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| | | | Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 104 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 104 | Hey all,
So I have a 1953 Chevy 3600 3/4 ton and have been looking into IFS kits and ideas. I heard a rumor that from the back of the cab forward the frame is the same between a 3100 and a 3600 but the rear frame of the 3100 gets wider were the 3600 stays straight. with that being said, will the 3100 kits fit the 3600 same same? | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Best to ask the people who sell them.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | I have a CPP crossmember welded to my 54 3600. I had to trim a little more of the lower frame flange than I'd like. I don't know if that's the difference between the 1/2 and 3/4 ton or if it's normal. It fits well though. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 104 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 104 | any one know if the 3600 front frame is the same as the 3100 front frame? if so how much of it is the same? | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,099 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,099 | Take a look at the FAM, Section 2 Sheet 2.00 (3100) and Section 2, Sheet 2.01 (3600)
Those have dimensions of the respective frames. The look very similar, but I didn't check all the dimensions.
The 1950 Vehicle Information kit says the frame thickness is 9/64 inch on 3100 and 3/16 inch on 3600.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,491 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,491 | I also compared the measurements in the area that the IFS would sit and they are exactly the same. I don’t know why Whitedog had to cut the bottom of the frame. Maybe it was for the tie rods.
Whitedog, what was the issue?
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,660 Curmudgeon | | Curmudgeon Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,660 |
Last edited by buoymaker; 10/25/2021 7:37 PM.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use."
"I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,099 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,099 | That part also tells that there's a difference: 3104 Frame 5-3/4 x 2-1/4 x 9/64, 2.46 cu in Section Modulus (a measure of stiffness) 3604 Frame 5-27/32 x 2-1/4 x 3/16, 3.25 cu in section modulus So the 3600 frame is a touch deeper as well as a bit thicker, which makes it stiffer. If other critical dimensions are the same, that depth dimension difference (3/32") wouldn't make that much difference in mounting an IFS kit. I would think it would increase the ride height by that miniscule amount.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | The only problem I had was with the lower lip of the frame. The boxing plate wouldn't sit plumb. A little work with the cutoff wheel, problem solved.
Everything else fit just fine. | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,099 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,099 | Even the 3100 frame has a droop to the lower flange of the frame in the area of the front axle, so that's probably a common issue.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 104 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 104 | Thanks for all the replies, I think I have a lot better Idea of what I will be looking for now. | | |
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