Finally got out in the barn to take some pics of the 31 I have been hiding. We bought this jewel about eight years ago. Someone had made a start on it. There is a 57 rear end in the car. Gonna keep that. The frame rails have been boxed. But the crossmembers gotta go. The front end is not looking good. It has been dropped but the steering arms were dropped to. Too much. From what I'm seeing on the message board I need to get rid of it anyways. I'll get to that later. I have alot of questions about front ends. I don't know how to do thubnails in message threads. So I hope I don't mess up posting big pics.
The body is in great shape. The fenders got to go. I'm thinking of replacing the wood with box tubing. The wood is a little on the rotten side. I have access to a bender that can bend up to 1 1/4" square tubing.
The front end is where the most trouble is. It has been dropped a bunch. I was going to maybe build some wishbones or a 4 link with this axle but where the bends are I cant get them outside the frame. Who has the best deals on axles? What kind of answers do I need for the questions I don't know to ask?
I LIKE IT!!!Please do a build thread,as us Chevy guys are deprived of good info,in a sea of fords. Early Chevys are difficult to get low in the front.The easiest way is to adapt a model a crossmember and transverse spring setup.I'm also supposed to be building the inner body structure,but my shop is under threat of major flooding."SEND THE ARK".I'm really screwed,as lack of job,lack of funds at the moment is making moving everything very challenging.Even my daily driver is parked there and is awaiting parts to get mobile.
no need to scrap the front end...unless you want to give it to me.... i have a 31 chevy pickup....it has an aftermarket front axle on the stock leaf springs, it sits plenty low.... and yes i agree, keep us posted as to progress... i love old chevys... pic added just to show how nice parallel leafs can look
Enjoy the build. Your biggest challenge will be replcaing all the body wood with steel and still having the doors and deck lid fit properly. This would be a bitchin' car as a fenderless hiboy rather than a run of the mill like everybody else's ground crawler.
Killer start. Many of us would love to start with what you have there. Keep us posted on the progress please.
I have a 31 5-window... I'd like to see your progress. There have been a couple built by HAMBers... just no build posts! The Chevy guys need this!
I've got a '31 five window Chevy coupe, good to see another Chebby being built-replacing the wood with steel is a pain in the ass but probably the best way to go. Looking forward to seeing more.
Lets just say I'm a avid Muscle Machines die cast collector. That is the direction of this build I hope. 10x30 WW Pie Crust Cheaters on the back and a Huffer out the front. Planning to channel the body 4" but not sure to chop and how much??? When racing season http://www.hunterracing.com/ is over planning on some sparks flying and metal burning. I will definately be posting updates on the HAMB. My dream is to make it to the HAMB Drags and kick some butt while there. PBRmeASAP post some picks of your front end. I have issues with what I got. Thanks. Us BowTie Guys gotta stick together.
wagonracr.... let me know exactly what you want pics of, it's a MAS drop axle, stock coupe springs, but let me know and i'll get them to you and any measurements you might need...
PBRmaASAP I guess the main thing I need to see is the spindle arms and drag link location. Are you using the orig sterring box? Did you modify the steering arm or pitman arm? I'm not sure if I'm naming all the parts right but I think you'll get the gist. I really don't want to change to F@&$ parts. Oh and brakes. What did you use? I'm going to try to adapt 57 Chevy drums on the front.
hope this helps.... the steering box is 68 mustang, front brakes are 54 chevy, the steering arm is speedway just heated up and bent, stock mustang pitman. it's setup as the 'traditional' steering, not the cross steering. couple pics i already have, but if you need any more....ask away... and the blue disk brakes were only for mock up....
Yea Yea!!! Thats the ticket. I got smoke commin out my ears. The ideas are bouncing around up there. Any problem with the draglink hitting the springs or frame??? I think that is why the previous owner of my project bent the spindle arms down so the draglink wouldn't hit either.
How hard is it to change kingpins on a 31 chevy axle? can i get them from some place like "The Filling Station"?
i dont think i`d give up on that front end, i`d clean it up and give some greese and see if i could get it working, i have seen alot worse front ends on the road. your big job is going to be replacing all the wood like everyone else has said, i`m doing a 28 chevy and after removing the wood from the doors now there real flimsy, like all the rest of the body parts, not an easy job, the wood from the doors heated my house for 3 days.
i had another look at your axle and i`d guess its out of a pickup, looks just like the one in my 45 gmc only its been droped.
yah, mine did bump lightly, i actually spaced it with 2 washers and no problems yet. i'd search for a different axle unless you know of some place to hone/bore the kingpins...screw the original stuff mechanical brakes....not good, try and find something that works with 49-54 chevy brakes. then get the 53-54 stuff, better brakes than the 49-52, mine stops on a dime and that is with drum drum...all 4 corners.... looking forward to seeing the progress as this one's created....
My Dads '31 Cheby that he bought from RoadsterPilot, which he's recently handed down to my Son............which we are keeping in me garage now!
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