Ive got a 51 Chevy business coupe and it already has mus 2 front susp. and is notched and 4 linked in the rear, but I really want to go gasser. I was telling people I'm not gonna cause its already had the suspension done the other way but I realized thats just an excuse. So, I'm gonna pick up a hub to hub straight axle kit from speedway. The rear still has the original leaf spring mounts on the frame, but I was wondering if anyone hear knows the easiest way to do the rear. What type of leaf springs do I use?, etc. I dont want to radius the rear quarters so do the leaf springs need to be more arched or shackled up or . . . .? What is the correct width axle kit for the front. Any help or ideas is appreciated. Mine is the black one, and I really like the look of the other pic.
damn if you were closer I'd trade ya a 55 gasser *cough cough project cough* for your 51. I'd think twice about changing yours up. why not get a different one to start with and have a driver and a gasser?
I definately would not mess up one to make the other. Go buy the other one and have the best of both worlds. Or go buy the other one and sell the one that you already have. It's too nice to mess up. If you hate it that much sell it and let somebody else enjoy it. Ya catchin' ma drift?
I appreciate all the concern for preserving the current state of my car, but my mind is made up, how bout some positive feedback. I LOVE the look of a 49-52 coupe gasser and it SHALL be done! My cars not really that nice, either. Interior is just about gutted and some rot and lots of cracked glass. I'll fix that stuff eventually, but I really love gassers and I dont see any here in reno, even during Hot August Nights.
Chris, As it is your car, do what you want. If the gasser is a ride you want make it so. If you could sell yours and buy the other that would make a guy that dreaming of a low slung car like you have. But do what you want. Keep us posted.
X3! looks like a nice driver, why not find a p.o.s, and go racing...it makes you shake and sweat less, when hacking it to bits! Either way, enjoy! Easiest way to do the rear is leaf springs. Small tire, stock location, if you don't want to get to cutting, or relocating the springs.
Ok Im positive youll end up regretting it. Have you ever driven a straight axled car like the one you have pictured. You might end up hating the way it drives. Plus you are taking your DRIVEING car off the road for an indefinate amount of time. I agree with everyone else buy another car and axle it.
I love gassers too but I don't think you will be happy with one as a daily driver . Just something to think about . RetroJim
Chris, I like your car the way it is, but I say go for it. Seriously, it's not like you have to hack the car all to hell to pull this off. If you do the front axle right, you COULD leave the MII crossmember in place. The rear is a bolt on that can be done during a saturday morning. This car could go from current driver to Gasser driver in a weekend with a buddy. Seriously, you aren't inventing a rocket here. Go for it, do your planning, and your car won't be down long at all, and will be able to be made into anything you want again down the road. Have fun.
Yea, don't do it. Just think how much it would suck having to deal with everyone waving at you or giving you the "thumbs up" everywhere you go. Also, the women flocking around your car at all times would be really annoying. Don't do it! But if you decide to, the first thing that needs to go is those skirts.
I ALWAYS TEND TO LOOK at my stuff from a finantiall stand point as well, your car took both time and money to get it the way it is, if you undo what has already been done, you will lose that investment. if you sold your car as is you could buy another to do as a gasser and have a good slice of cash left over to finance the build. its hard to take a car completely from one build style to another without basically starting over from scrath anyway. just my opinion, best of luck, everyone loves a gasser. Brian
ok first its just metal....if you dont like it you CAN go back...as for the cash spent..your not doing it for a living its a hobby/entertainment....spend away enjoy....!!!
I see your problem. You wont have any more trouble with a correctly done gasser, driving it every day, than a correctly done low rider, like you own. The ride wont be a whole lot different believe it or not. The problem I see is that you already have a cool ride. Finding a reasonably priced 49-52 Chevy project cant be that hard. Its not like its a 32-34 Ford. Good luck in what ever you do, you will have fun, I know from experience!
I would have to agree to get a different frame and sell off the one under your car. I'm not gunna tell you to not chop up the car. But you might want to have it set not as high as the one you have pictured. If you don't get too crazy setting up the front suspension for drag racing it shouldn't drive all that hairy (90/10 shocks and stuff). Basically it will drive like an old truck. I've put 7,000 miles on my gasser in almost 3 years and not had any problems to speak of. The only thing that I will tell you to be concerned about is old roads that have ruts in them from travel. The skinny tires up front and wide tires in back will make the car handle weird in the ruts. Mine has almost thrown me in the ditch several times. My dad's 55 chevy with stock suspension does the same thing.
So, do you mean that you are building a Gasser, with proper engine setback and crank center height? Or are you going make another dumbassed nose high streetfreak? The most commonly misused term in the car hobby must be gasser.
I have used the standard Speedway straight axle kit on 55 Chevy, 55 Ford and now my Henry J. Call Speedway if you have a concern...their Tech guy can help you figure it out. If you are not going to cut the wheelwells then get the kit to move the springs inboard (2-2 1/2")...then roll the inner lip...that will give you another 1/2". Once you have the axle and tire combo you want to run you can get the vital measurements...ground to axle...axle to bottom of frame (at the ride height you want) same in the rear. Then it is just a matter of matching the springs you have to those measurements which will help you determine where the spring mounts have to be to give you the look you want. PS...I have started using the straight-straight axle kit...and getting the complete kit with chevy spindles and disc brakes...best deal around. Zilla.
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