| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,014 Posts1,055,327 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466
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!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 7 | I've got bunch of non running ( 37,42, 46, 51 and 59 )chevy pickups. see photos: http://new.photos.yahoo.com/jamesamackay/album/576460762399826474 I want to get the 46 running again. Someone did a poor job of putting in a 307 V8 and a 350 tran, who knows what 5 bolt rear end and some cut up 5 bolt front hubs. I want to make it look mostly origional but I'm not going to overdo it with exact year matches. Will the 51 or 59 frames fit without serious modification? The frame on it was cut up by the prior hot rodder. I would like to use the 59 because of the external drive shaft. Does anyone have comparison specs on the changes to the half or 3 quarter ton frames? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy jim72051 I don't believe that any of the fifties frames will be an easy swap to your 46. the early 50s frame would be the best choice if you want to try, if my info is correct there is a wheelbase difference of 1" between the two frames. The 40s frames are tappered from back to front, as are the early 50s frames, the post 55A frames are rectangles, and lots of adapting would have to be done. As to 1/2 versus 3/4 ton there will be wheelbase differences, and heavier components to deal with, hope that helps. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | The '42 is probably the closest fit.
The '51 or '59 front brakes can probably be adapted to the '46 front axle and the '59 rear axle is an easy swap to the '51 frame, but probably a little wide under a '46.
That's of course assuming they are all 1/2-ton frames, and you didn't say what they are...
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | A 47-53 1/2 ton frame may be tapered from front to back. But a 1 ton and 2 ton only taper from about the drivers seat forward, behind that the rails are parallel, I have one of each.
It sounds to me like you are trying to get away from someone else's poor choice in parts and fabrication by making some awkward choices yourself.
I would recommend you find a good frame for the truck you want to play with, and go from there. With a little searching I think you can turn up a good frame for less than $200. | | |
|
|
| |
