Thread: Cab questions 51 chevy 3600

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I plan on removing the cab and wonder, other than the seat, gas tank, steering, what other parts should come off. What problems will I encounter when removing the gages etc.?
jd

You have your brake lines, but you probably won't be reusing them. In fact you probably won't be using much of any of it, but never throw anything away untill your back together driving it. I don't remember how the gauges come out but I don't think there is any problems other than speedo cable and if you have a mechanical oil presure gauge, choke cable? Vacume lines for wipers. Now that I think about it there is quite a bit there,but you will probably will be replacing most of it. Gee I wish I was there these are so much fun. Have you decided what front suspension your going with? I used a 78 camaro on all I have done.

Front suspension: At first I thought it would be a Camaro but then I saw ads for Mustang II IFS and think that might be the easiest way to go. When you think about searching wrecking yards for the Camaro when most wrecks mess up the front end. When you find one you have to rebuild it, clean it, etc. The mustang II is ready to go and customized to the 51.
What are your thoughts on this? Also what kind of rear end would you suggest?
What about derusting and striping? What do you do, chem. bath, plastblast, sandblast, sandpaper?
Do you remove the seat frame?
Lots of questions, but I am trying to plan ahead.
jd

What I have done in the past is take the sub frame to a sandblasting place and leave it. They blast it prime it and paint it. Then do a lot of measuring AT LEAST TWICE before cutting anything. Rear end like I think I said earlier I just buy a camaro that was hit in the rear or a rust bucket around here you can buy them for under $500 and around $1000. with a 350 eng and a 350trans not to mention the 10 bolt rear and springs which will work under the truck. You can compensate for the track width with backspacing on the wheels. Don't get me wrong I have used Mustang IFS before and they work well I just put one on my 53 ford wagon. I just like camaro's for early chevy & GMC p/u's. I think you get a lot of bang for your buck that way.

I have aretired police officer friend that works part time for a large wrecking yard and he does all the buying at auctions. I will see if he can help me locate a camero. What years will work with the 51?
jb

I use 78's but I'm sure others will work. It realy is easy what I do is cut the truck frame off just behind the firewall. The frame rails are the same width as the sub frame. lay the truck frame on top of the subframe clamp measure , measure,& measure again. Diagonaly and both sides. This will give you a lower but level stance with useing the rear springs from the camaro. Make sure you get a camaro with multiy leafs. You can reuse the brake booster master cyl (type) disc brakes front and drum rear. Your basicly puting a truck body on a camaro. I have a picture in my galery of the last one I did. I guess it realy boils down to how much work you want to do and how much money you want to spend.

Food for thought. I used an 83 S-10 chassis. It's working out great.