Frame for my 34' plymouth

I am at a point that I don't know what to do. As it is said I have a 34 plymouth 5 window coupe and I got a 32 ply. frame and told it would work just fine. Well I finally put the body on the frame and without lowering the body down over the frame. I want the body on the frame look. In another thought I was thinking of building my own frame. I have no experiance with either, but I believe I can do them with a little guidance. My question is what is the best way to go? That is use the frame that I have, find an actuall 34' ply. frame or build a new one? I am building as I can afford what it is that I need. Thanks Matt

 

JW Rod Garage www.jwrodgarage.com has '34 Mopar frames. I don't know much about the place, but I'm looking into the '39 Mopar pick up frame they have. I called and they seemed very helpful. Good luck with your project.

 

I had a frame built by Bob Franks who had his own shop but now works at JW rodgarage and the frame was top notch and very reasonable price wise. I see JW's frames at swap meets and you can tell that they are built with Bob's design and quality. If this is an option money wise for you I would highly recomend them.

 

I've seen a couple 33-34 plymouths on ford rails. Something for you to consider. It's hard to beat the look of a ford frame when you're not running fenders. Not to mention how easy it is to find parts and advice.
Mat

 

OK, a couple of thoughts from an old-timer who has been beatin' and weldin' on one project or another since 1958....

Any OEM frame you use will be roughly 75 years old and will have been subjected to who-knows-what abuse, rust, cracks (seen or unseen) and metal fatigue through the years.

Making your own frame is not that difficult, but making your own frame that is FLAT and SQUARE is a completely different story. You need to fabricate a good, solid, heavy jig before you ever go looking for steel for the frame construction. You'll need to have pretty good fabrication skills and be an expert welder.

Determine the front and rear suspension you'll use on the car. If you buy an OEM-type frame from a company like JW, will the frame lend itself to the suspension you want to use? Are there commercially-available front and rear suspension systems that will adapt to the frame easily or will you have to fabricate from scratch? If you must fabricate your own, refer back to the third paragraph I wrote here (jig, skills, welding).

Bottom line: I'd talk to JW on the phone and find out what's available for suspension options with their '34 frame and go from there.

 

Thanks for the replies. Before I get to far ahead of myself. Were in relation should the frame be with the body or how much of the body should be out and away from the frame? And on another topic what do you guys use between the frame and the body ie. body mounts? I am trying to stay positive and focused with my build as I don't have the money to buy a new frame.

 

Who in the world told you a 32 Plymouth frame would fit a 34?
Don't ever listen to them again.

 

Well I was a little nieve with that. Is this something I should consider or should I cut my losses and get a new frame? The only thing is that will take a long time. Thanks Matt

 

can you post a pic of that frame?id like to see it. and what body do you have?filthy frank.

 

The frame is the foundation of the build. Save up for the new JW Rod Garage frame and you will not regret it. To save money you may want to ask about buying rails only and add your own crossmembers.

 

I am at work now, but I will post some pictures of the frame tomarrow. I just have the body shell. I was told it was a 34' but it could be a 33' plymouth 5 window. as far as the (PB,PC I can't remember what those are) I don't know. I called JW today and he said around $3500 for a perimiter frame with the coil mount and the middle cross member. I didn't think of asking for just the rails until I got to work. I can't check my pm's until I get home. thanks guys. Matt

 

A 34 Plymouth frame frame has got to be easy to find after all they made 250,000 of them. They had two different wheelbases the pf and pe models. If you were closer I would give you one. The only way you will build a beefier framer is to use 2x4 3/16" tubing or boxed 32 rails with a serious double stacked x member.

 

PM both "Greasejunkie" and "Royalshifter", they both built theirs on Ford frames and they came out awesome!

 

Here are the pictures of the frame.