Hello everyone. I am hoping to utilize the collective knowledge of the forum to guide me on my choice of a project truck. I have decided to start a first project truck. I have never restored a vehicle before and have only done basically routine mechanical repairs and upgrades on my vehicles throughout the years. However, I’m reasonably intelligent, patient, ambitious, and willing to learn. So, I’ve garnered the confidence to embark on restomoding an old truck to be a daily driver. I really like the post-war styling in chevys (1947-59) and fords (1948-56). My first thought was to do an s-10 swap on an advanced design chevy using either the E-Z Ch***is Swap or Code 504 kits for the swap. I have begun to think that project would both be too expensive and take too long to complete. I am now thinking more along the lines of a 53-56 ford and using a kit from Team 321 to swap the 03+ crown Victoria suspension and that way I think I could use the 4.6 engine and transmission from the CV and possibly the rear axle as well. That seems like a relatively cheap way to get a modern front suspension, engine, transmission, and rear axle on an old truck for use as a daily driver. I would welcome anyone explaining to me if I am on the right track and, if not, where I am going wrong. I do know the CV front is one the wide side and I don’t really have a problem running wheels w/ a 50mm offset to compensate. I guess my one problem w/ the CV swap is that I’d prefer to have a daily driver that I could use as a light truck (hauling and towing) that seemed like a big advantage to me of doing the s10 swap on the AD chevy and I am not sure using the suspension and engine from the CV would allow me to do that.
S10 swap is a cop out. Upgrading the stock suspension of either truck would be better . the vic would be a bit too wide for the pre 60s ford truck. my 61 I have a vic under it but its a wider truck than a 56. I'd say get a newer body style, 60sish, that's going to have more of the things youre seeking, rather prevalent and easy to find parts for and lots of aftermarket support. You say you want cheap, but you also picked 2 of the highest priced body styles for these things. and I haul things on occasion in my vic swapped unibody, no issues at all, the weight is mostly on the rear that I kept leaf sprung
I am really happy to hear that using the CV front end wont prevent me from using it as a truck. In a sense you are most certainly right that it would be cheaper and more reasonable to go with a later model truck but I’m just not drawn to them as much. There is a huge style difference between a 65 ford truck and a 55 ford truck. To me, the mid-sixties on fords and chevys essentially look more similar to a 90s era truck than a 50s era truck. It may not be reasonable and I guess I can’t explain it well, but I just don’t really have the interest in the newer models. With respect to the CV front end being too wide, I’ve read that on various boards but my understanding is that it is on the wide side but that the problems created by extra width can be neutralized by use of a wheel with a high offset (say 50mm+). That does not really concern me. However, if the high offset wheels cannot completely resolve the problem, that would be different. By that I mean that if even after using high offset wheels, I would still have problems w/ rubbing or other problems then I might should reconsider. With that in mind, as I said I would prefer to use the truck as a truck so I don’t really want the nose slammed to the ground if that helps with clearance issues.
Did you,by chance?) READ Ryans post at the very top of the "Introduce yourself"page??? I highly request that you READ it before making a decision on what type of truck befitting the HAMB..
How about you buy a nice old truck that you like the looks of, one that's running and driving and someone else has spend the hard money on. Test drive a few first, and make sure you get one that works like it's supposed to. See how you like it. Maybe you'll get over the "gotta have modern **** under it" worldview. If not, then maybe the HAMB isn't quite for you?
I would agree that a 60's-newer model would be a better choice for a first project. Unless you have some good experience with older stuff and the skills, your chances for a better result and good outcome will improve with a 60's era truck.
The first gen F100 is a good starting place. They handle and stop fine and you can out about any engine and transmission combo you want in the original ch***is. here is nothing wrong with Fords I beam suspension and there are more modern rear ends and brake setups for them if you are afraid of drum brakes. before you embark on an expensive ch***is swap and the ruination of a mid '50s truck of any brand try it the way that it came, you may just head down the road of loving the obsolete more then the modern like the rest of us. By the way I did drop a '53 f100 on an S 10 ch***is about 15 years ago now, it is doable but your wheels end up with mega offset. the ch***is was a one off from an 11 second truck that I had and while it was a neat swap I would not recommend it to anyone. it was just one of those things that I had to do to prove that it could be done.
Jake, first off, this **** isn't easy. There are no short cuts. That's why you don't see a lot of old trucks, on your way to work. What you need to do is maybe buy an old truck that runs and drives, then try fixing it up a little at a time. This may come as a shock, but those shows on TV showing cars being built in 4 episodes are ********.
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