Bill,
Sounds like a very nice setup, the Hemi will definitely be a welcome
change from the belly-button small blocks.
The solid axle front end can be made to stop and steer pretty well, but
the stock springs are short, stiff, and will have you checking your fillings
after a ride on any kind of rough road. If you are used to an IFS, you won't
be too happy with the ride. As I and others on this list can confirm, once
you add up the cost of king pins, wheel bearings, rebuilding springs etc,
you will have spent a pretty good bit of change. Add the disk brake kit and
power steering and the total will probably be close to that of a Mustang II.
Also, there is no good way to lower the truck much with the beam axle.
You are the first rodder I've ever heard admit to a pro-street ride
being uncomfortable to drive for any extended periods. Could you expand a
little? I've heard the wide rear tires tend to make the vehicle want to
resist steering, is this what you mean?
Jack Halton
51 GMC 1/2 ton
Winter Park FL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Whittaker Bill G Civ ASC/SMY" <Bill.Whittaker@wpafb.af.mil>
To: "'oletrucks'" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 12:53 PM
Subject: [oletrucks] New to the list
> Hello everyone.
>
> I've been reading this list for a month or so and figured it was time to
join and introduce myself.
>
> I own a '53 AD 3 window that I purchased through an on line auction a
couple months ago. This truck is right off a farm in the mid west and has
some cancer but not anything that a few patch panels won't cure. The cab
itself and front sheet metal are in pretty reasonable shape however the bed
is a disaster and will have to be replaced.
>
> I am a street rodder and not a restorer, although I appreciate an original
when I see one. Since I'm into modifying old cars and trucks I also don't
hesitate to use, in this case, non-Chevrolet parts when the mood strikes so
please accept my humble apology for disobeying one of the cardinal
commandments in advance.
>
> I'm going to take the advice given recently on this list and tell you what
I'm going to do to the truck and not ask everyone what I
> should do, however I'm sure I will ask "how to do" on occasion.
>
> The truck will be powered by a mildly warmed over '56 341ci (.030 over
330) DeSoto Hemi (sorry but I couldn't figure out how to do the D****o thing
and have you understand what I meant), hooked to a Th-350 and Camaro rear
end with 3.50 gearing. The truck will be a long distance driver designed to
travel to events more than a state away. This means air, power steering
etc. I currently have a pro-street 41 Chevy for shows that are within a
couple hundred miles, but as some of you know driving a pro-street car for
more than a couple hours can get very tiring so this truck will be a nice
change of pace.
>
> Because I like the idea of using a modern bed with the original fenders I
plan to replace the bed with one from a relatively new F**D Ranger and graft
the stock Chevy rear fenders to the sides. I've seen this done just
recently at the GoodGuys Columbus Nats and it looks very nice and since it
has been mentioned here I guess I'm not alone in my opinion. It also adds a
bit of utility to the bed since I won't have to worry about messing up a
beautiful bed of oak when I throw the occasional engine block back there.
>
> So, so much for my plans, now to the question... I have a fair amount of
experience installing Mustang II front suspensions in street rods and they
work very well. However, I'm wondering how this truck would handle and ride
if I just rebuilt the stock suspension, (there's something about that
straight axle that I like), added power steering and converted to disk
brakes. Does anyone out there run this setup and if so, how do you like it?
>
> Bill "Nasty" Whittaker
>
> http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/3272
>
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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