The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop converting a 3/4 ton to a 1/2 ton

I own a 1950 chevy 3/4 ton long bed and was thinking of converting it to a 1/2 ton short bed by purchasing a 1/2 ton chassis. can anyone give me advise on how to go about doing this? im sorry i just love the short bed look. can anyone tell me the lenth of a short bed chassis compared to a long bed? Or if you have a better idea on how to shorten my long bed? please help me

Welcome to the Stovebolt!

You can probably find a 1/2-ton chassis pretty cheap. I think there is one in the freebie section of the swap meet.

Its going to be a lot of work. There are not a lot of bolts holding the cab on, but you'll also need to deal with the electrical, the steering column, the shifter and the pedals. You'll be moving the engine and transmission.

I'm assuming you'll find a frame with front and rear axles, but be aware that the rear axle on a 3/4 is different in design than on a '50 1/2-ton.

The wheelbase on a 1/2-ton is 116 inches. A 3/4-ton is 125 inches.

If you are hot rodding, as in putting an IFS under it, and swapping to an open type rear axle, just shorten your 3/4-ton frame and either cut down the bed, or find 1/2-ton bed sides.

If you are interested ( and you are close!) I have a front "I" beam with springs, spindles and drums. I also have a partial kit to covert to disc brakes ( caliper bracket, bearing adapter, seals and inner bearings. I also have a sway bar. Gets you partially there! I also might have other stuff! All off of my project.

It would probably be easier to buy a half ton...

Any particular reason you want to modify the one you've got instead of getting a different one?

CUT IT!, THE 3/4 TON FRAME, I DID TWO A/D TRUCKS ITS FASTER AND CHEAPER, JUST CHANGE THE AXELS AND BED eMAIL [email protected]

I'Ve seen 'em cut too--better be careful tho --day may come when ya wish ya had the longer bed.

i just love the look of a shorter bed. i found my 3/4 ton for cheap thats why i bought it. i was thinking to buy a 1/2 ton chassis and transfering everything over to that one. I found a chassis for $150 and it comes with the chassis, axel, wheels, motor, driveshaft, front suspension. any thoughts?

and just cutting the long bed into a short bed

Well it is a lot of work... But hey, $150 if the various pieces are all good should be a reasonable deal, and hard work shouldn't hurt anyone too much.

Go for it!

I am intrusted In your long bed frame email me at [email protected]

Just my $.02 worth, but remember there are additional differences in the frame and suspension between the 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickups.
For example the 1/2 ton frame is wider at the rear than the 3/4 ton. As a sanity check you might want to take a look at the factory assembly manual which provides detailed specs and measurements. IMHO you would be better off buying a 1/2 ton rolling chasis and swaping the sheetmetal.
JimBo