i am just getting started on a 48 chevy and i am wanting some input on the suspension i am planning on going with bags in all corners but an unsure as to if i should do a mustang 2 setup, s10 frame or something of that sort, or if there are any other setups i could get? i have an s10 sitting hear so if anyone has any pics of that would be great help in helping me decide i am just wondering about the frame strength as it is just a tophat looking frame and i am going to be going with a pretty well built motor and 5 speed and i want this to be safe and reliable and was wondering if this frame will hold up to power and stress? if anyone had any input on what to and what not do do and pictures would be great...i just want to do it once and be safe and not have to worry about it also i am thinking 4 link for the rear end.. depending on how the rear frame looks should i stick with it or should i make something different? has anyone else put bags on theres mine is an aerosedan 2 door if it matters and i want to be able to lay it so it is sitting on the ground and wondering if we will be needing to channel the frame in order to do so or not
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336738 Check this thread out. It was fairly new with some good info about using a stock frame or building your own suspension as well as having a picture of a 48 laying and bagged.
factory frame is fine for most any engine trans combo. Might need some extra beef like a well-designed x-member but they've had everything over the years from 235 L6s to Hemis stuffed in there. Full frame swaps outside the 42-48 Chevrolet ones are almost never satisfactory and ruin a good body for little gain and lots of extra work.
Here's a pic of the 48 I'm currently working on to give you an idea what it looks like stripped down. It's a mustang II kit from JWRod garage. I researched quite a few companies and was pretty happy with theirs. It’s a weld in kit that I put in about a day. They were great to deal with and have no problem with bugging them with any questions.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> <o> </o> Keep a lookout for there are a lot of EBAY kits produced in china. Great price much thinner material.<o></o> I bagged a S-10 for the neighbor and figured out that you should change the a arms and a few other things to make it work correct. Personally I think the work you put into it would be quite a bit more before you even start fitting the body. A lot of companies have spent endless amounts of money on engineering to make them perfect. Hope this helps. Good luck <o></o> <o> </o>
yes that helps alot looks very good thanx for pics..what are you planning to do with the rear? do you have no channel in order to get them 2 sit flat out?
I am just getting into to the planning stage of my 57 chevy truck project and been discussing a complete ch***is swap. That way you keep all the geometry that was engineered by people for more talented than me. Body mounts are pretty simple. You just have to find one (Ch***is) that is the correct width(Track) Keeping it all inside the fenders. Ive read where in some trucks you can go to the heavy trucks and get just a little bit wider fenders that still make up to the rest of your body and like you mentioned b4 strong enough. The way I see it no matter what option you go with. You are going to spend alot of time putting it together. You hav'nt accomplished much if it still setting in your shop only because you still can't figure it out or your just not happy with it. Talked to alot of knoledgable fellows that spent alot of time building or putting together these frt ends and went to drive them a was'nt real happy with them. For 1 reason or another. But thats just me talken, theres probally just as many that have done a fine job building them. I think you need to listen to the guys that have build more than 1 because them are the guys who diffentlly KNOW what to watch for and happy with what they did. I'm not knocking any body thats doing it for the first time because all of us are different some better at certain things than others. My self, like to pride myself in the Body & Paint side of the project. But still not afraid to get the torch and mig welder out and fabercate. I just think if you are looking to upgrade your suspension you are probally looking for a good handeling truck. I'm looking to put my 57 on a 88chevy 1ton ch***is but having to work through some width issues. (Tracking Width. Frame width within 2" thats body mounts) I might still abandden this idea I've been out of work for a full year(not by choice) and have alot of time and NO money thats why I'm even thinking about this my self. Otherwise I would take this part of the project down the road where they build Real Race Cars Piece by piece. Far driving at for faster speeds than I'll be driving. But thats only if I was working at my job, that I know what I'm Doing (for the past 28+ years) Thats Roofing. And I stilled made a mistake and fell 32' and hit concrete. Tuff ride at 6'4" 275lbs I think it was the sudden stop. Did'nt engineer that one right. But the lord seen to it that I'm still here to stock the old fridge so my budys can come over and give me thier words of wisdom(while ****ing down my beer) and telling me when the phone rings if thats thier old lady thier not there. Thats my .03
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