Anybody ever swap an old 50's era pickup to a 72-87 frame (SWB)?
Anyone know if the wheelbase is the same?

(didnt know where to post this!)

i had a friend that transfered a 55 to 85 4x4 blazer frame...also know know someone who put a 50's ford pick-up on a dodge dakota frame.....

Wheelbase for a 3100 pickup 48-54 (yes early 55 as well) 116"
Wheelbase for a 3100 pickup 55-59 114"
Wheelbase for a swb 1/2 ton '73 - '87 117.5"

The '73 - '87 had the front suspension moved forward slightly to enable easier oil pan removal. Remember that the gas tank(s) on that generation pickups were outboard of the frame rails

i will ask my friend willie about that, and i will try to get a pic of his truck....he thinks trunks are suppose to be lowered not lifted........really cool guy

I've been comtemplating the same thing. I have an old 57 chevy pickup and a friend of my dad's gave me a late 70's 4x4 Blazer frame that I haven't picked up yet. Looking forward to any more info.

s-10's seem to be the current popular platform for 47-59 pickup swaps.

I've read that... even found some cool "kits" for the conversion....
However they are for a STD cab LONG bed.... not alot of those around here!

I have also heard that a 4x4 s10 frame is a pretty easy swap on 50's trucks. thought about doing a 52 chevy that way.
jeff

Here is some of the info I had found on a conversion kit!

http://www.ad-engineering.com/

Another think you can do is put a front clip, off a camaro.

I saw one setting on a 73-87 style 4 X 4 Blazer chasis
It had two frames, the original 49 frame was setting on top of the Blazer frame.

I used my 59 frame and springs with axles, transmission and transfercase from a 74. Front bolts right up, rear required a 4" lift to level it out. Steering box required a special mount and reduces turning radius to the right (70ish frames are narrower in the front). I fabbed the rear cross member. This time (I am doing the body and refreshing the frame and running gear) I am adding power brake booster, moving the gas tank to the back and adding a/c. Engine is a 283 using the stock front mounts and exhaust manifolds. You need longer brake hoses. I'm also putting in an Eldo tilt column and rewiring it, you can get kits that are set up for the original guages and light but also for one wire altenator and later model steering columns. With the s-10 swap you need to fab body mounts, radiator support mounts and bed mounts, but the ride is probably better. s-10 is also used a basis for a lot of hot rods, nice boxed frame 4.3 liter ones are set up for SBC swap.