The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1950 3600 to 3100 conversion

I have just aquired a 1950 Chevy 3/4 ton with a 1954 235 engine. I plan to swap body and engine to a 1/2 ton AD frame and suspension. Any issues I should be aware of besides the obvious bed, running board and apron size? Is any particular year frame desirable or undesirable for this swap? This is my first post! Thanks.

Good morning and welcome to the Stovebolt Page!

As far as I know, the 1/2-ton frames are all the same, '47 through '55 1st series -- so one frame is as good as any other (if they're both in the same condition).

Just curious as to why you want to switch to the 1/2-ton frame? Is your 3/4-ton frame no good? Or you want all the bolt-on stuff that fits the 5-lug wheels, etc?

Also, please don't cut those aprons, running boards or bed sides! Remember us bigger truck guys who need that stuff (personally, I'm good to go but there might be someone else who needs that stuff for their 3/4-ton and they're hard to find).

Lastly, be sure to check out the rest of the site (if you haven't already!) especially the Links and Tech Tips -- you can find the menu bar at the top of the page.

And don't hesitate to keep asking us questions -- that's what we're here for.

Again, welcome!

Regards,
John

Thanks for the replys. Don't worry, no plans to cut any usable parts. This is my dilemma. In my naivete, I purchased what I thought was a 1/2ton with a 3/4 ton rear end bolted on. This is what I was told and was too green to know the difference. It is actually a 3/4 ton frame. It came with a 1/2 ton bed that was disassembled. The drive line has been monkeyed with - half torque tube, half open - and I guess I don't have a lot of confidence in it. I think the rear axle is original so I don't know why this was done. So, I am looking to replace that as well as the bed if I keep it 3/4 ton. I like the look of the shorter bed, just a personal preference. It's going to cost me more money either way so I thought I would swap frames.
Jeff

The half-open half-torque driveline is how they did it. No one has changed it.

Half ton frames do vary a little. The rear cab mount was in the center in '47 and '48, maybe longer. Early ones are built for lever action shocks. I think that changed in '50, but any list of changes by year will mention that. '54-55 have a different kickup to allow a deeper bed and also have different bellhousing crossmember to take a different bellhousing.

GMC had a different front crossmember to mount the longer GMC motors.

You sound like you want a stocker. That being the case I'd either go with a 1/2-ton '50 to '53 frame unless your bellhousing is the '54/55 type.

I have considered this swap myself several times. I drive my 48 3/4 ton to work daily and have no complaints on the way the truck looks, being a long bed and all. The only thing about the 3/4 tons is the low gearing, 4:57's and those darn safety wheels. I have 2 half ton parts trucks with good frames and drivelines. The steering and brakes on both seem fine too. I consider the open drive shaft for the back half to be an improvement to the full torque tubes in the half tons. This will let me put a blazer rear end in the back, leaving the original tranny and driveline and if I want, replace the 8-hole front end with one of the half tons. I am still debating on what to do. I dont mind the 40 mph so much as the noise of going 40 mph. I may rehab and paint one of the half ton frames and then transfer my cab and rear fenders over to the half ton during painting and assembly. One of the half tons is a 51, so I would get rid of my hucK brakes with this swap as well. I also have a complete 51-3/4 ton rolling chassis to use for parts for my 48-3/4 ton if I need. So many options, so little time. Right now, I just drive it.
Ralph

Are all 3/4 tons longbeds?

In the AD series, all 3/4 tons are longbeds.

Or you could get a 4.10 differential from a junkyard and keep the big 8-lug stuff...

If I keep mine 8 lug, can I get "new" steel 15" wheels that will fit?

We used to have a guy here who turned 3/4 ton frames into 1/2s. He would shorten the frame, put on a 5 lug ifs and differential, and put on the shorter bed. The looked good, too.

I have a 1 ton, and the frame seems to be different and wider as I couldn't use standard motor mounts and had to customize them. I thought about all the suspension improvements, but then decided I'd druther keep my 1 ton rating. Got new ball bearings, kevlar brakes in the front drums which work very well, and fixed the rest of it. I replaced brake lines, wheel cylinders and king pins. Even added rear shocks, but, they made little difference with my stiff springs.