Hi, I picked up a '30 5 window body. New to A frames. Do I need to "Z" the frame to channel it properly? Can I channel the body of the stock frame, and what is the benefit of the "Z" in the rear and front? Is it just to get the engine taller? Thanks all.. -Jason
Channeling lowers the body. Zing lowers the ch***is,and that brings the whole car lower.To me they go hand in hand.A stock unZ"ed model A sits very high.
Got it, so in this case wouldnI be better getting a 32 frame, as the "A" suspension gangs down so far?
No real advantage in going to a 32 Frame if real low is what you're after. There's a few ways to lower a Model A ch***is without doing a Z job. I've never been a fan of the Z treatment. First off is what suspension are you actually working with now? First off is don't use Model A stock stuff even if your running a Flathead and closed drive.
It would be hard to channel a model A body on 32' rails. Usually the body is set on top of 32' rails so it would be doing the opposite of what you're trying to do. You don't have to the Z the front, just use a dropped axle. Depending on how low your trying to go... ....
My A roadster was channeled when I bought it. Channeling messes up everything, steering wheel is in your face, there's no leg room as your knees are up next to your shoulders, and your line of sight is even with the top of the windshield frame. My A roadster isn't channeled anymore...
If you look at 32 frame rails the rear rises.That drops the back of the car.You can cut the rear cross member to flatten it,and remove the drop.That brings the car down.In the front use a model A cross member to lower the front.The 32 rails are cl***ic beauties so you wouldnt channel over them,and hide it.A chopped A on 32 rails is as cl***ic hot rod as you can get.
32 rails can be used with a Channeled A Body if you are building from just a pair of Rails. When doing this you have no real advantage with the 32 rails being you have just covered them up with the Body. Not True if you think ahead and know what you're doing, well maybe if your 7 feet tall. My Roadster on A Rails is channeled 6" and plenty comfortable for a guy 5'10" with room to spare. You just gotta do some homework and know what you're doing.
My avatar 30 coupe is not Z'd in the front but has a 4" drop axle. It is Z'd 6" in the rear with a Ford 8" . The body is channeled to the bottom of the Model A frame. The front fenders have been narrowed 3". The rear fenders have been raised. I used a narrowed 3rd row seat from a Dodge Caravan and look forward dead center through the windshield. I have a ton of room for 4 pedals. The throttle, the brake. the clutch and a dead pedal on the left for convenience and comfort. I created a divot in the floor for planting my right heel and simply pivot from the throttle to the brake without lifting my foot. The seat has 4 inches of fore and aft adjustment. I am 5' 11" and have the seat all the way forward. I have had a 6' 4" p***enger with his legs fully outstretched. Very roomy and comfortable. One off rocker panels. It can be done. Just takes planning. Old mock-up pic, the car is blown apart for paint now.
No suspension or frame yet. I think you saw the body I have. That's all I have to start with. My plan is a real early 283, or early nailhead. All depends on what becomes available. Not a huge HP car. 300ish, maybe a bit less. Just want a cool 58"ish" motor. Just don't know where to start to get "that" look. I love low cars though
Post pictures of cars you like and we’ll tell you how to get there. We’re pretty good at figuring out how to get an end result. But your goal seems rather up in the air to me. “Channeled” means many different things to different people. Some picture just hiding the frame. Some picture dragging the rockers. Forward rake or rearward. A pic would speak a thousand words.
No, the roadster is still there. This is the 30 body under the carport. You were telling how you would chop it
Something like that will require a channel, and about an 18” Z. I recommend propping the body on the floor and the wheels next to it to visualize how much Z you need. Maybe cut a sample frame from 2x4 lumber.
Boling Bros . This may help you see what you're wanting to achieve. Ch***is, Model A - Boling Brothers Channeling a Model A Ford Coupe (youtube.com)
My channeled 1930-31 model A roadster has plenty of leg room. As someone stated earlier, do a lot of thinking and measuring before cutting anything.
Obviously the previous owner of mine did none of that when he hacked mine up... Guess we're just going to have to agree to disagree about this subject.
Got it. To get a body sitting that low you'll way ahead not using a stock frame to start with. I'd do a spring behind the front axle right out the gate. Then end the frame in front of the rear axle with some coil overs mounted front side of the housing. Supporting the body behind the housing is the only real issue. It's just hand fab work, no big deal. Lot of ways to get there. I'd just build the ch***is to ride at scrub line and set the body at the bottom of the rails. I'd build in a way that keeps as much inside room as possible. As I recall you and I were about the same size. Shouldn't be any big challenges.
I was looking at the Boling Brothers sight. I see a lot of unnecessary fab work unless you specifically want frame horns. I'll warn ya now, I don't think like normal people. I may have already told you that.
OK, now we have a clearer view of what you are after. A little too low for my old bones but I have friends who have built custom ch***is to achieve this. You are better off starting with a custom ordered set of rails mounted on your build platform and literally building from the ground up. Here is a look at the rear structure of one that my friend put together a few years back, although not a coupe.
This is a good photo to look at very closely and try to tighten up to have just a bit more interior space. I can see dropping the top of the Kick maybe 8 to 10 inches. Maybe that isn't an issue for the builder, but it would be for me.
Thanks everyone! I'm experienced with 50s frames, but for some reason, can't wrap my head around pre war suspension and ride Seems silly, I know.
Just channel it where your head and legs have room...its fun channeling a car....my avatar Buick was a blast to channel...
Hello I think that gold car might have rear bags it sits awfully low. If the owner sees this and it doesnt have bags.. I'm sorry I meant no offense. If it does have bags I'm sorry for indicating bags were offensive. Okay now that all the PC **** is covered... Mine is Z'd 10" in the back and the front is swept up just a few inches, kinda like a 32. It's a model A frame and it's channeled 4"- just the frame height.
Size has a lot to do with a Model A, I'm 6'3" 240 and wear 15EE shoes and it's a chore to get into a Model A. I have three now and have had two others, when I get out of my 30 Coupe it's top is below my shoulders. I've learned how to get in and out but it's tricky using the brake and clutch pedal due to the size of my feet. The pickup had a lowered seat and couldn't wear a ball cap in it. Sit your body on the floor and then raise the seat you plan to use up about 4" and see how much room you have.
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