55.2-59 1957 Chevy truck 3600 4x4 Frame swap (HELP)

[Bridgeman57]

The truck has been sitting in a barn for over 20 years. Hasn’t been registered since 85. The body is extremely solid with no rust on the cab, which is rare. I just want to do the basics and get it on the road. Make sure the steering is dialed in, brakes etc. most likely have to put a new wiring harness and all the interior, which is fairly cheap except the gauge assembly

[mongocanfly]

1tomany pretty well covered it...its def not a napco or original...if you go LS/4l80/4x4 your gonna have a pile of money invested in it for just a occasional driver...id leave as is ..get it running and safe to drive and enjoy..
if you try moving steering box itll probably never work..all the geometry will be screwed up if its not already...I moved my box inside the frame..had to use a 2wd steering box and crossover steering to accomplish this,....but my frames wider

[1project2many]

What you have is typical of how a backyard guy would do a 4X4 conversion in the '80s.

The truck has been sitting in a barn for over 20 years. Hasn’t been registered since 85.

Well there ya go.

I'd do what mongocanfly suggests. Get it running good and sort out the issues with the 4wd parts. Get some shocks bolted on, make sure the U-joints are good, make sure brakes work right, make sure transmission shifts. I'd also look at the steering shaft to make sure the angles at those U joints are good. You might look for an NP205 instead of the 203, but they're usually like gold around here.

Seems like a decent truck. It'd be a shame to tear it down then end up leaving it sit for another 20 years.

[Bridgeman57]

Yes thank y’all very much. I am trying to grasp my head on where to start. Time really isn’t an issue. I am almost 25 with a lot of years in front of me to learn and spend money haha. Not sure what state the 350 in it now is in. It turns free just have to find an old starter and see if she turns over. I’m probably better off finding a cheap 350 and tranny and swap them in to start. But y’all are sure a lot of help. Going to get a list going and start there.
I’m still going to pick up that free 81 blazer just to have. I have nothing to loose right. Will keep y’all posted and if I have any more questions I will definitely ask 👍🏻

[mongocanfly]

a sb is one of the easiest/cheapest engines to rebuild if nothing major is wrong with it....would be a good starting place for some one with limited experience..find a good mech that's willing to help you along...a trans rebuild is best left to a pro...or just get a rebuilt one....
free blazer=free parts...id take it in a split second...part it out and scrap the rest

[57tailgater]

I'd agree it looks like someone took some '70's Chevy 1/2 ton 4x4 components under there to convert from 2 wheel drive. The front shock mount is a typical multi-shock mount for the day. Those 70's trucks had the steering box on the outside of the frame but those frames also narrowed towards the front as well. The steering shaft was a typical mod going through an inner fender as well. It also looks like someone removed the original crossmember (that goes across in the approximate bellhousing area) probably to provide clearance for the transfer case and front driveshaft. Some people are not too concerned about this but there's not much left there for frame rail support and the extreme drop in the mount for the transmission/transfer case would make me a little leery about lateral strength in that area. Note cab mounts and the front spring rear hangers are in that area too. The big drop is also probably to keep the front driveshaft angle minimal.The rod under the front axle is an axle truss to help keep the axle from bending from upward forces while doing your whoop-de-dos.