All projects start with a dream

[gigamanx]

I'm hooked. I saw a 49 chevy sitting on a modern frame last weekend and talked to the owner. Got the juices flowing and I've been researching the heck out of them since.

I need a place to start! So I have questions for those of you who have probably answered them already.

My requirements are pretty simple...I'd like the end of the project to be a 49-54 Chevy 3100 that has 4x4 for snow and pulling a boat up a ramp. When I'm not pulling the boat, I'd like to drop the stance with air bags. The boat is 5500lbs. I need to start with a donor vehicle for the chassis, trans, engine, and parts, then find the old steel body to finish it all out. An S10 doesn't have the tow capacity needed so that option doesn't seem to be the best.

What other donors should I be looking at that would work? A Chevy K10, Chevy 5100? Would love to hear thoughts and ideas.