52 Chevy PU, stock height?

I just picked up a 1952 Chevy PU, 1/2ton that has already been messed with, I am trying to figure out exactly how much...

I need to know what the factory height of these trucks was. Also what rear was in them? I think I may have a more modern 70's 10 bolt, from the same truck as the trany. I also have a 70's chevy colum uke: that I cant stand. Also will I experience alot of frame twist with a mild small block and a factory (non boxed) frame.

Sorry for the seemingly noob questions, I am a toyota minitruck and landcrusier, guy. This is the first truck of this vintage I have gotten to play with, and I am fucking psyched!

 

The 1952 Chevrolet truck service manual should have those type of specs in it. They can be an invaluable resource. They can be picked up in a variety of places. I recommend Jim Carter's Classic Truck parts. I am not affiliated with the company but have bought plenty of parts (including a service manual) for my 1946 truck and have been very satisfied thus far. Good luck!

 

Yeah, I'll second Carter's place. He's just down the road from me, too.
The stock heigth was too high. The front spindle center (stock) should be right at or below the bottom of the front fender edge. You should have no issues with a sbc in this frame. It's a truck built when they were used like a truck should. The rear end was a closed/torque tube style. Be glad you don't have that. I'm running a disc rear out of an 87 Firebird and a 5 speed. Mine's a 54, pm me if you have any questions.
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The Chevrolet Restoration Pack for a '52 would give you a good answer. I have a '55 1st version close at hand, and it says front axle is 8.25 above the ground, and the rear is 8 inches about the ground. The floor of the bed is 25.75 inches.

But a '52 is slightly different. My guess is the floor of teh bed would have been 2 inches higher, because in '54 the frame and bed were changed in a way that lowered the bed floor about 2 inches.

The '52 or '53 book is online I think at the old car manual project page.

 

and that's about all one needs to know!

 

Besides; we want pics!

 

workin on them, just got the junk to run last night, now it up for an etelbrock 650 carb, performer intake, fuel pump swap