Another project!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Brandon, MB
Another project!
Well, I had and idea. I was looking at my '51 last night and thinking, 'Ya know, that extra 7.3 IDI that's sitting in the barn would fit in there.' That where it started. Then it snowballed from there. I've got a spare rear axle from a '91 F350 chassis cab and the mounts would fit. Hmmmm. What about the front suspension and hubs.... Hmmmm, it would take some fabbing, but probably do-able..... Hmmmm. Well there's a tranny and transfercase still attatched to that IDI. Hmmmmm........
What do ya think?? Anyone want the old drivetrain?? 
What do ya think?? Anyone want the old drivetrain??
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,402
Likes: 1
From: Delisle/Vanscoy, Sk.
Good idea Dave. It would be different and cheaper on gas. Since you have the major components there you could do it. There are always guys looking for those old flatties you could sell.
Your idea has been done before, but it always gets peoples interest on how it works out.
You never know it may become your daily driver afterwards.
Your idea has been done before, but it always gets peoples interest on how it works out.
You never know it may become your daily driver afterwards.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Not to rain on your parade but the front suspension of the later trucks is a little too wide.
The 4WD front suspension is a little wider than my Twin-I-Beam and is designed to fit a 37.5" wide frame where the front frame section on the 51 is 32". For some reason ours trucks had a narrower front track width. Stock was 58" and a 80-96 4WD is 67".
Then the 32" front frame section isn't wide enough to clear the exhaust on the IDI's. Its a little tight on the later frames already. The firewall will also have to be moved back to squeeze it in. Here's how much room with just a little 302.
Not the best angle but the back of the fan motor is even with the water pump pulley and I moved the radiator forward to the 6 cylinder position for two more inches.
The 4WD front suspension is a little wider than my Twin-I-Beam and is designed to fit a 37.5" wide frame where the front frame section on the 51 is 32". For some reason ours trucks had a narrower front track width. Stock was 58" and a 80-96 4WD is 67".
Then the 32" front frame section isn't wide enough to clear the exhaust on the IDI's. Its a little tight on the later frames already. The firewall will also have to be moved back to squeeze it in. Here's how much room with just a little 302.
Not the best angle but the back of the fan motor is even with the water pump pulley and I moved the radiator forward to the 6 cylinder position for two more inches.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,402
Likes: 1
From: Delisle/Vanscoy, Sk.
AAHH you bubble burster!
Could the motor mounts be relocated more forward also to help clear the cowling. The rad support maybe able to modify it to fit the rad further forward. Save on cutting the cab work.
There is ways around it just takes more work.
Could the motor mounts be relocated more forward also to help clear the cowling. The rad support maybe able to modify it to fit the rad further forward. Save on cutting the cab work.
There is ways around it just takes more work.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Brandon, MB
Ah, Nathan, I knew you couldn't resist! 
Yeah, i took the tape measure with me when I was looking. Bubble still not burst. I was looking at serious modification for the front end. I've got onther frame that I can scavenge from if need be. My Dad had suggested just moving the cab over to the newer frame. I'm not so sure about that. I'm not a body guy and that would require widening the body, right Nathan? Didn't you widen one of yours???? Again, as much detail as you can good sir, but torch and welder may still prevail. I hope.
Yeah, i took the tape measure with me when I was looking. Bubble still not burst. I was looking at serious modification for the front end. I've got onther frame that I can scavenge from if need be. My Dad had suggested just moving the cab over to the newer frame. I'm not so sure about that. I'm not a body guy and that would require widening the body, right Nathan? Didn't you widen one of yours???? Again, as much detail as you can good sir, but torch and welder may still prevail. I hope.
Last edited by Fullcrew7.3; Apr 18, 2010 at 12:24 PM. Reason: repetative
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Brandon, MB
oh, the front suspension I'd be using is the old twin I-beam out of my '96. It would mean doing some fab work for sure. I wouldn't bother doing 4x4 on it. I just figured leaving the transfer caseon as it's already there and I really liked the lower range in the '96 even as a 2wd. Figured it couldn't hurt. It's not like there's any rush either. If it takes a couple years, that's OK. I've got time and lots of ideas. Just not body stuff........
It's not like there's any rush either. If it takes a couple years, that's OK. I've got time and lots of ideas. Just not body stuff........
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: saskatoon, SK
Not to rain on your parade but the front suspension of the later trucks is a little too wide.
The 4WD front suspension is a little wider than my Twin-I-Beam and is designed to fit a 37.5" wide frame where the front frame section on the 51 is 32". For some reason ours trucks had a narrower front track width. Stock was 58" and a 80-96 4WD is 67".
Then the 32" front frame section isn't wide enough to clear the exhaust on the IDI's. Its a little tight on the later frames already. The firewall will also have to be moved back to squeeze it in. Here's how much room with just a little 302.
Not the best angle but the back of the fan motor is even with the water pump pulley and I moved the radiator forward to the 6 cylinder position for two more inches.
The 4WD front suspension is a little wider than my Twin-I-Beam and is designed to fit a 37.5" wide frame where the front frame section on the 51 is 32". For some reason ours trucks had a narrower front track width. Stock was 58" and a 80-96 4WD is 67".
Then the 32" front frame section isn't wide enough to clear the exhaust on the IDI's. Its a little tight on the later frames already. The firewall will also have to be moved back to squeeze it in. Here's how much room with just a little 302.
Not the best angle but the back of the fan motor is even with the water pump pulley and I moved the radiator forward to the 6 cylinder position for two more inches.
I may know someone who is interested in a flathead.......
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,255
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From: saskatoon, SK
Ah, Nathan, I knew you couldn't resist! Yeah, i took the tape measure with me when I was looking. Bubble still not burst. I was looking at serious modification for the front end. I've got onther frame that I can scavenge from if need be. My Dad had suggested just moving the cab over to the newer frame. I'm not so sure about that. I'm not a body guy and that would require widening the body, right Nathan? Didn't you widen one of yours???? Again, as much detail as you can good sir, but torch and welder may still prevail. I hope.
Yeah, i took the tape measure with me when I was looking. Bubble still not burst. I was looking at serious modification for the front end. I've got onther frame that I can scavenge from if need be. My Dad had suggested just moving the cab over to the newer frame. I'm not so sure about that. I'm not a body guy and that would require widening the body, right Nathan? Didn't you widen one of yours???? Again, as much detail as you can good sir, but torch and welder may still prevail. I hope.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Here's sort of a simple visual of a 1987-96 frame overlay on a 1951 frame just sort of shows what your up against.
I never widened anything. I narrowed my frame to fit under the truck and use the original body mounts. I did trade for some front fenders off a 3 ton that had a dump axle as they are 2" wider on each side. I have to narrow the fender openings back to the one ton size.
I know of a white late 30's/early 40's Ford (from Regina) that someone widened at least a 16" to make it fit on a late chevy frame. Nice body work but to me it looks like s*** as the proportions are way out of wack.
I never widened anything. I narrowed my frame to fit under the truck and use the original body mounts. I did trade for some front fenders off a 3 ton that had a dump axle as they are 2" wider on each side. I have to narrow the fender openings back to the one ton size.
I know of a white late 30's/early 40's Ford (from Regina) that someone widened at least a 16" to make it fit on a late chevy frame. Nice body work but to me it looks like s*** as the proportions are way out of wack.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Brandon, MB
Ooops, my bad. I'm not the best at remembering details sometimes. I want to make it look good, so I don't really want to mess with the body at all if possible. Moving inner fender skirts and firewall is OK, but not the outer dimensions. I have a stripped frame sitting beside the '51, but haven't taken the time to measure everything yet. The diagram helps a lot. thanks Nathan.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
Nathan, how hard of a job did you find it narrowing your frame? I recall you wrote a write up on your whole project, i just dont remember what skill level you said it was, and I also dont recall if you did the welding, or hired that out??
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
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From: Saskatoon SK Canada
It wasn't hard narrowing the frame as I already had the correct size pieces to put in. I did the welding and I've improved a lot since then. I'm severely tempted to build a frame from scratch for making it much cleaner.