Just got my truck back from a two part frame swap. Front half 94 Dakota that has been converted to five bolt hubs. Rear half a 79 1/2 ton pickup. Front is 318 magnum and the 4 speed auto. back will be the rear end out of the Dakota 3:90 shur-grip with early Dakota 5 bolt axles.

Looks good, is the rear end under or over the leaf springs?

I'm doing a 54 on a full dakota chassis right now.

Yeah: I thought guys used the whole Dakota frame? Don't know, just wondering? Great truck btw, Big window and all. The front wheels are right where they look right too.

The rear of the Dakotas frame kicks up so much the bed wouldn't line up unless you raise the bed wood. Then that messes up where it lines up with the tailgate. The axle in the truck now is the one that came in the 1/2 ton rear part of the frame and is under the axle if I can use the dakota axle it will be over the axle and will drop the rear of the truck 3" or 4" more inches.

Ah: There you go! Thanks for the info, I agree with your reasoning on that. 57's are great trucks.

'57s are great looking trucks

Nice.
Many years ago a friend of my Dads offered me a a '53 with a bad engine for free. I have always regretted not getting it (and keeping it).


Tim