Thread: Frames

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How hard is it to use a s10 frame for a frame for a Model A or tudor?

Not all that hard. Here's what it looks like.

Bob, this picture should be required by law to be attached to every S10 frame ever sold so people could see what the end result looks like.

Also, every amateur painter in the country should get a copy of the picture to look at the door vs the quarter

Bob, It appears that the S-10 frame in the picture was shortened. I believe that the S-10 frame(std. cab) is 6" longer than the Model A.

This was caused by the builders warped idea of what the car should look like.

May your worst days of 06 be better than your best days of 05..........Don

Don, you are correct. The S10 frame mounts the engine forward and near the front axle centerline. The Model A mounts the engine further to the rear relative to the axle centerline.

Thus, the builder needed to move the engine back out of the radiator.....so he (she) shortened the frame to move the engine back....duh, the front wheels moved back at the same time.

This is a great picture that Bob posted....a classic (the picture, not the car).

mike in tucson

I don't know the car personally Don, but I believe you are correct. What this demonstrates is the builder, in an effort to do the job "on the cheap" didn't want to relocate the engine within the frame, so in putting the rear of the engine in relation to the firewall, ended up with the spindle centerline way too far back. I suspect the same happened in the rear, trying to keep the spring hangers in stock location caused the rear axle to be too far forward.

As for '06 wishes, may yours be even better than mine! And Merry Christmas.

Stereo there Mike! (see time stamp)

I beat you 'cause I'm on a T1 line....our electrons are faster?

I need to copy this picture....it can be used many times.

Thanks

Mike

I am not sure but I think what they are trying to say is,IT DON'T WORK.

It might be done on a pickup but not a car.(as in A model) works ok on a fat fender car.

Originally posted by RodLand
It might be done on a pickup but not a car.(as in A model) works ok on a fat fender car.

You're correct in that the odds are better on a bigger car, but it's still not just a swap and go deal. The double shame on this one is it looks like he's put some serious time into body work.

It seems that lately everyone thinks an S-10 frame is the answer to all their problems? Why? If they are looking for an independent front end, the MII is the best way to go in an early car (disc brakes, rack and pinion steering). Motor mounts in most stock frames are a no brainer. Even a late front clip is probably better, but still a lot of work on resetting the front end sheetmetal.

The S-10 frame or better yet the Blazer frame , which is boxer & does not have the kick-up behind the cab will work in certain applications. The early fords are not amoung them.

One of the application I am thinking of is the 47-54 Chevy/GMC 1/2 ton.

Having said that they hardly never look just right because of their narrow front track.

There is even a outfit that makes a kit for this application.

The S-10 frame is great for some applications, but not all. They fit fine under a fat fendered rod (48-52), especially the fat fendered pick ups. What most rodders dont realize is that there is a flaired joint just before the rear kick up. The weld in this joint can be ground out, the frame pulled apart and lengthened or shortened as needed for the proper wheelbase, and rewelded. Yes, the engine mounts are set forward, but this can be changed also. A lot of times a rodder will get in a hurry and overlook little details like this.

In the case of the first picture of the model A... WHAT WAS HE THINKING...It looks like he used an S-10 Blazer frame. I doubt if he ever measured anything. S-10 frames do not fit well under model T, A or B (1915-1933).

In the second picture, that frame should've been extended another 4-6 inches, and lowered with reversed spindles ($29), and blocks ($12).

I wouldn't use an S-10 Blazer frame, they're about a 100" wheelbase and are 8" higher from the ground. Even with lowering it would still make a rod look like an "off roader".

By the way...S-10s come in three wheelbases:

Shortbed...108"
Longbed....117"
Ext Cab......122"