Hello all I am looking into what works with mods and what will work with less mods. I have seen a site for the 47-55 trucks with s-10 ch***is seem the s-10 may be too narrow for the second seris bodies, can ya kindly help a brother out
The stock frame fits those trucks like it was made for it. Instead of doing a frame swap why not look into modifying the original or building your own. http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/ELpolacko/1955-1957%20Chevy%20truck%20frame/
hey i have a 55 chevy pu to and i want to change the ch***is now ive been told that a s10 long bed would work but outhers told me other wise they say the s10 is two narrow but the s10 will fit on a 55 1st series since the acual cab of it is narrow (it makes sense) also ive been told that 70's chevy pu should work on it if you find a frame that works really good for ya let me no -Kujo
Yep, s10 too narrow... now you could do a Camaro clip, or as El P suggested build one. The stock ch***is on those are real nice and can be easily modified with available parts easier than a frame swap. You can do his Dakota front crossmember and a c notch in the rear and be ready to go.
I put a Volare stub on my stock frame and used Posie low rider rear springs with the axle on top of the springs. I also put dropped spindles on the front. It works really great with a good ride. I had to raise the floor of the bed about 5 inches and C-notch the rear frame 7 inches to clear the rear axle. With the Volare torsion bars it alows me to drop the front end or raise it if I want to. I am very satisfied with the results. Later, ****
I am in the process of completing an s 10 swap under y 58 fleet side, it is narrower than stock and i ended up using an 87 s 10 blazer rearend and and wheel adaptors front and rear, keeping the 6 lug rallies that i have, and with the spacer adaptor they came out just right, had to build my own motor mounts as the engine set different than using a 350 in an s 10, 700r4 trans. so far it is working out pretty good, i still have about 9 months before it is on the road. Mike B
Ugh, my apologies to Zman but I loathe the S-10 frame under everything but an S-10. It is so easy to just modify the stock frame with an aftermarket kit or subframe compared to swapping the entire ch***is. Consider more than your wheel base, the track width of your 55-59 Chevy truck is 61" wide. That is center of one wheel to the center of the one on the opposite side. S-10 front ends are about 55-56" wide, easily 5-6 inches narrower than you need. Also consider the weight of the truck and the engine placement when you choose. Your truck will weigh in around 3800-4200 pounds and carry more than 2300 of those pounds on the front wheels alone. There are so many choices out there that are a much better fit. I understand you guys are familiar with the S-10 and they are cheaper than fill dirt. Those are not the best criteria for selecting a replacement suspension. Seriously, if spending a few thousand dollars on setting up a proper ch***is is going to break your budget, you may want to consider another hobby or buy a truck that is already built.
Here is the deal, I have a modern ch***is under a P.O.S. short bed set-up, the ch***is I have is questionable so I am looking into The swap, I can weld well enough to build my own so I might do that! I will need a little direction so if anyone has spec to share/lend I would be thankful
Then find one of these yahoos that took the stock frame out from under their 55-59 and get it from them. Either do a Camaro clip or El P's Dakota front end. Flip the rear on top of the springs and roll....
lol, apologies... I thought I just said the same thing. Though there are some things I can see the S10 for, this is not one of them...
A Jaguar IFS works great as well. Have an article on it if you need it. I've put one under a Ford F1 and currently have one under my Chevy.
i have a camaro clip and posies springs with 3 inch blocks and a step notch,the clip is almost stock with the coils slightly trimmed,rides better than anything else i own.i have done MII for a couple people i know on cars and trucks i would not use it on a truck EVER.the clip is way easier and stronger.
To this day I still dont know why someone would want to put a old truck on a S10 ch***is,due to the ch***is kicking up in the rear I see them with alot of bed space being lost and there is no use in having a truck if you cant haul anything in it. I would think it would be alot easier to change the rear end and add a IFS instead of cutting up the floor in the cab and losing alot of bed space. Jeff
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