Lurker OrrieG Progress Pics

[Kim57]

That came out nice.
Kim

[_Ogre]

looks good orrieg

[dubie]

thats some great metal and filler work right there.

[53farm]

When you did your '74 K10 swap, did you put the running gear on your frame or use the '74 K10 frame with parts already on it? I have a '53 3600 with no bed that I would ultimately love to make a 4x4. Just trying to get a better idea of what axles/transfer cases may be suitable candidates if I want to be hard headed and not just swap my cab to a later 4x4 chassis. Seems like you've got some experience to speak to such a thing. Read most of the thread, love it! Glad a truck you've had so long is still in business...or almost anyway. Keep up the good work, can't wait to see pics of it done!

[OrrieG]

When I did my swap in 85 there was no internet with these great sites. In 77 I saw truck in north AZ that had the later model axles mounted on the stock frame. When I got to Idaho I started looking out for TF 4WD trucks. I saw a few napco, some on Full size jeep frames, some on 70's frames and some with the axles swapped. I decided to use my frame and springs, at the time I did not have a shop, just a small Model T garage and yard. I also did not like the was most of the ones I saw had the body and radiator mounts fabbed. I used a 74 K10 truck running gear, I got it from a guy that was upgrading to 3/4 ton axles with a BB engine with manual trans and NP205 transfer (mine is a NP203 with shaft part time conversion). On the AD trucks the cab/hood/fender relationship and alignment is more critical than the TF. Take a look at the various build threads and decide which was to go based on your skill set.

[53farm]

Thanks for your help! Correct me if I'm wrong but there is a width difference between your 1/2 ton TF and my 3/4 ton AD. My rear axle is measuring right around 60" wide between the outer faces of the brake drums. A "full width" truck axle is around 67"-69" if I understand correctly. I'm guessing thats whats in yours? Definitely a difference. I have two late '90s 4WD Jeep Cherokees and the axles on those measure within the same ball park as the '53 AD. Maybe an inchish difference. I do have another Jeep front axle (Dana 30) but its got a busted tooth on the ring gear AND the differential is on the driver side...which is the opposite of course to a lot of the Chevy stuff. A big gear ratio difference as well. Also not as beefy as a full size 4WD truck axle...but there are certainly plenty of folks in the off road world running up to 35" tires on that axle with the right gearing. I have no intention of putting 35" tires on a '53 AD or taking it anywhere where I'd need that big a tire. Sand/beach, mild snow, and mild National Forest trails is about all I'd want out of the '53 4x4 wise. I read something where some folks were using the older full size Jeep Wagoneer axles in these AD's & TF's. Maybe I need to look into that. Wonder if anyone else is using any Jeep stuff in an AD. I'll check in again over on the 4x4 page. Thanks again for taking the time.

[OrrieG]

There were lots of AD and TF bodies but on 70's Wagonner frames in the 70's, they looked "right" because the axles were narrower. On my TF I run narrow tires on stock steel 16" wheels because I like the look and the tire is inside the wheel wells, less rocks chipping the paint. The AD are a little narrower (that is why they fit the S-10 frames better) so even narrow tires stick out beyond the fenders. Left hand drop would not be an issue, the front drive line is below all the clutch and brake stuff, lots of Fords have them. You are on the right track, find axles that will fit, take into consideration wheel offset and ratios. I run 3.73, seems to be the right combo of highway and off road. I always ran out of nerve before the truck would quit climbing.

[53farm]

Thanks for the encouragement. I also plan on narrow tires and the 16" steel wheels. Just not sure if I want to go bias ply for the old school look, or radials in a 235/85/16 range. Its got wagon wheels and some beat 31" mud tires right now. After some more researching, I'm pretty sure its got the 250 straight 6 cylinder motor in it out of a '70s vehicle. This may give me more options as far as trannys and t-cases. Yes, I was thinking 3.73 or 4.10 gear ratio in the axles.

Still trying to confirm the tranny in it. It's 4 on the floor with the granny gear but from the carrier bearing back the driveshaft is exposed and has a U joint where the drive shaft meets the rear end just like a "modern" truck. However, the joint where the drive shaft meets the rear of the transmission is enclosed in a small bell-like housing. You can't actually see any type of exposed joint at that location. Just not sure if the tranny was swapped when that 250 motor was put in there. It's my understanding that a transfer case can't be mated to that transmission with the enclose shaft joint like that...unless it was a divorced transfer case. Just trying to get all my facts and requirements sorted out as there is a fairly big swap meet here on the right coast coming up and I want to try and pick up some or all of my needed drive train parts when I go.

If you haven't seen the thread or link and are interested, check out this NAPCO AD on Ebay. AWESOME!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1950-...ht_15244wt_883

[6BT 56]

These trucks are so cool when 4x4. I had a blast doing my 4X4 diesel swap . Your truck is looking real good Orrie . Cant wate to see it done !

[OrrieG]

Been mostly block sanding door interiors, bumpers, grille and misc parts for final paint, not pic worthy. Plan on getting up early one morning and shooting the final primer, block with fine, then shoot Saturday. Got tired of moving the inner fenders around so determined work I need to finish can be done with them in place, so in the went. Hooked up the heater lines and installed the washer bottle. It is the back window unit from a mid 90 Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler minivan. Only holds a quart or so, but has a readily available motor. Previously I showed how I rigged the old choke pull to act as the activator.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[Russell Ashley]

Orrie, what are you going to use for the washer nozzles? I picked up a reservoir with attached pump off of an S10 and got the nozzles from a Dodge, but after looking at them I don't think the angle of the nozzle would work, and they are not adjustable.

You've done a lot of nice work on your truck, I'm looking forward to seeing it all together.

[OrrieG]

The stock wiper bezels on mine came with plugs and the brass tube fitting on the inside. I got the squirters from Classic Parts for $3 each. I think autos from the era may use the same bezel. I will run the hose from the bottom of the tank, inside the frame rail, thru the bottom of the firewall into the cab then to the nozzles inside the cab.

here is a link to the squirter, new bezels are on the same page if you go to wiper parts

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-...ctinfo/67-805/

[Russell Ashley]

Thanks for the link. My bezels are new and do have the tube and a plug in the threaded hole. The next time I order something I think I'll buy a set of those nozzles, as they won't add to the shipping cost. I never was totally comfortable running the water hose into the cab like you have to do with those and that's why I was looking for an alternative..

[OrrieG]

Scored some nice NIB speakers at a garage sale, so decided to finish the interior cab corner pieces. Two shots one with the wood frame, second with tee shirt and first coat of fiberglass cloth. Had the doors, bumpers, grill and some misc pieces ready to paint but forgot I used all the clear on my steering column, so thats postponed to next week.

[OrrieG]

Here they are ready to paint, primed and trial install. I angled them to point between the jamb and seat. They get fabric so "body work" is not perfect.

[apache200]

the speaker pods turned out great

[Kim57]

Nice speaker pods.
Kim

[Denee007]

I love those speaker pods Orrie! As for the passenger side mirror, I haven't gotten around to that yet. I didn't look when I installed the door panel, but is there a bracket of some kind there for the mirror? As much as I want the mirror, I'm driving around ok without it, but would like to install it some day.
dne'

[_Ogre]

cab corner speakers look good orrieg
what other components in your sound system?
wrapping in cloth or vinyl is easier than paint for sure

[OrrieG]

Denee, my door came with the extra metal in the passenger mirror attachment area, I would have to go out an look to see if it has the right angle braces like in the previous post from trucktony.

Orge, right now all I have is the two kenwood 6x9, two 5" dia for the kick panels and some wire. I provided for radio and amp power during wiring for install of a head unit and/or amp under the seat. I am leaning towards an amp with MP3 or jump drive inputs. I have an extensive CD library (and cassettes for that matter) but those seem to be going out of style. All easy to access for later install.

[fabguy]

Build is looking REALLY good OrrieG
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[mvitale27]

This build is very inspiring, especially because I just purchased a 56 3600 (3/4 ton short stepside bed). I will also be converting to 4x4 in a very similar way to how you did, along with A/C and power steering/brakes conversion. I am currently waiting for my SBC to come back from the machine shop ready for my stroker kit. Planning on a NV4500 with 205 transfer case and 3.73 gears. Its been tough to find a K series truck for the axles I need however.

[6BT 56]

Originally Posted by mvitale27

This build is very inspiring, especially because I just purchased a 56 3600 (3/4 ton short stepside bed). I will also be converting to 4x4 in a very similar way to how you did, along with A/C and power steering/brakes conversion. I am currently waiting for my SBC to come back from the machine shop ready for my stroker kit. Planning on a NV4500 with 205 transfer case and 3.73 gears. Its been tough to find a K series truck for the axles I need however.

This build is one of the best on this site for sumone who is building our vintage of truck and going 4X4 with it . I have gone thru this thread a milion times during my build .

Keep up the great work Orrie . Truck is looking super .

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by mvitale27

This build is very inspiring, especially because I just purchased a 56 3600 (3/4 ton short stepside bed). I will also be converting to 4x4 in a very similar way to how you did, along with A/C and power steering/brakes conversion. I am currently waiting for my SBC to come back from the machine shop ready for my stroker kit. Planning on a NV4500 with 205 transfer case and 3.73 gears. Its been tough to find a K series truck for the axles I need however.

Thanks for the kind comments. Take a look at some of the new ways the steering box can be mounted in or near the stock location. It will eliminate interference between the drivers tire and draglink when mounted in front of the axle. I am going to finish mine up and drive it, if it gets to be an aggrevation then easy to change.