Hi fellas, been a LONG time admirer of COE's and I think I just landed a super nice cab. It's a '54 Chevy that's real straight and only has rust on the rear cab corner behind the driver... don't they all??? Plan to build it on a 1 ton dually ch***is, but I have the ever-so-typical-questions. Which years seem to be the best fit? I've seen a lot of guys talk about running the early 80's GM pickup ch***is, some like the early 90's ch***is. Why? Anyone have the experience with BOTH to guide me? Also I see where some guys have talked about using a GM van steering box. Is this a viable option? Is there something better? What can you guys tell me about it? I'm capable of building most of the truck myself, and probably will. It'll be a ramp truck with a mid-mounted engine. Hot small block, big block, or maybe a diesel if I can find one cheap enough. At 6' 1" I need the legroom! Thanks for any ideas and suggestions.
Go back through some of the build threads here, lots of info and ideas. I used an '89 Chev 1 ton truck ch***is, and adapted the van steering box. My truck ('51 Ford) isn't done yet, but it looks like it will work OK. Mine will be a car hauler with a 16' flatbed. Looking back I wish I had used a motor home or p-van ch***is as they are flat all the way back. Also the narrow truck front suspension tucks the front tires in too far for me on these 50's cabs.
I've never crawled under both types to see how they differ, if at all. Probably pretty similar. Cl*** A's that I have seen have a simple ladder type frame, so do step vans.
Morning Daddio, Well it's morning for me, anyway I'm in a similar situation as you as I have a '47 Chevy. I have been doing a little looking and the Chevy ch***is up to 2007 has a usable front track width at 65 inches, in 2007 it jumps to 68 and may become a issue. Now in '07 they changed to R&P steering which should make steering hook-up a bit easier. The Chevy Astro seems to be a good match as far as track and steering go but it's a sub frame so you would need a back half to graph to it. The earlier Chevy (up to '89) is a common donor because aftermarket suspension parts are abundant and they are cheep to begin with. Steering can be tricky but many have done it. For my build I'm looking at '03 to '06 1/2 ton for the modern drive train. I haven't found anyone using this ch***is yet so there be a reason to stay away from it. Only time will tell. Keep us updated on what you decide. Fasttoys
Thanks guys! I've had several '88-98 GM pickups (always lowered) so I'm familiar and comfortable using that ch***is. I know the dually didn't come out in the new body style until '91, so the '88-90 ch***is are probably carry-over from '88. Searching for info I did find a COE built on a Dodge 1 ton dually ch***is but it was a '48 Ford. Talking to a friend yesterday who owns a diesel repair shop, he has a Dodge ch***is I can use. Also have a friend who owns a Fed Ex franchise. He's looking for a ch***is for me too, LOL. I need to go measure the cab so I can determine track width. I should probably secure the deal on the cab too. . I'll keep you all posted.
Morning Daddio, Here are some notes I have collected, it may be of some help. Front track width Chevy COE 61.3"-63.3" Front track width Chevy Silverado 2000-06 1/2 ton 65" Front track width Chevy Astro 65.1" Front track width Chevy 1/2 (70s-80s 1/2,3/4 ton) 65.8 Front track width Chevy 1/2 (2007-13 1/2,3/4 ton) 68 Front track width Chevy 1/2 (88-99 1/2,3/4 ton), the 2WD version is not torsion bar and may be usable 63-65" Front track width Chevy Trailblazer, Buick Rainier, GMC ? (2003-09). 63" 2003-05 is Gen III, 2004 up is Gen IV with AFM The Extended version on this has the 5.3 and 4L60E trans, ABS, 4 discs brakes, rack and pinion steering (at a good angle) and a boxed flat frame, looks to be the ideal donor. Standard cab rake is between 2 and 4 degrees Standard engine rake is between 0 and -4 degrees Fasttoys
Fasttoys, thank you VERY much! Great info and it looks like a GM '92-98 would work well. Baron used one of these under his COE, and although I've read guys say it's too narrow and will look weird, but I can only direct them towards Baron's cool COE. If I can find a one ton GM dually ch***is before the build starts I'll probably snag it. Got a call from my Fed Ex buddy, he found a ch***is with a fresh ***mins in it... but its complete and $8500, not in the cards at the moment. I should state that this "build" is like most projects. Buy a piece at a time, here and there, over several years before starting. I've learned too many times that building a project without the majority of parts on hand can kill it. I guess this is my fact finding portion of the build, and I am incredibly grateful for your help!
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