I have a 1948 Austin, that was a neighborhood build back in 1966/67. It's now mine but I'd like to correct the mistakes we did back then. I was thinking of putting a S-10 frame under it and get away from fixing all the mickey mouse welding we did then. Does anyone have any info that could help or point me in the right direction.
Narrow the rear end. 8.8 is ez. Not deep of tub so at lest 1 can sit in the back. If the brakes are good that would be it for me.
Dont waste your time with a frame swap, especially that s10 ****, never turns out easier. Thats a nice looking Austin, fix the problems you have and keep the car close to as you remember it. The resale value of a butchered s10 swap is usually nill. JMO, Mitch.
Damn nice Austin. My Austin 4 door will never look that good. Are you saying that under that nice paint and with that detailed engine its in need of a rebuild ? As jimmy six says, narrow the rear axle.
My first car was a '51 Austin Devon sedan (same body). All leather interior, turn signals flipped out of the "b pillar". Some pictures of where the questionable welds are would help. Are they weak, or just ugly... Narrow the rear, and you would have an exceptional looking hot rod!
LOL I was only 16 and my buddies 17/18 at the time. From the replies I have got, Seems I just need to fix the front frame where we welded another support to put the cut/welded 49 truck straight axle under it. Did put a disc brake set up on it, we originally made a temp-plate of a Chevy bolt pattern, blew holes in it and welded the studs to it, brakes didn't work well, figure that, rear end is a 64 Chevy, So I guess I'll work on a narrow rear-end. Frame is solid as the body is too. Spent most of the last 50 years in storage. Any ideas on a rear-end or just have one cut to my needs. Thanks
It light weight so most would be fine. I suggested an 8.8 because there are so many of them and easy to narrow by watching on You tube. drum or discs only axle splines need to be done. Good luck and have fun with it..
Thanks, I'll continue cleaning up the welds and the little things to make it better, One thing for sure it keeps me busy,
Don't do it....period. But ...like you said it's your car now..so what ever, just a shame to do that to a long lived neighborhood Hot Rod. If the frame that's under it now is that chopped up and your not up to building your own frame , look into a simple t bucket type frame with a coil spring type rear suspension . Check out some old Hot Rod magazines from back in the day when the Austin was popular on the strip you will see some similar ch***is set ups , if you don't have any old magazines, I have a large collection of them and I would gladly post some pictures if your interested....anything to keep you from going the S-10 swap.
Thanks for that info, I'd appreciate the info if you could, The frame is really in solid condition, just that with the rear, it's kind of primitive welding, with the shackle brackets and shock mounts, then on the front where the straight axle mount is located it right where the fan blade sits, I'd have to put a 4 inch spacer for the fan then move the radiator outside of the grill, and that will never happen. I have some ideas with the front, and have thought about a 4 link in the rear. But the s10 is out now, and not really happy with putting a stang front end under it. But my idea is to make safe for my grand daughter. I have 4:56 posi gears in the rear.
Thanks, it is, can't wait to get it rolling again, just did an engine, trans, rear-end, and electrical rebuild clean up. Just need to drop the engine back in
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