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hi guys. i have a 1952 panel GMC one ton. 173" wheelbase. i would like to put a modern frame and running gear under the body. i have measured the 2011 serria xlt gmc and it looks like it would fit. it is just out of my price range this new. any one have any suggestions?

The original frame fits quite well, you could find another.

More info on why you need to, or want to, replace the frame and what you're after in the end will help you get more applicable answers.

Also curious if your 52 1 ton really has a 173" wheelbase? I would have guessed more like 137"

Grigg

Yes, I don't think there is any modern truck with a 173" wheelbase. 137" however, and that's a different story.

thank you for the tactful way the you all have corrected me. i did go and remeasure the wheel base and the tape was definitely wrong.
137" all the way. i would like to put different frame under as a way to change the tire size, newer brake system ,better highway running and a bigger motor and trany. if the past owner had not put in a 292 back in the 70's and if it had not sat rusting for 28 years i would keep the truck original. i could drive it every day if i could find rims (16" 8 lug)for the front with 3.5 setback. i found rims for the back but never did find same kind for the front,the tire shops in Alberta were i was from did not know what i was talking about.this is just research for the future anyway.

If you wanted wheel to fit try Wheelmaster Classics in Calgary or the Old Car Centre in Langley. Both have a lot of steel wheel options for these trucks.

There should be chevy trucks through the years that used a 137" wheelbase. You have to consider if you want a wider than stock track width though, as the full-size pickups that you would need to use to get this long of a wheelbase would most likely have a wider track width than your 52.

personally i would go with a custom frame. i kind of wish i would have done that. i think i would be done with the frame for my project now if i would have started from scratch. but you have to consider your level of expertise for that kind of project. maybe a frame from a hot rod shop like morrison or something. they would build you whatever you want for the right money. just my two cents. later mo

thanks for the input. i did try wheelmasters in calgary when i lived there. they thought i was crazy and tried to sell me rims for 400.00 a piece. i will look into morrisons.

Swapping the whole frame is the hard way to go about it when you just need rims that fit...

I had some 16" rims off both Ford and Chevy on my 52 1 ton pickup, nothing special. Now I have some 19.5" wheels, which I think is the ideal wheel for these old 1 tons if you want a tubeless one. And I ran the original 17" wheels for a long time to, nothing wrong with them either.

You have wheel choices if you look a little more, and I'm sure much much cheaper than $400 per wheel or whatever a whole frame/drivetrain swap cost you.

Grigg

I'm not sure when you lived in Calgary, but Wheel Vintiques has a new 8 lug steel rim that would probably meet your needs. I recommend checking again with them or Old Car Centre.

I just bought 4 15" steel wheels from wheelmaster for under $1000, and they were all custom offsets.

If you're willing to spend probably $10K then Morrison is probably the way to go for you. Otherwise there are other options.