Hey, I was wondering if I could put a 1954 stude truck shell on a newer Ford/chevy/dodge/yota or whatever frame. A buddy of my dad's is selling a 1954 stude with minimal surface rust, and there are always trucks for sale with messed up bodies yet perfect unbent frames and in-tact drive trains. so, anyone heard of this? I know you can bolt like a 1995 bed to a 1967 frame, so I was wondering if i couls go the other way. Kinda have the old classic stylin with new technology. Also, I big plus would come with the fact that it could still be registered as a '54 lol

Thanks
Steve

 

You might want to search around in some of the older truck forums on this site; the 61-66 has a lot of body swap stuff. It's not terribly difficult w/ Ford on Ford; shouldn't really be much worse for a Stude. You need to look at things like wheelbase primarily; it'll be easier if they are kinda close (2" or so) I'm putting my '64 Ford on a '70 Ford that has been upgraded to p/s and disc brakes. This gets you into 'modern' drivetrain components, esp. engines. The later Ford frame rails taper wider in the back, which is a little trickier. If you can, salvage the brackets for the body off the Stude frame, as they will work better than the donor truck. The axle width shouldn't be much different. You'll have to play w/ the height and rake of the cab to get it right, and you may have issues w/ the front clip mounting points, such as radiator support, etc. Another route might be to see if anyone makes a front suspension kit for your Stude, although I doubt it. As for registration, legally in some states thay might go w/ the frame, not the body. Most trucks have the VIN number on the frame. Here in Florida, they don't have inspection, so nobody's gonna find out anyhow. You might want to check w/ your insurance co. tho'. I'm kinda paranoid 'bout that since I got sued big-time once, and the ins. Co. nearly weaseled out of it. You can get real cheap collector and custom car ins., but it is very limited as to when you can use the vehicle (shows, parades, cruises; but NOT work, shopping, etc.) Sounds like an interesting project; I love them ole Studes!

 

I have a friend that put a 64 studibaker truck on a jeep frame. It looked real good but I don't know what kind of problems he ran into.
He does belong to a Studibaker club and has quiet a few of the cars and one truck that has a sticker from the AFB in Guam on the back window.

 

Thanks any more info would be helpfull