Sweet trucks!!!!!!!! Wish I could see that in person!!!!

 

I've had similar thoughts as well. The biggest issue I see is that these modern trucks have considerably wider track widths compared to the older ones and these modern diesel engines are huge. Having mounted a 500 Caddy and a radiator in my Dad's '48 M16 1 1/2 ton Studebaker I can confirm that real estate fills up quickly, then there is the issue of the intercooler, condensor, tranny cooler, etc. besides the over grown diesel radiator. So what thought may be a better option, especially since I like the '53-'56 Fords, is to use a 1 1/2 to 2 ton truck of that era on a modern diesel. I haven't put a tape measure to any of them yet, but I'm betting that the overall track widths between the the old "big" truck is about the same as a modern Dodge. If the old truck is a little wider it is easy to fix with aftermarket wheels.