‘51 Chevy 6500 Chassis Swap

[Tx pilot]

I NEED YOUR VOTES!

Ok.. so maybe this is not a '51. Someone else suggested '54 or early '55. I have been back and forth on what do do with this 6500. From what I’ve been able to research, there aren’t many of these left. I think I've found not more than 7 of them referenced on the web. Mind you, I've never done a swap, but it doesn't concern me a great deal. I've done the research and I can make it happen. I do suspect this one would have more challenges than say a 3100 swap given this is coming off a 2 ton.

Choices.....

I've got a museum that will take this as-is. I've also got several people suggesting we do a chassis swap and do something special with this cab... I need a tie-breaker.

So, if you're reading this.. you get to decide... The most votes decides the outcome.

Based on your expertise and knowledge in these things... What would you do?

VOTE PLEASE.
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[vwnate1]

What a beauty .

Not a lot of grain trucks left in this good of condition .

I'm old and used to drive these rigs so I think save it but if you keep all the gingerbread on it you'll have a really sharp looking Hot Rod truck there .

 

[vwnate1]

Me, I'd resurrect it bone stock, these were slow but amazingly good work rigs .

 

[Tx pilot]

Me, I'd resurrect it bone stock, these were slow but amazingly good work rigs .

I seriously was considering this path for months. Until yesterday when we had to take a spare good tire and remount it onto the split hub which took 2 hours with the assistance of a 50 year tire veteran, several sledge hammers and such.. They don't make these anymore from what I can tell and doesnt look like they can be acquired. Perhaps an axle swap so tubeless rims can be mounted?

 

[vwnate1]

Replace those old 'Widow Maker' split rims with newer ones .

You might be able to sell or rent this truck for advertising .

 

[Tx pilot]

Replace those old 'Widow Maker' split rims with newer ones .

You might be able to sell or rent this truck for advertising .

HA. That's exactly what our tire veteran called them. We can see why. What he wasn't sure of was if there were rim's to be had with the pattern on the hubs. If so, where and what to look for...

 

[vwnate1]

You really have to be there when one lets go to fully grasp the danger....

Yes, there are one piece rims as the bolt patterns are fairly standard .

Maybe Evan or Joe will know or have some for sale...

 

[52wasp]

She deserves better than a museum. Throw some (safe) wheels and tires on her, and get her on the road. Now, if you had a late-model flatbed truck hanging around, you could hang the vintage sheetmetal off of that chassis and "have it both ways".

I love a good hot rod, don't get me wrong. But had I "just" found a 235 (and maybe a 5-speed out of an 80's S10), and "fixed the rust", it wouldn't be 16 years since I heard her run...

 

[coilover]

It is a 1955 first series and had to be the bosses truck or someone that just loved it. The visor, stainless window and windshield trim, fog lights, grill guard, 5 window cab (useless with stake bed), and probably options we can't see like deluxe heater and turn signals; all of which are not common on a WORK vehicle. Worth preserving as is and this is from a street rod shop owner.

 

[vwnate1]

Thank you Evan ! .

He's asking over on Chevy Talk too......