The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop AD body swap to modern frame?

I've heard this is a common thought and question, looking for advice.

Have a '49 1 ton dually flat bed. Everything works fine but I want to use it as a work truck to tow cars on highway. Which is easier and better option; for value of truck, cheapest modifications and for coolness.

Swap entire body to say a 1977 C30 dually flatbed w/ 350? (considering this option because I need 6 new 700x18 tires. this will be close to $800. I know I can buy a good running C30 for that much.)

Or just swap out drive train (install 350, use original SM420, swap out rear end w/ new axle modern drums better gearing) and upgrade master cylinder? 2 possible draw backs; I'm not sure if I can upgrade the front brakes to disks or more modern drums, haven't seen any options for 1 ton or bigger, only 3/4 and smaller. And what wheels would I use on front to match rear wheels. What wheels can fit the 8 bolt pattern for 18' rims from '49?

if it'll fit w/o too much grief, using the later chassis would be easiest, not necessarily cheapest, and would prolly up the value of the truck for resale if well done - would also be pretty cool to have the old look and the modern abilities, not to mention the ease of finding repair parts later

Bill

I echo Red's reply. Not much work in fabricating body mounts and setting your cab and fenders on a later model chassis. But hey here's another way of building a classic tow vehicle .

PIC

Converted your pic to a link as opposed to an inline image, gotta keep the bolt's bandwidth mileage up there.
http://www.stovebolt.com/forum/gloveguide/pictures.html
Mongo

I want those 18" wheels. My plan is to cut the centers out and mount them in 16" or 16.5" rims. I don't want to deal with the 18" tires but love the look of the wheels.

I'm planning a similar project. I have a P30 motorhome chassis that I plan to use. If you use the C30 stuff the front suspension is too wide and will give you some challenges. On a flat bed the rear axle width is not quite as big a deal.

I've never seen a disk brake kit for a 1-ton but I have seen home built swaps that seem to work. You can mount disk rotors on your early hubs. Then all you need do is make a caliper bracket and you're set.