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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 20 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 20 | Hey all. I'm fairly new to the forum. I picked up a solid 51 Chevy 3600 in June. It runs great and I just finished working on the drum brakes & parking brake to make it safe, but now I'm stuck.
I started this project after I finished rebuilding a 98 Harley and thought, "yeah, I could do an old truck too", but I feel like I'm in way over my head and don't know where I should go next.
I want to end up with a good daily driver and would love 4WD (but that's a dream, not a need). The body has surface rust & lots of layers of paint. Frame is very solid with surface rust.
I'm thinking I would like to get the mechanical things done first, then tackle the cosmetics in a couple years. I'm trying to figure out if I should do IFS & disc brakes and change the rear differential to get where I want to be, or, if I would be better off to do a frame swap and pick up all the conveniences in one shot. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 | Looks like you have a lot ahead of you. I used a TCI frontend kit in my 55 and am very happy with it.As for swapping out the rearend,I would wait and see what kind of engine and tranny you are gonna use.If you use an overdrive tranny you can use a 3:90 or 4:11 rear and get good fuel mileage.On the other hand if you use a 350 or 400 turbo,or a regular standard you will probably do better with a 3:08 or 3:23 rear.Just my opinion. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,026 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,026 | If you want to go the 4x4 route, it will probably be a heck of alot easier to just do a frame swap and get it over with. The ifs choices are diverse. Check out Scott Danforth's post in the Hipo section, he lists several choices for the AD. I also have a 3600 and I swapped out the suspension to an IFS from a '79 half ton & a rear from a Chevy II.
Robert C. If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making. 1950 3600 | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 18 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 18 | Another way is do the full IFS frame from a Chevy S-10 pick-up. Lots of rusty trucks to get a donor frame, and not too costly.
That way no geometry issues, just adapt the body mounts. It also gives you lots of engine/trans options and the plentiful selection of aftermarket wheel/tires combos.
One friend put a Suburban frame/suspension under, two put S-10s and another an International 4x4. Depends on the look you want after. All put SBC and automatic trans.
Good luck on your project.
Rick M. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,859 Grumpy old guy playing with trucks, cars, and boats | | Grumpy old guy playing with trucks, cars, and boats Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,859 |
The problems we face today can not be addressed at the same level of intelligence we were at when we created them - Albert Einstein Or with the same level of $ - Me
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