Something I always wanted to do What do you guys think?
 

Kinda bored, so thought I might share this idea with some others. I have wanted to do this for 2 years, but opportunity never presented itself. I have always had a love for classic trucks. I wanted to get a body without a bed from an older truck. Not really sure what type of truck. Something from 30's-60's. I dunno, maybe a studebaker, chevy, ford, dodge, international, just about anything along those lines. I want to put the body without a bed onto a 1st gen cummins or maybe an early powerstroke frame. Basically just use the older truck body and interior. Put everything from the cummins/powerstroke underneath there. Then build a custom flat bed that is strong, but looks old and well used. Sane with the older truck body. I want it looking sun baked and older than anything it drives on, but having a powerhouse of a motor down under. I would want the interior to look like it rolled off the old assembly line yesterday. Still having the old shifter on the floor. Still looking original. I always wanted this. Hopefully it will become more than a dream one day.

Nothing impossible, Im just waiting for the day I can build my Fummins with an 2000-2003 Ford crew cab with a 24 Valve CTTD

Diesel power came out with a diesel swap magazine I read cover to cover. Came out this month. Inspired me. I'm tempted to go grab a truck as soon as I get 500 bucks together. Then grab a donor truck later. Just wish I had enough knowledge to go start it. Have almost all the basic tools I need except a hoist and a few odds and ends. Oh yeah, and a money tree seed.

First I think you need to get yourself a good reliable daily driver.. That way you can make money to build that rig...

Not crushing your dream here, but gotta know when a good time to build your toys..

Im gettin ready to build my Precision Tactical Rifle, that Ive wanted for years, now I can actually afford to do it... Just gotta have patience.

I know it won't be for a while. I know it won't get finished in a weekend. There are a few things I would do to make the interior more deceiving. For example, putting the AC controls where it would have the choke at. I would try to make the head light brightness switch stay on the floor if possible. Ya know............. Yada Yada Yada.......

Excellent idea and it would be nice to keep old iron going:yeah:

Good to know I ain't the only one with a love for classic vehicles.

I would love to do the same thing my friend, expect with an old GMC COE (cab over engine)....

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This is BA!

Hey H.R.D., those are some sweet COE trucks!!! If you love old chevy trucks, go to stovebolt.com. Yeah, the old cab overs are cool, but if your ever in a wreck, your head is the first thing to hit the other vehicle. Still cool trucks though.

Not mine but a couple from the NSRA Western Street Rod Nationals in Bakersfield, CA

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.