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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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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For helping keep this great
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| | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 67 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 67 | -back in the saddle again....
but seriously, I have a 51 GMC panel, and recently read about the (relatively) easy bolt in nature of using a 73-87 GM truck front end / saddle to get PS, PB, IFS etc.
What other vehicle saddles will fit ? In my travels I see old RWD Malibus, Caprices, Cutlasses, GM vans etc.
Will late 80's early 90's GM pick up suspension assembly fit, or is it a different size than the old ones ?
Astro-Safari vans, and 80's full size GM vans are practically being given away, but will anything fit?
I may have to start carrying overalls and a measuring tape and notebook all of the time and start crawling and measuring.
Anyone have any knowledge of any saddles besides the pick-up one that is an easy bolt-up ? I don't weld (yet) so frame clips and heavy fabrication are out.
I'm good at finding junk / parts vehicles.
Thanks
Royzell
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | The later truck fronts give you a wider track width then the AD should have. Most of the time these conversions look a little odd.
I am a straight axle guy, so I say put disc and PS on your original axle.
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 10 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 10 | Howdy, This link might be helpful to ya. Go down towards the bottom and theres a list of subs, front and rear whell bases and so on. Hope this helps. http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs&rearend.htm | | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 67 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 67 | Thanks Guys,
Deant 54, thats a great chart of info ! I know guys that have used some of the conversions mentioned, and many I had never heard of .
Grigg, thanks for the info on newer trucks, I had seen a couple beaters cheap and was just wondering....
Royzell
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,026 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,026 | I went with a '79 1/2 ton for my '50 3600. Grigg is right on the odd appearance but I opted to narrow the crossmember 1.5" to help with that ( anything more than that would require major fabrication). Also by choosing the right wheel & tire combo will make it look fine. Although mine is not quite road ready you can do a search here for Joe Way. He has pics of his truck that can give you a better idea of how it looks. I think he used reverse offset wheels on his.
Robert C. If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making. 1950 3600 | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 69 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 69 | | | |
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