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Jeremy's Stuie

1951 Studebaker 2R5

Base LS Swap

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Build Points

249

  • Color: Iron Oxide
  • Horsepower: 433
  • Drivetrain: RWD
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    • Vehicle Overview

    I picked up this 1951 Studebaker 2R5 pick-up truck cab and box from our CEO. He had purchased the complete truck out of the Tuscon AZ area with the intentions of using the frame under it for another project he already had. I was able to strike a deal and purchased just the cab and bed from him. So I did my research and discovered that the standard cab Dakotas were a perfect match for the stock Studebaker wheelbase. Since I'm a diehard Mopar guy anyway, I set out on a mission to locate a good donor truck. My search was soon complete, and I aquired a 1999 Dodge Dakota 2wd frame. With some slight modifications and clean-up to the frame I was ready to drop the cab and bed on "my new to me" chassis. The donor motor came out of a wrecked 2007 Tahoe but stock wasn't going to cut it, so the 5.3L soon received a BTR stage 4 truck cam and matching valve springs all compliments of a co-worker that was ready to step up his engine build to the next level. After some lenghty trading with a good friend I scored a reman 4L85E 4-speed automatic transmission to get me down the road. A Saturday morning spent with my son scrounging the local pull-a-part scored us a Ford 8.8" rear end turning a 3:73 locker. The bolt pattern on the stock dakota was the odd-ball 6 on 4.5" (viper) so it was a no-brainer to swap the front end to the match the 5 on 4.5" pattern found on the 8.8" rear axle I had just aquired. That proved harder than origionally thought. It seems nothing really swaps between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen dakota front suspension/brake components. So it was back to the drawing board! I ended up buying new front hubs and rotors and machined the new bolt pattern (5on4.5") myself. Life and work has been hectic the past 2 years so work was slow but I managed to get Stuie running and driving just in time for LS Fest east 2019. There's plenty left to do so i'll just keep plugging away and with a little luck I'll be ready for power Tour 2020!

    Vehicle Story

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    Completed Modifications

    Cooling (2)
    Data Acquisition (2)
    Engine Management (ECU) (1)
    • Dominator EFI ECU
      Dominator EFI ECU
      The new standard in EFI with virtually unlimited capabilities! Integrated electronic transmission control, drive by wire throttle control, dual wideband oxygen sensor capability, extensive amount of inputs and outputs for various combinations, and much more.
      Part# 554-114
    Engine Parts (14)
    Exhaust (2)
    Exterior (1)
    Forced Induction/Nitrous (1)

    Future Plans

    I would like to eventually add a turbo to the mix, but time and $$ will tell!

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    Comments

    • Roberto

      07/10/2020
      Sick truck indeed!

    • Paul

      12/30/2020
      Such an awesome truck! I’ve watched the Holley video 100 times saving until I was able to order the same intake yesterday in silver. Before finding your ride in the Holley rides section, I noticed your link between throttle bodies. I’m thinking about trying it with a factory DBW throttle body linked to the second. Any advice? Dominator won’t control my 6l90 trans.

    • Ry

      04/22/2021
      Awesome!

    • Steve

      11/05/2023
      God, such horrible wheels. That stupid trend needs to stop. Big dumb wheels throw off the entire balance or great looking vintage bodies.
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