Hi Nevin!
I've looked into doing that for a customer once. After setting the cab on
the frame, I saw that I would have to cut into the back of the cab and
floor,as the '78 frame isn't flat on the top like a 50's pk-up
Also, I did not like the wheel tread...the tires would be right at the
outside edge of the fenders. Now since this was a customers truck, I gave
him the options...cut into his mint southern cab!ouch!... also let the truck
sit higher so the tires could turn inside the stock shaped fender wells.
See, if you drop the cab and front sheetmetal down low, you can't steer
the wheels. Mind you, depending on your tire choice you MAY get "the look"
you want. (HE wanted ultra low) "His" choice of tires and wheels prohibited
us from getting the look he wanted without a lot of body modification...(ie:
wheel wells and floor and back of cab.)
So we opted to go with the stock '50 frame and clip the front. I used a
'80's Malibu clip and modified the stock rear springs and frame for
clearance. It sat l.o.o.w.!
Personally, I think for all around driving..."ultralow" or "indaweeds" is
dangerous! I've driven 'em "all" and sometimes you can get into trouble with
road clearance in a ground hugger. I always try to talk people into lowering
the body to "no less" than one of those cement slab "stops" in parking
lots...around 5"(with the weight of driver and passenger in the car). If you
go lower you won't clear much,if any, debris that may be laying on the
road...(I once hit a 4x4 fence post that had fallen off a truck,at about 60
mph once and it took out my oil pan and shifter linkage) (Time to break out
the clean underwear!...lol!)
Also it's easy to pull into a parking lot and drive your suspension AND
body work right into one of those concrete parking slabs. Another thing to
remember when "lowering" is...the "scrub-line"! What's that you ask? Well,
if you were to get four flat tires all at once and the vehicle dropped down
onto the rims...would any suspension parts touch or scrape on the ground? If
yes, get it back up! That can kill ya!
BUT, I do love low...just on someone elses car!...lol! Of course, today's
air and hydraulic systems allow you the best of both worlds.
Well Nevin, I wish I could tell you YEAH! Go ahead!
But it really depends on how much body modifications you will accept doing
and how low/high you want the truck.
If you want a stock looking ride height...or higher(4x4?) I'd say using
that '78 frame is a good cheap way to go. But you'll never get it
"indaweeds" without major modifications($$$$)
If you want ultra low, your probably best to look into another method of
updating.
NOTE: I have measured up a couple of S10 Chevys of different wheel bases
and they seem to be well suited to using "as is" under ALMOST ANYTHING
(cars&trucks) with large fenders from about 1935 on up! I did a '40 Ford
pickup and it's heaven to drive and ride! They come in a variety of
wheelbases BUT are basically passenger car parts.
Nice wheel tread, 4&3/4" Chevy bolt pattern "pretty" flat frame, and lots
of room to go w.i.d.e. with your tires cause of the narrow tire tread and
narrow frame rails at the rear. You could get that tubbed look without
cutting your rear end housing!hmmmm!...oh yes, the front suspension is the
same as mid sized GM(SS Monte Carlo) and there are lots of aftermarket parts
for them (ie:lower ride and stiffen the body roll etc.)... Raise the rear
end on top of the rear springs and your L.O.O.W! Maybe food for thought?!?
My motto is "You can do "anything" if you want it bad enough!" For "low
buck"..any kind of Chev frame under a Chev can't be all bad! Just decide how
much you are willing to modify.
bye for now, Ron Keller
>From: Nevin <nspeerbrecker@accubite.com>
>Reply-To: nspeerbrecker@accubite.com
>To: Ron Keller <tinwiz1@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] 48 Frame Swap
>Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 09:59:23 -0500
>
>Hey, Roger.
>Can I ask a question.
>I have a 79 short box chevy for a donor truck that I want to
>swap the frame in my 53 for. Is this a big job or fairly easy?
>thanks for any help.
>Nevin
>
>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
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