| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,015 Posts1,055,334 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 38 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 38 | I thought maybe I would start a new topic as I can't find anything on it at all for us.
I was wondering what the width of the frame from outer rail to outer rail would be... especially in relation to the 1/2 ton.
So the next thought would be what the best type of suspension would be. The distance from the outer frame to the hub is the most important thing.
Obviously the options are
1980 truck suspension
Mustang II (really don't want to go this route)
S-10 based suspension...
It would be nice to not have to backspace the wheels to a ridiculous degree so that there is the biggest amount of wheel options...
So what you do you guys know on the subject? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy ontheverge, could you tell us what year truck you're asking about? | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | A couple weeks ago I saw a '49 with a '79 front suspension grafted to it. I know there are plenty out there that say it can't be done, but it looked pretty good. The Olds 455 sitting between it's framerails looked nice too.
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Also important is what you want to do with the truck?
One excellent option is the stock suspension, not independent but not a bad ride at all, and still a 1 ton truck.
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 38 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 38 | Hey Grigg,
Yeah you and I actually talked together a while ago... unfortunately the stock suspension is not going to work for me... I want to drive it way to much including for work if I can... and a IFS is just going to suit me WAY better =)
Whitedog... was the 49 a 1-ton or a half ton? Just because I guess the 3800 frame is wider then the 3100's at the front suspension.... and a 79 grafted to a 1/2 ton from what I have heard already makes the track width wider....
And sorry!!!! I am asking about a 49 3800 =) | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | It was actually a 3600 truck with a 70's 1/2 ton front clip. The rear of the frame had been shortened too, for a shortbed. I guess you can say it was a 49 3/4 ton turned 1/2 ton with a 70's front clip. (Boy, that's a mouthful.) I didn't climb underneath to see where it was spliced, but with the hood open , it was pretty clean. | | |
|
|
| |
