Hello,
Been lurking for a while now trying to learn as much as possible before I really get started on my project. I have been in business for myself for the last 20+ years building suspension kits and frames for classic trucks. I was offered a truck of my Father-in-laws ranch about three years ago. The wheels set in motion and went to go grab it.
This thing is hammered. Not rusty, just beat to crap. The frame was broken into three pieces on the driver side and split in half on the passenger. Missing or otherwise sunbleached just about everything but it's free! Everything I own is either a standard cab pickup, early Ford Coupe or a motorcycle. Hard to take clients to lunch or whatever. So the plan is to stretch this into a crew cab and keep it as close to stock factory looking as I can.
The initial plan was a 4Bt but after a bunch of reading and cost analysis I decided to go with the new ISF3.8s3168 (maybe regret at a later date) but after seeing Bruisers Jeep conversion, talking with Cummins Tech friends, I decided to jump in with both feet and ordered one from Foton in China. It should be here in early July.
Before I committed to buying this engine I had already started on building the chassis. I was selling off old projects like my 1974 Puma (liked it, just didn't love it) My 1959 Harley Sportster and bits and bobs I had collected over the years to pay for the components to build the chassis the way I wanted. First up was getting the truck apart and the frame blasted. What a mess I got back.
Since I'm in the business, I drew up the stock frame on my Alibre' CAD program and did some mock ups with a junk '56 F100 Cab and Doors I have to determine I wanted to stretch the frame 29" for the look I wanted.
The front suspensions I use are 1987-96 Dodge Dakota 2WD. These things are rugged and they drive really well. Plus they are the correct size and capacity for these earlier trucks with a track width of 61" you can use a variety of common wheels inexpensively. They share the same ball joints as the '73-93 full size, the upper spindle is also the same up to the 3/4 ton. So the brakes are interchangeable. The extra length of the truck told me I need to do some stiffening. I fabricated a mirror boxing plate that fits inside the existing rail and widens the rail to 2.75". I also drew up and fabricated the center X-member to help carry the new loads and strengthen the chassis in beam and in torsion. I used an 80's GM Hydroboost and master cylinder and will use the stock brake pedal arm.
Been lurking for a while now trying to learn as much as possible before I really get started on my project. I have been in business for myself for the last 20+ years building suspension kits and frames for classic trucks. I was offered a truck of my Father-in-laws ranch about three years ago. The wheels set in motion and went to go grab it.
This thing is hammered. Not rusty, just beat to crap. The frame was broken into three pieces on the driver side and split in half on the passenger. Missing or otherwise sunbleached just about everything but it's free! Everything I own is either a standard cab pickup, early Ford Coupe or a motorcycle. Hard to take clients to lunch or whatever. So the plan is to stretch this into a crew cab and keep it as close to stock factory looking as I can.
The initial plan was a 4Bt but after a bunch of reading and cost analysis I decided to go with the new ISF3.8s3168 (maybe regret at a later date) but after seeing Bruisers Jeep conversion, talking with Cummins Tech friends, I decided to jump in with both feet and ordered one from Foton in China. It should be here in early July.
Before I committed to buying this engine I had already started on building the chassis. I was selling off old projects like my 1974 Puma (liked it, just didn't love it) My 1959 Harley Sportster and bits and bobs I had collected over the years to pay for the components to build the chassis the way I wanted. First up was getting the truck apart and the frame blasted. What a mess I got back.
Since I'm in the business, I drew up the stock frame on my Alibre' CAD program and did some mock ups with a junk '56 F100 Cab and Doors I have to determine I wanted to stretch the frame 29" for the look I wanted.
The front suspensions I use are 1987-96 Dodge Dakota 2WD. These things are rugged and they drive really well. Plus they are the correct size and capacity for these earlier trucks with a track width of 61" you can use a variety of common wheels inexpensively. They share the same ball joints as the '73-93 full size, the upper spindle is also the same up to the 3/4 ton. So the brakes are interchangeable. The extra length of the truck told me I need to do some stiffening. I fabricated a mirror boxing plate that fits inside the existing rail and widens the rail to 2.75". I also drew up and fabricated the center X-member to help carry the new loads and strengthen the chassis in beam and in torsion. I used an 80's GM Hydroboost and master cylinder and will use the stock brake pedal arm.
