Re: 55 gasser front ends, pt.1:

First off, i think all these g***er conversions are just awesome and thanks for posting with such detail and pictures.


However, i was wondering if anyone has built or is contemplating doing a straight axle conversion with the stock front frame?

In other words, we're not cutting the original and adding new rails---we're leaving the front factory frame as is.

If not, why not? Advantages, disadvantages to either approach?

NOTE: i am not completely opposed to idea of adding new frame rails, it's just that it makes me nervous when i look at the structural context of how/where the new rails are put in.

 

I left my frame intact and made my installation 100% bolt it. Just incase I wanted to go back to the a-arm suspension one day. Swap was easy and I haven't had any issues with it. Yes it is high, but that is the way I like it.




Advantages are that you can go back with the a-arms within a day or so. I wanted to keep my original steering box and shocks as well. Easy, with little fabrication.

Disadvantages go on and on. It is heavier, ulgy, and just doesn't look as well in my opinion.

If you decide to keep the frame intact I can give you details on my setup if you would like. If you don't car about ever going back to the a-arms I would cut it and go with rectangular tubing. Just my .02.


Duckus****us

 

There is a 55 panel delivery that is here in KC and it's done just like you mention. The frame is uncut & everything has been stripped off the frame rails. I think it had a speedway axle & the spring mounts were just welded to the frame rails. Would make it very easy to go back to orig. Carl

 

Thanks everyone for responding. That's is just awesome duck.

i hope to continue the discussion in more detail later, but i have to run to work.

 

C-10, I am not sure if you have seen my g***er photo album? It is in the fotki link below.

There are a ton of tri five g***er photos and some of the shots might have some detail that you are interested in seeing regarding retaining the frame rails.

Good luck with your project.

 

Duckus, your car is looking great, wonder if you could give us more details of how you did your bolt-in conversion (spring hangers, steering linkage, etc.) possibly with some pictures? Thanks, Jeff

 

WOW hey duckus, that thing is cool......

 

Duckus I'd also like to see how you did the set up...looks like you used a straight axle and not a dropped axle?

 

we kept all the original front rails and steering box used a 49-53 chevy truck axle and springs really easy install

 

Thanks for the comments. I used '49-'54 Chevy truck springs and hangers. The axle is from MAS (no drop). I can't remember what the measurement from king pin to king pin was, but I was thinking it was around 51"-52". Some of the more narrow Speedway axles (46") are a little to narrow for my taste and it looks like the wheels are ****ed in. The Chevy truck axles from '55 and later are pretty wide. So be careful on the width of the axle.

The drag link is rigged so it can still use the "ball and socket" factory connection to the stock pitman arm. I also welded some plate to box the front frame horns to stiffen the frame forward of the front crossmember.




Duckus****us

 

Duckus....Thanks for the pictures and info....

 

You gotta box the frame like Duck did... those stock frame horns are barely strong enough to hold the friggin bumper... let alone half the front of the car! (even more on braking)

Sam

 

I did mine with the stock frame rails "with some technical help from Duck " lol.

I went with the 55 to 59 truck axle and got just the right height i wanted. The width didnt bother me cause im running bigs n littles , 3 1/3 inchers up front and 11 inch gyros outback

 

Those are two nice g***er 55's.