1961 Studebaker

[enjenjo]

Well here are the pictures. It has some warts, but overall I am happy with it. I will change the transmission, it has a three speed and I want a five speed with overdrive. I am not happy with the brakes, I will have to look into how I want to improve them. It has new tires but they are 8 ply rated, I think I can improve the ride with 4 ply rated tires. I don't like the gas tank at all.

[416Ford]

What about the wagon.....
Oh yea, nice truck by the way. 

[WZ JUNK]

Looks like fun to me.

[kb426]

1st question: is the sliding rear window factory?
2nd question: Did that style of bed come from the factory on that year of truck?

[idrivejunk]

LOL that body style hits me like fingernails on a blackboard.

+ me on wagon.

I'm confident you'll make it enjoyable from the driver's chair anyhow.

[enjenjo]

What about the wagon.....
Oh yea, nice truck by the way. 

The wagon needs too much work to be ready this year, It's still in progress but so far just little things

[enjenjo]

1st question: is the sliding rear window factory?
2nd question: Did that style of bed come from the factory on that year of truck?

Yes to both. Studebaker was the first company with a sliding rear window from the factory. The bed was carried over from the C and E series, as was the frame and suspension. It really doesn't fit the size of the cab, but I have some ideas.

[enjenjo]

LOL that body style hits me like fingernails on a blackboard.

+ me on wagon.

I'm confident you'll make it enjoyable from the driver's chair anyhow.

I always thought the bed looked to high for this model truck. My thought is to trim down the top by about 3 to 4". Then trim a bit off the bottom too, and use M series fenders that are a bit smaller, but still rounded.

[chimp koose]

If you look at the cab straight sideways it is very similar to a mid 70's datsun truck in profile . I really like the shape of the rear fenders . I wonder what it would look like with a 50's stude hawk front end. 

[idrivejunk]

I put a Luv over it on the PC because I wanted to see the similarities. Somebody on the Luv cab design team had a Champ, I'd wager. Japanese bed but dang if the height and body line ain't a match. No such luck on length.

I foo-foo lowering top of bed and believe inches of narrowing existing fenders might be the route to take. Mere speculation from the IDJ in me. 

[enjenjo]

I put a Luv over it on the PC because I wanted to see the similarities. Somebody on the Luv cab design team had a Champ, I'd wager. Japanese bed but dang if the height and body line ain't a match. No such luck on length.

I foo-foo lowering top of bed and believe inches of narrowing existing fenders might be the route to take. Mere speculation from the IDJ in me. 

Your vision is much like mine. The Mseries fenders have a similar shape to what you have done.

[idrivejunk]

Did look at those, I think. The wheel opening shape looked way different. First I chopped top of bed down but that lands at top of fender which would look strange. IF the rear fenders are wider than the cab and IF the wheelwell itself would allow it... a guy could take the fenders in a bit which makes the outline smaller. And retain the existing wheel opening which I sort of prefer to the M series. Those wheel lips are a better fit with the fronts but somehow look less aggressive. To me. IF'n I'm reading the shapes right. Seems like a guy could trim the fender and bend tabs down for the new mount flange.

I really wanted to move the grille down and fill the header above it. And put a split front bumper. Boy howdy eh. I'll leave you be now. No extra charge for the rocker paint sir.

Is that a stepped line on the bedsides and is the step not reversed, bed vs cab?

[enjenjo]

That line is a seam in the panel, and it is a smooth curve top to bottom. I can get either rear fender in fiberglass, so reshaping either one is no problem.

The rear tread width is 9" wider than the front.

[GPster]

I would raise the bed 1 1/2" (or so) off the frame so that the top of the bed is at the same level as the crease on the cab. I'd lose the 3/4 ton rear end and put in a car rear end. With the bed raised you'd have room to "C" notch the rear frame and get the rear end lower. Lower the front end with putting better brakes on it. Dis-regard if you're going to use it for a "work" truck. GPster

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Looks good.

My buddy with his Studie Champ truck..  he installed a Lark front bumper. It fit the sheet metal contours better. The frame hangs below a bit, perhaps a small chin spoiler trim piece to cover that would help?

He installed power steering box and disc brake conversion on the OE axle.  The pitman arm was a challenge. A short arm did not provide enough turn angle. He found a longer pitman arm and had to heat to reshape that arm. Now turn radius is good. I forget the brand of steering box.

His truck had the Studebaker bed on it, very ruff shape. He sold the OE bed and bought a Ranger bed. His neighbor does vinyl graphix... So the Ranger bed  tail gate has the word STRANGER on it now.