Technical hot rod truck frame plans

Hi, I have been looking at a lot of frames lately for 40s Chev pickups to swap on my 42 but every lead is a dead end and locally they don't grow on trees in Canada and anything east of the rockies is roulette for rust. I have seen a lot of well executed open wheel hot rod pickups (pre 47) and I know there are a lot of these style trucks that can be built cheap and I swear half are on custom built frames out of square tubing, the body doesn't have any mods to the floor to make it fit, what I am wondering is what plans do everyone use for these and if the biggest expense is buying the square tubing and having it cut? I think the option of putting it on a t bucket frame without extensive modifications look silly, the square tube chassis is an option I am considering, so what has everyone used for a frame on a fenderless "bobber truck" and if there are any plans for the design of one with dimensions and everything? I have seen lots of people build these styles for less than the cost of a brand new crate motor and look really good, attached are a few trucks of a similar vintage to mine that I like the look of

 

I do not know your experience, skill level, or what equipment you have, but based on the idea that you are looking for "plans" tells me you probably don't have much experience in building a frame.

My I suggest that an internet search should provide several shops that build truck frames. Unless you are one of those "have to do it yourself" guys, buying a complete (or nearly complete) frame may be a good direction to go. Starting with a welded together, well designed, frame puts you much closer to having a derivable truck.

 

I have a lot of experience in starting to get really sick of posting this, I want plans to know exactly what would fit this body style

 

Well
Ya set the cab on blocks how like it
Set a rear end where ya like it
Figure out where the front axle looks good

then ya start measuring

google bobber truck frames

 

You just put pieces where you think they look good
Then start measuring and building

I gotta get back on this one day

 

https://www.bolingbrothers.com/

Maybe these guys could build it for you?

 

Tools needed:
Kinda level floor
A level
Squares
A plumb bob cones in handy
Jack stands
Various blocks of wood
Chalk, pencils, markers
Angle finder is nice to have
A welder
A way to cut steel. Chop saw is nice
Tape measure
Straight edge rulers are cool to have
Clamps
Goofy imagination

 

This popped up googling frame drawings for 1942 Chevy pickup


https://www.google.com/search?q=194...lcXMbdoXlwM&vssid=_tiJKaKzdBbm90PEPwPTKsAU_50

 

Something like this.

 

This guy has a lot of good info on building frames. There are multiple threads from him.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/no-frame-build-my-own-model-a.1076697/

 

You keep getting asked because you keep asking questions that someone with experience building hot rods wouldn't ask. Plans don't exist for building frames for bobber trucks. Guys just build them.

 

This is what's under mine. No plans other than an idea of how I wanted it to look, and then doing exactly what Anthony posted above.

 

just read the tech sheets for paint and torque specs for mechanical stuff

 

Oooooooo........ Very nice.

 

And there you have it! 3 guys that have shown you their plan! We expect to see a full build report with the plan all set up for the next guy.

If you want all the measurements, angles, and a step by step process, you will be frustrated forever. They just don't exist. You do the same thing everyone else does, a plan by trial and error, until you have done a four or five of the same thing. Then, after 4 or 5 builds, you don't hand out a step by step pictorial because you probably didn't document the process.

There isn't one of these guys that didn't have an "OH! Crap! How do I do THIS!" moment.
If you want a frame the body will bolts onto, buy one from somebody the jig builds the frames, or man up and do the plan by trial and error your self.

 

I've seen guys build complete mock up frames from wood 2x4's. (cheap)
After tweaking it to how they want it, copy it in steel. Gives you a visual and allows you to easily make changes as you go

 

The OP seems to lack the one tool all hot rod builders need...patience.

 

If you don't have these moments, you are not doing it right.

 

I like that design,

I like that one a lot, what did you have to do to the floor to make the transmission clear?

 

If you all are only going to post negative comments and be rude find someone else to be rude with

 

If you edit your profile to include your location or tell us your location, you might luck into something. I have the chassis from my 46 GMC 3/4 ton I'd happily rehome, but I have no idea where in Canada you are.

 

I started with a model a frame back to firewall. Copy that in 2x3 square tubing ,left it long. Built the back to fit the bed. I also mocked up bed length and fuel cell. Ended up with 116 inch wheelbase. That is what the stock wheelbase was.
First thing is get body and wheels close to what you want. Figure out what suspension you want .
Ride height engine placement. I didn't channel my cab. My floor is still flat.
Yes I did have to make changes a long the way. Move shock mounts , front crossmember, etc.
If you have the cab and body plus a engine and transmission if will come together pretty quick.
Mockup is the fun part.

 

Gas tank. 25 gallon.

 

th400 with gear vendor. Floor is flush up to toe board. I cut out floor just for mockup. It will all come out and get new floor put back.

 

Not mine but better picture.

 

Maybe imagination too.

 

Having the attitude you have I am surprised you got all all the response, especially https://www.google.com/search? q=1942+chevy+pickup+frame+dimensions&client=safari&sca_esv=3689d8f87b454a04&channel=iphone_bm&ei=pCJKaMadKKan0PEPn5uTkQg&oq=1942+Chevy+Pickup+frame%C2%A0&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIhkxOTQyIENoZXZ5IFBpY2t1cCBmcmFtZcKgKgIIAjIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTILEAAYgAQYhgMYigVIiXFQjhhYyVpwAngBkAEAmAHLAqABnRuqAQgzLjIzLjAuMbgBAcgBAPgBAZgCGaAC0xfCAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgICECnCAgUQABjvBcICCBAAGKIEGIkFwgIFECEYqwLCAgUQIRifBcICCRAAGBYYyQMYHsICBRAAGIAEwgILEAAYgAQYkQIYigXCAggQABiABBjJA8ICDhAAGIAEGJECGMkDGIoFwgIIEAAYgAQYogSYAwDiAwUSATEgQIgGAZAGBZIHBDMuMjKgB7mZAbIHBDEuMjK4B78XwgcIMC41LjE3LjPIB38&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp#vhid=RC2lcXMbdoXlwM&vssid=_tiJKaKzdBbm90PEPwPTKsAU_50

 

do you have the whole truck? is there something wrong with the original frame?

 

A late friend/ mentor shared with me more than once words of wisdom his Grandpa had told him . A man built it , your a man and you can figure out how to fix , build and repair it .