Thread: chassis upgrade

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Guys/Gals,
I have a 51 Chevy Pickup. I would like to put the body on a modern chassis mostly for the ability to make it more of a daily driver with a kick. I would like to stay in the Chevy family even though I am going to be stripping the ole truck of it Historical roots. Silverado, 454 SS;-),S10.... Can anyone share info on what type of chassis might be the most "pain free" swap.


Thanks
Mark

you can put a nova camaro firebird front sub on the old frame this works good. and the body will fit good to the old frame and the box will fit good. no new mount to be made . that the way i would go

A couple of options besides trashing the entire frame. Like Pat said, put on a front subframe and update the rear end, along with the appropriate boxing and reinforcement necessary or install a MII suspension on the front (numerous manufacturers make a kit) and update the rear again with appropriate boxing, etc. Relocating all the body mounts etc. on an S-10 or other such frame is no cake walk either. If you go with an MII kit on the front, all the body mounts, fender bracing, radiator support and other bits and peices on the stock frame will remain the same. If you decide to swap frames, do a lot of measuring FIRST and try to find something with the correct wheelbase and track width so you aren't stuck looking for some weird offset wheel later, or having to change the wheel opening to fit the wheelbase.

the mII will work but if you run the big block in it you be better with the wider frame like the sub

Thanks Pat and Dave!
Pat I don't know if you got my Private message, but I was wondering what years of Camaro etc. would work best. I'd like to do a newer one w/ fuel injection if possible. Big block would be fun though. Any input appreciated!
Thanks
Mark

The newer Camaros didn't have sub-frames. Sub-frames were used until 1981. 1982 and newer are unibody cars. And personally, I'd go with the original frame, box it and use the Mustang II suspension.

Keep your frame - Use an aftermarket front crossmember with MII geometry.

I have done a '47 and a '49 P/U like your this way - they are fantastic drivers.

The frame swap idea will kill any potential resale value - things like that scare people. Keep is as original as possible, use quality stuff.

Good luck.

Roger, a friend of mine builds rods for a living and he has built several First Series Chevy trucks. He will not do a frame clip. In a professional shop, like his, a clip costs a lot more than an after market Mustang II. By the time you rebuild your donor front end you will have almost as much in parts and clipping requires a lot more labor. And if you dont get a clip right you will go down the highway catty wampus.

Consider using your stock frame with a Chassis Engineering bolt in parallel spring rear end kit and their transmission crossmember and motor mounts. In front use a Mustang II crossmember from one of the reputable suppliers.

Another rod building friend, also named Roger, is building a First Series panel delivery (same chassis as the pick up) for a customer. He is using a RB's rolling chassis. It was in the $10K range delivered. But there was a lot of value in that package.

I agree, a chassis swap or a front end clip requires the same investment (time and money) and, when compared to a properly updated stock frame, results in less end value.

the stock mustang II stuff is junk know way in hell are you going to tell me they are cheap to build all the stuff on the gm sub is for a chevy bolt patterns on the hub big brakes a real upper alower a arm front end not some lower bar and a pices of tin trying to hold the front end from jumping all over the road. the sub is a cheap way out and is heavy if you use the mutang II and the nice a arm kit and the rigth rotors this will be cheap? both front ends will need front end parts? and so if you put the big block in it and try to find some small crapy small tube headers the sub is still good way out for some one who knows how to cut and weld and not to hard but if this is some thing you do not thing you can do it then buy the mustang II kit BUT if you think it is a better front end in stock from it is not .yes the mustang maybe for you if building show truck, sub may not be it for you. but i have have to had to go back over a screwed up mustang II front end on a 55 pickup and my 50chevy will out handle a stock mustangII front end any day

Well,

At least you are calm and composed with your opinions.

I don't use any of the stamped steel stocker type a-arms, I much prefer the tubular. Most of my cars are so unique that any store bought header other than a block hugger is unusable. The mandrel bent header peices and a bit of time cutting and tigging are usually my only option. I've done cars both ways, usually up to the discretion and checkbook of the owner as to whether it is MII or a stub.

yes and that is the way it should be .but i am not a big fan of the stock mustang stock stuff IF YOU COULD TELL. and on the headers i have bulit many set of them and more room all ways helps