Thread: 40 Studebaker street rod

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It's just my personal bias, but I'm not a fan of total frame swaps like that. I think that you'll find that it's gonna be a whole lot of work to make it fit, and then when you look at it from the bottom it'll be a bit of a mess adapting body mounts, etc to make it all fit. I'd stick with the '40 chassis unless it's a rusty mess, but that's just me. Others seem to like the idea of a later model chassis under old iron.

Perhaps you've got plenty of experience with this kind of thing, but just for yuks I'll pass on some things to contemplate. Getting the wheelbase correct is certainly important, both for function and looks (I used to collect pics of botched S10 frame swaps in their heyday just for laughs). Track is also very important, particularly for tire clearance, and again appearance. What most seem to not consider sufficiently is the difficulties they'll face in getting the core support and the rest of the front bodywork mounting points done well. Those are not small matters. After that there may end up being considerable reworking of the floor pan, especially, but not limited to, the trunk area. When all the real, potential problems/opportunities and rework are considered, reworking the original frame (as long as it's fundamentally sound to start with) isn't so much effort/expense after all.

EDIT: that crafty Roger, just a few keystrokes ahead of me................LOL

While I agree with Roger and Uncle Bob for my skill set - it sounds like the OP has a long history of working on cars and I for one like the idea of him even thinking outside any box I've considered and tackling such a complex project that will be full of technical challenge. There was mention of George Barris in an earlier post. Just think what we would have missed in terms of some really great creations if George hadn't cut up more than a few cars?

I'm looking forward to see where this build goes!

Regards All,
Glenn

Here's some info that may or may not help.....

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...l_measurements

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Frame_swaps

I would also consider the mid-80's Jaguar XJ6 chassis. Rack and pinion steering, independent front and rear.
.

Yep-agree-those Jag frames are everywhere and dirt cheap!!!!!!!!

Hey welcome fellow stude builder, it's not always easy doing the odd ball cars like ours - good luck finding any restoration parts. I'm doing a frame swap too, which leads to a fair amount of work making everything fit, but everything has its good and bad points. I think my truck shares some parts with the 40 stude cars.

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Yep-agree-those Jag frames are everywhere and dirt cheap!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure if your serious or not. I know some of you guys talk a lot about Jag frames and suspension. I've been on this planet about 42 yrs and I've never seen one. Am I in the wrong part of the country ?

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I'm not sure if your serious or not. I know some of you guys talk a lot about Jag frames and suspension. I've been on this planet about 42 yrs and I've never seen one. Am I in the wrong part of the country ?

You'll have to get out more Seth, 4-wheel discs too....
https://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/cto...563688957.html
https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto...536999672.html
https://lakeland.craigslist.org/ctd/...552540263.html
https://lakeland.craigslist.org/cto/...529017884.html
.

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I'm not sure if your serious or not. I know some of you guys talk a lot about Jag frames and suspension. I've been on this planet about 42 yrs and I've never seen one. Am I in the wrong part of the country ?

Our Cobra runs a Jaguar lsd rear end.
The '47 runs Jaguar front and rear, disc brakes at all four corners. Standard parts that can be bought across the counter.
They're also easy to install.

Although the Jag parking brakes are proper mongrels to adjust. There's always a lot of talking to God when working on them. And you always lose a bit of skin.

I was surprised to run across 2 Jag XJ-6's recently sitting a fellows personal junk yard. I could have bought both reasonably cheap since he was getting older and was looking to clean up some.

If I had found them sooner, my Spyder project would be Jag suspended. The XJ stuff is really too wide for my car, though. I would have had to cut it down or scare up some XKE parts which are even rarer.

Originally Posted by Hotrod46

The XJ stuff is really too wide for my car, though. I would have had to cut it down or scare up some XKE parts which are even rarer.

Fender flares........
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This one is going to be good. I'm along for the ride. Did you put on a pic of the Stude?

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Just so you know my stand, not that it will make any difference to you, but I hate chopped tops. It's like monkey see, monkey do and the eyeball of the car is ruined forever. Only possible exception to this is a '49-'50 Mercury done in the Barris style. Just sayin'.....
.

Tech, I found this 3 Window Coupe Roof Lift Kit pictured on SharpMark's FB page and immediately thought of you!! You might want one to bring a chopped top coupe back to stock!

chop.jpg

Sorry for the theft, Mark! It was just too tempting....