Gee whiz John! ... I hate it when your always right!...lol!
I suppose if a guy has the smarts to modify the Camino frame, you could
do what you suggest as well...and you know it would be straight.
If you take it slow...and trim and measure...then trim and measure...
you'd eventually get a match.
Boy! I hope no one thinks I'm trying to say MY WAY is the ONLY WAY! I
think there are probably as many ways as there are guys out there. It's a
carguy's divine gift to, "never say die!"
I think that we all have lived through it though!...it's called making
due with what we've got! It's gotta be tough trying to build something in
England!...especially using American parts.
But, if any of you know what a'35 Auburn Speedster kit car looks like
...as I remember, it's on an early 80's Ford LTD chassis. So if you can put
one of them on a big chassis, a determined rodder should be able to do the
same, or better!
I just wished he lived closer...I'd go over and do it for him. My garage
is unheated this winter,due to construction,and I'm going nuts from boredom.
Whatever way he uses, I just want to see him get it done and on the road!
There is no greater satisfaction than that first drive out the driveway and
down the road...(legally,I mean!..lol!) (I live in the country!)
Thanks John for your common sense approach. And GOOD LUCK to you
Stuart,across the pond! Whatever you do, measure twice, (ok 5 or 10 times)
and cut once!...lol!
Bye for now, Ron
>From: john dorsey <jrdorsey@strato.net>
>Reply-To: john dorsey <jrdorsey@strato.net>
>CC: oletrucks@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] 48 Frame Swap
>Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2001 18:32:16 -0500
>
>Ron,
>You forgot the easiest way! Just set the exsisting frame on top of the
>el camino frame and weld them together.
>
>This gives the added advantage of more ground clearance!
>
>Never forget the three rules of truck ownership:
>1. There is no subsitute for more Cubic Inches.
>2. There is no subsitute for more Driving Axles.
>3. There is no subsitute for more Ground Clearance.
>
>--
>John Dorsey
>Wauchula, FL
>'49 Chevy Panel (14 inches high)
>'52 GMC Firetruck (18 inches high)
>'51 Chevy suburban (it'd be higher without all that crap in the back)
>'89 Jeep Cherokee (still dead)
>
>
>Ron Keller wrote:
> >
> > Hello Stuart!
> > I just thought I'd try to give you a little insight into your frame
>swap
> > idea. I've been at this stuff since about 1967, so I've got some
>experience
> > at chassis fabrication and modifications.
> > The idea of using an existing frame is a good one, as long as you
>don't
> > care if it's original underneath...and are willing to give up some depth
>in
> > your pick-up box and maybe cab(ie: driveshaft tunnel)."If" you keep the
>rear
> > suspension as is AND set it on the existing Camino chassis)
> > ...See attached pic...hey I'm no artist,ok?...lol!
> > I've generaly just put early 80's Nova and Camaro front clips in using
>the
> > "stock" truck frame. This allows the rear cargo area to remain stock,
> > although "your" idea will allow your truck to sit LOW AND "still ride
> > nice!!!!" (if you are willing to sacrifice some of your pick-up bed)
> >
> > Your El Camino should have a 57" wheel track(centre to centre on the
> > tires), which is just "perfect" for your truck...if it's wider, like a
> > Camaro(61"), you can still use it, but your tires will be at the outside
> > edge of your wheel wells, unless you use a negative offset rim ...like
>stock
> > early Corvette 8" rims...or buy narrowed aftermarket A-arms. (But, with
>you
> > living in Britain, I know that's not an option)
> > As for the wheelbase, you should take a measurement of both and see
>how
> > much,IF ANY difference there is. I'm pretty sure you can keep the
>Camino's
> > wheelbase and modify the pickups wheelbase to match.
> > ...(Hey!Calm down everybody!...let me clarify,ok?)
> > I've built trucks with any number of wheelbases, and they ALL looked
>good!
> > So,if you want to "KEEP THE COSTS DOWN"...
> > ...(hey guys!...REMEMBER, HE LIVES IN ENGLAND, NOT CALIFORNA!) by not
>having
> > to shorten the driveshaft...see how it looks "to you" with things as is.
> > The rear fenders can be moved "back and forth on the pick-up box" to
> > accomodate the wheelbase..if you can come up with "THE RIGHT LOOK" IN
>YOUR
> > EYES!
> > I've shortened them up to 12 inches(remember,the customer is always
> > right!) for that "Drag influence" and believe me, most people(OK,NOT YOU
> > CONNOISSEURS OUT THERE...lol!) don't really notice...unless it's
>extreme.
> > But,"if" it looks good to you, "your" the one you gotta please!
> > A lot of you guys out there may not go for the frame swap..but this is
> > 2001 and this is England! I've done it too and once they have paint on
>them,
> > an early Chev truck is a thing of beauty. Regardless of the type of
>chassis
> > under it. We build old trucks to satisfy OUR OWN needs and desires...not
> > everyone wants a restored truck.
> > Now, the biggest problem will be that your rear suspension will
>protrude
> > "up into" the pickup box a lot!(Tubbed looking sheetmetal covering?)
>You
> > may be able to raise the floor in your box, "to your liking", otherwise
> > you'll need to raise the truck higher on the chassis. (This will mean it
> > will not sit so low).
> > In short,the best thing is to get "the look" your wanting, regarding
> > wheel base and ride height, then see what needs modifying. This will
>give
> > you an idea of the scope of this job. But if you set it on the chassis
>as
> > is, your floor (and firewall) will likely need to be notched for
>driveshaft
> > clearance!!! Yup, it's low.
> > Now, Roger said it was "a weak frame" and he was right, BUT you can
> > strengthen it with either an X-member tieing in the front and rear
> > suspension or box the existing channel rail sections, although I'd
> > personally replace the channel sections with 4X4 square tubing as well
>as an
> > X-member...but I'm a truckin' kind o' guy!...lol! (Remember a good
> > foundation gives you a good house.)
> > Now, if you want to lift the truck off the Camino chassis as it is ,
>so
> > the cab sits higher than "in da weeds", you can raise the 4X4 tubing and
>tie
> > it all together first, then cut out all the old frame rails...this way
>will
> > make sure your frame dimensions don't change...Otherwise, if you modify
>your
> > existing frame, make sure it doesn't move around during the cutting and
> > welding by using "lots" of bracing tack-welded to the chassis(But still
> > allowing working room)...and if your not experienced, you should try to
>do
> > "one side at a time", rather than cutting it in half and wondering how
>to
> > put it all back together again.
> > Well, there are more options,( you could tie your existing frame into
>the
> > front Camino crossmember...for more room in the box, but a bit higher
> > sitting vehicle, then use just the Camino rear end "above" your old
>truck
> > springs...with notched frame rails to allow the truck to sit lower than
> > stock) but I hope this gives you a little help.
> > If you persevere, you will end up with a nice riding , nice handling
> > package that uses stock parts and can easily be kept roadworthy...
> > "without" spending BIG bucks on aftermarket parts
> > ...And that's what it's all about, I think!
> > If you think I've helped you,or that I may be able to help you, please
> > feel free to email me anytime,as your truck progresses.
> > Sincerely Ron Keller
> >
> > >From: "rogerg" <rogerg@maverick.facil.uconn.edu>
> > >Reply-To: "rogerg" <rogerg@maverick.facil.uconn.edu>
> > >To: oletrucks <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
> > >CC: Stuart <sbcltd@netcomuk.co.uk>
> > >Subject: Re: [oletrucks] 48 Frame Swap
> > >Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 09:50:00 +0000
> > >
> > >Check the frame length and the wheelbase. Although the elCamino frame
> > >is easy to shorten it is really weak unless you plan on boxing it in.
> > >Driveshaft is one of the longest in the business.(61 1/2")
> > >Roger G
> > >51-3100 AD Huckster
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > From: Stuart <sbcltd@netcomuk.co.uk>
> > > > To: oletrucks <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
> > > > Subject: [oletrucks] 48 Frame Swap
> > > > Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 12:42:15 -0000
> > > > Reply-to: Stuart <sbcltd@netcomuk.co.uk>
> > >
> > > > Has anyone on the list done a 48 1/2 Ton on 82 El Camino frame swap?
> > > >
> > > > I'm in the Uk and finding parts is a complete nightmare but I've
>been
> > >given a
> > > > complete El Camino and I think the frame will fit. Just wondered if
>you
> > >guys
> > > > had any advice/thoughts?
> > > >
> > > > Cheers
> > > > Stu..
> > > > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and
>1959
> > >oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
> >
> >
>_________________________________________________________________________
> >
> > [demime 0.97c removed an attachment of type image/bmp which had a name
>of chevpk.bmp]
> > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
_________________________________________________________________________
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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