I'm building a 39 Ford truck hot rod and am now to the job of building the frame for the rearend support. The rearend is out of an 84 cutl*** with control arms and coil springs. (see pics of truck). Does anyone know where I can find the technical information on the width measurements of mounting the upper and lower control arms? Not sure where and how to keep the rearend located at center.
Why not just go hack the crossmembers out of the frame from one of those cars? You might be able to find a roundy-round guy who's back-halved his and will give you the frame stub for free. Cutl***, Gran Prix, Monte Carlo, Regal should be the same, I think the Malibu and clones are also the same -
Thanks for the reply!! I have a local junkyard that I could check out. Has anyone else out there done one that has any tips or suggestions?
You might want to also seriously consider whacking the stock brackets off the rearend, and using a more traditional suspension...buggy spring or parallel leafs if they'll fit, or a modern 4 link if you're into the air bag stuff.
I was hoping to use the stock parts and adjust the coils to ride height with some adjusters I bought from Speedway. I have all the material purchased to make the back part of the frame, just looking for the right dimension to weld the supports in for the control arms.
Any and all 1978-1987 midsize GM is the same frame and rear suspension. Rustynewyorker has a point on this one: even if you don't actually use the frame members on your vehicle you can use it to get measurements and such. Circle track racers LOVE these cars: they call them "metric ch***is" so just ask for that and you should find something somewhere.