Thread: hi everyone

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I'm new to this forum, found it on one of my many google searches. I currently working on an off frame 1971 Chevy truck project. I have the rolling chassis complete but am having second thoughts about putting the original body back on it. Would like to mount and early forties truck body instead. I was going to pick up a 46 yesterday I was waiting to make a decision on.....but like some many good findings this one was taken from me by someone more committed then me. So I'm back to the search again. If any of you have undertaken a project like this. I would appreciate any feedback/ideas/horror stories. Here is a pick of my project in its current stage.

rebuilding the ZZ1. Its all ready completed and sitting on the frame, just dont have acurrent picture

Welcome aboard.

That other fellow may have done you a favor. The track width on the '46 is about 4-5" narrower (depending on whose figures you use). If you have the short wheelbase chasis (115"), that would match the '40's era trucks, the long chassis (127"), would need to be shortened.

If you're dead set on changing bodies, the '47-early'55 would be marginal with ugly offset wheels, and the '55-64's would work with maybe just a bit of modifying for length (depending on which you choose)

thanks Bob
I measured the frame rail widths and found the 71 to be 4 inches narrower then the 46 but did not check the track. I do have the SWB 115". Those anyone have a link to a web page that might show some measurements for all the different years? I have read that the earlier rear fenders (pre 41, I think) are about 2" wider then the mid to late forties. So running early fenders on the later years will make the body wider. I don’t now if its true for the front as well. Either way I'm thinking along the line of a heavily modified rod/body style. I want to chop it other then the window post area. So to bring the hood and side window lines to match the bed. Keeping the stock window configuration. Here are some pics of the idea. My apologies to the owners of these fine machines for modifying there truck pictures, I’m just playing with some ideas (madness)

the new hood and grill profile would be lower giving the truck a lower wider look.