Hey guys, you've bailed me out before and now I'm in another mess. I have a 57 chevy 2dr.210 sedan body and no frame. On craigslist I found a 55 chevy 2dr wagon frame here in town.I know that the 57 frame is boxed and the 55 is not. I'm planning to put a big block in it . Will the weaker 55 frame work ok as far as strength ? Other then the bumper mountings different would this combo work ? Before I go buying another mess I thought I'd run it by The Hamb.I know it would be best to have the 57 chev frame but right now this is the best and cheapest available. Any help would be great,thanks.
Okay, the main diferences are as follows, the frame horns are different from 55 to 57, the 57 horns are boxed and the 55 is tapered meaning mounting a front bumper will need some custom brackets, the 55 rear spring pearches are different from a 57 and the rear rail ends are different which will need custom brackets for mounting the rear bumper. A sedan is a sedan as long as its a 2 or 4 door sedan frame and not a sport sedan hardtop or convert or 56-57 9 p***enger frame.
Boxed tri-five frame? Are you referring to the two piece seamed frame vs the seamless frame? Regardless, the major difference on all three frames is the frame horns. 57's are shorter.
I've got a guy who will sell you a stack of 57 frames 10 feet tall if you want. It will fit, but why not get the better boxed 57 frame instead,especially if your're big blocking it?
I would hold out for a 57 frame and sell the 55 frame if you have already purchased it. Just my two cents.
ELpolacko, what I ment by a boxed frame (and I'm prolly all wet) but the 55 is like channel iron as opposed to the 57 boxed, welded or what ever it just looks like the 57 would be stronger. Maybe the 55 can be beefed up some. I looked at your site and Damn you do some amazing stuff. Thank you all for helping me.
Do you have a picture of this? I have never seen or even heard of an open channel 55 Chevy frame and would be curious to see it. Thanks!
ElP is right, a couple pals just killed some Tri 5s to build ch***is with. 3 California frames and a standard one.
Hey ELpolacko, get on craigslist -auto parts-chevy frames-july 22 under 55 chev 2dr. station wagon frame complete. If you look close you can see the frame horns are not square but more like a u or c shape .I just thought with a big block the 55 frame might have more twist maybe. Thanks for taking time to respond. I haven't bought it yet just gathering info.
from the front cross member forward the 55 frame horns are a c chanel, and the 57 are boxed. the only thing they do is hold the bumper on, no other support or structure...from the crossmember back the frames are the same, 5-6-7. even a hardtop frame will work, they will just have a few extra mounts that you will not need..
The wheelbase is the same, 115 inches, for ALL the models. The hardtop frames have a couple of extra body mounts, they will still work. 55-56 frame horns are the same, 57's are "boxed" shaped. You could swap frame horns. There are also some minor differences in the rear shackle hangers, 55 are one of a kind, 56-57 are the same. I have a friend that deals in 55-57 Chevrolet cars AND parts, PM me if you need anything. Butch/56sedandelivery.
Thank You Thank You Maybe I'll go out and take a look at it tomorrow. Just trying to put something together before I kick the bucket. Something that we can cruise around in. She keeps telling me it'll never happen and at 66 it might not but I'm gonna try.Thank you all.
66 is YOUNG, start living or get to dying! Plenty of time to have fun with your 57. Just sit down and do ONE small task each night. Even if it is a 10 minute task!
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