Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

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shaun071
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Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by shaun071 »

Hi All, a local farm has a half dozen or so 40's era trucks sitting in a paddock. I'm not sure of type could be Ford, Chev etc. There's also 70's jap utes everywhere locally sitting it paddocks. Can the older body be put on the later chassis and registered legally in Queensland? I've googled on can't seem to find a definite answer- hod rod sites say it must be a pre 48 chassis and other sites say yes as long as you meet the donor chassis ADRs. Even the QLD transport site doesn't give a definite yea or nay. Apparently it's a fairly common conversion in the past. I was thinking it would be a cool father/son/daughter project if it could be done legally Any ideas??

Cheers Shaun
hybrid
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by hybrid »

Part of the problem is the massive change in design.
Those older trucks probably have a separate chassis with the body bolted on.
Now cars are integral, so you would struggle to keep the strength when you try to remove the "body" from the "chassis".

One of my Mustang mags had an article on a 69/70 body (I think) mated to a BA era chassis. I can't remember which state.. he had lots of issues getting the OK for it. I have a feeling it was in QLD, but can't remember for sure. I can check when I get home if you like.
shaun071
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by shaun071 »

Yeah I've got that magazine at home the guy was a Toowoomba local. I was looking at 70's hilux /courier /nissan 720 as they have a separate chassis.
hybrid
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by hybrid »

Ahh yeah, something like that could work.
I think the regulations on commercial vehicles are also lower, so would probably be easier to get through than a passenger car.
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by ozbilt »

How about this? ..........

[youtube]rQpRNqUgYX0&feature[/youtube]
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by Shaunp »

You can Buy new chassis and use them in rods in QLD. Call CW components at Mt Cotton. Conversely its common to run an XJ6 Jag front end in old trucks.
shaun071
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by shaun071 »

Funny seeing that Kerry, there's a few R2000 radials lying around at work!!

Thanks ShaunP, i was looking at the jag front end with original chassis, maybe with falcon leaf rear.
Pinto-Pete
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by Pinto-Pete »

Dunno about up there but in vic chassis age determines adr requirements..
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by nassi »

If your set on converting the front end, L300 is also a common conversion, usually cheaper and more readily available these days.
Pinto-Pete
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by Pinto-Pete »

nassi wrote:If your set on converting the front end, L300 is also a common conversion, usually cheaper and more readily available these days.
Would've thought they would be getting harder to find...
That reminds me what you going to use..?
Last edited by Pinto-Pete on Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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nassi
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by nassi »

Pinto-Pete wrote:
nassi wrote:If your set on converting the front end, L300 is also a common conversion, usually cheaper and more readily available these days.
Would've thought they would be getting harder to find...
That reminds me what you going to use..?


I will stick with the original beam axle with a disc brake conversion and the tojo power steer. I had the opportunity to drive that setup on some shitty roads and its OK. Was pretty darn good on the black stuff too. The owner of the truck I was able to use converts to L300 for customers. His argument is, more modern and more common.
I like the fact he is still using the beam axle and the tojo power steer
Are you importing the LHD Tojo boxes? If so I will have one thanks.
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Re: Not Mustang- 40's truck body on modern chassis?

Post by Pinto-Pete »

Convert it and I'll send ya one for nix..
Nothing wrong with beam axle, would be good with late model power steer, what about electric pwr..?, just get it set up by a truck wheel alignment mob that can bend them would be my 2c..
Last edited by Pinto-Pete on Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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