1950 Chevy 3800 453T Detroit Diesel

Description

Selling my 1950 Chevy 3800 1ton converted and restored with a 453T Detroit Diesel. I spent about 5 years restoring this truck down to the frame until now where Ive been using it as a daily driver. Everything on this truck had been stripped down on the chassis, cab and body were blasted, with new sheet metal replaced in the areas that were rotted out making it a solid vehicle. I had the ambition of doing a diesel swap and wanted to build and restore something that was for daily use, fun to drive, but still had the original Advance Design stock look and functionality of a truck that would last for hundreds of thousands of miles.
The engine originally came out of a 1980 C65 Chevy with a Clark 280VO 5 speed overdrive transmission with approximately 80,000 miles on the drivetrain. The cylinder head, blower, gaskets on the block, new turbocharger have all been rebuilt and Ive since then put about 8,000 miles on it driving approx. 5 miles to work and back each day for about a year.
The front axle originally came out of a 1996 Chevy p30 step van has been shortened and re-welded to the correct width, utilizing the same steering geometry with disk brakes for better weight and stopping power. The power steering box is for a mid 70's dodge 4x4 same as a typical gm saginaw box but with reverse rotation.
The rear axle is a 14 bolt rear converted to disc brakes, re-geared more for highway speeds to a 3.42 ratio with a Yukon Grizzly locker which really helps in snowy conditions. (I currently have the spare on right now since I have to replace one of the tires).
The radiator is a quad core from Jim Carters with an electric fan with manual switch, but does have a sender on the thermostat housing if one wants to convert it back to automatic on/off. The brake system is a hydroboost (1996 Chevy P30) uses a 40mm master cylinder.
The interior is mostly complete, minus the headliner (which I have) and a grate to cover the speakers. I rebuilt the dash with a custom embossed stainless gauge cluster all using Stewart Warner gauges. Shifter has been hand made and iron casted, the fuel tank has also been replaced as well.
All in all I really do not want to sell this vehicle, it has more than treated me well and has been quite an experience building something different than an ordinary street rod or classic. With starting a new family, and my career goals focused elsewhere it's just too much for me to maintain right now. I would like to see this go to the right owner and someone who does appreciate the work that went into this vehicle. If your looking for something fast or if your not familiar with these engines and driving truck transmissions this is NOT the vehicle for you. This truck has been built to work and haul stuff around just like they were back in the day. I will include a list of part#s for the brakes and other parts for the engine. My recommendation is if you are unfamiliar with Detroit engines, know someone who is if you intend to buy it. Again don't bid and waste my time if you do not have the funds. Thanks