassis it is probably best just to keep it as a 4x4. Not a thing wrong with that though.

[Thp_Stang]

I apologize for not having the photos up yet, my internet could be out in a race against a turtle and still lose. I'm going to have them up as soon as I can. Also, I keep getting an error saying that I'm missing a security token? I'll try to post them somewhere else and link them to this post. Once again, I apologize and i'll have them up as soon as I can.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Thp_Stang

Also, I keep getting an error saying that I'm missing a security token?

If you computer is slow, it is the reason for missing security token. It's taking to long to load. Try 1 pic at a time and see if that works...Jim

[MARTINSR]

And your photos may be too big.

Brian

[Thp_Stang]

Alright, since I was having so many issues with the attachments option on the forum, I went and made a google doc that people can see. Here is the link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...UI?usp=sharing) feel free to ask for any other photos that are needed, I took what I thought would work the best. I hope this helps!

I should be able to get the truck in the garage this weekend to start pulling the fenders and bed off to continue with sanding and painting the frame. I'll be sure to add photos to the folder so everyone can see them.

[Matt_50]

Truck looks nice, I'm jealous. That's a tight fit on the front axle but looks good.

A universal crossmember would be good, has a lot of room to get the engine where you need it. If you have factory steering... you might need to move things around a bit.

I had some trouble with pictures at first and did the same as you with Google drive. Are you using the add attachment at the top? Or, when on the reply page, do you scroll down to "manage attachments"? I found that to be easier, don't forget to upload on that same page.

[Thp_Stang]

Originally Posted by Matt_50

Truck looks nice, I'm jealous. That's a tight fit on the front axle but looks good.

A universal crossmember would be good, has a lot of room to get the engine where you need it. If you have factory steering... you might need to move things around a bit.

I had some trouble with pictures at first and did the same as you with Google drive. Are you using the add attachment at the top? Or, when on the reply page, do you scroll down to "manage attachments"? I found that to be easier, don't forget to upload on that same page.

Would the crossmember that you used work with my current setup? If not, where would be a good place to find one? Im pretty sure its factory steering, and I plan to add power steering to it when I get the new motor. Ill try and add pictures of under the hood later tonight.

[mongocanfly]

lets see if this works

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[mongocanfly]

are you trying it this way..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...sting+pictures...
I think your pics are to big...I couldn't do but one at a time...

[Thp_Stang]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

are you trying it this way..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...sting+pictures...
I think your pics are to big...I couldn't do but one at a time...

Yeah i was doing it that way, they may be too big but my phone is the only thing i have to take a photo with. Even doing it with one photo at a time wouldn't work for me due to a slow connection.

[Root2812]

I can't help with the manual trans but I put an LS in my stock frame and used the dirty dingo mounts. Check my thread in my signature for photos. The mounts are trim to fit but work perfectly. You'll want to box the front of the frame with that much power anyway and those mounts are great for a flat frame rail.