I'm always way ahead of myself in thinking out projects and this one's no different. I'm looking to turn my 34 1 1/2 ton into a pickup. I have a pickup box but it's been cut to fit the back of a sedan turned pickup. I'd like to install a 56 Poly motor and rearend that I have into the truck. Here's the list of questions I have at the moment. 1. What is the original bed length? 2. What's the thoughts about using the rearend out of the 56 Royal that I'm parting out. Any reason NOT to use it? 3. Any reason not to shorten the big truck frame and use it? I figure it'll be mostly out of site because I'm going to run fenders on it. 4. What would the bolt pattern be on the 1/2-3/4 ton trucks? Looks to be the same axle but I want to be sure. 5. What year of trucks interchange as far as bed,. cab, grill, etc. I'd like to keep things bolt on/ off as much as possible as I've got plenty of other work to fix this old beat to death cab. Some of the things I know I'll be needing and will be on the lookout for is: 1. Windshield frame and arms 2. Drivers side interior window trim 3. Gauges 4. New suicide door hinges 5. Grill and apron 6. Bumpers 7. Headlight trim and lense. 8. Rear fenders 10. Stake bed pockets- Are these the same as other makes?
Detailed pictures of the beds would be appreciated too. Looked online but they're all distance shots.
My opinion is that with all the work involved in modifying that big frame to make it usable, you would be better served to find a frame already made to your dimensions. Just don't do an S10 frame! You could custom build your bed after you get the cab and fenders mounted so you can build it with the length that looks best for the truck. I had a 35 pickup truck and the original bed looked way too long.
We modified the 1-1/2 Ton Truck frame for my dads pickup in an afternoon. I and a couple friends whacked about 4 feet off of this '34 Lumber Truck frame and pinched the front rails to fit the pickup/p*** car front crossmember. It was easy, worked out really well for us, won't have to box the frame since the big truck frames are heavier gauge, since they are deeper the vega cross steer box has plenty of room to be recessed into the frame rail leaving more room for the exhaust. Here is a link to the build thread. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/thrashing-on-my-dads-33-truck-pics.473875/ On a walk by, 90% don't notice its not a pickup/p*** car frame
I was thinking more in line with the KC trucks but probably running the grill I have. Unless I should be lucky enough to run across a KC. Those trucks are just SWEET!
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