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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Oct 2017 Posts: 1 Moderated | | Moderated Joined: Oct 2017 Posts: 1 | I have a 1950 chevy truck and thinking about making it into a hauler , wrecker . Buy putting it on a 1970 1 ton dually frame with a Ls engine that I have. The only thing that concerns me is the front 1 ton suspension. I am thinking by doing this, the front stock dually wheels will stick out of the wheel wells. similar to most 4 wheel drives. But that's not what I want. Rather have them under the fenders. Normal looking. Also use the dually wheels to match the rear. I had plenty of ideas. But I am not sure what will work. Like using the suspension from a single wheel one ton, or 3/4 ton. then using front adapters to match the bolt pattern. As I remember the single 1 ton and the 3/4 ton do not have as wide of a track as a dually. Also seem like the 1 ton spindles and hubs are a lot wider then single wheel and 3/4. making the track wider. Anyone done something similar ? Or have Ideas.
THANKS ! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | Off hand, I’m going to say the later chassis will be a little wide. The 4100 and larger trucks had wider and longer fenders. It may be worthwhile to find a “Big Bolt” donor. I’ve also seen the low rider guys narrow their control arms. Unless you’re bagging it, I would guess it would create a terrible ride.
Is your 1950 a 3800 truck? In my opinion, the 3800 trucks are beefier than even the late model trucks.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | AD front fenders can be widened by a good 'tin man' by just adding a 3 or 4" piece in the flattest spot. Way lot safer and easier than shortening control arms.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,799 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,799 | Use the front sheet metal off a 1 1/2 ton or bigger truck. The fenders are wider to begin with, the wheel openings are larger, and the same trick of adding a strip of metal to the fender in a fairly straight section can be done with the wider fenders if necessary.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | I measured 1.5 or 2 ton AD front fenders (on the truck) to be 72" wide inside to inside of the lip at the bottom edge both front and rear of the wheel opening. Don’t have my notes handy for the small trucks.
I’m thinking the fenders aren’t actually much or any wider on the AD big trucks compared to the small ones.
Until you get up to the 400 series GMC, those fenders are noticeably wider. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 187 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 187 | Grigg,if you look between the headlight and grill on the 1 ton and 1.5 ton you can see the difference.
_____________ Floyd If we choose being kind over being right,we will be right every time. Knowledge is a poor substitute for experience. Remember what is precious to another, may not be to you, but it is precious nonetheless. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Measuring my 1 ton same as I did the 2 ton it’s about 69-70” inside lower lips of front fenders (not most accurate, measured by myself).
So the 1.5 and 2 tons are about 2-3” wider under front fenders than the little trucks.
Not much. | | |
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