I have a 1960 c60 in pretty decent condition. Runs great, brakes completely rebuilt, built a flatbed for it. I really love the truck and I put a bunch of time and money into it to get it where it is. It was fun driving around the farm and back roads in Nebraska but now I have it in Phoenix and it's just awful to drive here. Top speed is too low to get it on the highway, and it's too slow getting to speed to drive on side streets.
So I'm thinking through options to make it a little more enjoyable.
Option 1 - a 5.3 with 4l80e swap. But that's a lot of work and I still have the awful brake setup, ancient suspension, heavy rear end, obsolete wheels, bad gearing etc etc (I'm not towing grain trailers anymore). If I add a rear axle swap... I may as well go on to..
Option 2 - full chassis swap. I know most people on here are purists and I understand that viewpoint. But for me an all original truck that will never be driven is more of a shame than an updated truck that I can and will actually drive around. I haven't looked into measurements but thinking about buying an old 7.3 F450 dually and swapping the cab over. Blasphemy I know.
I have a 1958 Chevy delivery van swapped onto a Tahoe chassis with a 5.3 motor and I drive it all the time. With all original equipment I never would have been able to drive it and it would be rotting away somewhere. Chassis swap allowed the van to go to car shows in Vegas, Long Beach, all over Phoenix, and I drive it around for work. Gave it a second life.
Anyway just brainstorming so figured I'd post here. Any insights comments advice criticism is greatly appreciated.
