VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Chopped 1928 1 ton Chimaera

Hello everybody!

I just scooped up a 1928 Chevy 1 ton and I'm looking for info on it. Hope I don't offend the purists here, seems more like a resto forum than rod's, but I thought I'd give it a shot.

Basically, what I picked up is a 1928 1 ton pick up with original radiator, fenders (minus left rear),running boards, engine cover (bonnet) and the original cowl with gauges, windshield and all the hardware. Also got the original steering column with rebuild worm gear(?) box. Original fron axle as well. I believe this all to be factory Chevrolet.
It has a 1929 Cab on it, that was chopped 4". The dash is different from the 28 dash, its more half moon shape vs. the oval/football shape of the 28. The cab is bad shape, but is repairable. Just need to replace some metal.
From there, it has a 1986 350 truck engine, 4 bolt main and matching transmission. Not sure if it's the TH350 or TH400 yet, as I have yet to remove them for inspection. The front end has been lowered 4" and disc brakes installed. The rear end is something of a curiosity, never seen one like it before. I was told it is from a Chrysler of some sort. It does have huge drum brakes, without a tape measure I would guess 14". Also has some kind of torsion or sway bar brackets on the top. (see pic).

Thi project is a rod, but I do want to have and keep as much original as possible and still be able to have nice driving truck.
My questions are mostly related to original build specs.

1) Anyone have any diagrams of the steering set up? I have never done anything this old and I'm far from an expert in this area.

2) Cab and bed mounting diagrams and specs.

3) Good place to find original parts? ( door handles and hardware, window hardware, rear fender etc).


Non resto questions -

4) Anyone know what kind of rear end that is??????

5) Anyone that's done this kind of thing recommend headers? (looking like I'll have to fab them)







And now I have to figure out how to upload pics.

Hi,

Unfortuneatly this site caters for Hot Rods also. Good luck with you project, but I find it amazing that this site that projects its self as for the preservation of old chevs, also tolerates the "modification" (to be kind)of cars into what they were never meant to be.

I can appreciate the amount of work that goes into a Rod, but each one on the road is an old car that has had its soul destroyed.

Anyway I am sure you will find the details you are after, because this site is open to Rodders as well, but I cant help thinking how an approach by me to a Hot Rod site regarding a question on an original 28 Chev would be handled.

Good luck with you 28 Chopped 1 tonner with a 350 motor, Auto transmission and othe non standard specifications.

I am not a purist, but as you mentioned, this is more a resto forum than a Rod site, or is it??

Cheers

Ray

Without photos we are guessing in the dark. Some of your descriptions don't match my vision of a '28 or '29 (like instruments as they are basically the same shape).

Yes this is mainly a resto forum. We sometimes get slammed if we suggest people go other places or claim a modification is not original. There are not too many that frequent here that have much experience with hot rods. So we may not be much help.

Wow, thanks for the warm welcome. Simple fact is, if I had the original motor or even trans, it would be a resto project instead of a rod. But it's already partially rodded out and beyond resto, so finishing the rod is all I can do. Gotta work with what I have here.










So I wont ask anything abou non original parts. If you guys can help on the steering linkage diagram and bed and cab mounting, awesome, I appreciate it. If not thanks anyway and pardon my rod intruding into the purists here. Pun intended.

Cheers

As I suspected looks like you have a combination of parts. The dash instruments are '29. Hood and radiator shell '29-'30. Can't tell for sure but cab looks to be a '31 as it has stamped steel top and moulding on the cowl looks to be thinner than '29-'30. Also looks like the parts behind are '29.

The truck is built on the 131" WB 1 1/2 ton chassis.

Close up photos of the front brake rods, steering, etc. will be needed to give more detailed and accurate information.

very nice looking truck, probably best or cheaper to go hot rod with that one, rat rod is an option if you do not have any money.
with 350 you would be best suited to go with one of those weld on front ends that have coil springs and disk brakes, coil over in rear u pick the rear end. old time leaf springs will have you bouncing around and coils not. you need modern brakes anyway.
a younger man likes hot rods and an older man likes original. I am in the original phase.
the parts forum here offers parts as does ebay.

good luck

Chipper - Thanks for the info. Yea it is a hodge podge of mixed parts. That's why I've dubbed her the Chimaera . The cab cowl and visor are not original to the frame. The pic of the dash and instrument cluster is original to the frame and is not incorporated into this build. Just can't see myself destroying the cowl to make it fit the cab when it is really in darn good shape. I would rather sell that piece to someone who needs it for a resto. Its interesting you call out everything I was told as 1928 to be 1929, and everything I was told was '29 as 1930 (or possibly '31). The original cowl does have some number plates attached, so I'll pull those and clean em up and post up the numbers. I'll also take some pics of the steering, show you what I have. I appreciate the info. Here is a pic of the cowl that is original to the frame, maybe you can discern more about the truck from it.





Another note that might help in identification, the paint for the radiator housing, engine cover, original front cowl and fenders and running boards is original. Dark green on black.

Ken - unfortunately funds are somewhat limited on this one. Coil overs and a complete IFS front end would be nice, but not in the budget at the moment. That will have to be down the line a bit. First order of business is to make her drivable. She'll be a bumpy ride for sure with springs all the way around, no doubt about it. I'm more for the classic 50's style rod's than a total rat rod, everything is going to be as original as I can make it, minus the drivetrain and of course brakes! ( Gotta be able to stop her). I do love a proper resto though.


Oh, here is that rear end. Never seen one like it. All I was told was "it's some kind of Chrysler rear end". HAHA Any ideas gents? Thanks in advance...

The cowl has the wider horizontal moulding of the '29-'30 truck. The moulding matches up with the moulding on the hood. The thinner moulding on the cowl on the truck will not match up. You can remove the 8 barrel headed screws holding the door posts to the cowl and switch cowls if you want. The dash boards will also interchange or can be kept with which ever cowl you want.

The rear end looks like one from a coil spring 1/2 pickup.

If you wanted to part with it I could use that temperature gauge/light switch on the left side of the dash if you did not want too much for it. Or if easier, the whole dash insert. Keep me posted.