Say, Anyone know if I can take a Chevy C-10 (pre-smog) long bed truck and stick my 1953 DeSoto Powermaster on it? See the info below. Thanks one and all. Wiki says; Also called C10/K10 C15/K15 C20/K20 C30 Production 19601966 Engine(s) 230 in³ (3.8 L) I6 236 in³ (3.9 L) I6 250 in³ (4.1 L) I6 261 in³ (4.3 L) I6 292 in³ (4.8 L) I6 305 in³ (5.0 L) V6 283 in³ (4.6 L) V8 327 in³ (5.4 L) V8 Wheelbase 115 in (2,921 mm) (short box) 127 in (3,226 mm) (long box) <-----------------<<<< DeSoto 1946-1948 :121 1/2" 1949-1954 :125 1/2" <--------------------------<<< 1955-1956 :126"
What was the question? Can you put your DeSoto powertrain in the pickup? Or can you set your pickup body on the DeSoto frame? Clarify, please.....
the first step in this project would be to go buy a tape measure. even without a tape I'd say the answer would be a big fat no. what is it you are trying to accomplish with this frame swap?
Hey, Move the DeSoto onto the Chevy frame. If not I will use the Chevy drive train. I know it is not as easy as drilling 4 holes, but maybe someone has done something similar. Me lazy...you bet!
the c 10 have rear trailing arms? That would make it easy to bag. Also the biig issue would be track width. You checked that?
Please elaborate on "track width"? My guess is you refer to the width of the rear axel? Oh oh, see I really don't know anything! Please be gentile.
yes the rear but more so the front. Narrowed axle is easy. Narrowing front suspension however would be a huge chore.
Yes, track width is the width of the rear axle and front end. Before you get too excited do some research and find some of the frame swap threads here on the Hamb, you're gonna see that there's far more involved than just track width and wheelbase... where does the engine sit in the pickup in relationship to the car, how close are the firewalls to the same place, you'll have to consider pedal position, gas tank placement, suspension travel in the rear if your car is going to be very low, and that's just off the top of my head. I've never done a full frame swap between different vehicles like your talking about (car to truck), but having done a few from truck to truck, even those presented fab issues that took a lot of work. Maybe you would be further ahead to research what frame clips would work with your car... just a suggestion. Don't let the level of work deter you, but being aware upfront will help your car not get relegated to the "terminally unfinished" pile.
Ok, I will get a $1000.00 pre-smog V8 Chevy truck and just use the drive train if the back axel is the correct size. There is a place in Rancho Cordova (fine leather don't you know) that has "recycled" axels so maybe they can supply one. I will mix in a few coil-over springs, a fuel cell in the trunk, and electric fan on the radiator, poke an intake scoop through the hood, disc breaks up front and away we go.
CAN you? YES, Should you? Probably not Maybe the better question is WHY? Is there something wrong with the De Soto frame?
it sounds pretty interesting. when we got our 33 Chev's frame, it was set up for a Mustang II set up. they completely screwed up the frame.
The whole point was to avoid messing with the front suspension. I figured a running truck would be a fast short cut. The car in question is a four door with most of a straight six with a Tip Toe tranny. Jerry Sezar updated a 50 Buick with a new Chevy engine and a auto tranny. He had to update the back end because of the tork in the new engine. The owner was able to put together a new disc break package. Looks like a stock car but kicks ass.
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