Making a 1 1/2 or a 2 ton into a 1/2 ton?

[Mikec4193]

Hi Everyone

I have been lurking for a while and as all you Mopar guys know the smaller pickup trucks are virtually unavailable anymore. So as I have been online searching for a Pilot-House to tinker with most everything that I have found are the larger flatbed versions. I love these old trucks but I am looking for something I can drive the 11 miles I drive each way to work (during the good weather of course). So how hard would it be to convert one of those larger models into a smaller pickup style truck that we all love?

What I was thinking about was getting a late 1970's-early 1980's Dodge pickup (D150) and then taking the Pilothouse sheetmetal and mounting it on the smaller chassis. I know the front fenders have larger wheel well openings so I would need to find the smaller model front fenders.

So if any of you Pilot-House experts want to give this newbie some wise advice that would be a wonderful thing.

Thank you in advance.

MikeC

[Merle Coggins]

I'd say that if you're going to drop the body on a different chassis than go for it, the cabs are the same. If you use a 4WD chassis and some larger tires the fenders might work out right. You'd have to sourse a bed somewhere, unless you make a flat bed for it. Sounds like an interesting project.

Merle

[pflaming]

A similar question: I have access to a 38 Chev 1.5 ton truck, complete. Is that frame too large to change that into a pickup? The first truck I recall my father having was a '38, so I have some emotional interest.

In the second picture, what make car is on the right edge?

Edited September 24, 2012 by pflaming

[Young Ed]

The frame would typically be a little long for the standard pickup boxes that would fit. The axles are also much bigger and heavier than a 1/2ton. That car on the right looks like a 46-48 dodge desoto or chrylser judging from the general shape and that trim on the rear fender.

[sniggle_t]

Hey Mike,

Did you go to the show yesterday? There were several 49-50 trucks and a 52.

I have a 1/2 ton front axle waiting for a project if you need it.

Scott

[Dave72dt]

I've seen pictures of COE's converted to street rods and a few 1 1/2 and 2 tons converted as well, usually on a 3/4 or ton chassis. They make a real interesting ride.

[Todd B]

I drive my semi tractor as much as I can. I use it for bidding jobs or going for icecream. Why can't you keep it as and just shorten the lenght of the frame on a 1.5 ton.

[MBF]

Mike-I've got a 52 half ton chassis that you could mount your cab on. No engine or trans, just front and rear axles, and some tired sheet metal. I was up in your neck of the woods over the weekend at the Ballston Spa truck show. There were several PH trucks there. Mike

[rovinton]

Check out #33078677793 on ebay it is a 2 ton on a chevy chassis, it looks GREAT! By the way I am trying to find out what seat he used, do you recognize what it came out of?

Richard

[Dodgeb4ya]

Link doesn't work:mad:

[B1B Keven]

Try this # 330778677793

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1949-DODGE-HOT-ROD-TRUCK-RARE-TO-FIND-/330778677793?forcev4exp=true

[Dodgeb4ya]

They shoulda put a 5.9 cummins in it. Way more hauling power and would sound like a hauler too!

[catfishcuz]

I just picked up a 49 b1b yesterday just search nationwide craigslist type it in different ways like 48 dodge truck,1948 dodge truck, 48 dodge pickup truck and so on, there are lots of them out there i found this one and hour and a half from my house. Butch

[1949dakota]

how do you do a "nationwide search" on craigslist?

[wallytoo]

how do you do a "nationwide search" on craigslist?

searchtempest.com will allow you to search craigslist from multiple states with a single search query.

[1949dakota]

thanks