Doing some homework..... I'm wanting to start my 32 this summer. I'll have much of the suspension here shortly and would like to have a roller by this fall. I don't have a body yet. I have a couple of options. #1 is to buy rails & build my own frame. Setting the front & rear crossmembers wouldn't be a problem using Wescott's dimensions. Setting the center crossmember (with brake, clutch, trans, & rear ladder bar mounting points) where it would line up once the body is on has me a bit stumped though. Add to this the fact that I'm no chassis builder. #2 is to buy a chassis with boxed rails, and front, rear, & center crossmembers already installed. SoCal's pinched highboy frame is a $3000 unit though. Anyone have any thoughts on positioning the center crossmember without a body? I'd most likely use SoCal's center crossmember but would still need to figure out exactly where to install it. Anyone have any thoughts on a chassis builder/manufacturer that might offer #2 above for a bit less than 3K? Below are links to the chassis & crossmember I'm refering to: http://www.est1946.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=164 http://www.est1946.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=335 Thanks, JH
Check out KiwiKonnection.com His quality is excellent and is prices are so good I would buy a frame from him instead of building my own. There is no way I could build a frame for the money he charges. he has a frame jig and spine for installing the boxing plates. Rodger
Buy one from the Kiwi. You will be paying shipping on parts anyway. Get online and find the best price,shipping charges vary greatly.
Harrison - why would you need pinched frame? Aren't you running a 32 highboy??? should sit right on top - anyway try this guy - it's who I got my frame from - nice stuff. http://www.hhspeedandmachine.com/ he delivered my boxed frame with a lot of chassis components and cross members for far lees than 3K
The Kiwi charges $1750.00 for a basic frame - ASC rails, tube xmember, rear/front crossmembers as well. for small additional cost you can have other things done to it or modify your order to whichever way you see fit. http://www.kiwikonnection.com/ keep in mind they are backcatalogued, so there will be a 6-8 week wait for it... nice thing is you can put half down and pay the rest later. he came under the 8 week mark for mine. he is the cheapest i have been able to find.. not to mention, the only person outside of my friends that id trust to build the foundation of my car.
So-cal's pinched frame is 1-/2" narrower at the front spreader bar only...at the firewall it is stock width their pinched hi-boy frame also has the front crossemember 1" farther foward. these two modifications really look nice on a fenderless car i've used 3 so-cal frames and was very please with them...i'm sure kiwi frames are fine why don't you take a look at what cornhusker can do you you? they are close enuff to you to maybe pick up yourself and save some freight , and i beleieve the owner is a hamber..maybe a discount?
The car will be a highboy. I'll run a SBC & T-5 trans. Pinched at the front, not the cowl, will keep the front looking really clean - no rails sticking out from below the hood sides. I've never seen a SoCal chassis that wasn't dead on & I sure do like the fact that every mount is already installed on that chassis. I'd like to be able to bolt the chassis together & focus my time & energy on body fit/finish & other details. I'm no chassis builder. The Kiwi & Roadsters.com frames sure do look nice. They are certainly an option - just wish you could get them a bit more complete. Thanks, JH
I have a SoCal chassis under my roadster. Very happy with it. But, you need to keep a couple of things in mind: Shipping to Arkansas about four years ago was almost $600. You really need to buy their rear axle and ladder bars. I bought their Eaton made rear spring. If you have a 37-40 spring pack you can save a few bucks by getting a main leaf from Posies. The chassis comes with bungs welded in for their F1 style stainless shock mounts. I like them. But if you want something else you need to tell them when you order. I like the pinched look. But it makes mounting the radiator problomatic. Pictures show my solution. Frame also comes with tabs welded on for their hairpins. Again, a very nice set up. If you want to run something else the tabs are easy to grind off. PM me if you have any questions.
There are a number of very good chassis shops East of the Rockies who can do the job. Save yourself some freight. California isn't the only place to get a chassis!
Bought one from Squeak about 2 years ago for my roadster. Cant say enough about it, its outstanding, good price and SUPER work on it. Real quality. Had them do some extra stuff on it for me and was very reasonable for it. The only place I would buy one and will buy my next one from him. Give him a call and tell him what you need, he will treat you right and STAND BEHIND his product!! Best time I have found to catch him is early in the morn and just before lunch. He is always busy in his shop. Good Luck! Dave
Make a call to Frank at Premier Body & Frame here in Phoenix (602) 248-0812. They build some really nice, reasonably priced '32 frames. Good quality, much less expensive than So-Cal. They built my '32 frame.
Thanks for all the info guys. I'll contact those listed above to discuss my options & will save this thread in my '32 file so I can refer back to it. Thanks again, JH
contact Johnsons Hot Rod Shop for a quote.Not that far from Knoxville either.I work there and am sure we can give you a competitve quote.
Drive to Kingsport to Eddie's Rod Shop. He is very good person to deal with and builds some incredible chassis and cars. Eddie has been building street rods since the early to mid 70's. You will be stunned with his attention to detail. Freight to Knoxville will be nothing, especially if you pick it up. His number is listed in the Kingsport phone book.
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