If it's not safe enough to drive, or if YOU don't/can't enjoy it as-is, then by all means modify it. It's YOURS, do with it what YOU want. If it were mine, I'd upgrade the running gear with something traditional like an early Hemi, or even an early SBC, 4-speed, and reliable juice brakes to match the added power. I would think that the original frame and suspension should be able to be reused and modified to bring it up to snuff. A vehicle that can't be driven comfortably and safely is a paper weight, imo. That's a beautiful truck, by the way!
Your truck, do your thing. As long as the hood stays down, and the fenders stay put, and you don't hang billet everything on your truck, I doubt Ryan will ban you because of the choice you made for your truck. That said, this is probably not the place to do a build thread on your truck if you choose to do the Vette suspension and modern Hemi. There are a lot of guys here that have non-traditional drive trains and suspension systems in their Hot Rods. There is a lot of room between the completely original 30 something truck and modern Hemi powered 30 something truck with Vette suspension. I suspect most guys here would like to see something between those two ends. From my perspective, if it still looks like a 30s truck with wider tires when your done, I'd stop and check it out. Gene
It's yours to do with as you wish but here's my take. Old trucks have a charm all their own in stock form. If you can't appreciate that and need it to drive like a late model, the go for it. If the brakes were done right, it would stop fine, albeit a little more pedal pressure than we are used to. Trouble is not one guy in a thousand really knows how to "tune" drum brakes. With good brakes and a higher rear gear it would be a fine cruiser for all but freeway driving.
'Its' your car', do what YOU want to it'...........no foolin'? Happens ever 'what shall I do' thread. Street rod a lesser ride. Otherwise do a minimal upgrade to the aforementioned suspension/brake systems. Hot Rod's rule. Customs are cool. ........street rods........
First things first, are you SURE that everything is operating in tip top shape, as well as it possibly could? I know it's not the same thing but I had a '75 FJ40 that drove like garbage. After taking some time to learn the systems and dial them in, that thing drove like a dream. Cruised on the freeway with traffic and stopped easy and straight with four wheel drums. Just sayin'.
I like old cars to drive like old hot rods.... Being an "old guy" I remember when drum brakes, manual steering and 3 on the tree was the norm... and I still like all three. I never heard anyone in , say, 1959 make the comment "I'd drive my car more but I'm waiting for GM to invent the LS engine and C4 suspension..."
Change your axle ratio and look into a disc brake conversion, that will make a world of difference i imagine. If your going to motor swap, look for a late 50's flathead from a forward look car. Its a bit more powerful and would bolt in, if you rebuild one there a lot of little things you can do to make it have a little more power. I'm not a fan of the IFS for your truck, nor the FI hemi. Its too nice, and really when was the last time you saw a nice mid 30's plymouth truck that was pretty stock? The late model engine opens up a huge can of worms and really is too much for the chassis without major mods, major brakes and a lot of electrical work. Your basically starting over, and you just already have the body done, but everything else has to be engineered and worked out to do what your talking about. Start small and see where it goes before you blow up your truck.
Seems to me these have leaf springs in the back, so a late model rear end is an easy swap to get better brakes and a more friendly gear ratio. The stock six can be hopped up easy enough, a dual carb intake and a milled head would probably do it. And I'd be shocked if you can't find some way to upgrade the brakes on the existing spindles so it will stop better. Not every damn car needs even disc front brakes, I daily drove a manual brake all drum car for several years and I never had an issue getting it stopped. In fact I've had disc brake equipped vehicles that didn't even stop as good. If that's a straight axle front end, worst case you could swap it out for one that there is a better brake kit for - even discs if you're set on them. Could have it all done in a few weeks and be driving it again with no mods to the frame at all. And that should be enough to make it drivable. Why people get the idea that the only way to improve the car is to start throwing all kinds of late model fancy pants electronics and suspension at it is beyond me.
either drive it the way it is, or sell it to someone that will, and buy something that suits you better. it was plenty good for the people in 37, so it should be just as fine now. age makes no difference in old cars. its all about the soul, stories and history the truck has weathered. updating anything would be like mounting jato rockets on the spirit of st. louis because you wanted to get to europe faster.
As some here have said.. Find a way to get taller gears for hi-way. Find a way to upgrade the brakes to some better drum brakes, if you feel you need to. Maybe some minor hop up to the engine, if you like. Anyway keep the old frame, axles and drivetrain. Drive it everywhere you like. It's way, way too nice for it to make any sense to spend all that time and money cutting it up. Or keep it as it is. Drive a little less and more locally. If you really want something with modern drivability, sell it as it is to someone who appreciates it and find another project or an already rodded one. Thanks for asking us, this was my humble 2 cents.
I really appreciate everyones suggestions. It gives me a lot to think about. I have had a few suggestions to sell the truck, but I love the style and body, something a modern vehicle could never duplicate. I spent two years looking for the "perfect" truck and "perfect" deal. My intentions were never to street rod it. As far as the exterior is concerned, I really don't think anything could be done to improve it. The styling is dead on. The aircraft*****ogy was pretty good. I still go to the vintage air shows and nothing looks more out of place than seeing the modern avionics sitting in the*****pit of a B-17 or P-51. I understand it is necessary for safety, but it absolutely kills the authenticity and charm of the planes. I don't want to do that to this truck. Thanks everyone. Craig
At least you are not***** hurt by some of the comments. Take recreational fishing for example; one guy dreams of the televised pro bass tournament with a metalflake 300 hp bassboat with electronic gear, and the guy who dreams of standing in the lost pristine stream in Idaho with his 120 year old bamboo rod and wicker creel. They can't understand each others dream. Best one-liner I've ever read on hamb: "I want my cars to feel old"
Update the brakes, hop up the engine or later flathead, add a 5-speed. Truck looks too nice to do much more than that.
A Big times 3...There are plenty of derelict trucks out there to cut up and practice on with the same end result. Some things are just better left alone. If you don't agree? sell it and get good $$ for it while you can. Too many great cars are taken apart and sometimes made beautiful and many times butchered...never to be seen on the road again......We all feel your pain!
The first rule is that it's your truck, so do what pleases you. If you want to turn it in to a Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade float you're welcome to, just don't try to sell it anytime soon afterwards. My philosphy on cars is that if you have a "survivor" (an unmodified original in great running condition) that has good value as such, then you shouldn't modify it beyond the ability to bring it back to original. If your car isn't what you want, you have to decide whether to modify it or sell it and buy what you want. If you have a basket case, or a car that has little survivor value, or one that will cost alot more to "restore" than its worth, then modify the heck out of it. The "in betweeners" are the tough calls.
Don't change a thing. It's way too nice to modify. Some old cars need to stay as built for future generations to appreciate.
Seems to me most everything you want to accomplish can be done with bolt-in stuff. Fix up the stock engine, do NOT cut up that firewall, update the brakes and replace or re-gear the rear end. Save all your old parts and drive happy. And as for me, my 50 Burb has a 1968 250 six and a C4 Vette rear, and I get along just fine here on the HAMB
For what its worth...I am very much a hot rodder at heart, love the rumble of a V8 under my foot and making certain modifications to make my older stuff easier to drive. But, vehicles such as yours are only original once in there lifetime. If it were mine, I would make as few mods as I could to make it a little more driveable. Keeping it as original as possible preserves a little history. Getting harder to find any as nice as what you have there.
Thats probably because no one ever new about the C4 rear...until now! I agree. I have built a few cars through the years and my shop does pretty good fab work. I think I will build a new chassis with "different" suspension and engine and preserve the original chassis and drivetrain. Keep the body 100% stock and enjoy it. My dilemma was if I wanted to modify the stock frame or build another. I think that's solved. I will not cut anything on the body and allow the truck to be returned to complete stock. Thanks for all the input
Chrysler had overdrive in the 30's that will bolt right in and kick your cruise speed up 10-15 mph with no other change. find a DeSoto or Chrysler six with Overdrive or fluid drive and most restorers wouldn't mind (or know) Brakes are over rated just drive within the stock chassis and you will love it. I was one of the last to change but am now a firm believer in Radial tires and gas shocks. I had a bone stock 48 Chrysler fluid drive with up graded tires and shocks and drove 500-600 miles a day on cross country trips at 65-70 mph and never had a single problem. the stock seat was so comfortable that I never had to stop to stretch my legs. got close to 20 mpg highway
I don't know anything about your******* but I do know about mine. Shifting can be a real******, but luckily I spent several years in a big truck and the******* works the same. Clutch it into first gear and then don't use the clutch for the others, just match those rpm's and you will be fine. You can double clutch it and that will also work. No synchros in those old*******s. Hop up the old flathead and get some taller gears and she will cruise. Don't cut it up, way too cool as it is right now. I would personally leave it stock with some hop ups and a gear change.
You sound set on building a chassis, but in case that is not yet a done deal in your mind: A lot of times with those the shifting problem is really a shifting linkage problem, but the period overdrive will make it a better driver anyway. There are rears- Ford 8" or Mopar 8 3/4" (from an A body) that will fit nicely with just the spring pads moved. These get you the improved rear brakes and gearing you want with little time or expense. Olddaddy here on the Hamb makes brackets to put disc brakes on your original front spindles so you don't have to reinvent that. The Cavalier rack can be adapted. Fatman makes brackets or make your own. Oldaddy might have some as well. The existing engine can be perked up to ~120hp without too much trouble. If that isn't enough there are plenty that will fit. Seems silly to me to do the new chassis and all that goes with it unless that is really what you want to do. I understand the impulse, just depends how you want to drive it: if safe freeway driving is the goal it can be done relatively easily. If autocrossing is the goal, build yourself a nice chassis. BTW this is from a guy with a '50 Plymouth with most of the above mods done, and a '38 Chrysler that is in the process of getting a big block, so I really do see both sides! Just don't f with that beautiful body!!
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