55-59 Chevy Pickup Suspension - What Works?

I have searched the Forums and I have not seen anything on 55-59 Chevy Pickup Suspension. I am wondering what would work under my 59 1/2T Panel. I had thought about a frame swap but the only thing I see that is close is the 60-66 Chevy frame, which is an inch longer. I have thought about a G body (81 El Camino) posi rear and discs on the stock front axle. I am not interested in anything exotic like 4-Bar or even a Mustang II but I would like to lower it a bit. Just wondering what has been used. I have checked Stovebolt.com and I don't see anything there either. Most of what I have come across is for AD's or 60's and up. Anybody done a Tech Article?
Thanks! Tom - restorit

 

an s-10 chassis should work. try different models to get the same wheel base. ext cab, ext long bed.

you could also use the gbody front clip and do a flip kit in the back with a small c-notch out of steel tubing and keep the original leaf springs with air shocks.

 

or a 70s camaro front clip, and use the old front spring hangars on the rear, flip the axle on top of the springs, no C notch required, but it won't go quite as low

 

if you have the big bucks you can look at classic performance products....they have some nice parts....not trad. and not cheap.

 

Dropped front axle and flipped rear. Remove a couple of leaves from the leaf springs. Get on with your bad self......

 

Thought about the S10 but I am not sure it is heavy enough. Anybody done that? I am trying to stay away from a clip but I do have one for an 80 Camaro. That might be too wide.
Where do I find a drpped I-beam axle for one of these? Does someone make a replacement for a srock axle or am I looking at one from Speedway? Like maybe their Gasser setup?
Thanks for the CPP link. I am checking them out right now.
Thanks for the input. Tom

 

A volare is a great match for the 55-57 pickups. very adjustable height and ride...

 

I did a two part story in Custom & Classic Trucks magazine this year installing CPP's pieces on my '56 Pickup frame. I did the dropped axle and disc brakes and was very happy with the pieces. Could be lower with a clip and a c-notched 4-link rear.

 

Squirrels right, Camaro welds right up. This has been covered quite a bit.

I did see a guy in Ok, that used a 88-98 Chevy fullsize frame on a panel. I think the only change he made was wacking a bunch of frame off infront of the front tires.

 

Yeah, a friend of mine has a camaro front rails under his 59...which is now living in 56 disguise. Welder by trade, it's hard to see where the camaro parts stop and the 59 frame begins, very nice job. One of those Waco guys...

Tangent but related to the above...really miss the old car shows/rod runs at Ft. Fisher in Waco...

 

We did the camaro clip and don't think I'd do it again. too heavy and track width is off. Think I would go with a dropped Org. style I beam with a rack and pinnion that bolts directly to the axle and leave the frame alone. That just came out awhile back and is def trick...the way to go in my opinnion.

 

Yeah it's on CPP's site... you can do a lot with the stock suspension..

 

I have done several of these, 1955-1959 chevy pickups and panels. Best result for fit, handling steering and stopping is MII. Pricey but it works better than any other I have tried. An early Camero is close to correct width. You are correct late camero is too wide a track. Have also used a 1968 - 1972 Nova Clip. It is correct width, rear steering box location and worked out ver well. I have also put body on an S10 chassis. Had to lengthen the one that I used (1984 SWB) about 8". It worked out pretty well, except that track width is a little on the narrow sside. Changed out the S10 rear axle for a '68 camero and put 1" wheel spacers in the front. That worked. Don't worry about the S10 chassis being stout enough, it is made for a truck, light truck at that, but is still plenty strong. The dropped I-beam axles with disc brakes that I have installed just didn't work out satisfactorily. It still rode and steered like a beam axle front end, which to me is not good enough. Like was stated the Volare clip also works well, Not real popular and they are getting harder to find. Thik about what you are doing, and what you want to accomplish carefully. Even if you have to spend a little extra cash to make it right it is worth it in the long run. This is a pretty major swap and you need to be satisfied with the end result. Good luck.

 

Well, that is a lot to think about. I saw JimA's article - looks nice. I like the S-10 idea too. I am going out today to see if I can get the motor to turn over - looks stuck. That may tell me how much I have for suspension!
Tom

 

I'm going to be trying a front end from a '79 Chev P/U onto my '55 Panel. I've heard it works, we'll be bagged as well. Crossin my fingers on this one

 

I read on another website that a late model Chevy PU front suspension will almost bolt on to the 60-66 frames. I will be interested to see how this one works out. TC

 

Measure your track width first before you do anything. I think the 79 truck is going to be way too wide for the panel - if it is a second series 55. The 79 clip will work on a first series but you have to run rims on the front that are offset lots to the inside as well.

Shiny (29ehv8) has done a few 55-9's with volare clips. PM him and ask.

 

i got a 77 z-28 clip on mine it wasnt exactly easy but it was the first time i did anything like that mine is set up fon bags but that clip is****s all kinds of parts you can use flipping the rear's easy but if you want to go realy low you need to build a step knoch.

 

Just got back from the local wrecking yard and it appears to me that the 73 & up frames, while having a wider track, have narrow mounting points. My 59 frame is about 34" wide, outside to outside and the 73 frame is about 29" wide, outside to outside. Maybe the whole clip needs to be used. Right now, I am thinking S10 LWB since I have V8 motor mounts and lowered spindles. The Volare could be ok but I have not seen one around here for a long time. Anything else share the Volare/Aspen front?
Question about the Mustang II IFS. If you use an aftermarket frame mount, would stock parts work ok if you put in new bushings, bearings, etc and used 11" rotors?
Everything will probably remain stock for a while untill I can get it streetable. I was able to dig up some more info from the archives about the Volare suspension by Searching "Volare".
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5418&highlight=Volare
Tom

 

I had a Volare' under my '55, and it was******in. In addition to the adjustable ride height, you also get power steering and disc brakes - two things you'll quickly appreciate.

Don't even think about keeping that damn straight axle. They ride....like a truck!

~Scotch~

 

I put a 77 Volare' subframe under my 58 GMC. It works great and is really inexpensive to do. Hardest part was making the left motor mount. I think I would use a MOPAR 340 next time.

 

after 20 or 30 years, you get used to the ride....there's really nothing wrong with a straight axle, after all, it IS a truck.

 

I don't know how much work you want to do - but the '67 - '87 ('71+ already has disc brakes) 2wd drive trucks are basically all the same front end..and the front crossmember unbolts from the frame. now that being said you could narrow or widen the crossmember to fit you chassis - or pinch the chassis and narrow the crossmember to get the correct track width.

I know this seems like alot of work - but you would get a "truck" suspension with discs and they are cheap to buy lowering spindles and suspension parts for.

I know that Mustang crossmembers are cut and narrowed/cut and widened to fit in some applications and then they just cut the tie rods or put longer adjusters in.

What is the track width differance between the '73+ and the '59?

I've always thought about this - just never had a 1st series truck to try it on.

 

I put a 72 Cutlass wagon clip under mine. Same width, slid right into the truck frame. Sliced the outer skin open on the Cutlass frame and overlapped the truck frame; boxed the inside. Slams the front instantly. Cut off the Cutlass frame horns, added mounts for the bumper braces and fab'd up a simple tubing front bulkhead mount between those braces and it's done. Chevelle should be the same. If I remember I had to move the crossmember motor mounts forward and inch to clear the firewall.(SBC). Very easy swap.

 

Yep. I agree. I'm puttin' mono leaf on the front of my 58 Apache and will fiip and notch the rear.

 

Back to the Camaro thing, I used a '71 in my '58 Apache, so its the old style.

If I did it again today, I would probably go the RB's Obsolete Auto route with their frame stub that accepts A or G body GM arms. Reason being, its becoming tougher and tougher to find the donor camaros in any shape that is cheap and in nice enough condition to use. And at $1395 its pretty high, but wasting $400-700 on a donor camaro that has been on the road for 35 years doesn't sound appealing.

The straight axle route isn't bad either, you just can't get super LOW.


Correct the rearend is super easy, axle flip, and frame notch and you're done.

 

Went back and found the thread where I showed how I did mine. And a pic.
Hope this helps show you your options.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85075

 

?????

67-69 Camaro and 68-74 X body (nova etc) are rear steer, 70-81 Camaro and 75-79 C body are front steer

 

A Volare/Aspen clip is the same clip used under the rear wheel drive Chrysler 5th Ave and the rear drive Diplomat. Any Mopar rear wheel drive car from about 1980 until 1989 used the same set up.

What about a Dodge Dakota clip or frame? Pre 92 had 5 one 4 1/2" bolt patteren and the 92 up used a six bolt wheel like the old GM 1/2 ton trucks. They were all new design in 87, one of the more modern things out there and can still be used as a truck. Came from the factory with a 4banger, a V6 or a V8.
Gene

 

Sorry Squirrel I should have clarifed by qouteing the guy I was talking about or too or whatever.

I meant old style as in the pre '80s referencing frame width. No discussion on the steering.

Elwood Blues, so you got your's 'maro clipped? Show us the pics. I remember back around the 1st of the year you were looking at doing it.