47-55.1 1950 Chevy 3100 Ramp Bed 1-ton

[awhite4557]

This truck is titled as a 1950 Chevy 3100. It sits on a 1974 Chevy 1 ton chasis with a 350 small block and 4 speed truck transmission. It has hydroboost brakes/power steering, a ramp bed with a electric Ramsey winch. My plan is to swap in a 24 valve Cummins I have out of a 2002 Dodge 1 ton with a 6 speed transmission.

[mr48chev]

Nice work on the bed. That is going to be a beast that will get down the highway when it is done

[awhite4557]

When I bought this truck, the drivers door lock was broke. I bought an altman conversion kit and am in the process of installing the new locks. Since I had to completely strip the doors, I also decided to go ahead and order 1 piece power windows to upgrade both doors with new seals, glass, etc. I have the drivers door latch installed but haven't started installing the windows yet.

[awhite4557]

I started working on the electrical while waiting on the windows to arrive (they were on back order). I replaced the three cab lights with five LED's. I also replaced both front factory park lights with new chrome LED lights and added LED fender lights. I added LED side marker lights and LED stop/tail lights. I want a big truck look so I installed lighted rocker switches in the dash for the headlights, interior lights and work lights. I used relays for all of the lights. I also replaced the vacuum wiper with a 12 volt electrical wiper motor, new arms and blades. I also ordered and installed Dakota Digital HDX guages with GPS speedometer. This setup has outside temp, compass and is blue tooth to allow setup and customizing from your smart phone. I ordered temp senders for the transmission and rear end which can be displayed on the guage information center but have not installed them yet. I installed new interior lights with LED's as well. I also installed LED work lights on the bed and a brake controller for towing a trailer.

[dsraven]

sounds like an interesting plan.
is that wood on the floor? that will make it easy for fitting the trans under there
will your latch system work with the one piece window tracks etc in place? there is another thread on here lately where the guy is having some issues with latches, doing the same sort of idea as you have
just looking at the dash, it looks like there are some cracks around the speedo. maybe just paint? anyway, you may want to consider beefing up the dash/firewall a bit, if not already done, because the steering column looks (by the pics) like it is mounted fairly low on the column which leaves a considerable length left to become a big lever on the dash, if you use the wheel as a grab bar to get in or whatever. if you are going with a bigger inline engine you may need to do a bit of firewall work anyway.

looks like it will be a nasty unit when done. people are gonna get outta your way, haha.
keep posting up progress pics, it's good to see what you will come up with

[joedoh]

super great! I love ramp trucks, I might get one some day!

Originally Posted by dsraven

is that wood on the floor?

havent you ever heard of floorBOARDS?

[awhite4557]

Originally Posted by dsraven

sounds like an interesting plan.
is that wood on the floor? that will make it easy for fitting the trans under there
will your latch system work with the one piece window tracks etc in place? there is another thread on here lately where the guy is having some issues with latches, doing the same sort of idea as you have
just looking at the dash, it looks like there are some cracks around the speedo. maybe just paint? anyway, you may want to consider beefing up the dash/firewall a bit, if not already done, because the steering column looks (by the pics) like it is mounted fairly low on the column which leaves a considerable length left to become a big lever on the dash, if you use the wheel as a grab bar to get in or whatever. if you are going with a bigger inline engine you may need to do a bit of firewall work anyway.

looks like it will be a nasty unit when done. people are gonna get outta your way, haha.
keep posting up progress pics, it's good to see what you will come up with

Yes the dash is cracked from the column stressing it. One of the previous owners installed it and it's not braced very well. That is another planned change. When I swap the cummins in, I plan to rework the cab and replace the dash or weld the cracks whichever it requires to fix it. Not sure about the window issues, I haven't started to install them yet. I received them, just haven't had time. The floor is metal but has some laminate wood installed over it. It was there when I bought it as well. I'm scared to look under it.

[dsraven]

check this thread on a '49, same issue with bearclaws and windows. it may take some special treatment to make it all work with the limited space in the door.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=748983

[mr48chev]

Good move, the stock latches can pop open going down the road if they are worn too much. My wife fell out of our truck 39 years ago when she leaned back against the door and it popped open. Luckily we were in town a block from where she worked and going real slow but it was a long morning in the emergency room. She still has scars from landing on the gravel and pavement.

[Daze57]

very good looking project sir -----i like all the upgrades ---i agree ppl should get outta the way when that hauler is movin --- if not you might be haulin it away

v cool .....v cool

[dsraven]

cool front bumper guard. old school and grumpy looking

[mongocanfly]

nice project..can't wait to see how the power 1pc Windows turn out...I'm planning on using them in mine...

[mr48chev]

That truck just gets better all the time. I'm kind of chasing a motorhome with a 440 Mopar in it to convert to a ramp truck if I can figure out where in the yard I can stick it to cut the motorhome body off. That Cummins should let you waltz across Texas at a pretty good clip.

[awhite4557]

After I installed the stacks, all I could see in the mirrors was the stacks. So I installed a new set of West Coast chrome mirrors. I also installed a new skull and piston shift knob. I bought a 4 row aluminum radiator with shroud and fan and a Vintage Air A/C-more preparation for the cummins install. I also took the Beast with the 65 on back and towed the 71 C-10 on the car trailer to a car show this weekend. The Beast pulled both trucks with ease. Should be a walk in the park after the Cummins gets installed. I took 1st place in the wrecker category.

[awhite4557]

I started the cummins swap. The front clip, bumper and motor and transmission were removed. I ordered a set of motor mounts from GMCuminsconversions.com. I have a FASS fuel system, 4 row aluminumn radiator with shroud and fan, vintage air-conditioner and the necessary glow shift gauges for the cummins.

[dsraven]

how much do you think the wheels will stick out past the fenders?

[vintovka]

Was the firewall previously recessed and will it be enough for the longer Cummins? I really wanted to put one in my build below but the guys around here did not want to tackle the firewall modifications. FWIW i have a 2004.5 Ram 2500 and the HO engine delivers a consistent 21-24 MPG with more than enough power for all my needs. Yours may do even better with the manual. Keep us posted.

[awhite4557]

Originally Posted by dsraven

how much do you think the wheels will stick out past the fenders?

dsraven If your referring to the front wheels, the tires are pretty much flush with the fender.

[dsraven]

just seen this, wonder if you plan to do some cross dimension checks on the firewall opeing. thats a big hole so without any cross bracing there is room for movement and it could easily get out of square.

[awhite4557]

Originally Posted by dsraven

just seen this, wonder if you plan to do some cross dimension checks on the firewall opening. that's a big hole so without any cross bracing there is room for movement and it could easily get out of square.

Yes we did place bracing in the cab to support it. I have since had the cab painted and all body work on the cab, fenders, hood and doors are complete. I am working on the bed and have to sandblast it and paint it prior to installing the cab and the body panels. Due to foreseeable problems that were run into during the core support and radiator install, I decided to ditch the cummins and go with a 6.2 LS.

When I get a chance, I'll post updated pics.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by awhite4557

Yes we did place bracing in the cab to support it. I have since had the cab painted and all body work on the cab, fenders, hood and doors are complete. I am working on the bed and have to sandblast it and paint it prior to installing the cab and the body panels. Due to foreseeable problems that were run into during the core support and radiator install, I decided to ditch the cummins and go with a 6.2 LS.

When I get a chance, I'll post updated pics.

Heck even my plans for a 5.9 cummins in my 54 died with he tape measure.

[dsraven]

i could see why you ditched the big diesel, the cabs are tight enough so by the time you cut away firewall and floor space you don't have much foot room left for pedals and comfort. cool idea though. maybe a diesel swap in a dimensionally bigger truck would be something to think about when you get this one done.
keep posting up pics, it's cool to see how you tackle stuff.