Hi, new to the forum, need some advice

[Bob Parmenter]

There are lots of us in the area that can give you some guidance. There are way more variables than have been discussed here so it will take some work for you to get the whole thing absorbed.

Just a couple things to consider. First there's what was actually done in the '50s and '60s and then there's what some people THINK was done. Most '36 pickups of that era were full fendered, not fenderless. That's not to say you shouldn't go the other way if that's what really winds your watch, just don't think of it as period representative, much less correct. The "bobber" thing that's fairly popular now is really more of a current day "interpretation" of what may have rarely been done in the past. But if that's what floats your boat...........

Like Pops said, the frame is pretty stout in stock configuration, and certainly strong enough for a built flatty as long as it's in good shape. Like Dave says, flat motors are pricey, and 175 rwhp is up there, you're talking roughly 220-250 at the flywheel. The T5 is a nice choice, and will require some frame center member mods as well as minor suspension mods at the least, more depending on your other choices.

The truck frame is essentially the same as the passenger car frame. If you want to view some of the alternatives discussed here you're welcome to get in touch with me (start with the private message feature if you wish, we can exchange phone #s) as I have both a MII front, Chassis Engineering rear (if I were doing it again today I'd make a different choice) on my '36 roadster, and a beam axle front, banjo rear both with the original style transverse springs, on my 3w coupe. Between the two I can walk you through the features, pros and cons, of either type suspension as well as any hybrid of the two. The old picture is worth a thousand words thing. As an example, rack and pinion is easy with an independant front, but a good cross steer is better for the beam arrangement.

There's not really a "one stop" hot rod shop to fill the description you made. It's like what you've probably already learned in your two wheel world. It's a network thing. One place is good for one thing, another for another. You're starting in a good place, asking questions, and setting a reasonable time frame (though 5 years seems to go by much quicker nowadays).