The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 67-72 blazer 4wd under 1950 pickup

A local shop has suggested putting a 67-72 Blazer chassis under my 1950 pickup as a way of converting to 4wd. I'd appreciate anyone's experiences or opinions on this idea.

The axles are too wide really. I think I would look for a S10 4x4 longbed to build your truck up on. Similiar to what was used on this 2wd:
1950 Chevy on S10 chassis

Look for a narrow-track Jeep Cherokee full size
Coach Frank her eon the bolt has an AD truck on a Jeep 4x4 stock frame. It sits right and looks right until you look under it or open the hood

There is a local guy I see from time to time that has a '54 GMC 1/2-ton long box (only on a GMC) with axles under it from that era Chevy 4x4 pickup.

It is lifted pretty tall, and looks sharp for that kind of rig. The wheels and tires don't stick out any more than what you often see on an agressive lifted 4x4. If that's what you want it should be great.

I think I'd go S10 if I wanted 4-wheel drive...

Check this link to see that approach done.

http://www.commerce.usask.ca/staff/hipkin/burb/

Here is one link to Coach Franks truck
http://home.comcast.net/~sworfktn/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html

Thanks for the replys. When I asked the shop about axle widths they said the difference could be made up with back spacing with the wheels? Is this safe? Wouldn"t the locking hub still stick way out? What years were the narrow track full size Cherokees? Any one I could talk to about that swap?

Do a search on Google.. type in FSJ-Full Size Jeep, the list might be endless

Thanks Mechanic for the nice words! My 53 sits on a 64 wagoneer frame. I believe it is 1977 or earlier wagoneers that have the right width. I have a newer dana 44 front from a 76 wagoneer sitting in my garage right now that I want to swap in. It has disc brakes and a better power steering set up then my 64 frame. Had to use f**d f150 rotors and calipers on it. Got 373 gears put in a few months ago. The new steering setup has me baffled at this point, thats why I haven't made the switch yet. Oh, you need to get a front end with lockout hubs, not the full time 4wheel drive setup, width is wider on the full time ones. Also my 20 year old son wants to take our 72 nova apart and use the 350/350 and 10 bolt 373 posi rear end in the truck. We can get a 50 frame locally. Hey when you're 20 you have all kind of wild ideas. It's his truck, got a full scholarship to college to play football, so he conned me into buying the 53. Didn't take to much persuasion since I get to drive it the next three years. If I can be of help on the swap feel free to email me. Coach Frank

Hey Coach, good to see you here.
I do not think the Th350 tranny will bolt up without an adapter, which is available. The Chevy TH400 tranny will mate up with no problem other than needing to use the trans output shaft from the tranny already in the truck (it`s a jeep thing )
WHat problems are you having with the steering? should be able to unbolt some things and bolt on other stuff to make it work. Email me with pics of differences, maybe I can help.

Mechanic, I have the old bell crank system on the truck now with the old dana 27 closed steering knuckles. The newer dana 44 has open steering knuckles with the pitman arm setup. The power steering gear mounts on the inside of the 64 frame. The saginaw box that I got with the later wagoneer front end mounts on the outside of the frame, farther forward. I knew about the adapter for the 350. He,my son,now says he wants it to be a 2 wheel drive pickup. We would swap the 350 chevy engine,350 trans and the 10bolt 3.73 posi into a 50 ad frame. As I said 20 year olds have some wild ideas. I haven't been on for awhile because of coaching high school football. I think this will be my last season, may retire from teaching next year also.

Found this while wandering aimlessly
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2440746020&category=5348