49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

So I am working on my re-found barn find. My dad and I bought this $400 in '99 we got a frame off restoration (mostly other people) done and once completed always had a problem with staying running (bad gas in gas tank) But my dad parked it in his barn for the past 16 years.

He came into some money and I decided to take on giving it a modern twist with my sons.

Got the original 216 engine, running a SM420. Thinking I will try and move it to a an open drive running a ford 8.8 3.73 rear end with new discs. As well put on a mustang II front suspension with power brakes and steering and of course move it to 12V. My dad doesn't want hot rot and a Sunday driver but with safer brakes.

I know the front will be good but worried about the rear as I wonder if this 216 will be able to run the 3.73 ok?

Thoughts?

Jim

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

Welcome...very nice looking truck...I'm betting the gears you have are lower than 3.73s...
A S10 axle may be a better choice for fit..

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

I was thinking about that. I am not sure what I am looking for in that area. right now I have a lead on an '96 Explorer rear end. Bring in disc breaks and has the required track width.

Some quick research has me rethinking my direction. Maybe a Chevy s10 4x4 rear end. Seems that that would also get me a 60" track width to match my existing track width of the original 49 rear end.

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

the explorer 8.8 will likely have an offset center if that matters for other stuff like exhaust routing, fuel tank etc. mustangs also have the 8.8 and have a centered pumpkin I think. lots have posi, disc brakes, an easy park brake cable system to swap over, etc. the pinion flange from an explorer can be swapped out to something with a regular u joint if you want. a stabilizer bar from an explorer or ranger can be made to work. if getting an 8.8 try to also get the complete rear park brake cable set up with the link between the cables and a rear section of the driveshaft so you can have it welded into your new one if you want to use the flat flanged pinion yoke. also, the brake hose, vent hose etc for mock up. the 8.8 can have the chev wheel pattern drilled between the ford pattern easily. a disc brake conversion and MII front end also means a master cylinder swap, replumbing brake lines, residual and proportioning valves etc, but you probably already knew that. the 8.8 is comparable to the 12bolt for strength so they say. check out the ranger station site for more info on that. the S10 diff is also easily sourced. maybe a good idea to choose some normal offset wheels as well so you can pick some up from anywhere without a custom offset. do a little drawing of the room you have between the fender flanges and the box/frame so you have it all figured out before you buy stuff. maybe also do some homework on gear ratios in the trans you choose so you will know what rpm's will be like for take off, rpm difference between gears, final drive highway cruising rpm etc. a more modern overdrive trans with more gears may help. just google engine rpm calculator and you will get something like this.
https://spicerparts.com/calculators/...rpm-calculator
for the front end, what will you go with for the MII? weld in, bolt in? if doing a weld in be sure to get the frame levelled and at the ride height and rake angle you want before you start. remember that if the truck is dropped in height it will change how the tires are centered on the wheel openings so some mock up would be good before a permanent change is done. block it securely and in such a way that the blocks won't be in the way for working but also so they will support the truck when the weight of the old parts comes off and the new parts go on.
post up pics as you go, ask for help if you need it. don't be surprised if you get some negative comments from time to time.

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

welders series has all kinds of brackets and fab parts as well.in Ontario even, dollar for dollar.
https://welderseries.com/?_vsrefdom=...SAAEgLPSvD_BwE

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

what a great looking truck! i think you have to buy red trucks when you see them, its a moral obligation.


good luck with the modernizing!

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

Thank you for all the great information. I am using a MII bolt on option from speedway.

I am concerned about the gear ratio. I am going to stay with the 216 and SM420. I was picking the explorer rear end because it was something they were doing on TRUCKS with their 49. Now they started with th2 216 and swapped to the 235. Understanding the 216 the gearing is concern. I think the 3.73 will be good it seems to be a good swap option from what i was looking at in research. But of course I have never done this before so I need to do some more research on this end of the truck.

I am redoing the complete brake lines with the change from drums to discs. Slowly but surely getting through this.

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

Thank you so much, will take a look.

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

So I have decided on a 98 Chevy s10 4x4 GT4 rear end

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

wheel offset/scrub radius/tire size calculator. handy for doing the MII
https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?whe...cl=50mm&sr=0mm

rpm calculator
https://www.ringpinion.com/calculators/Calc_RPM.aspx

info on different years-gm manuals
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/index.htm

rpm calculator
http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmcalc.html

general interest, ls engines, tube notching, other stuff to peruse when you can't sleep
http://billavista.com/tech/index.html

original manufacturer body builder manuals which include a lot of diagrams and info for doing swaps.
gmupfitter.com

Re: 49 3100 (GrandFather, Father, Sons) Project
 

look at page 91 here, good to know info before you start you MII conversion.
Heidts tech tips: understanding IFS

https://www.heidts.com/wp-content/up...on-reduced.pdf