Hot Rods Did you use your car's original frame or use a reproduction of the original one?

I have modified many original frames for my hot rods and even bought a couple of originals for future projects.

I have only purchased one aftermarket 1932 frame and that was from TCI, but I prefer the original Henry Ford frames if they are in good shape and not eat up with rust. HRP

 

Although not finished yet I went with the original.
But did a few repairs to the Model A frame.
This one is next:



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I used original A, deuce and 33/34 rails when I started building frames in the early 70's and continued using them until ASC, and shops like Dave Gale's came out with their rails. I have a rough count of the 100's of deuce, A and 34 frames I have built that my tig welder has kept and it even surprised me as to how many chassis I have done in the last 40+ years. Sure glad they now make A, 32, and 33/34 boxed rails, Makes the job a lot easier.

 

In the real world we use the original frame, magazines and tv world the first thing you do is order a aftermarket frame. Maybe that’s how they get it done in a week. Lol. time is money and I have more time and less money.

 

Gary, you guys have always cranked out nice work.

I purchased a TCI frame many years ago, it was well made but I don't have a clue as to how manufactured the rails they used. HRP

 

Modified the original

 

Modified original here as well in my fleet.

 

My roadster's frame was basically yard art so I had Schroeder's Speed and Custom shop in Troutdale build the titled replacement.

On my truck I modified the salvageable original titled frame.

Whichever people use, the finished project is only as good as it's foundation (and it's builder I suppose )

 

Modified original, poverty is a terrible thing !

 

Mine, original.

 

My current '41..this one is rust free, so a no-brainer.
I've never used an aftermarket frame..nothing against them, just haven't had the need.
When I consider a project for a build, a bad frame would rule it out for me.

 

I'd have had to either kept on farming or gotten a real job if it weren't for reproduction rails.

 

Every 32 I have had used original Frame! Here are some photos, just to ad a bit of interest!

 

In my builds, I have either modified the original frame or built my own using reproduction rails or new tubing (depending on the application)

I have never bought a frame from a major player but I know plenty of people who have. Many times, not always, the one's I have been tasked with working on are complete garbage. Granted, the welds are beautiful but it seems as if there is no planning involved, poorly executed bracket placement, and/or messed up positioning of cross members, engine mounts, etc.

 

I used a new frame for my ‘31 A, though the original frame was in good shape. I sold the original rolling chassis for enough to cover the new frame. It’s a well-made frame from Dagel’s Street Rods in Oregon. I’m happy and so is the guy with the original.

john

 

I wish you were closer. My 34 frame above needs a lot of work, more than I can do and I haven’t found anyone local.


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On all my builds I always built my own tube frames. But then again, I only used glass bodies too. Called it, 'cutting edge traditional, race track inspired'.

 

Let’s just say from the cowl back is 1948 “Effie”. Ahem!!!!!

 

No Ford parts were sacrificed on this one.
ASC rails, a more contemporary build by a local chassis shop owned by a long time acquaintance of mine, many custom requests not easily attained by the typical 1-800 order.
Rails have been pinched 3/4"/side, wheelbase is one inch longer that stock.







Lots of one-off suspension pieces and misc. plated in brushed nickel.

 

I’ve used both original and repro. I’ve used a couple of So-Cal deuce frames and have been very happy with them.

 

Wouldn't it be a lot easier to register the car as a '32 if you started with an original frame?

 

I modified the original frames on my 36 pickup and long term 40 2 door.


I recently picked up a 32 truck cab that I'd like to build into a fenderless hiboy. I am looking for an affordable 32 chassis that's not too far from Montana.

 

2x6 rectangular tubing with some work involved.

 

Almost all of the 33/34 Fords that have been in grandpas garage growing up were original frames. Had 2 bare TCI frames with nothing else. The projects never got going and the frames sold. Had a project 34 roadster that had a TCI but again didnt do anything with that project. My 33 pickup has a stock frame and when I redo it, it really needs a new x member as its been cut on quite a bit over its life. The current 33 project also has an original frame and its in pretty nice shape.

 

Actually started using custom aftermarkets after this one.....

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Not TCI but built by a guy who used to work for TCI.

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new one built by Deuce Customs

 

I modified a 34 [Ladder] frame as the OEM [X-frame] under my 35 Chevy tub was too good to modify, it was sold to a restorer as a roller with drive train and used under his coupe.
I'm using the OEM frame under my 46 Olds however it's been modified.

 

On my 41 pickup, I got such a deal on this Pete & Jake’s frame, it was cheaper than trying to rescue my original that was Frankensteined by a well intentioned, but clueless, PO.

 

On my 34 pickup I had to go with a repro frame. The original was horrible. It was even worse when I removed the inner X structure. Northeast coastline and salted roads did a real number on the metal.