I have been reading this board for a while but never registered. I just wanted to get some of the expert opinions on my project.

Before you look at the pictures, yeah I know it's rough. But this was my Granddad's service truck that he bought somewhere around the early 50's.

I have wanted to build this truck for the past 20+ years but never did. It was going to be a 1/2 ton street rod but (1) it's kind of rough and (2) I have too many toys now and don't have the time to enjoy them.

I have an 86 Chevy that I use ALL the time around the farm (didn't put but 250 miles on it last year but used it almost every weekend moving trailer, going the dump, going to the Co-op...). I decided that I am going to build a replacement that instead of getting old, it just gets better.

I have an 82 Suburban 3/4 ton 4x4 drivetrain (4 inches shorter than a long wheel base truck of the same year model), 87 6.2L Diesel (that got about 23 mpg in the Suburban). I have done a lot of measuring and a lot of asking and it looks like it is going to work (If I can get a radiator big enough to cool it).

Here are some pictures. http://www.ericspears.com/48chevy.htm

Any comments or suggestions please send them my way. I don't want a show piece but rather something that I can drive, use as necessary and still turn some heads.