The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Daily Driver

I have just been given a '52. I would like to fix it up and make it my daily driver,and to haul small loads, or pull a small trailer.

When I was a kid I used to drive this truck and I remember it would top out at about 45mph tops! I want to do highway speeds.

I guess Im just torn, the truck is currently all original and I know the importance of keeping it that way, but again I want to make it more modern and comfortable to drive.

What are some things I could do to make the old 216 in it work for me? Its not currently running, should I just do a engine swap to a smallblock?

Things I think I want to do already include, a 12V conversion, relocate the gas tank, and maybe a brake conversion or upgrade (?)

Anyways im a total newbie when it comes to this stuff, any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Nick

Get it running and drive it. You may find you like old trucks.

I would love to do that.

But I really need/want to use it as my truck for everything, and I live out in the sticks and have to drive 60 miles to get anything.

I dont want to be a hazard driving so slow on 70 mph roads.

Boy, for someone who wants to keep it stock you have a list of possible mods.

IF you want to keep it stock, do the 3.55 R&P, 16-inch wheels with 30-inch diameter LT tires, 12v conversion and swap out the engine for a 235 6-cyl. I did front disks on mine but if I had it to do over I would have restored the original Bendix system.

Those simple modifications will leave you with a very stock looking truck that will make a strong and reliable driver.

IF you don't want to keep it stock, drop in a SBC, 5-speed overdrive transmission, Camaro rear axel, aluminum wheels, disk brakes and an IFS conversion.

Keep it stock, the world is saturated with hot rods.

Nick, That's a tough call, but it's yours to make. If you decide you want to up grade, consider selling it to someone who is a purist and look for something that's not intact. Just a thought. Cletis has a great idea, you may just fall in love with her warts and all.

I would man, but this is the very first vehicle I have ever drove. My (ex)stepdad (weird story) has been keeping it for me since I was 10yrs old, but after a small fire and some unfortunate moves it sat in a field for 15-20 yrs. Now he has decided to give it to me after we have rekindled our relationship. So it kinda has sentimental value.

I guess I just want the best of both worlds, I want to drive that old truck, but I want it to be capable of doing what I want it to Im just confused, and need some direction. lol

I'd suggest taking it one step at a time.

You have mutually exclusive objectives, and you'll have to sort those out, but by starting stock, where you are today, and only changing what you must to keep it going and making only slight improvements you might find a compromise that works for you.

Changing the ring and pinion to the 3.55 will gain you some speed, but you still won't run 70. To get a better ratio you'll need to swap the rear and that's a more serious change.

If you have to do serious motor work look for a 235 or 261. You'll gain pressure oil and some abilty to spin the motor faster reliably. Most people won't be able to tell the difference.

I don't think you can get an overdrive in place without changing to open drive, and at that point your changes are far more serious.

The disk brake conversions are bolt-on things, and you can improve stopping that way, while still being able to go back stock if you ever feel the need.

Change just a little at a time. You'll find the middle ground between stock and drivable that will serve you.

Good luck!

as everyone posted ..It is up to You ...you wil have to decide to keep it stock ..or upgrade it .
Now remeber it is easy to say (swap out to small block) .
But there will be a ton of work involved in that swap ..it is a cascading effect ..once you do the motor , then the trans doesnt fit quite right , an then the rear end wont work ..so ya openin up a can of worms that will keep you busy for a good amount of time & $..so you should take Cletis' advice an get it movin down the road in its current condition .an set back an decide how FAR you want to go.
just my 2 pennies

if you want to pull a trailer the rear end in it is the one to keep when your driving your truck just dont be in a hurry you will always get there once you drive it you wont want to change nothing good luck nice you live in the sticks there not city trucks unless you go changing stuff

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really do appreciate it!

railrocker,what size truck do you have?
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Floyd

It sounds like you really want to drive it at speeds above 45 MPH. One thing you can do is to (assuming you have a 3100) upgrade to open drive and swap your rear for a modern rear. That will involve mostly spring perch and drive shaft modifications. That will improve your speed and if you want to go further you will already have the rear end in place.
Some of us like the old truck feel and ride and looks and keep her stock, some of us like the look of the old truck and will only change the ride & feel (comfort), and some of us like to make body changes (chop, channel, etc.). You make the choice of what you want your truck to finally look and ride like.
Good luck with your decision.

If you need a vehicle for driving 60 miles to get to anything, you can buy a 10 year old Toyota or Honda for less than putting a V8 and all the mods to go with it in the truck and have a classic truck to putz around your area in.

Your 216 will easily do 65-70 with a 3:55 rear gear. I regularly do 60-65 with my 38 216 & 3:73 gear set. If you have a half ton you can get 3:55 gear sets from any of the vendors. If you have 3/4 ton or up you'll have to get inventive. BTW what part of the sunflower state do you live in?

Its a half ton and Im in the NE corner of KS.

After reading your guys posts, and doing a little research myself, I think I have decided on keeping the truck as orginal as possible without being obsesive about it Unless I find an issue with safety or something I just cant take.

As stated above I will know what I want to change after driving it a bit.

I never wanted to make a rod out of it so no ,chopping, channeling,ect. My main concern was having the power to get down the road even at 55 or 60, if I can acheive that with just gears, then Ill be happy.

Thanks again guys.

My "handle" down below says it all.