The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 53 3600 frame vs. 3100 Frame?

I see all sorts of aftermarket parts for the AD trucks most say half ton. Just how different are the frames as far as width at the front and bell housing cross members etc?

Basically the same frame from the cab forward, just slightly heavier steel. Axle id also heavier and the
spindles/brakes are not interchangeable. Springs are
the same. Frames differ greatly from the cab back.Most
aftermarket front ends will work, engine mounts will
work, trans mounts may need to be modified (narrowed.
Rear end mounting kits will be useless.

Thanks, Where I'm going with this is possibly swaping in a later Chev inline 292 with an automatic. All engine mount kits specify for half ton.

JiMerit, if you could get your hands on a Factory Assembly Manual or look around in the Stovebolt links for an online version, the exact specs on both can be found. Bolter #43 huh, sounds like you've been around a while.

Thanks Allen, #43 was my first number when this thing started then they revamped the site, gave me another one. I told them I already had a number so they stuck it next to my name. That's my story.

Could not locate assy manual, but found in old parts books I have that Chevy used the same cross members up front, within each series of trucks. Example 54-55 1st series cross member/'eng support' is same part for 1/2 & 3/4 tons. FYI group # 7.229 part 3703340.

Chevy also used same part 1/2-3/4 'engine support' from 37-42(46) #594034.

And,for 47-53s both used gr 7.229 #3683311.

The frame info for 53 shows heavier channel matterial for 3/4 tons and very slightly larger in dimension, but front first two cross members appear still to be the same.

Final note, this parts is referred to as 'engine rear support' not cross member.

Hope this helps someone.

I assume you have you looked at these specs Jim?
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/53129.htm

dg

Yes Denny, been studying that page for a while. What really answered my question was dimensions of the various cross members. Telling me the 1/2 & 3/4 trucks frames were the same at the front, save for minor variations per the slightly heavier duty 3/4 ton.

Thanks
Jim

There are some other subtle differences, like the 1/2 ton core
support mounts on two points and the 3/4 ton uses a single
point mount.
Never could figure out the reasoning behind that.

dg

Denny,
Good point, My 52 3804 pickup is a single point mount.
Were as the 51 Subn. is a 2 point, Go figure???
regards,
steve sr.