Other: 1952 2R6 Pickup Project

[KFC]

Hello all!

Starting a project on a 52 2R6 pickup. I have not done any projects like this and don’t have a huge amount of experience so it will be a big (and exciting!) learning curve. Thought I would reach out for some advice and input from those that have been there and done that.
The intention is a fun daily driver, smooth ride with power brakes etc.

Current Plan:

Boxing in the original frame (Strength/Ease/Cost - thoughts or comments?)

Mustang II front end (weld in kit) – Worth doing coilovers or airbags?

Chevy LS3 + auto trans (Will strength of original boxed in frame suffice with this? 430Hp 425ft/lbs)

Currently looking at the Ford 8.8 and 9” rear axels. Can anyone advise on if one would be better than the other for this application. Any vehicles that these are any easy swap from (Ford Explorer etc)? Width concerns for wheels fitting within fenders? OR other rear axel suggestions?

OPEN TO ANY OTHER BUILD SUGGESTIONS, ADVICE ETC! :-)

Many thanks,
Kelly

[PackardV8]

Hello all!

Looking at restoring a 52 2R5 pickup. I have not done any projects like this and don’t have a huge amount of experience so it will be a big (and exciting!) learning curve. Thought I would reach out for some advice and input from those that have been there and done that.
The intention is a fun daily driver, smooth ride with power brakes etc.

Current Plan:

Boxing in the original frame (Strength/Ease/Cost - thoughts or comments?)

Mustang II front end (weld in kit) – Worth doing coilovers or airbags?

Chevy LS3 + auto trans (Will strength of original boxed in frame suffice with this? 430Hp 425ft/lbs)

Currently looking at the Ford 8.8 and 9” rear axels. Can anyone advise on if one would be better than the other for this application. Any vehicles that these are any easy swap from (Ford Explorer etc)? Width concerns for wheels fitting within fenders? OR other rear axel suggestions?

OPEN TO ANY OTHER BUILD SUGGESTIONS, ADVICE ETC! :-)

Many thanks,


Kelly

Hi, Kelly,

Welcome to the forum.

Unless you're going road-racing, the frame doesn't require boxing.

There's an easier and less expensive option for an IFS than the Mustang II. The old Ford Aerostar vans have an IFS with disc brakes and power rack and pinion which is a bolt-in to the Studebaker truck. It only requires a few easily fabricated spacers from rectangular tubing.

The Stude rear spring stack is heavy and too close together. On the rear axle and suspension, having BTDT, if I were ever to do another Stude truck rod, I'd look under new trucks with leaf springs and install an axle with three wide leaf springs mounted on top of the axle and outside the frame rails.

On my truck, I did install a second set of shocks and having four makes a real improvement.



Rear disc brakes, if they come with the rear you choose, are nice to have, but really don't add much braking on a truck with no weight on the rear.

jack vines

[KFC]

Hi Jack,

Thanks for the info.

The Aerostar front end is something I will definitely look into.

Best regards,
Kelly

[thehotrodder]

Jack, do you know if this Aerostar swap will lower the nose of the truck and if so how much? I have read some maybe 12 year old threads and the bob Johnstone page. Looks like the steering gearbox would fit a little easier than the Volare front end.

does anyone make drop spindles for it? Also, is there an option for no power steering? And if not what pump would one use? The ford pump or a studebaker pump? Just thinking about hyd pressure. I’m sure these answers are out there, I just can’t find them. Also, does anyone make those boxed tube adapters or no?

thanks in advance

[Hallabutt]

Kelly'

Your truck is for you to enjoy as you like. I give you a lot of credit for your enthusiasm, I hope you enjoy the process, but so others can understand more easily what you are talking about, I think that you would be better served by a word other then "restoration." Restoration has a very specific definition-returning something to it's original condition. This is not what you will be doing. Try to substitute a term like restomod or mild custom. If neither of these terms defines your project, dig a little deeper for a term that better applies.

It may seem like I'm knit picking, but a bit of education now might save you some animus in the future. There are old car people out there that really take offense to the use of the term restoration, when the project is obviously not what the term describes. Good luck with your project.

Bill

[KFC]

Kelly'

Your truck is for you to enjoy as you like. I give you a lot of credit for your enthusiasm, I hope you enjoy the process, but so others can understand more easily what you are talking about, I think that you would be better served by a word other then "restoration." Restoration has a very specific definition-returning something to it's original condition. This is not what you will be doing. Try to substitute a term like restomod or mild custom. If neither of these terms defines your project, dig a little deeper for a term that better applies.

It may seem like I'm knit picking, but a bit of education now might save you some animus in the future. There are old car people out there that really take offense to the use of the term restoration, when the project is obviously not what the term describes. Good luck with your project.

Bill

Hi Bill,

Sorry for any potential confusion, I figured my post was clear, concise and easy enough to understand. My apologies if it was not and apologies to anyone that may have been offended by my misuse of the word...I've removed it now...

If you have any other educational comments please PM me, it would seem more sensible to do that rather than post it here.

Kind regards,
Kelly

[Mrs K Corbin]

I think they call it RestoRod. Either way, it's your baby. Save everything you pull off, someone may want it. Also, the 2R6 engine is the "big" six and better than most of the little ones, but harder to find parts to rebuild.

[KFC]

I think they call it RestoRod. Either way, it's your baby. Save everything you pull off, someone may want it. Also, the 2R6 engine is the "big" six and better than most of the little ones, but harder to find parts to rebuild.

"They" can call it whatever they please, I will refer to my projects simply as projects to avoid any unnecessary hurt feelings.

Yes this will be kept without a doubt. I also have a 53 2R5 with the small engine, a rebuild and swap may tack place there (assuming it's possible and fits?).

Kind regards,
Kelly

[Mrs K Corbin]

The hardest part these days is paint, looks like you got that whooped.