The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 73-87 chassis with Big Bolt cab & fenders??

I just joined up here and have received a lot of help in a short time.I posted a question in the HiPo section,but it may be be that for what I want to do,this may be more of a Big Bolt question,needing Big Bolt knowledge.

I'm planning on building a '50 Chevy truck(or that generation) with a 73-87 chassis under it with a fabricated bed approx 10 long on it.I'm going to use it in my construction for show(turning heads with a nice body restoration and for work(could be a daily driver).I want to use a 350 for power,4spd Muncie(granny gear)transmission and a 3.43 GM 14 bolt rearend.

I really have no experience with the '50 body/cab/nose that I want to use.Will a Big Bolt cab mount to this chassis?Is the '50 Big Bolt chassis the same width as the '73-'87?

Fabrication is not an issue,I have that covered.

What kind of hurdles will I have to clear as far as steering/steering column/steering box go?

What kind of issues will I have with the radiator?

Thanks in advance,the help is appreciated

Hy MrJuanderful, your proposed project will be nothing but fabrication start to finish, but it is doable. The newer chassis is wider than the older one. The front track of the newer chassis will cause the front tires to be outside of the front fenders unless you use 1 1/2 ton front fenders or larger.

OK,so the big bolt fenders should work for that frame width? I'm thinking that the cab would have to be lifted above the frame (junk!) or the cab modified to nest between the rails.Can anyone direct me to any photos of the bottom of one of these cabs?

I'm thinking that the tranny is going to need some clearance on the cab floor also.

What size chassis are you planning to use? A 1 1/2 ton clip would fit well over a 1 ton chassis, any bigger will be too wide,
Scott

Can you get me a measurement of the outside to outside width of the chassis just behind the cab of a 1.5 or 2 ton (1948) truck?

I'll get some actual chassis measurements off an 80s one-ton and a 90s one-ton in the morning.

I meant the wheel track width. Anything bigger than a 1 ton under a 1 1/2 or a 2 ton front fender will stick out from under it...not a good look. The frame width itself will be easy to work around...
Scott

Measured the early 90s 3500 (no vent window style),the chassis measured 43" wide(outside to outside) at the rear wall of the cab and 39" inside to inside at that point.The chassis stays parallel under the cab and widens at the point of the firewall.The chassis narrows down behind the cab toward the rear of the truck.

I'll get measurement of a mid 80s 30 series truck tomorrow.

And if anyone has the outer tire to outer tire dimension(the width) of the front wheels on an AD Big Bolt,that would be a great help.

68" 1952 1700 (1.5 ton)

'47-'54 GMC 450, & 470 series Big Bolts have larger, wider front fenders.

Measured a 1990(no vent window style) dual rear wheel 3500 and in the front it was 74 inches wide outside of tire to outside of tire in the front.I also measure the top of the chassis,under the cab, to the ground and it is 20 inches.I would like the AD cab to sit more at a pickup height compared to a farm flatbed truck height.Does anyone have the chassis rail top height for an AD pickup?If the new chassis I use is lower,I can then mount the AD cab above the frame rails and I could avoid a lot of heartache.

My '52 model 470 series GMC 3 1/2 ton is 78"in. from front tire sidewall to sidewall. Rear tires were 91"in. sidewall to sidewall. Front fenders looked to measure 84"in. wheelwell lip, to wheelwell lip. These Heavy Duty GMC's have wider wheelbases than the 1 1/2, & 2 ton Chevrolets, & Medium Duty GMC's.

Bookmark this page for reference. Try pages 60-80 for measurements. Go to the GM Heritage Center and you'll also find this information for your newer chassis. It's in the links tab on Stovebolt.

I greatly appreciate that.I had seen one of those charts,separately,but what you have there is comprehensive.Now we're talkin.

I put 78 suspension under mine.It was all bolt in.Check your personal messages.

I have my truck on a 78 c-30 frame. My truck is only a 1-ton cab but fits close. I have a link posted below to photos. With the wheels at the edge of the fenders the look is more closely resembles the HD trucks of today. Check out the link and see what you think.
http://rides.webshots.com/slideshow/567461654mqrReu

David

I can't thank you enough for that.Wow!
That's just where I think I'm heading.

There are so many positives I take from that slide show,good to see that the cab fits over the rails nicely and that the tranny sits nice,with the shifter nice and neat.

The thing I had been wondering about,with going with the smaller truck fenders is the tire clearance.I like the looks of your truck and the fit of the tire to the fender.But,it may be a little tight for me.You see,my problem is I drive everything like I just stole it,and I would think nothing of making hard right turns at 50mph on a bumpy dirt road.That may be trouble for the fender?

That's why I may go big bolt fenders,but I think the 16" rims and tires may look puny under the big bolt fenders.I'm thinking of going with the 19.5 wheels(8lug,6.5 pattern) from a bread truck,and going with the painted vintage look.

P.s.,I wanted to thank TNtrucknut for the post above,the photos he emailed to me were also very,very helpful.