I am the proud owner of a 52 3/4 GMC and the 1/2 ton frame of a 54 Chevy. I've had both now for well over a year, and after finding this site and reading all the posts, I'm glad I didn't do anything so far. Like Soul Man, I know a little, but not enough to keep from asking questions that make people like you bust a gut or cringe. I hope you get $ for all the advice. Your tips have probably saved people thousands and thousands! Anyway, I want to build mine to drive on the highway, make good gas mileage, and be mine 'till death do us part. Let me start with: Should I transplant what I have to the 54's frame, or stick with the 3/4? I've had my 3/4 running, but WOW! What a ride! If it weren't for the steering wheel, I would have sworn I was riding a horse. I assume this was due to the split-ring wheels... and old tires... Your advice and time is greatly appreciated. Or anyone else too! Don't mean to make it sound like no one else out there knows what they're doing, but man! The stuff Nate has put on this site, all us kinda'-sorta's owe you a debt of gratitude! Thanks! Zig
Zig, I think this is a really good question and I look forward to some input from these guys that have been around the block. I know that you alluded to the ride but I think it goes further. I have a 3800 pickup which, of course, is a ton with a 9 foot bed. The 3/4, I think, has a 7.5 foot bed and the 1/2 has a 6 foot bed. I am wondering about the relative value of these trucks after restoration. I mean, it will take about the same amount of money to fix each one up but will either of them have more value based on wheelbase and style. I have always thought that the 1/2 ton was more popular than the 3/4 but is that just because there are more of them? Is it just a matter of taste? Will my 1 ton be worth as much as the others after restoration? Or does it just have a lot to do with the quality of the restoration/customization?
What'd I do -now- ? It is far easier to get higher road speed out of a 3/4 or 1 ton truck as the fix is a simple junkyard pumpkin swap , in the 1/2 ton rigs you'll need to rebuild the rear end and install a new 3:55 ratio high speed ring & pinion from Patric's , I am told he's stopped production of those right now , may be true , may be just a rumor , I dunno . The 3/4 ton rig can easily be made to ride softly , just take a few leaves out of the springs , most of the time the entire suspension is totally worn out and this allows the truck to wallow and bottom out , wander all over the road etc. I suggest replacing all the spring eye bushings and shackles etc. then repair all the slop in the front end (steering box , drag link , tie rod ends) then ensure the caster shims are in place then finally , center the steering box (it was often wrong when the truck was new) and adjust the toe-in to 1/16" ~ 1/8" and add some good gas shocks , then see if you don't like how it drives , these trucks were sold on how well they drove when new so take the time to sort it out before giving up . Split rims , well I don't care for them but they're correct and work fine , the big thing is to get rig of any nasty bias ply typ tires and replace with proper LT rated _TRUCK_ tires , it'll ride nice and stick to the road better too plus last longer and if you select the proper size and aspect ratio , they'll look the same as the original tires did too . If you're looking at resale value , STOP NOW as you'll never , ever get your money back out of one of these trucks and yes , the 1/2 tonners are worth more $ even though the 3/4 ton is a better rig . I hope this helps ~ don't put all your eggs into one basket by relying on me , thee's plenty of old guys out there who've been working on these old truck like I do . Remember : the only ' stupid ' question is the one you don't ask !
I agree with Nate when he says if you're looking for resale value to stop now. We don't build these trucks for street value, we do it because it is a passion for restoring something back to it's original state or putting it to a custom truck. One thing I have learned is street rodding is for passion for the vehicle not the profit after selling it. It shouldn't matter what is most popular, fix your truck the way that YOU like it.
Thank you for putting my mind at ease. I was looking at it all wrong. I was feeling guilty about spending so much on my truck while there are other things out there that need money thrown at them. Then I remembered, I haven't done anything for myself in at least 20 years. This truck is for me so I just won't worry about it anymore. Thanks again for the input.
Sounds good so far... Let's see if I can get this to post. I spent to much time writing about "If your building it for proffit, yaddy-yaddy-ya". In my case, were's my stack of bibles that I can swear on? I had a 1950 Chevy truck as my FIRST vehicle. It was love at first sight. I was a 16 year old that alreay loved the Beach Boys and American Graffiti. My dad and I had looked at countless old metals, but he of course always found something wrong. Finally, he had to go out of town, and this truck was listed. He told me, "Don't buy it if it's junk." I of course bought it, and it was junk. I did manage to get-r home. A connecting rod was nearly ready to go. "Oh- so THAT'S what that tapping sound was"... My dad did hummor me though, and it quickly became a father/son rebuild project. Stuck a new engine in it, scraped all the crap off the frame and painted it black. I even painted all the nuts and bolts silver! I couldn't have loved that truck more if I tried. Then my brother bought me a split manifold and Thrush headers for Christmas! My dad sold it out from underneath me because I wasn't going to hot-rod that truck! He bought me a Ford Fairlane as a consolation prize. It died a horrible death months later. My point is, 31 years later, I swapped my '64 for this '52 and I'm not selling it to NO ONE! I plan to pass it down to my daughter when time is ready, and yes, she'll want it. She spent yesterday with me scraping the dirt/oil/rock mix off of the 1/2 ton frame while I waited to start reading responses. It was cool! Anyway, thanks for the advice Nate. What about the engine. It has a mighty (leaky) 218 with the 4 onda floor. It starts with starter fluid and runs just fine, but once you shut it off, it's off until you hit it again with the fluid. Remember, I want to drive it for ever Thank you so much for your time and advice with this! (everyone)
Hey tailgater, I saw an awesome 1 ton on e-bay last week (?) 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton? They are ALL a thing of beauty 'cause the design is the same. To me, it's what can I build that will be a daily driver- and actually USED as a truck, and is something that I can do as much myself as I can. I'm with you! I built my wife a potting shed, my 4 year old daughter a killer playhouse, and now, it's all about fullfilling a dream that was yanked away 31 years ago! Keep 'em rollin! Zig
