Here's my '58 3800 that has the 9 foot bed option on it. I bought it a few months ago in hopes of breathing some life back into it!
From what I can tell, it had a rough life as a farm truck. Bad rust, bondo, mis-matched parts, and a few accidents here and there. The hood and passenger side fender are off a '59 truck, and I think the cab is not original as well. The 235 might be toast, oil smells kinda burnt...
I've dissembled most of the truck and picked up a few parts for it already. I have a couple engine choices in mind for it, but that'll be down the road. Thinking about lowering it just a bit too, like flip the rear axle and put a drop axle up front.
The pics here show how it looked before disassembly, and its current state.
Like the loooong boxes- not too sure myself about lowering a heavy duty truck, but what you do isn’t up to me. What are you thinking for the drivetrain? Have fun.
1951 GMC 250 Open Express 1947 Chevrolet Deluxe Panel
My Dad told me "Son, never hit a man in anger- unless you're certain you can get away with it"
I'm on the fence about lowering the truck, it won't be too much of a drop if I do so. I plan on using the truck as a truck once its running and driving and legal.
As for the drivetrain, I'm not sure yet, currently doing some research to see what other rear ends could fit.
A few weeks back I scored a cab, front clip, 2 doors, and 2 hoods on Craigslist for a great price! The original cab is far too rusty to repair and would be too costly for me. The 'new' cab is in better condition, but still will need a bit of work.
Also my dad picked up a supposedly 383 stroker for real cheap from one of his friends. We'll have to open it up and see how it is in the inside. I'd like to put it in the truck, but not quite sure yet.
Now, as for the rear end. The truck still has the factory 8 lug 5.14 ratio axle. How stout is the factory axle? Would a 14 bolt be a good swap for a Taskforce era truck? I still would like to run the SM420 trans for the time being.
I bet the 14 bolt is still a good swap, check the original axle width and compare with info in the 14 bolt sticky thread.
Thanks Grigg! I've read though that thread a few times now to figure out what I need to search for. The spring perches on the original axle measure a little over 40". The width for the original axle is very similar to a 14 bolt out of a C&C, its just a tad wider.
And it hit me yesterday, I know of a salvage yard with a mid-70s Chevy towtruck that might have one under it. Hopefully the truck is still there, was 2 months ago when I saw it.
Might check condition of the spindles, a heavily used axle may have spun races on the spindles. I’ve bought several axles with various more or less non repairable issues before finding a real nice one.
RV’s can have them too, and frequently don’t see very many miles.
Slowly but surely, I'm making progress. Cab along with the engine/tranny is ready to come off the frame, then the fun job of scrapping and chiseling the decades of grease and oil off the frame. Doors are off with the glass and internals removed to be saved for the other doors I plan on using.
Also I scored a passenger side emblem at a flea market! Been hunting for one of those
