Projects 1950 GMC Driving Project

I picked up a solid 1950 GMC a week ago for pretty cheap.
It runs good, stops, and has a pretty good original 4 speed transmission.
The motor is an early 283 "Corvette Engine".. like every other one produced, right?




It is the heavy duty 250 model, that was cut into a shortbed in the past.
The work done to it looks good, however, when they shortened the wheel base, they were 2" off. its 118" when it should be 116" for a shortbed.

My plans are to get it reliable, and do body work as I go along. Eventually I will get some firestone 6.00 16 tires for it and lower it about 4 inches to a nice level stance.

Oh yeah... I previous owner 'bobbed' the bed so their trailer wouldnt hit the fenders around tight turns .. I already got another bed to replace this.





I found a cheap Chevy bed, and its in good shape, but since the wheelbase is off, the tire is not centered in the wheelwell.



I will need to move the differential forward two inches.
Is it possible just to move the axle forward two inches on the leaf springs, or will I have to cut off the mounts and move them forward two inches?

Stay tuned for more progress and pictures.

 

There's a center bolt in the spring that locates the diff via a corresponding hole in the spring perch. It might be possible to redrill the perch to move the axle but there's more to consider. You don't want the driveshaft yoke to bottom out in the transmission as the suspension travels. The driveshaft may also need to be shortened.

Can you just move the fenders back a couple of inches?

 

Nice GM you have there it looks pretty solid! If you can't move the fenders enough you will most likely have to move the spring hangers even though its a PITA.

 

looks good......

 

How off center are the leaf spring pins? Maybe turn the springs around?

 

Thanks guys. It looks like I will have to move the hangers and shorten the drive shaft

I also need to relocate the original GMC gas tank, it is under the bed, and the Chevy bed does not clear it.

 

I didn't know leaf springs were off center, I will check that out.

 

Are you going to keep the orignal rearend? I imagine its pretty low geared?

 

It is EXTREMELY low geared. Its top speed is about 60

I want to keep this truck tough and heavy duty, but would like to get a bit better cruising abilities..

 

I could move them back, but then I would have to extend the running boards and splash guards.. It looks like my best option would be to move the hangers.

 

Is it the stock rear end? Cuz when swapping to a later rear if the normal line up hole in the spring perch is used it will be offset. Another line up hole always has to be drilled.

 

If you want to swap and stay heavy duty I think 3.54 is as high as you can go in a D60 for example. It might be ok though with a tallish tire.

 

I am just going to tool around at 50 for now, until I decide what to do with the gearing in the rear end.

 

The bob job is something...

 

Streamliner. This post probably comes too late, but I read an articale on GMC and chevy specs which said that all of GMs trucks were 2" longer than theis Chevy siblings. http://www.ehow.com/list_7737814_original-specifications-1950-gmc-truck.html