For those that want to read through the story, looking for opinions/advice on shortening a 2ton frame or parting it out:
A bit of context: I acquired a 59 1.5 ton truck with 132" wheelbase + dump body. The condition of the truck ended up being much worse than I was expecting, exhibiting plenty of past neglect. I've gotten a bit discouraged with the project as everything needs attention; I've spent a fair amount on parts and a good amount of time but am realizing that I'm in for a LOT more $$ if I want to fix all the functional problems this thing has.
On to my current situation: I found a '58 2ton truck (kicker: 174" WB), seems to be quite original and was offered for a pretty good price. The truck doesn't have a bed on it. The body is in excellent shape (paint is faded...least of my worries!) and it is in surprisingly good running condition. I put gas in her, made sure radiator fluid was topped off and drove her 95miles home (90+ degrees too!) with no interesting events to speak of...just my grin the whole way home.
I had bought the 2ton with the intention of replacing all that is awful on my 1.5ton. (Cab, front axle/springs and engine primarily...then possibly the rear axle/springs as my 1.5ton springs look pretty tired and I don't know what shape my 2spd is in...but I know the 2ton's 2spd is happy to split!) Shoot, the 261 in the 2ton even runs better than the GMC 270-swap that's in my 1.5ton.
But now I'm having doubts about parting out the 2ton, having found what good shape it is in and the evidence that it has been kept in good operating order.
I'm going to be studying the frame diagrams in the assembly manual this weekend...but I'm wondering if the extra 3.5' can be hacked out of the middle of the 2ton, shortening it to allow installation of my short WB dumpbody. The alternative is that I proceed as before, stripping parts off of the 2ton for use on the 1.5ton. I'm doing all this as an enthusiast (although I look forward to any opportunity I have to use my truck!) so I really don't have a practical use for such a long wheelbase.
The thing I want to avoid is ending up with an even bigger pile of rubble and a lighter bankaccount to show for it. I don't have experience welding, let alone chopping frames, so I would need to seek out expertise in this area. I love doing things myself and the learning process involved but I also don't want to ruin a truck that has survived the last 50+ years without serious incident.
Take care!
--Denney
Last edited by dliptak; 08/18/2010 5:11 AM.
