Last september I started a
1950 GMC COE Truck project by putting the cab on a 72 chevy 4x4 1/2 ton frame. The
steering system I set up works fantastic. I have a tilt wheel, powersteering, Power Brakes, front disc brakes, auto transmission and approximately a 275 hp 350 engine. The outside of the truck looks like a 1950 snubnose pickup would have looked like (if it existed). I merged two 1950 pickup beds together to make a
9 1/2 foot bed . The truck sits about 4 inches lower than the orginal truck sat but that was to get it into my garage with a 1/2 inch to spare. 36 inch tires keep the look of the original truck.
I kept the original parking brake but added chrome stacks. From a driveability stand point it drives like my 1972 4x4 1/2 ton pickup and it will most definately do 75mph at 2200rpm and stop on a dime. I installed a very
heavy duty swaybar on the front to tame the 1/2 ton springs on the front when going around turns.
Well now I am almost finshed with that truck and have started a
new truck with my 1953 GMC COE cab. I bought a
1991 chevy 3500 dually and stripped it to the frame. This one will be a lower to the ground and have the engine installed in the center of the frame behind the cab with a built 350hp v8 and 4L80e transmission. I got the idea from the 'frankenford truck'. The bed will be lowered over the frame so the bed floor will be shallow so that I do not have to c-notch the frame in the rear or lower the front end. The engine will be lowered in the frame with a 15 inch drive shaft. The cab will have no engine hump. I will set up the steering as I did with the other truck so that will be easy. The power brakes will use the same system on the 1991 daully. With the mid engine mount I should get better traction and weight distribution.
I am going to make this truck look stock from the out side with an original 1953 pickup stetched long bed also. The only difference between both trucks will be how fast they launch...
Spanky, I may never know how and original trucks feel on the road but I know I will not be passed going up a hill.
