Projects Picking up a 57 3/4 ton Chevy and need help

Hey guys I am trading my car for a 1957 3200 pickup. 42k original miles etc. Here are my questions
1. Can I use a mustang 2 kit on the front or are the frames different size?
2. What rear axle would you suggest to convert to back to 5 lug to match the new front?

That's what I am wondering so far. Thanks in advance guys!

 

A 3200 is a long bed half ton. It has six lug wheels, right? and a 7.5 foot long bed?

3/4 tons have 8 lug wheels. First, figure out what you have.

oh...welcome to the HAMB!

 

Thank you. It's a 8 lug

 

42,000 original miles!!! It must be in pretty good shape, or absolutely beat to death. Farm truck? Got any pics? I'd love to have a truck like that, only I'd just update the engine/trans (BBC-TH400/Gear Vendor's OD), and keep it looking pretty much stock/original. As far as what rear end for your plan, probably a 10 bolt from a Nova/Camaro no earlier than 1972 for the big pinion shaft and 10 inch ring gear; a 12 bolt would be fine too, but more costly. Good luck. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Here is a pic

 

I'd be surprised if it really only has 42,000 miles on it...

If you want a half ton truck, maybe you should look around for a half ton truck. They're not that hard to find. A converted 3/4 ton will always be funky.

 

Well this guy is trading me his truck and cash for my camaro and the truck is super clean. Can you not install the mustang front end on a 3/4 ton?

 

Sure you can. You can also swap out the rear springs for something a bit softer and lower, and install a different rearend. Shortening the truck a foot is a bit more tricky.

Is it a model 3B or 3E (first characters of the VIN)?

 

It's not the long bed its the shorter of the two. I like the look of the bed length. So a m2 ifs will work on the 3/4 ton? Nova rear axle is suggested?

 

I'm not sure on the vin. We are trading sunday

 

Nice truck!

You have an 8 lug spare so it is probably a 3/4 that makes it a 3600

 

8 lug wheels = long bed.

 

Looks like too nice of a truck to me to go hackin on to put a mustang II frontend under it.
Weve got a rough 55 out in the garage that I converted to a short bed but dont know I would have the heart to alter yours to look like just another cookie cutter, as nice and unique as it already is.(being the long bed 3/4)......................but I would however probably rather make it a short bed than put a mustang II under it.

 

Pop a hub cap off, really look like a 1/2 ton to me...spare carried for a trailer?

is there a spare tire under the bed by chance?

 

those hubcaps are the big ones, pretty sure it's really 8 lug.

 

Agree, but darn that spare I see, looks bigger than the truck tires.
That and "3200" has me thinking.

Still, fine looking truck!

 

It would say 3200 (or 3600 really) on the fender emblems, that are not on the truck. That's the only place you'd see it. The model number, on the serial number tag welded to the windshield pillar on the driver's side, will tell you what it is, 3B is 3200 (long bed half ton), 3E is 3600 (3/4 ton).

 

You are most likely correct (wasn't trying to argue a point )...I was just looking at the pic, and going off the OP's info.

I'm kinda new here to the HAMB, but I seem to recall your name on an 'old truck digest' ....are you the same Jim?

If so, you are the wealth of knowledge on these trucks.

 

NICE! OK, so I'll trade you a 51 Chevrolet Business Coupe, a 68 Bel Air 4 door sedan, and an 82 Silverado; all are running, driving, and not stock vehicles. ALL for ONE! You pick up/deliver. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Can anyone let me know for sure if I can out the mustand 2 kit on this?

 

I will know for sure Saturday if its a 6 or 8 lug but like squirrel says I am almost 100% positive its 8. I can get the first letters of the vin today to verify. I just want to know if I can put a mustang 2 kit on it even if it is a 3/4 ton.

 

I would call the vender your planning on using for the Mustang II and ask them

 

One place I called said yes but I don't think he was listening to me so I'm not quite sure

 

You can if you want to make a junker out of it. Mustang II is a sissy suspension. its a truck not a Pinto.

You can convert the stock front axle to 6 or 5 lug and swap the rear for a 9" ford or a 6 lug 12 bolt GM. The springs will be a little stiff but they can be worked. Or you could drop it and leave it 3/4 ton and useful as both a hot rodded pickup and a hauler.

 

Who makes a good drop spring for a 3/4 ton

 

I do, so can you. or just go to the local spring shop with your original spring and have it de-arched. You could also contact Eaton Springs (google search it) and have them make a spring for you or probably if you search drop springs for '57 Chevy truck you may find someone who has them. I would do option one or two de-arch them yourself or go to the local spring shop.

if it were mine I would get the front axle dropped, Sids on Oklahoma can do it for you and I would move the rear axle to the top of the spring (its called flipping it). If you think you need discs you can adapt the later 3/4 ton hums to your spindles, but if you get them working properly the stock drums will stop you just fine.

 

Do you have sids info? How much drop you think I can achieve on the front? Approx

 

That axle will easily drop 5" but I wouldn't go more then 3-4.

Sid is on here but let me google him for you.

http://www.droppedaxles.com/CONTACT_INFO.html

here ya go.

 

Thank you