The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 41 Big Bolt Cab on a 2001 Chevy 2 1/2 ton Frame?

Hi Guys,
A neighbor has a 2001 2 1/2 ton with Duramax for sale cheap. I am thinking about putting my '41 cab on the entire 2001 chassis. That way I would have a working truck for my farm. Is this a crazy idea? Is this a tremendous amount of work?

Please let me know what you guys think!

The biggest hurdle you would have to over come is the track width of the front axle. You would either have to narrow the axle of the 2001 or widen the fenders of the 41. If you feel like this is do able, then you may also have to stretch the length of the 41's hood or add a dog house to the inside of the cab to cover engine. The width of the radiator is something else that I am sure would have to be addressed.
This is such a cool idea that I hate to discourage it. The only way to know for sure is a tape measure and a lot of planning.
Anything is possible. Maybe it would be easier to put the 2001's power train into the 41's frame swap out the rear axles and adapt the 2001 spindles and brakes to the 41's front axle beam.

Hevyhauler makes some valid points, but don't overlook the fact that you'd have to somehow make the duramax run independent of its native truck and associated computers. That to me would as daunting as the mechanical aspects.
I'm not saing it can't be done, but you might be better off buying the '01 and using it on the farm, and fixing the '41 and drive it around town.
Scott

I think Scott's idea makes more sense. The steering axle was a lot narrower on the old ones and that creates a big problem. And the steering box wasn't placed in a spot to accommodate a V8. While your idea can be done, I'm afraid your project would get bogged down and you would wind up with two cut up trucks.

Well guys, I will continue to work on the old truck and just purchase the 2001 for farm work. I just thought it would be cool to have the '41 hauling hay next to the "big" guys. Still might do that for pics when I get the '41 back together, but I won't use her for daily work.

Thanks for the feedback!

Iam wanting to go look at a 41 3/4 ton this weekend and am wanting to put it on a newer frame and run either a cummins engine or a Duramax in it.Want to make it as driver friendly as possible.

yousesteers - a 3/4T isn't a "big bolt", it's a pickup, and it'll be a different situation, you need to start a thread in the HiPo Shop

Bill

Full width fenders are available, got a pair off a school bus, 1.5 ton farm trucks have a very large cutout for the tire, so these won't work. I have seen at least 4 diffferent fenders for '41 to '47 trucks. Keep looking. Good luck.

Welcome,AlabamaChevy! If you check-out the 1955 "Big-Bolts",in the Gallery,Eric Bureau grafted a '55 2nd-Series L.C.F.,on a late-model Freightliner frame! I would think that his swap would be more complicated than what you're planning to do. I say this,because he was working with considerably less engine-compartment space. He did mention that he shortened the axle by about 14",if I remember correctly. It's been a while since I read Eric's story,but I think that it took him less than a year,to complete his project,working in his spare time! Eric can pull a 16,000# boat and trailer with his rig! He claims 70 M.P.H.,engine turning 2,100 R.P.M.! Says he should achieve between 12-14 M.P.G.! Bureau's truck "runs" a Cummins 6 CT,(8.3L),Eaton/Fuller 9-speed trans. He also changed the rear gears to 3.73. Engine is"mid-range",(250 H.P./1,000 Foot/pounds of torque. Instead of shortening the axle,I'd go with Ed's suggestion,of finding wider fenders. There should be a pair out there somewhere. Patience prevails! Good-Luck,and keep us up-dated,please!

Thanks everyone! I will keep you all posted with my decision and progress.