Ben looking at allot of the posts about using s10 or ranger and dodge frames mostly for truck swaps. not finding much about cars. Would like some input about frame up grades for my 47 Ford Sedan Delivery that is basically a 4 door sedan in length. I'd like to see some pictures of what others have done. Or just info on your frame choice. I'm not interested in using the old frame and axles. you can see the delivery on my page. Thanks much.
Your answer is here in a bunch of previous threads. I would go with a Jag front end and a nascar style rear suspension and the stock frame if it is solid.
Why are you against using the stock frame? We have done a few 46-47's and use 4 link kits for the rear with a 9" and a TCI MII front set up. Some of these are daily drivers with LS based motors and are cruised at 70+ everywhere. When set up right they work great. Kevin LFD Inc.
Hi I'm not really against using the stock frame it is in good shape. I was thinking cost, near 3 grand using the MII and 4 link or leaf verses a grand or less for a drive under.Both will need mounting fab work that I can do but like most I need to do the most with a limited budget,and still have it look nice and drive way better than the stock ever did.
Look at older Duster or similar Mopar rear springs and hangers-the mounts bolt on front and rear, plus the springs are about the right rate for a late 40's sedan. You can't beat the stock frame for fit and rigidity-remember that it has your VIN on it (in 3 places I recall) too, and without that, you can't prove it's your car. Front suspension can be a dropped axle and good brakes-they work fine on those cars and can be had cheap if you look.
Jeez, if money is a problem on your build consider building it "traditionally". Dropped axle, pull some leaves out of the springs and hop up your flattie or do an engine swap with an adapter. Way cooler than plopping the body on something like an S-10 frame.
My 47 coupe sits on an S10 frame from the firewall forward, it lines right up. The only thing is it does move the front wheels in a little bit far. But I would not rule out using the stock frame, with a dropped axle for a more traditional build.
looked at an older conversion 46 2door with a camaro front clip looked good but I wonder about the strength of it were they split it in half and narrowed it.
Please don't think I'm just being snarky, but if you're flat broke and can't spend the money it takes to follow any of the suggestions you have here then IMHO you really shouldn't be doing this. You are asking for our advice on a traditional hot rod site but seem to dislike the idea of a traditional hot rod? I have posted an article here on how to build a crossmember for Mustang II suspensions for these cars that you could use, if the idea of buying a kit makes your skin crawl. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70073 There are countless other threads on front and rear suspensions that are relevant to your car which do not involve spending much cash at all. They all just take some time, creativity and a little bit of skill to pull off, all of which are going to be less labor intensive than a full frame swap that you are asking for. And it is also my educated opinion that you will end up with a far more desirable care in the end. I personally don't care if you put it on a 4X4 ch***is and make a Grave digger clone out of it. I am intriuged as to why you continue to ask questions when your mind is already made up. That was posted to your album yesterday.
Any time I see an early Ford body on an S10 ch***is or other 'stepchild foundation' I'm reminded of that Model A 'gl***ic' that Ford Motor Co. approved for their 75th anniversary. Some things just don't 'belong'.
These posts always remind me of a 33 Es*** coupe mounted on a Chevelle frame back in the early 70s. What a POS. Just because you can do it, doesn't mean that you should. If the body is even halfway descent, you will be ruining any chance of selling it after you screw it all up. I think some people don't really want any help they just want to argue. Good luck with it.
Were did I go wrong all I asked was what others have done and what I've been thinking I might do. I already have a good s10 if that's all I wanted to use. But I'm not 100% sold on it. Cost is a factor but I'm not broke just looking for the biggest bang for my buck. Like the suggestion by Elpolacko about the MII cross member. And changing my thoughts about using the original frame. The 47 came with no drive train or interior so its kind of an open book with many ways to go just looking to write the next chapter. Thanks and keep the thoughts & Ideas coming. O and 1 more thing that is written in stone Fords get Ford engines or Lincoln or Merc
Picked up a 69 camaro sub frame and a nova rear end cheap at the billet swap meet here in Fl also saw no less than 4 nova and camaro fronts on 40s fords and a really nice one on a 53 dodge panel. All but one looked really good and the owners were very pleased with how they went in and handled. The work wont start till spring but will post on the build if there is an interest. Thanks for the suggestion's.
I have a '47 two door sedan , it has the factory frame under it still , but , I clipped the front end with a '84 Pontiac Bonneville , I also used the rear end out of the Bonneville , I made for a clean setup , same tracking as the factory width , and alot easier and cheaper to use than the aftermarket setup with the dropped spindles , and the like I got tons of pics to show how it looked.....
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