how big of tire would you run

[harkinoff]

How big of tire would you run on Scout 44's packing about 3200 pnds, could you go 35's and not worry? Another problem is I would have a 468 pushing them... Thinking of making the little 55' studebaker pickup a 4x4 again. I've hit this idea around a lot and have had some people talk me out of before. Before I was going to make this my trail rig but now I'm thinking just a pavement pounder and maybe some hunting/ mild trails kinda rig.. You don't see any of the old trucks being 4x4's so this studebaker would be way different...My original plan is to go for the pro street look and do the drag thing again, but the cost to do a top of the line job would be way into the 30's and to do a 4x4 thing I could be around 10 grand I think, paint and everything...If you had a choice to do a pro street truck or build a mild street 4x4 trail rig with a rust free studebaker truck what would you do and why? I'm leaning to the 4x4 thing again

 

[harkinoff]

and a pic of the truck

 

[Caleb]

honestly, I dream of the day I can do a sweet hotrod...I know it gets very pricey but I love them...a fun DD would be cool too though...

and to answer your question, yes, I think you could run 35s and not worry at all, especially if you are only DD it and mild trails...

 

[RockMonkey]

That thing only weighs 3200lbs? Yeah, I think 44s would live okay. You'd prolly break u-joints from time to time. I agree with Caleb though, skip the 4x4 thing, make it a hot rod.

 

[Jeremy]

my brother ran 35" tires with the scout 44's, with a 350 motor. it did fine untill we got to the top of gold bar rim( you the step just before you turn around and go back down) he made it the year before just fine, but this time he blow up the rear end.

 

[Tacoma]

lots of variables on the 44's... a probable yes, they will live.


I'd chop that pickup, paint it flat blue, and cruise on red steelies and dog dish hubcaps... with huge MT's in the back of course.

 

[harkinoff]

well I did some measuring today, the studebaker axle is about 63" wide and the scout is around 60" so the scout axles would fit nicely.. I talked to my old man the original owner, he thought it would be a cool truck either way. He's thinking 4x4 also, just so its not so restricted on its use, doing the pro street thing would make it a sunday driver only/ good weather sorta truck.That and probably get me in trouble... The 4x4 route I could drive it year around and still be able to use the truck if needed as a truck...
I'm thinking on using the 468 still and doing a turbo 350/400 dana 300 setup. I'm wondering what springs to use, I want a sweet ride but also functional. 56" chevy's in rear or should I link it front and rear.. being an old rig I can do whatever like rods do I'm assuming..What are some of the conversions you all have seen that have stood out to you, suspension wise..ideas..

 

[Shawn]

You could look into doing a pre-runner style 4x4. Link and coil the rear and run coil overs in the front. That way you could have the best of both worlds

 

[TooeleBronco]

My brother had a Scout with the dana 44's and 35 inch tires. He had nothing but problems with the rear 44 (twisted axles and cracked housing). He wasn't the easiest on the gas petal so that might have something to do with it.

 

[harkinoff]

You could look into doing a pre-runner style 4x4. Link and coil the rear and run coil overs in the front. That way you could have the best of both worlds

that would be an interesting setup, how would it behave on the street I wonder?

 

[grinch]

I run a scout 44 on the front of my cut up scrambler... Weighs about 3200 lbs, 4.56 gears, 4.2 straight 6, 35 inch tires.... I go through about 2 short sides and 1 long side per year on avrage.... I am really hard on this axle thoah and have only ran junk yard shafts and stock ujoints..... Its doable Im actually putting this axle in my new buggy and plan on running 37's with cro mo shafts.... I say go for it.....

 

[Shawn]

that would be an interesting setup, how would it behave on the street I wonder?

You remember that time we went to PnP and there was that old Chevy truck that had a wishbone style rear end, and we were like...cool....

Run something like that.

It will run fine on the street and long as you built it so.
James K links pre runner stuff all the time, PM him and see if he can hook you up to some cool links. The neat thing about this idea is that it is unique.

 

[BCGPER]

Rand, street is all about looks dude. You really need to measure your fender openings and see what will look good and how much lift. You can lift and cut till anyting fits, but it'll look like crap. Borrow a couple different sizes of spares or what ever, and slide em under it. Then you can figure out the lift you'll need to pull it off. Personally, I'd never cut the thing!

I had 35's on the red 58, and they were just about perfect as far as fitting those wheelwells. No rubbing, no cutting, and no excessive lifting.

How big of tire would you run on Scout 44's packing about 3200 pnds, could you go 35's and not worry? Another problem is I would have a 468 pushing them... Thinking of making the little 55' studebaker pickup a 4x4 again. I've hit this idea around a lot and have had some people talk me out of before. Before I was going to make this my trail rig but now I'm thinking just a pavement pounder and maybe some hunting/ mild trails kinda rig.. You don't see any of the old trucks being 4x4's so this studebaker would be way different...My original plan is to go for the pro street look and do the drag thing again, but the cost to do a top of the line job would be way into the 30's and to do a 4x4 thing I could be around 10 grand I think, paint and everything...If you had a choice to do a pro street truck or build a mild street 4x4 trail rig with a rust free studebaker truck what would you do and why? I'm leaning to the 4x4 thing again

 

[BBowski82]

Harkinoff---Here's one thing that nobody has mentioned and is worth considering....No matter how cool a truck is, it's almost always a waste of time to try turn it pro street. Trucks' aren't meant to be raced and it would be much cheaper to pick up a first gen camaro or something if you want to race.

However, if you want to keep the truck on the street just do a mild motor/trans build, set the chassis on air ride, get a sweet paint job and spend the left over cash to build a sweet matching chopper to carry in the bed!

I think that Study would look sweet as a 4x4 daily driver.

 

[harkinoff]

Rand, street is all about looks dude. You really need to measure your fender openings and see what will look good and how much lift. You can lift and cut till anyting fits, but it'll look like crap. Borrow a couple different sizes of spares or what ever, and slide em under it. Then you can figure out the lift you'll need to pull it off. Personally, I'd never cut the thing!

I had 35's on the red 58, and they were just about perfect as far as fitting those wheelwells. No rubbing, no cutting, and no excessive lifting.

what did you use for springs and axles on the 58'? I wasn't planning on doing any sheetmetal cutting, I want the stock look. Good plan on the tire sizing, whatever fits. I'm thinking with the wheelwell size I can get 35's with some lift?

 

[harkinoff]

Harkinoff---Here's one thing that nobody has mentioned and is worth considering....No matter how cool a truck is, it's almost always a waste of time to try turn it pro street. Trucks' aren't meant to be raced and it would be much cheaper to pick up a first gen camaro or something if you want to race.

However, if you want to keep the truck on the street just do a mild motor/trans build, set the chassis on air ride, get a sweet paint job and spend the left over cash to build a sweet matching chopper to carry in the bed!

I think that Study would look sweet as a 4x4 daily driver.

I like your thinking I was planning on the harley when I turn 40
To go for the pro street thing, suspension work is where the cost would rack up, cutting the frame behind the cab and narrowing it, then coilovers and linking the rear, the bed would consist of nothing but wheel tubs. which leaves room for a suitcase so, I think your right on leaving it a useable harley hauler...

 

[harkinoff]

You remember that time we went to PnP and there was that old Chevy truck that had a wishbone style rear end, and we were like...cool....

Run something like that.

It will run fine on the street and long as you built it so.
James K links pre runner stuff all the time, PM him and see if he can hook you up to some cool links. The neat thing about this idea is that it is unique.

This is a thought...
I didn't know James did pre runner stuff, guess I need to start getting out more again...Cool , thanks..

 

[BCGPER]

No lift, it was an original 4X4 though so they may have tweaked with the springs a bit at the factorybut I dont think so. There was a 2" block also. The axles were just the stock 59 half ton rear, and the front was the NAPCO one (yes, with birfields) they installed in them way back when.

what did you use for springs and axles on the 58'? I wasn't planning on doing any sheetmetal cutting, I want the stock look. Good plan on the tire sizing, whatever fits. I'm thinking with the wheelwell size I can get 35's with some lift?

 

[harkinoff]

I've seen an original 58 stude with the NAPCO conversion, rare..

I'm thinking tossing the scout axles and just have a chevy 44 narrowed, stronger and is sprung over. So the scout axles will be for sale

 

[BCGPER]

I think that's the key to an axle swap on those old trucks. You have to narrow modern axles, or they just dont look right. I like to see the tires inside the fender, rather then hanging out the sides a couple inches. Of course, that's just my opinion, what do I know.

I've seen an original 58 stude with the NAPCO conversion, rare..

I'm thinking tossing the scout axles and just have a chevy 44 narrowed, stronger and is sprung over. So the scout axles will be for sale