55-59 cab on an 89 v3500 dually frame, a number of questions

[camsk5]

I searched the forum and didnt see anyone answering this question. Have any of you ever done this swap... what kind of problems might I encounter... and how did you solve them.
Ive been in the 4 x 4 fab world for awhile but this is my first venture into old trucks... I like the look of a 56 big window(my age).... I also understand that the larger 2 ton and up fenders are wider and will bolt on to the lighter duty truck cabs... is this true?
anyone have a nice rust free cab here in cali for such a project?....
and are the repo sheetmetal parts out there ok,,, too expensive... cheaply made?.....
obviously a truck like this would have no collector value,,, just a neat project...
Thanks for all help beforehand
cam

[camsk5]

ok... well can anyone recommend a site where someone may have done this type of swap...? I belong to ck5 but there arent old trucks over there
thanks
cam

[pugs]

The bigger fenders will bolt to the cab when i had my 56 the gab was a 2 1/2t. gmc which was an old Army truck and my 1/2t. fenders bolted right up as far as putting the cab on an 89 chassis it shouldn't be to hard i had put mine cab on an 81-87 chassis, so I dont see to much of a change in the chassis

Pugs

[camsk5]

pugs... could you post up some pics...
my 89 is 2nd gen ...same as 81-87 era...
how did the cab mounts line up? did you fab new frame mounts to the older cab?

[DennyB]

Welcome to the board Cam.
I have not personally seen that year chassis under a 56 cab but here are some things that are typical in a chassis swap.
New/relocated cab, bed and radiator mounts welded in.
Also the steering shaft will most likely need to be redone. Shifting and ckutch linkage reworked. wiring changes, etc..

Some of the biggest obsticals you may run into is chassis length and width.
The larger front end should solve the front width issue.
If you plan on useing a flat bed then length and width of the rear is not a problem.
With a regular bed in the rear then the duallys will not fit in the fenders even with aftermarket 3" wider fenders.

Hope this helps,

[Seon]

I mounted my 56 cab on a 77 dually chassis about 4-5 years ago. The steering bolted up nicely and I used the MC and booster off the donor.
I welded up cab mounts and the radiator support. It's not that difficult. What is difficult for me, is finishing it before starting another project .

[camsk5]

Im going flatbed...
fabbing is no problem..Im just wondering what Im in for..
Seon... do you have a cab for sale as clean/cleaner as/than the one on your project?

I certainly do appreciate everyone taking the time to respond and for the pic...there will be a million questions to come...
Larry ljbear is here and I know him from ck5... thanks for the nice welcome to the site
I live up in redding, calif currently..have a number of 2nd gen k trucks... looking for a nice project... and I totally understand the "having too many projects going" thing....
I like to fab... have all Lincoln stuff.. tig mig and plasma, shop and mobile...
this is going to be fun....
Now if I can just get you guys to convince Momma this is a priority instead of a disney vacation.....

[WHSmith]

Cam.

Here are a couple links to some photos of my 56. I put this on an 80 4x4 truck frame. I'm not too sure if there's any info that I can pass on to help with your project, but just ask and I'll try.

http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/...Photos&.view=l


http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/...ase.yahoo.com/



William Smith

[pugs]

camsk5 i used the original mounts fron the 56 frame bolted them where the 81's were and had put a 2" spacer to level out the cab. scootertrash33@msn.com i will send you pics

Pugs

[camsk5]

bill... looks like a very nice job.. thanks for the pics!!!
I sent email to pug for pics.. thanks as well...
so it sounds as if width isnt a problem... and fabbing up body mounts shouldnt be a problem...
NOW... I will be in search of the holy grail...
a RUST FREE cab.... (if there is such a thing)
anyone know of a good Nor cal swap meet to attend to start looking... we have hot august nights up here and reno night as well... maybe someone can steer me in the right direction for that cab,,,
need vin and title so I can register here in cali...
Is 500-900 about the going price for a good one? or am I not in the ballpark?

thanks all
cam

[57ringo]

I started a 55 on an 92 shortbed project. I have a cab and doors off of a 50k mile fire truck that has NO rust. I also have a 55 front clip too that is really nice plus some parts. I can get a pic for you. I used the 55 cab mounts off the 55 frame and fabbed them somewhat and welded them on the 92 frame.

[WHSmith]

Is it possible to see some pictures of the cab mounts that were fabbed up to fit the cab on the newer frames?

[57ringo]

Email me at pjr1957@yahoo for a few pics and put 55 chevy cab for the subject.

Pat

[Seon]

Here's the front cab mount I fabricated on a '00 GMC frame that my '56 Burb is sitting on. I used .090" thick 2 x 3 tubing and welded them on the frame. Notice the stock body mount, which I've cut off since.




And here's how the Burb sits on the '00 Chassis with Vortec engine and tranny.