Scott's '51 - Chassis ??

[Scott2]

I just picked up a 1951 3100 which apparently spent a bunch of years sitting in a field, but one way or another has a great patina IMO. My intent is to seriously update the chassis and drivetrain (and a bit to the interior, glass, etc.) while leaving the body almost as-is and then drive it a lot.

My number one priority is that it starts, stops, steers and handles so well from a drivability and safety perspective that I feel completely comfortable with my wife and son in the truck, either as passengers or drivers. This means the frame is straight, square and solid, and suspension, steering, brakes, and rear-end are all modern and dead reliable.

One bit of self-realization after scouring the sites and thinking through the options is that I am not going to modify the stock chassis myself. While I've done plenty of welding and fab over the years, and lots of bodywork and mechanical as well, I'm going to pass on this and let someone else do the heavy work this round. There's all kinds of good, personal reasons and while I absolutely get the desire and benefits of doing it myself with scrounged or bought parts, there won't be any shortage of other tasks to be done with all the rest of the work on the truck.

So - after looking at a bunch of options, I'm interested in the TCI chassis because it appears to give me everything I'm looking for at a reasonable cost (relative to the options and other pricing). I'll get the coil-over IFS and 4 bar coil-over rear with Ridetech shocks and a 9", disc brakes all around, a chassis mount power brake setup, power rack and pinion, brake lines already run, LSx mounts, and all the proper 1951 mounting points in the right places.

I'm interested in others experiences specifically with TCI chassis. I know there are a number of options and many are very good. Taking nothing away from the options (except the price diff) the TCI chassis appears to meet my needs well. Anyone else go this route? Can you share your experience?

What advice would you give me?

What would you do different if you had it to do again?

Comments and suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Scott

[tinydb84]

Nice looking truck you have there. I don't have any experience with TCI.

I am going the "modify everything myself" route with my 75. Z, SFBD, moving ball joints, making motor mounts, etc...I don't regret any of it because it has been a great learning experience along the way. I also haven't spend much money on the truck (tools and classes on the other hand....).

That being said, it has taken wayyyyyy longer than I though it would. I have a 66 that is waiting to be worked on once I get my 75 up and running. I will likely be going with Porterbuilt/Scott's/No Limit just to save a ton of time (even though I now have to tools/ability to do it myself). If I could justify spending the cash I would just buy a full chassis and call it a day.

If you have the money to do it I say go for it. I doubt you will be disappointed, especially when you are driving it far sooner than you would be if you did it yourself.

[Advanced Design]

While I don't have personal experience with TCI I am sure they have a great product.

I went a somewhat similar route with the chassis on my 48 Burb. Tom at Trick Trucks and Rods built it with Heidts components on an original chassis. I spent just slightly more than if I had built it myself. Plus he is a professional and has built many more than I have so the quality is better. Also saved me a ton of time. These builds take long enough, even when getting some help.

[andrewmp6]

Have you thought about a s10 frame swap?You can get kits from http://www.code504.com/1947-1954-sho...onversion-kit/ or http://www.e-zchassisswaps.com/kit.php?category=2

[jmedero]

Scottshotrods.com makes a killer kit for it. I have one on my 68.