Stovebolt.com Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre 'Nother new guy from the Mitten State

...Extreme gabster...Thanks for the compliment?!?
Just got a lot on my mind, and a lot of "irons in the fire", that's all. May be lining up an L6 or V8 engine, and a Blazer rear axle thru family connections. The front axle will be one of the projects for the snow season. Should start looking to get a steering box for it, 'cause after the axle get some fresh grease in it, steering control will become a priority. In no hurry, as long as I can keep the tires on the ground and be able to move the chassis, until I have the needed parts to swap out, that will keep it on jack stands thru the winter.
Am saving up for the flooring at this point. All things in moderation, as the purse strings are tight these days.

Ok. Not going to be stepping on toes or invading one's personal space. The '53 isn't going anywhere, so I have some time to mellow out. I can either turn this into a real frankenstien's monster {it may end up that way} but will keep all parts in the GM family. Yes, I have a "we need" list, and a steering box, column, a steering wheel, and a Blazer rear axle tops it if I'm to keep with the 6-lug wheel setup.
Otherwise the "Radical Change R&D" department is suggesting going for 8-lug axles. Please note: the pickup box is going to be exchanged for a "made from scratch" short-sided hydraulic dump bed, with the tailgate in its front wall under the rear window. Since I have some time {32 years} with the PM1225 group, and they do photo shoots with old pickup trucks, I thot they needed something new in their viewfinder. The '53's doors will read "Owosso Fuel & Supply" when she gets the final coats of paint. This means that I have a stepside box with rear fenders on the swap table.
Getting a newer 1-ton 14-bolt rear is easy, but did they make a straight axle with 8-lug wheels? Or do I have to hunt for a newer chassis like the '89 2WD had {coil springs and A-arms}?

2nd Note to 1-ton axles:
If the Swap to the newer and heavier suspension is a GO, then one has to cut and widen the stock fender 4", to match the changes in the wheel tread [width of the axles], without affecting the standard truck appearances. I don't work in a body shop, but having both time and experiece in metal working, this will be well thought out before any action is taken. Appearances are decieving. I am used to creating 1-of-a-kind things, and driving them on the hiway as if nothing is wrong. After all, our 'babies' are a work in progress...

Add another item to the list of GM parts: a 1984 307cu inch Oldsmobile V-8.

**New question**
During my "search and rescue" of the Olds 307 motor, I also picked up a Waukesha VRG-155 engine for $25. Does anyone know if there is a section of the 'Bolt forum, as to where I can post questions about this oddity? It free spins so it can run again. Being rated at only 14-29hp, it ain't going into the '53, but it has the makings of a garage powerplant. It runs on gas, but I can convert it to steam.

1] Have another motor in mind. Checking out an older Olds 350 4bbl, on a shelf where the '53 came from. Will see what parts from the 307 are interchangeable [besides the water pump] and put the core on Craigslist for scrap...
2] Still scrounging for a chassis to get the axles from. May consort to using model car kits to figure this puzzle out, since space in the garage is limited. It sounds silly, but it gives one a better idea of how to proceed, and keep the peace with the wife.

[1] The Tinker's Toy is still alive. It has been put on the back burner, but not forgotten. Priorities change, as the holidays start, and the new batch of college classes start next month.
[2]The frame will again go vertical, and be put on rollers against the side wall, to make room for a trailer update {shocks}.
[3]Just put a $50 deposit on the $150 {1980} 350 4bbl engine. It's missing the oil pan, carb, exhaust manifilds, and oil filler tube, but was a running 2-bolt engine from a 98 Regency before it was put in the shop attic. The existing 307 is for parts and scrap value only, as it is a slug engine, and nothing close to a Rocket.
[4]And after seeing the stuff in your Tech swap areas, I may also work on getting some newer front suspension and rear axle from an Chevy Astro van. Can use the old front axle and pickup box/fenders for a utility trailer...and the torque tube is parts for a new 'smithing tool.
[5], I'm to be getting the original title for Christmas.

Got some money down on a 350 Olds [1980] motor, and a set of axles from a '90 Astro Van. Also got the title, finally.

...The front axle is actually the entire sub frame, including the power steering box and motor mounts. Did ya know they offset the motor mounts [to the right] to make room for the steering? This will be an advantage to the makeup of this little beastie. As it appears, I will have to 'adjust the location and angle of the steering box, so I won't need a right angle gearbox in between the steering gear box and steering shaft.

If I stay with the stock van {fiberglass!} springs, the max weight it could carry, will only be around a ton. Also, when 'blending' the 2 frames together, there is the chance to lengthen it a few inches, if the need be. The parking brake linkage just behind the cab, has the option of becoming a release for the hydraulic dump bed. I plan to use what ever is handy and mostly stock from the truck....It just may not be for the originally intended purposes.
The battery will be carried someplace else, perhaps under the hood. Also need to start working on the new cab floor.

Had time to think...

1] The USPS sent me my new title for my truck.

2] Change of heart.
....Anyway, after looking at the chassis laying on its side in the garage, it has made me realize there is no way in Hell I will butcher the stock frame to that extent.

3] The rear axle has had the torque tube end burnt off with a torch. So unless somebody knows of a way to bolt on an old trans to a newer bellhousing for a 350 Olds motor[ if I were to keep the stock axle with replacement parts], the rear axle will be swapped by itself to a newer style. I believe they make adapter plates that go fron 5 to 6-lug pattern. Will do this option if I can't find a suitable axle. The '53 came with 6-lug chrome rims on all 4 corners.

4] Also, rather than getting an automatic trans, I will be scrounging for a manual truck trans {with a creeper gear and possibly an overdrive and a parking brake}, and a GM bell housing with the two ears on top. Fits Buick or Oldsmobile engines only. Will also need to get a manual Olds flywheel. Got a clutch pedal in the '53. Might as well use it.

5] And lastly, I have $5 left to pay off the 1980 Olds 350, which was the last year they made the Rocket engine.

Finally got my title in the mail for the '53, in my name. Now the fun can begin.