New To Forum - Seeking Wisdom on 52 pickup
 

I have a 1952 chevy 3100 shortbed pickup, pretty much stock (6 volt battery, 3 on the tree... OK, it's got electric wipers). I am retiring soon and looking for a hobby. I have this urge to start with an AME (Art Morrison Enterprises) frame, LS3 motor, 6 speed transmission... basically, put that old and beautiful body (not mine, the truck) on a new frame, keeping it as stock looking as I can.

My first challenge is selecting between the two options for AME frames. I could use some dialogue around making the right decision on this. Right now, measuring from the ground to bottom of running boards is around 12 inches on my stock truck. One option from AME says the distance will be 5 and 3/8 inches and the other frame option is 7 and 1/2 inches. The 5 3/8 inch option requires raising the bed floor a little over 2 inches.

...and did I mention that I do not have a history of doing any type of mechanical work, but I can't help myself on this one, and yes, I will seek professional help when I think I need it.

Does anyone have experience with dropping a 47 - 53 on an Art Morrison Frame that they would be willing to share with me? My first concern is that AME calls the higher frame "The Standard Ride Height" Frame and I am having trouble understanding whose "standard"... AME's at 7.5 inches or what I measure on my stock truck at 12 inches?

Thank you in advance for your willingness to advise me.

Re: New To Forum - Seeking Wisdom on 52 pickup
 

welcome.....
roll down to the 47-59 section and start reading build threads...
you can use the search to narrow down what your looking for....
I think the ADs look best at around 5-6 in....but it will scrape in the right spot....7 1/2 isn't the standard ride height but it may be ame's....
and pics....we need pics....
and be sure to start a build thread....

Re: New To Forum - Seeking Wisdom on 52 pickup
 

Greg;

Thanks for the reply. I am new to forums and any type of social media, so it will take me a while to figure out how to get the most out of this forum. I WILL start a build thread. I have yet to order the AME frame and they tell me it could be up to 6 months before I get it after I place my order.

So in the interim, I guess I should take pictures of what I have, and post them on a build thread, so that as I get ideas about what I am going to do next, I can benefit from "those who have gone before me".

Re: New To Forum - Seeking Wisdom on 52 pickup
 

This would be the page in this forum for your truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=13

Re: New To Forum - Seeking Wisdom on 52 pickup
 

here's a couple guys building on a tci frame.....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=754926

Re: New To Forum - Seeking Wisdom on 52 pickup
 

Fatman also makes chassis for your truck - http://www.fatmanfab.com/product/194...-truck-chassis
Streetrod Garage also makes them - http://www.streetrodgarage.com/47-54chevytruck.aspx
I wouldn't think the ride on Art Morrison would be too good given the geometry, but I have no personal knowledge of their equipment so it's just an uneducated opinion anyway.
Now Progressive is one I want to try on my next build - https://www.progressiveautomotive.co...short-bed.html
Having said that looking at their geometry is close to Art Mo, so . . .

Re: New To Forum - Seeking Wisdom on 52 pickup
 

I decided to order the "standard height" Art Morrison frame for my 52 pickup... the one that does not require the bed to be raised.

Now I am looking for some guidance on selection of rear end gearing.

I am putting in LS3 motor with T56 6 speed manual transmission. Right now, I have no idea if the required cut out along the firewall will leave room for a gas pedal. Anyone know how much of the floor will be left after I cut room for the T56 transmission? Tell me that I can place my gas pedal about where it is in the stock truck.

The wheels will be 18 inches. (275/40R18 tires, if that matters).

With all that said, I have some time before I specify to Art Morrison Enterprises, what gear ratio I want for the differential. I know enough to know that one of the answers is "it depends"... on what I want. All I can say right now is that I want a highway cruiser but no sissy off the line.

My vette has LS motor (of course) and as I recall, in 6th gear, at around 70 MPH, it is somewhere around the low side of 1500 RPMs. I have no idea what differential ratio is in the vette, but I like its efficiency on the highway and its aggression off the line. I think I would be happy with similar performance from this truck build.

Forgive me if my statement of details displays an amazing ignorance of "how things really are". I really am new at this HOWEVER, I am determined to make this build a highlight of my retirement.

Thanks