I've been slowly working on my '46 3/4 ton flatbed, very slowly. A friend of mine has a 350, 4 bolt, technically he has 3 of them, that he's been telling me would "look great" in the '46. I originally replaced the 216 with a '54 235 and a T5 trans. I keep telling him that I don't think the frame is built to handle that kind of power. Neither was the original breaking system and suspension. Of course his solution was to "upgrade" all those parts. I told him I'm happy putt putting around with it the was it is. And then . . . I came across a late 60s early 70s Chevy 3/4 ton frame, complete that is for sale near me. I've been searching on here to see a/ would it even be possible to swap out the frame, and b/ what kind of time and how complicated would it be?
I haven't looked at the frame yet, but from the photos it seems to be all there, front end, rear end, all the cross members etc. Only thing not there is the motor and trans. From what I've been reading the wheel bases could be anywhere from 115" to 133" depending on what truck it came from, 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton 1 ton and something called the Longhorn version. The original w/b on the '46 is 125".
Anyone out there have any words of wisdom, encouragement or other guidance regarding this idea?
Joe
