Thread: SoCal Frame in my garage, many questions

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So I went to the Goodguys in Columbus and ended up coming home with a SoCal frame. I have been waiting to start my roadster project for many years now. This will be my first build, I know my way around cars, but I am not sure where to start.

1. Is there any specific reading material that you recommend I start with that will help me along.
2. Where is the best place to find out options available for components (suspension, rear end, etc.).
3. I know I could build the car out of the SoCal catalog, but to keep my cost down I would like to get all the parts I can used. Where can I find out what parts to look for.
4. What other vendors have good components.

Thanks for any help, and I'm sure there will be many more questions to come.

good start , for suspension use pete and jakes ,talk to jason he will help you the best .
next find a good body , are you using glass or steel ?
there are many vendors to find the parts you need look in streetrodder
next make a trip to another big show , louisville in august and look at different 32s and see which parts they use and make a list of what they use . then shop for your parts .

Also might get over to Barnes & Noble and purchase ,"How to Build HotRods" and any other books that catch your fancy in that section....

I have a SoCal chassis under my 32. Very pleased. You will be to.

The best approach is to use SoCal running gear. The frame is set up for their stuff.

No matter how hard you try you are going to have a hard time beating SoCal prices.

I used junk yard brakes and axles with their Currie rear end housing. By the time I got done I may have saved $100-$150 over the cost of new axles and brakes.

Front end uses the Chassis Engineering dropped axle and spring. SoCal's price is competitive with any other supplier.

SoCal batwings and hairpins are superior to those offered by Pete and Jakes.

SoCal originally sold a main leaf for the rear spring and recommended using a 40 Ford spring pack for the other leaves. Today, they will only sell a complete Eaton made spring. Posie will sell you the main leaf only. By the time you get a main leaf and a swap meet spring pack together you will have spent almost as much or as much as buying a new spring from SoCal.

SoCal uses Pete and Jakes rear ladder bars and shocks and sells them for the same price as any other Pete and Jakes dealer.

The SoCal frame comes with welded in bosses for the SoCal F-1 style front shock mounts. Bite the bullet and buy the SoCal Mounts.

The SoCal chassis is really a package deal. The big expense is shipping the Chassis from California. Once you have it shipping on the other stuff is small potatoes.

Enjoy the ride!

Enjoy.

KennyD-
I will probably be using a fiberglass body. This will probably be a 2 year project, with the body coming next year. Are there any specific vendors you or anyone else recommend, or recommend I stay away from.

HWORRELL-
I was at Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, saw a few books including So-Cals How to Build a Chassis Book, How to Build Hot Rods, and a few others, I just wasn't sure which if any were worth buying.

Bib-
I avoided shipping on the frame by buying it at the show, I will probably do the same with the body next year.

Jr Rodder;

Wow a So-Cal Frame, sounds like you've got a great start, Bib had a lot of Good info and suggestions. you can save a lot on shipping buy buying at the shows as you alrealy know, as Bib said go to the shows and scope out the other cars , take a note pad and ask questions. the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville Aug 4-5-6-7th is about the best place as the majority of the main vendors are there with their products. I'm using a BeBops Body and am very pleased with then , their located in Athens, Tenn and always have their products on display there also,http://www.bebops-glassworks.com/
There is another outstanding Dealer in your area , Lobecks V-8 Shop located in Cleveland , OH, ( No Web site , you can call them and request a catalog (1-800-624-5575) he ( Barry Lobeck ) will cut you a good deal on the parts and coach you as needed also. He'll also be at the Nats. The book stores have the books that Bib mentioned , ya just gotta look at them and then decide on which one to buy, you can go to Amason.com and look there for used books and save some $ that way, theres also a great web site you can frequent and follow it as a guide. http://www.project33.com/, lots of good info here and pictures to boot. in any event Good Luck to you and we'll look forward to you posting pictures and telling us about your projects, just ask your questions and there is a wealth of knowledge here at CHR, and some Great Guys/Gals to Tread with. C-Ya Ski

I will probably be using a fiberglass body. This will probably be a 2 year project, with the body coming next year. Are there any specific vendors you or anyone else recommend, or recommend I stay away from.

The only 'glass rod I've ever built was by Gibbon. DO NOT buy a Gibbon body . . . even if you can find them.

Take heed of what Henry say's. He's been there and done that. Even has the T-Shirt.
Your not going to find a "Good" body cheap. If you buy a cheap body you will be hatin life. I went through a couple of em.
Both GMT and New Age make a great 5 window.
If your going with a 3 window or a roadster and want the best? Westcott is your first choice. However there are good bodies out there for less, so don't get upset if you can't afford 15K$ for a coupe.
Put the WHOLE thing together like your going to drive it first. Steering, brake/fuel lines, engine, body/hood, tank glass, interior window mouldings, dash etc.
Then worry about the paint when it's correct.
You can always contact anyone here for more info.
And remember when you die, thats it. Your not comming back as a hot rodder. Party is OVER! So get while you can.