Thread: 50 chevy frame swap

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I own a 50 chevy pickup 3100 (Smallest model) I am begining a restoration and am going to put a 350 in it (creative eh).
I really enjoy the looks of a 50 chevy and am slightly modifying it to give more of a hot rod look (little lower, shaved locks, frenched lights and covering all the seams). I was wondering what my best option would be to change the front half of the frame. I need discs on the front with hopefully A-arms. I have 2 novas (78 2 door and a mid 80s 4 door) saved just for the simple purpose of using their frames but i do have a late 80s S10 too.
i am also contemplating just all out manufacturing the front 5 ft. of the frame to fit my needs.

There are a lot of Must II kits out there that are fairly easy to install also, you can use a front steer Camaro(the Nova should be the same). I installed a Camaro in a 47 Chev trk a few yrs ago & it worked well. The S-10 should also will work (chk the track & wheelbase - the wheelbase will probably have to be changed which is easier than sub framing the trk). I have also seen a Dodge Dakota used which looked like a clean set-up however, it sat a little high. The S-10 has a lot of aftermarket suspension options......Don

i was very aware of the mustang 2 fronts but am on what we like to call a "limited budget" Appreciate the input you helped alot. thanks.

The front of your S-10 is probably the correct width. A two-wheel-drive rear is narrow under your truck. The rear from a four-wheel-drive is supposed to be wider, and should fit better. If your S-10 is an extended cab the wheel base is too long. But if it isn't, it is too short... They are supposed to be easy to shorten.

The Nova subframe swap is commonly done, and should work reasonably well.

Check the newstands. One of the truck magazines has an article about putting the S-10 under a truck like yours. Tex Smiths book on Hot Rod Chassis has a chapter where they describe putting a GM G-body subframe under one of these trucks. I'm planning to follow that book to do my '54. I have the frame donor stripped and sitting in the yard right now.

This is my first post here, I hope its helpful!

If i were doing this job for a customer i would install a Fatmans mustang 2 crossmember and buy used "A" arms and front suspension parts and rebuild them to keep the cost down. When i finished my customer would love the ride and handling of his truck.
Seeing you already have a S-10 frame, This would be my 2nd. choice. I would want to use a extended cab or long bed frame. The S-10 frame is made to be shortened. They shorten these frames at the factory with a "fish mouth joint". This frame swap works out real good. But it's a lot more work and a lot more hours. I have done 2 S-10 frame swaps ,if you need some help feel free to ask me. Hope this helps. Regards, HonestFrank frank@tcdi.net

right now i am thinking nova pretty hard and i might just make up the front five feet to fit my needs and say screw it with the other frames to swap. The nova would have discs and a arms and and anything would ride better than what is original

If you do the Nova sub. You must measure real good, you must also be able to set your proper ride height before you weld it in. You must also do an excellent job of welding, scabing, boxing. Remember you are cutting your truck in half.
You can do this yourself. I can't do this in my shop for insurence reasons. If i did and a sub framed car or truck were in a wreck, ALL the insurance companys want to sue the shop or person who cut the frame in half. What i'm trying to say is if you don't have experence with these crafts . The sub frame is not the easiest swap to do.
Still want to do it ? OK then hunt up as many old Magizine artcles on this subject and do your home work well and your swap will come out good. Good luck with your project.
Regards, HonestFrank

I am doing a similar project but I am going to use a Jaguar front subframe.

With a little trimming a Mk 2, 3 or XJS front subframe will slide right under the frame giving Large vented disks, PS, and chevy bolt pattern.

Just cut the front legs that stick out, create a flat area for the frame and weld her in.

DO NOT USE ONE FROM AN 86 ON CAR AS THEY ARE DIFFERENT.

Hi Craig,

In England I'm sure that would be an excellent choice. But in the USA Jaguar parts are very EXPENSIVE $$$$. To buy and to repair. Just my opinion. Regards, HonestFrank

My first choice here would be a Mustang II kit, however to do a complete installation with big GM disks and a power rack you'll probably spend about a grand. (Just did one on my '53).

Since you have the two Novas at your disposal I would suggest going with the 78 rather than the 80. (Just personal preference there.) Do not use a Camaro because they're a bit too wide. Some people will also recommend a '70s Chevy truck suspension which is almost a direct bolt on but that is a bit too wide as well and just doesn't look right.

I believe you've been given really good advice here. Make sure you measure twice and be very careful lining everything up before you weld. Also make sure whoever does your welding is certified. You're life and others will depend on the quality of these welds so don't skimp. Always think safety, safety, safety.

Just my opinion, but if you do all the welding and work yourself and you take the time to rebuild the Nova's front end (bushings, springs, ball joints, rotors, calipers, bearings, steering etc.) you'll probably spend almost as much as a basic Mustang II kit would have cost. Definitely if you have to pay someone else for the welding.

One other thing to consider is the difficulty of remounting all the stock sheet metal on a new/different front frame. This can be time consuming to say the least. Sometimes it pays to spend a little more money up front to save yourself a lot of work later.

Good luck whichever way you go.

i've read your page and i may bre able to help you. i have a 52 chevy 3100 or 1/2 ton and am in the process of restoring/hotrodding it, and am puting an s-10 frame under it. Your article said u wanted to change it to disc brakes in the front, and that u a had a s-10, and any longbed 1983-88 s-10 trucks have the same wheel base which is about 117 inches and by putting the whole frame under it, it will sit about 6 inches off the ground in low spots. Well i hope the information i have given you will help you.

i've read your page and i may bre able to help you. i have a 52 chevy 3100 or 1/2 ton and am in the process of restoring/hotrodding it, and am puting an s-10 frame under it. Your article said u wanted to change it to disc brakes in the front, and that u a had a s-10, and any longbed 1983-88 s-10 trucks have the same wheel base which is about 117 inches and by putting the whole frame under it, it will sit about 6 inches off the ground in low spots. Well i hope the information i have given you will help you.

I have a 54 Chevy half ton and access to 2 Camaro chassis how much trouble will it be to swap the frame.I am new at this any help would be cool,Thanks

Camaro's don't have a frame, so a frame swap isn't possible. Replacing the front of the frame with the subframe from the front of a Camaro is something that's been done a lot.

I've not done it and lots of people say its not easy to do well. I have a Monte Carlo frame sitting in my yard ready to become an IFS donor for my '54 but I'm considering going the S-10 frame replacement route instead.

Thanks Streets! I'll ask him.