Technical 58 Buick Custom

Hi a customer may want me to do a custom on a nice 58 Buick he has and waned to know if anybody has done a frame swap ? Or front subframe or even rear clip. Thanks

 

This site does not cover frame swaps. Secondly why would it need a frame swap or rear clip. Just because it’s old? You could get them a 58 Buick with air suspension from the factory. The base rear would be coil springs, although it does have a torque tube, but can be resolved.

 

Why would this be necessary? I've heard of people using the 64-72 Chevy truck style rear trailing arms to mount an open rearend if a transmission swap is what is desired, no reason to clip the whole rear of the car or replace the entire frame to accomplish that.

 

Frame swaps are persona non grata here on the HAMB. It is what it is.

I understand why you might want to do that if the intention is to convert to open drve. There have been several ways documented on the HAMB. A full frame swap may seem like the path of least resistance but I will tell you that it likely isn't. There is nothing wrong with the factory front suspension if it is in good working order, and you can retrofit a bag in there if that is the way you want to go, which also isn't HAMB friendly. Disc brake conversions are available as well through Scarebird and will be a significant improvement over the drums in that regard. For the rear, you can hang leaf springs, truck arms with a panhard bar (as previously mentioned) or you can put together a 4 link (either triangulated or parallel with a panhard or watts link), and use either coils or bags. Zman here even used a Jag IRS. But none of these paths require you to clip either end of the chassis.

Also, none of these paths are HAMB friendly.

 

Jag irs fits nicely
As does jag ifs with some massaging

only real resin to do either is if your swapping out the Dyna flow and torque tube rear as the rear is a structural part of the suspension

I dunno ? What’s your customers final expectation for this car ?

 

Scarebird disc conversion and truck arms in the back. I wouldn't clip it or do a frame swap if I were doing it today.

 

Tell him you're booked solid for the next few years ... send him to one of those shops on TV

 

Thanks guys The customer wants more modern driveline and this is not my cup of tea. I do mostly body and paint so no go for me

 

stay away from scarebird. his parts wouldnt fit my 1950 Ford without grinding on my spindle and I sure dont want to do that