Given the width of the hemi, you will probably have to reposition
the steering box anyway which is a good reason not to stay with the
stock front end.
-----Original Message-----
From: Whittaker Bill G Civ ASC/SMY [mailto:Bill.Whittaker@wpafb.af.mil]
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 11:53 AM
To: 'oletrucks'
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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