Projects need help with hot rodding a 1950 stubebaker commander

I want to hotrod my 4 door commander. I would like to do a frame swap to a modern drive train leaving the body stock
Thanks jd63

 

didnt we go thru this yesterday? The ONLY frame that fits is the one that the factory put there. You can change the suspension but do not change the frame. Why would you even think of changing the frame? BAD idea

 

I sold my Champion 4 door to the next door neighbor. He put an Olds engine and trans in it back in 1962/63 when there was no Jegs or Summit for help. Today you can probably buy a kit.

 

Believe this! You can modify your existing frame/chassis with suspension and driveline upgrades much, much easier than you can modify another chassis and/or your Stude's body to fit it. Fatman Fabrications, for one source (there are others) can provide a front frame section that is realtively easy to install. You may not even need to change from the stock suspension or brakes if they are put into top shape, but even the brakes can be retrofitted with disc brakes.

Changing the chassis CAN be done, and has been done.....but it sounds a whole lot easier than it is in fact in the majority of cases.

Ray

 

Your thread late yesterday was deleted by a moderator, because talking about "late model donor" frame swaps is not allowed. Starting a new-same thread is not a good thing on here.

Most new people to the old hot rod hobby, are under some sort of misguided impression that if you put a modern frame in, everything will fit so nice and be so quick. That is not true.

Work with the original frame. These guys here know what they speak of.
.

 

I had my frame clipped by a buddy of mine that does race cars. Built in a 4" drop and set it up for a small block chevy, rack and pinion steering and disc brakes. Best way to do it.-MIKE

 

Go with a RAM 2500 4X4****mins diesel with a 10" pipe coming out the roof where the back seat passenger would sit.
OR, stay with the original frame and modify watchagot.
The wisdom on this site is a million years of doin, and knowin, and learnin and re-doin.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/50-studebaker-champion-s10-frame-swap-or-clip.730820/

Read this post. I think it might be more trouble than it's worth. All you need to do is delve into some Craig's List ads to see some frame swaps gone wrong. Just search "90% finished, all the hard work done..."

 

Why not. I'm just reading and listening.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Uh well, um Hmnnnnn, well I guess if you don't get it there's nothing I can do to make you get it.

@jd63 you would be ahead of the game to try and build a new chassis for the old stude, finding a late model frame that will swap to the old stude would be about crossing a chicken with a pig, even if you make it work the eggs or the bacon will never be right.

You can swap in later suspension components if you feel that it is necessary, or you can drive it just tweaked enough to drive better and still be one of the most advanced cars of its time.

 

The perfect 1950 Studebaker Commander chassis swap

"OH MY GOD! THIS IS REAL!

"Sooner or later everything is, crazy boy"

 

I didn't ask you.

 

This website was created to focus on old rods, old customs, and how it was done then....on cars up to 1965, using the technology and parts up to that time. The owner of this site made that decision.

the moderators seem to allow some flexibility on some, but not all, newer parts.

 

Public forum

 

"Studebaker"

 

Whoa Hans, take a deep breath, and watch the video!

 

Thanks for all the replys. what I'm looking for on my Studebaker is to put power steering and brakes and a nice little 350 so my wife can drive it as a daily driver to work

 

Power brakes can be done on anything with Juice brakes. Just buy a booster and master cylinder for a modern Street rod, a baby booster will easily mount under the floor in the stock location.

Power steering for your setup will be a little more difficult with your steering setup but it can also be done. Get a power steering box and pump for an Avanti or a Hawk GT. They still used center idler location like your old Commander. Actually you could even up grade to disc brakes, the Avanti Discs should be a bolt on.

As for the SBC that is also easy, use the side mounts from a Camaro ('69 if you need a year) they run about 14dollarsa pair, then it is a matter of building mounts from your frame. I have seen them done with a piece of pipe and a couple of pieces of 1 1/2" flat bar.

You will have to cut your floor boards for a transmission hump if you use an automatic.

 

When you get the old motor out, take some pics inside the engine compartment where all the steering parts are and whatnot.

A 605 GM power steering box might work with stock front end.

power drum brakes work fine for a light car like that, so just adding a booster to the stock rebuilt brakes would keep it simple

.

 

Jd63
You may try and PM lost angel and get more details on his Stude, sounds like his car is close to what you are wanting.

 

He laid it all out for you, plain as day. If you have the skills to do just what he said then you are in business.

If you don't then try to rehab the proper drivetrain and you'll be just fine, old ladies with crooked little fingers and little feet jammed into high heel shoes used to drive these things around, it's really not that bad, it's part of the fun.

 

Lots of good advice.

But because so many people don't read the sign on the door before they come in, here it is:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-h-a-m-b-rules-guidelines.44274/

 

Turner Brakes has a fine disc brake kit for Studes. Have them on my 55' champion with NO booster and stops like a champ, drags it down from 112-114 mph 1/4 mile blasts, no problem. Stock frame is fine, I've got a 450 horse 430 Buick bolted in it. Even bolted to the factory motor-frame mounts. I have altered the wheelbase, and drag race it, all with the original frame. Swapped the rear for an 8 3/4 mopar. Small block Chevy should be an easy swap with the stock frame on your 50' model.

 

A late model S10 frame practicality bolts in. A weekend job a most.

 

S-10, shmesh-10. To me it's about the build, I've been messing with my Stude for going on 19 yrs. To each his own.......

 

The '50 Studerbaker front suspension is NOT the same as '51 thru '64 models. If it were, the addition of later power steering would be fairly easy, but it's not that simple. The front suspension was completely redesigned for '51 up

If power steering is a 'must', then one of several possibilities will have to be employed. Adapt a suitable P/S box to the existing frame and linkage......or......install a front frame section designed for that purpose.....or.....use a new technology electric P/S unit in the steering column.....are a few that come to mind.

Ray

 

I seriously doubt that is the case. Do you have any photographs of such a swap to support that statement?

If you are correct, I'd be pleased to know.....I have two '54s and a '56 that could benefit from that.....

Ray

 

I think he is being sarcastic.

 

Oh.....

Ray

 

There is is some nice info here;

http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners/HowardEater.htm

And ask the man him self; Dean Lowe is an active HAMBer.

It's funny, I'm by NO means a RPU guy, or a 50s stude guy, but when Dean builds em, I'm all over em.

Curtis Kraft front end, halibrand QC, fuelies SBC, full roll cage and get moving.