Johan Kroes' 1948 Chevy 1/2-Ton

From Johan: 

      Hi guys. Firstly, I really enjoy your website !!

      I am a 40-something mechanical engineer stuck in an IT position. From my years at school, I always wanted to own a V8. Two years ago I received some money from the Receiver (IRS) and bought a built-up 71 Camaro. Although I really enjoyed the car, it started its life as a 6 cylinder and did not have powersteering. The windscreen had a crack and it was showing signs of rust under the paint. I also fixed up a nice '68 Chev Caprice (four-door pillarless) for a friend and used it to drive my daughter to the "prom dance."

      A year ago, I sold the Camaro and decided to go trucking. I bought a sad-looking '48 Chev with the view to build a Rod from it. After buying the truck, I looked around a lot to see what other guys did. I decided to go the trusted South African route on Rod suspensions, which is to use the Jaguar XJ6 front and rear independent suspensions. These suspensions are modular rubber-mounted sub-frames which I could just bolt onto the truck chassis.

      Other benefits of the Jag suspensions are that it comes with four disc brakes and the wheel-hub bolt-hole patterns are the same as the Chev patterns. I am also using the standard Jag brake master cylinder and booster. I bought a 350 Chev motor which I matched with a 5 speed Toyota 21R manual gearbox. These went in this week and I cannot wait to start it up soon.

      I bought a set of new mag wheels and tyres 15 x 10 rears, 15 x 8 front. I also bought a new '48 chrome grill and hood emblems from the USA (LMCTruck.com).

Cheers,
Johan Kroes
Cape Town, South Africa

      Johan has some other pictures AND a 1942 original that is for sale. Contact him if you're interested ~~ Editor