39 Chev 1.5 ton, need ideas what to do with it

[63 & 64 Bowties]

about 6 months ago I bought this 39 ton-and-a-half. I didn't need it, but I got it for $100 so how can you pass up a deal like that? Now I don't know what to do with it. Any ideas? The rear end is locked up, and I really don't want to use the axles anyway. But, I'm not sure but I think the wheel opening on the larger trucks is bigger than pickups, so I'm not sure what it would look like on a S-10 frame. I really like the fenders, headlights, hood of these trucks, so rat-rodding just the cab is not something I really want to do. Getting rid of the hood fillers to show the engine would be fine.
Any thoughts?

[JimmyFloyd]

I'd drop it off at my house and I'll give you $200. Double your investment quickly.



If it were me, I'd probably make it a nice hauler, either restored or rat rodded some. but most likelt a nice hauler for pulling a nice, large trailer.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

The dilemma, it needs a frame that's no more than 36" wide. So,dropping it down on a modern dually is out of the question.

[Driveway Dreams]

Box that frame in, use some modern axles. But a BBC in it, or a Cummins 12v. Make it into a sweet hauler. Keep it looking original, with a twist. Something that most people would really have to think to figure out what was done to it. Maybe put it on a set of modern semi wheels. I think it would awesome.

[Todd68Chevy]

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

about 6 months ago I bought this 39 ton-and-a-half. I didn't need it, but I got it for $100 so how can you pass up a deal like that? Now I don't know what to do with it. Any ideas? The rear end is locked up, and I really don't want to use the axles anyway. But, I'm not sure but I think the wheel opening on the larger trucks is bigger than pickups, so I'm not sure what it would look like on a S-10 frame. I really like the fenders, headlights, hood of these trucks, so rat-rodding just the cab is not something I really want to do. Getting rid of the hood fillers to show the engine would be fine.
Any thoughts?

Yes the front fender openings are bigger and the running boards drop down farther than on a half ton. The cab, grill, hood and sides are the same as far as I know. I just found a set of half ton fenders to use on mine. I am putting a 1946 on a 1993 S10 frame and I can tell you that the frame is to 5 inches to wide behind the front control arms and is good at the rear of the cab. Check out my thread in this forum. I can also say on the 1940 Chevy 1 1/2 ton I have, the rear end is the right width for a 1988 Chevy box truck rear end but the front end is a lot narrower. I had the original front axle modified for the box truck spindles and now the steering is an issue that I have not solved. If you are looking at a smaller frame you might want to check out an older body style Dakota, I am not sure their width but they are straight. Good luck, I am sure it will be fun. Todd

[special-K]

The openings are bigger in the front fenders,but will allow for sizable wheels and tires.It`s not a GM,but here`s a Diamond-T that is a larger truck turned hot rod pickup.It`s sitting on a mid-70s GM frame:



Here`s a stock pickup for comparison:

[ya it is a classic]

that black diamond T truck is probably one of the coolest things that ive ever seen. i would take the big rig lights off it though

[nickp51chevy]

I think that you should build yourself a new frame to fit the cab, and find some newer/ish axles to put under it. Put a good power train in it. Then drive it how it looks now. Well change the glass too. That's what I would do.

[mapatch]

c notch the rear and put drag slicks and big block with alot of hp/tq

[Scottshotrods]

We can build you a custom ifs and a custom rear suspension to work with your
truck.
Justin
www.scottshotrods.com

[63 & 64 Bowties]

The big issue is the front fenders. Since it's a 1.5T the wheel openings are a lot bigger than a halfton. So, any wheels other than dually style/size are not gonna look right.
I'm probably gonna end up going "rat", something like this.
I really want to do a rat for my next project anyway, but I hate not being able to use the fenders, because I love the hood/fenders/headlights on these trucks.

[Davetopay]

Detroit Diesel Swap.(4-53?)

Turbo and roots compound induction.

Modern O/D tranny...stick or auto is up to you.

Drop front axle.

Stock sized skinny ribbed fronts on stock style chromed rims.

Modern drive axle with wide semi singles on chrome steels that mimic the fronts.

Drop the rear suspension with a scratch built coil spring set up that works/looks like a heavy version of the 67-72 2wd half tons.

Maybe shorten the frame a tad to make a wrecker body. Solid black(glossy) with bright red equipment.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Bill,
You're asking for opinions so I'll give mine. no offense intened but I think rats have been doen and are over. If it were mine I'd do something like the pictures I've attached. Obviously, yours is not a COE, but I love the era correct color palette of this and the bed. I'd do like Gerald (Driveway Dreams) says and box the existing frame, using a modern front cross member and rear axle arrangement.

To me, rats had their place but so many you see now are just poor workmanship and an excuse to things poorly. No, I'm NOT saying all rats are poorly done, far from it. Its just too many guys use them as a way of hiding their bad creativity ideas and poor fab skills. Just my opinion. Best with whatever you decide to do with it.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Oops! I forgot to post the pictures. Turns out I don't have them on this computer but I'll post them later, sorry.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ok, here are the pic's I promised. This is from Custom Classic Trucks 2009; I think February edition. Right now my tenative plan is to paint my '46 in this color or as close as I can get to it, since the article just asys its an olive drab custom mix. Personally, I think your '39 would be friggin awesome done like this. The article says its on the stock frame with a '78 454 out of it. Obviously, its still running 3/4 ton eight bolt drivetrain...or larger. I think you could totalls do tihs.

[Dan in Pasadena]

By the way, if ANY of you thinks you know what color is very, very close to this PLEASE drop me a PM or post it here. Thanks, Dan

[tomtuna1978]

im with Dan in Pasadena ! i like that truck dan !!! but i think you should do a flat bed with huge keg gas tanks and huge semi truck smoke stacks you dont hafto paint it also ... you can do an army green flat or grey or black flat paint abd it would look good.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

That thing is sweet. Thanks for the ideas. Only problem, mine is in pretty bad shape to start out with. It wouldn't take much more rust-through on the belt line and I could just lift the roof off by hand.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

That thing is sweet. Thanks for the ideas. Only problem, mine is in pretty bad shape to start out with. It wouldn't take much more rust-through on the belt line and I could just lift the roof off by hand.

Yeah, but it wouldn't be any fun if all you had to do was drop it off at the painter and wait for it to be sprayed, right?

[LuckyFastEddie]

Make it a rat , they are far from being "over" that's what I did anyway

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by LuckyFastEddie

Make it a rat , they are far from bring "over" that's what I did anyway

that's what I'm talkin' about. Is that yours?
More details and pics please.

[LuckyFastEddie]

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

that's what I'm talkin' about. Is that yours?
More details and pics please.

Yes it is mine . My youngest son and I built it 3 yrs ago . We call it " Ratzilla ". One of it's unique features is the 2.8 pontiac engine located behind the cab . I 'll post some new pics later today if your interested LFE

[LuckyFastEddie]

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

That thing is sweet. Thanks for the ideas. Only problem, mine is in pretty bad shape to start out with. It wouldn't take much more rust-through on the belt line and I could just lift the roof off by hand.

We did that too . LFE

[LuckyFastEddie]

Got some pics together.

[LuckyFastEddie]

A few more