47-55.1 1950 Chevy 3100 Ramp Bed 1-ton

[awhite4557]

This truck is titled as a 1950 Chevy 3100. It sits on a 1974 Chevy 1 ton chasis with a 350 small block and 4 speed truck transmission. It has hydroboost brakes/power steering, a ramp bed with a electric Ramsey winch. My plan is to swap in a 24 valve Cummins I have out of a 2002 Dodge 1 ton with a 6 speed transmission.

[mr48chev]

Nice work on the bed. That is going to be a beast that will get down the highway when it is done

[awhite4557]

When I bought this truck, the drivers door lock was broke. I bought an altman conversion kit and am in the process of installing the new locks. Since I had to completely strip the doors, I also decided to go ahead and order 1 piece power windows to upgrade both doors with new seals, glass, etc. I have the drivers door latch installed but haven't started installing the windows yet.

[mr48chev]

Good move, the stock latches can pop open going down the road if they are worn too much. My wife fell out of our truck 39 years ago when she leaned back against the door and it popped open. Luckily we were in town a block from where she worked and going real slow but it was a long morning in the emergency room. She still has scars from landing on the gravel and pavement.

[awhite4557]

I started working on the electrical while waiting on the windows to arrive (they were on back order). I replaced the three cab lights with five LED's. I also replaced both front factory park lights with new chrome LED lights and added LED fender lights. I added LED side marker lights and LED stop/tail lights. I want a big truck look so I installed lighted rocker switches in the dash for the headlights, interior lights and work lights. I used relays for all of the lights. I also replaced the vacuum wiper with a 12 volt electrical wiper motor, new arms and blades. I also ordered and installed Dakota Digital HDX guages with GPS speedometer. This setup has outside temp, compass and is blue tooth to allow setup and customizing from your smart phone. I ordered temp senders for the transmission and rear end which can be displayed on the guage information center but have not installed them yet. I installed new interior lights with LED's as well. I also installed LED work lights on the bed and a brake controller for towing a trailer.

[dsraven]

sounds like an interesting plan.
is that wood on the floor? that will make it easy for fitting the trans under there
will your latch system work with the one piece window tracks etc in place? there is another thread on here lately where the guy is having some issues with latches, doing the same sort of idea as you have
just looking at the dash, it looks like there are some cracks around the speedo. maybe just paint? anyway, you may want to consider beefing up the dash/firewall a bit, if not already done, because the steering column looks (by the pics) like it is mounted fairly low on the column which leaves a considerable length left to become a big lever on the dash, if you use the wheel as a grab bar to get in or whatever. if you are going with a bigger inline engine you may need to do a bit of firewall work anyway.

looks like it will be a nasty unit when done. people are gonna get outta your way, haha.
keep posting up progress pics, it's good to see what you will come up with

[joedoh]

super great! I love ramp trucks, I might get one some day!

Originally Posted by dsraven

is that wood on the floor?

havent you ever heard of floorBOARDS?

[Daze57]

very good looking project sir -----i like all the upgrades ---i agree ppl should get outta the way when that hauler is movin --- if not you might be haulin it away

v cool .....v cool

[dsraven]

cool front bumper guard. old school and grumpy looking

[mongocanfly]

nice project..can't wait to see how the power 1pc Windows turn out...I'm planning on using them in mine...

[awhite4557]

Originally Posted by dsraven

sounds like an interesting plan.
is that wood on the floor? that will make it easy for fitting the trans under there
will your latch system work with the one piece window tracks etc in place? there is another thread on here lately where the guy is having some issues with latches, doing the same sort of idea as you have
just looking at the dash, it looks like there are some cracks around the speedo. maybe just paint? anyway, you may want to consider beefing up the dash/firewall a bit, if not already done, because the steering column looks (by the pics) like it is mounted fairly low on the column which leaves a considerable length left to become a big lever on the dash, if you use the wheel as a grab bar to get in or whatever. if you are going with a bigger inline engine you may need to do a bit of firewall work anyway.

looks like it will be a nasty unit when done. people are gonna get outta your way, haha.
keep posting up progress pics, it's good to see what you will come up with

Yes the dash is cracked from the column stressing it. One of the previous owners installed it and it's not braced very well. That is another planned change. When I swap the cummins in, I plan to rework the cab and replace the dash or weld the cracks whichever it requires to fix it. Not sure about the window issues, I haven't started to install them yet. I received them, just haven't had time. The floor is metal but has some laminate wood installed over it. It was there when I bought it as well. I'm scared to look under it.

[dsraven]

check this thread on a '49, same issue with bearclaws and windows. it may take some special treatment to make it all work with the limited space in the door.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=748983

[awhite4557]

Originally Posted by dsraven

check this thread on a '49, same issue with bearclaws and windows. it may take some special treatment to make it all work with the limited space in the door.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=748983

The latches in your post link are not the same latches I am installing. I'm not sure if the one's I have (Altman brand) will have clearance issues or not. I will post more info when I start to install the windows. The photos in your link look different that the ones I am installing.

[awhite4557]

I got a little more work done this weekend. I used some angle iron to fab up a gas tank bracket and mounted a 21 gallon suburban tank that I had on the passengers side of the bed. I also mounted an Optima yellow top battery on the drivers side frame. I installed a set of train horns by the battery. I have dual 200 psi viair compressors and dual 2.5 gallon tanks that will be mounted on the passengers side in front of the fuel tank (soon I hope) to operate the train horn and air tools. I removed the fuel tank from inside the cab.

[awhite4557]

Originally Posted by awhite4557

I got a little more work done this weekend. I used some angle iron to fab up a gas tank bracket and mounted a 21 gallon suburban tank that I had on the passengers side of the bed. I also mounted an Optima yellow top battery on the drivers side frame. I installed a set of train horns by the battery. I have dual 200 psi viair compressors and dual 3.5 gallon tanks that will be mounted on the passengers side in front of the fuel tank (soon I hope) to operate the train horn and air tools. I removed the fuel tank from inside the cab.

More photos

[awhite4557]

Originally Posted by awhite4557

More photos

more photos

[Chevy-49]

Nice gauges, Dakota Digital HDX.
I want to upgrade, I also like the NVU 47372-02, did you consider these ?

[awhite4557]

Originally Posted by Chevy-49

Nice gauges, Dakota Digital HDX.
I want to upgrade, I also like the NVU 47372-02, did you consider these ?

No, I like Dakota Digital and wanted to go with the newest technology.

[awhite4557]

I removed the metal seat brace from the floor of the cab and installed a bench seat I removed from a 94 GMC PU. The seat fits perfect.

[awhite4557]

I fabbed a bracket for the air compressors and tanks from angle iron and mounted them under the passengers side bed in front of the fuel tank. I used 3/8 stainless steel lines and fittings.

[awhite4557]

Installed a wireless remote for the winch. Works great and easy to install. Mile Marker brand from Amazon.

[awhite4557]

I finally got time to fix the trailer hitch so that I could tow my 18ft. car hauler behind the ramp bed. I cut a hole through the lower deck on the rear and inserted a receiver tube through the hole and welded it in solid. It is braced under the bed to the cross member built into the bed. It's very solid. Now I can use a receiver hitch to make the trailer level.

[awhite4557]

I decided to nickname the truck "The Beast". I took the Beast to the Exotic Suspensions Toys for Tots Show and Shine car show last weekend in Odessa and won one of their cool trophy's. I hauled my 65 C-10 on the Beast.

[awhite4557]

Getting ready to install the cummins. I installed a set of 5 inch exhaust with 5 inch Chrome dual stacks.

[mr48chev]

That truck just gets better all the time. I'm kind of chasing a motorhome with a 440 Mopar in it to convert to a ramp truck if I can figure out where in the yard I can stick it to cut the motorhome body off. That Cummins should let you waltz across Texas at a pretty good clip.