Let the sparks fly

[studeboy]

Finally got goin on the Studebaker yesterday. A friend brought over a plasma cutter and off came the O.E. body mounts on the Blazer frame. (For those that don't know this project its a '49 Stude P/U on a '96 S-10 Blazer chassis) After an hour of trying to get the cab in just the right spot we set the hood in place and a fender close to its home and snapped these pics. (Thats my stepdad and friend holding the fender.)

[studeboy]

and a pic of the gauge cluster (52 desoto)

[Slag Kustom]

looks like it will work

[slammed]

Good looking gauge cluster. Keep the update's and tech coming. What will be the powertrain?

[46stude]

You gonna leave it short like that, or are you gonna stretch the wheel base?

[Fat Hack]

Should make for a cool, reliable cruiser...keep us posted with pics as ya go! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Charlie Chops 1940]

That's looking pretty good. Will you be needing a set of dropped spindles for that rascal? I've got a set from my last S-10, slightly used, probably need sand-blasting. I believe there is a sweet deal in here if you need them.

Charlie

[studeboy]

Slammed; SBC for now then a Chrysler Hemi when I accumulate enough parts

46Stude; Leaving it short. I'm planning to take about 5" from the front of the bed. (Photochopped some pics and I like it shorter.)

Fat Hack; Thanks. Did you and Brian make it to Mike's on Saturday?

Charlie Chops: The suspension plan for now calls for 2" spindles and 2" drop springs in the front and 4" blocks in the rear. (Eventually it will get replaced w/airride front and rear) Let me know how much for those spindles.

Oh just incase anybody was wonderin' about paint and stuff here's the run down. Paint will be Navy suede with cream to royal blue flames. Wheels will be WWW runnin '55 Pontiac hubcaps. The only other body mod might be a set of Buick headlamp rings and a grill bar turned 3rd brake light.

Eric

[studeboy]

let me hear what you think. first is the longer bed (stock short bed)

[studeboy]

now the bed about 5" shorter. This is how I like it but want ot hear you guys opinions. Eric

[kustombuilder]

why did'nt you call me?? i woulda come over to SUPERVISE http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif...

[bobx]

keep it short. looks more in proportion. looks good either way, but a lil better short..

later.

[kustombuilder]

looks good stock but i really like it shorter best!!! i'm off to Ionia soon, wanna go or are you babysitting??

[studeboy]

we started at about 2pm and you were still at work. Don't worry though there is plenty to do yet. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[kustombuilder]

WORK??? are you LOCO?! it's vacation (shutdown) holmes, remember?

[Fat Hack]

Looks better short to me, too! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

(Yeah, I finally made it to Mike's on Saturday...but DirtyT was MIA!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

[CherryBlossom]

[ QUOTE ]
WORK??? are you LOCO?! it's vacation (shutdown) holmes, remember?

[/ QUOTE ]

LMAO. DUH eric http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Just cuz yer laid off doesn't mean you have the right to forget SHUTDOWN! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Oh and, I like it short...the truck that is http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[beatnik]

Very Cool, the shorter bed works, it looks like it centers the fender on the bed side.

[Fast Elvis]

You go boy!!.........Stude, the truck should be one KOOL hauler when done http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif.......like the shorten version with the hemi power!!......keep us posted on the progress.

[46stude]

I'll say go w/ the short version, too. Gives it a more aggresive look, IMO.

Does the S10's front track work out OK? I'm swapping mine to a LUV chassis & the track width is just about right, by the time I run my wheel adapters.

[zonkola]

I like the shorter version better as well.

[studeboy]

The S-10 chassis seems like its made for these trucks. the front track width is perfect. You be the judge. Eric

[C9]

I like the longer version.
Makes the roof look shorter and overall proportions look right.

What is the wheelbase stock and shortened?

I'm guessing you don't want to go much shorter than 102" or so.

[studeboy]

Stock wheelbase is 112". Shortened is 107". The bed will be shortened 5" to make up the difference.

[46stude]

When I altered the wheelbase on the LUV chassis for my M5, I chose to go w/ the original Stude legnth. I'd thought about shortening it up, but decided I prefered to have the longer WB so the ride was a little smoother. And I save a little build time becuz I don't need to do any work on the bed.