Technical Looking at buying 53 stude truck, need info

Girlfriend wants a truck to build and I found a 53 stude truck.

Looking at options at adding something besides the straight front axle.... No, no mII junk up front but I havent found any frame width measurements at the front axle to see how wide the frame is and what I can get to fit up there.

So does anyone know the frame width at the front axle or a website with any good info on these trucks?

Kinda like to figure out a game plan before I drive to look at this thing to figure out if I'm going to tell the girlfriend yea or nay on it.

After all I'm the one that will be working on it

 

Bump for night shift

 

A well setup straight axle with power steering and upgraded brakes will be a pleasure to drive.
No need to hack up the frame to put a Camaro or Chevelle clip on the front of the frame.

 

I drive a stock '57 Stude truck everyday. The beam axle provides better handling than one would think, when in
good condition and with radial tires. I'm aware of its limitations, but have still taken corners faster than common sense will dictate. You won't want to parallel park with the radials, but once you are moving it is OK. A Ford Aerostar front end is said to be a good swap.
Join the Studebaker Drivers Club. They are an excellent group of the similarly insane, have a fine monthly magazine,
and a great website and forum with mucho information. You will find all your answers there. Pay special attention to the sage of Spokane, I believe he posts here, too, and knows of what he speaks. He put GM PS in his truck, and a Packard V8.
Disc brake conversions are available, as are dual master cylinder conversions. I still have stock brakes, and have hauled heavy stuff and never smoked them, but they take lots of foot pressure. Studebaker did offer a hydrovac, but never power steering on light trucks.
JT

 

As stated by Wryhawk, join the SDC, a wealth of information there. The 38 Chevy in my avatar had a straight stock axle when I built it in the 70's, the steering box was shot, loose as a goose but it drove straight and didn't ride all that bad. I drove it 20K miles in that configuration but decided I wanted to lower it and went to that unmentionable independent front suspension. It might ride a little better (sits lower and I like that) and rack and pinion is more sure. Not sure if I'd do it again. Good luck, I wouldn't mind building one of those

 

Thanks guys, I'll check it out.

Not looking at hackin a Camaro sub frame into it.

 

Elpolacko is bringing back the Dakota IFS kits at his new place of employment. OT for here but they work great. I have one in the GMC. I bet the frame measurements are similar to an AD.

 

Wonder if these guys can drop the Stude axle?
https://droppedaxles.com/
Those trucks make nice customs

 

Yes, Sid can

 

Your gonna find a lot of frame swap stuff.
The folks here don’t care for that much.
The majority of swaps usually look like the majority of subframe grafts I have encountered. Sketchy.

 

Yep, I would recommend a dropped axle from Sid www.droppedaxles.com and maybe some Posies springs to improve the ride some. I have installed several of them both with a few leaves removed and with Posies springs. Trucks drive great that way.

 

I put jag xj6 in my 2r5. Worked out great.

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