OldIHC

Nikkinutshop does beautiful work and he has a point.
I decided to try Japanese (Mazda, Nissan, Toyota) pickups as donor vehicles (I try to use as much of the donor as I can).
So far I've built a 1938 IHC on a 2000 Nissan Frontier, a 1941 Dodge pickup on a 1988 Mazda pickup and a 1939 GMC on a 1988 Nissan Hardbody.
These Japanese/American hybrids can rustle feathers here and elsewhere but make OUTSTANDING pickups. Just so practical, thrifty, smooth running, easy to drive and lastly STYLISH.
Wheelbase is the first consideration. Get a notebook and start measuring wheelbases on little pickups.
An inch or two off can be dealt with. 6" off not so much.
A stepside pickup bed allows a little flexibility because you can just "adjust" the fenders forward or back.
I like the "one-donor" aspect of my swaps.
You know immediately that all electrical will just plug in.
The entire braking system is used. No fear of "mismatched brakes"
Steering shaft usually needs to be lengthened. Oh darn, so hard!
TWO of the hardest aspects of a build are slam dunks. The brakes and the steering. Voila!
The sheetmetal aspect of it isn't as crazy as you think.
Old trucks generally hang all sheetmetal off the radiator support. Make this part fit and the rest of the sheetmetal and you're on the home stretch.
I can answer all questions. Good welding and fabricating skills are necessary.
However, a complete build can be completed in months vs. years.
Yay!

SG, I forgot about you and your good work. So, we have two very successful ways to get it done, now. These import trucks are often MADE IN USA and they are well engineered, fast and economical. Did I say environmentally friendly? Either way, there is no free lunch, so to speak.

I understand there are many options.... But at the same time I have 50 of these trucks just sitting around not including my f100's and Chevys... I'm going to restore about 4 or 5 all different. I'm putting a 4bt in one I have already thought of it. I'm planning on making each one new and unique.. I am doing an complete original and that would be the easiest because I have an unlimited amount of parts.. I was just trying to find different frames to consider. I was also looking at a trailblazer as with mortar and tranny I wanted to drop a frame on but not sure how everything lines up! Thank you guys so much for the info! If u guys need anything let me know and I'll see what I can do.

I'm looking at a 6bt cummins motor for 3500 that's all restored and everything but not sure what I'll have to do to my truck to fit a 6bt

This is what a '41 Dodge pickup looks like on '88 Mazda Pickup chassis, powertrain, electrics, steering, brakes, etc..
YES! They get LOWER!

This is my '38 IHC D-2 pickup sheetmetal on 2000 Nissan Frontier.
Just an easy to drive, reliable, economical pickup.

Smog I'm gonna be talkin to you a lot because that Dodge is exactly I'm wanting to do to my truck! That's sick!!! U have bags?

Don't need 'em. It ends up that low. Stock Mazda suspension.

Ok that's bad ass man they look great!

Another Dodge/Mazda picture...