53 b1b Pilothouse Front & Rear

[53b1bpickup]

I am finally serious about working on the truck. Want to have disc brakes all around. Rad in the forums that a Cerokee or wrangler 2000 or later rear end is a good swap. For the front suspension, is the Mustang II the way to go? I.would like to lock down the specifics before starting up. Thanks.

[clarkoh]

I am in the process of finishing a 51.  The owner had Fatman Fabrications install a Mustang II front end and a 10 bolt GM rear end.  The widths are perfect.  Using an 8 x 17" wheel with the backspace at 4" (dead center) the 245 LT 65 17's have about 1 inch of clearance to the sides of the bed and fill the rear wheel openings nicely.  We might use a 1/4- 1/2 inch spacer, but might not be needed.  The front fenders have a little more width and accommodate the same wheel and tire nicely.  Fatman uses an 11" rotor with the large single piston GM caliper.  The rotors are drilled for 4 3/4" bolt circle and match the Chevy rear axels. 

 

The other way is to use a frame from an S-10 or possibly a Dakota frame?  I have seen a few on S-10 frames that worked out very nicely.

 

I am doing things the hard way on my 48..  Using a 2000 Ram 2500 chassis with a Dana 80 R.E. Its too wide, with the stock 8 lug wheels.  Inside the rear fenders measure about 70".  The outside of the tires are at about 76".  I may end up with a set of the flairs from the 1-ton truck for the front fenders and a narrowed R.E.? Or a wheel with a big positive offset?  The Ram chassis allows the use of the full sized diesel running gear mated to a 4BT Cummins.  NV4500 5 speed with OD should work well with the diesel at highway speeds.

 

Allot depends on if you want to put 'er down in the weeds or go with normal ground clearance.

Edited March 10, 2014 by clarkoh

[porky55]

I've got a Dakota front under mine with a dodge full size rear end. The full size works well in the rear. Dakota or jeep also works, but is kinda narrow. S-10's are too small.

[53b1bpickup]

Thank you both for your feedback. I am wanting to keep it pretty basic to start. Reliable and functional and then determined next steps.

[Ram Man 02]

there is also a disc brake conversion available for the stock axle if you would like to go that route

[fargo52]

I will try to up load some pictures of a guys truck , he put the wide front 3ton fenders and widened the rear fenders

[53b1bpickup]

Truck looks great!

[fargo52]

Check out this is the YouTube video of the trucks owner build or search (fargo truck tv ) on you tube . The owner is a member on this web site (dave5711)

[Dave72dt]

I remember him posting on the build at the time.  I thought it looked familiar!

[1952B3b23]

http://rustyhope.com/site/?page_id=7

 

The link i posted above is for a disc brake conversion for the original front axle on the truck. Thats what i have on my 52.

 

-Chris