I am about to start a Truck Project where I am putting a '53 GMC,2-ton cab and nose on a modern Chevy Chassis (2006),using all the 2006 running gear.Basically putting a 1953 cab and nose on a running 2006.I plan on melding a couple of modern utility bodies together and detailing the fabrication for a 1953 look.I intend to use this as a WORK TRUCK on a daily basis!The gross weight of the 2006 truck is 12,000 pounds.The body in back of the cab will be about 12 feet long.
The cab and nose are off a retired fire truck,and are in very,very good condition and very solid.I am replacing the floor and cab corners,but everything else is very sound.I have never owned or even seen the chassis for this '53 truck,all I have is cab and nose and interior.I plan to build a truck that is like new,everything to be fixed,fabricated,blasted primed,bodywork and first class paint.
Anyway...I am thinking about going with a 3/4 ton nose(I don't have this yet).The reasons are that I don't need the extra height that the 8.25/20 tire would give(about 36 inches) and the truck will be a dually and there really are no reasonable choices for a 20" 8 lug Chevy dually wheel yet.Best choice is a 19.5" bread truck dually wheel,but there is no reasonably priced tire for this in a 34-36 inch diameter.The 2006 tires are about 31 inches in diameter and would look silly with the big bolt fenders.
So,the question is,what would I change,bodywise,mounting wise,etc.To put a 3/4 ton nose on the 2 ton cab?What about the GMC grille,grille surround and bunper,and bumper filler piece?All of this stuff I have are mint.
The other thing is that even with my extra wide 2 ton fenders,they are still 2 inches narrower than the 2006 truck.Does anyone make a wider aftermarket fender?Or am I going to be sectioning and welding a filler piece anyway?
