ok , i'm new a newbie when it comes to tradional hot rods, i've always wanted to build one and the paso show finally convinced me that it was time to start collecting parts for the build. this is what i've got so far, frame and cab from 1930 model aa, complete front axle assy with disc brakes from a 40 ford, grill shell and steering column from a 1935 chevy, bed from a 50 dodge. going to run a baby hemi and truck 4spd. i plan on boxing the frame rails and running a suicide front axle and channeling the cab over the rails. can i use the model aa frame or should i build one from scratch? thanks for the advice. can't wait to get started.
Here is one I used to own. It had a Model AA one ton frame that was modified. Had a hemi in it at one time and didn't need boxing since it is a thicker, stronger frame.
The AA frame is like the Passenger/Pickup frame in shape and contour but is deeper and thicker material. Just whack it off at the back at the length you want and have at it. Probably just fine with minimal boxing firewall forward and at the rear.
I have a AA frame under my coupe. The rails are 6" deep rather than 4" like an regular A, more like a '32. I doubt you would need to box them, depending on what you used for a mid-ship crossmember, and how much torque your "baby hemi" puts out. Pics on my website. Here's a pic of my frame last year:
The one I have it almost looks like you could set the transverse spring into the rearmost crossmember, have the wheelbase about right, just a matter of working the mount into it. Unless you want it to sit lower.
I'm using one under the Dubble A street rod type truck I'm building. Check out the link in my signature for my build progress. So far, I've added a 9" rear out of a '70s Ford truck and with the 70's frame brackets, the springs mounted easily. I doubt you'd have to box the frame at all because these seem to be super stout, and have several cross members for stiffness. I went ahead and tied the rear frame rails together on mine, but I'm actually building a Dubble A truck, with either a custom flatbed or a deuce-and-a-half bed on it. My wheelbase was the 132" before I installed the 9", but I've had to wind up shortening it to 122" because of the rear placement of the leaf spring brackets. Check it out if you want. Let me know if you've got any questions.
Docfranknstien's is a AA frame and!, has a baby hemi like your doing. He z'ed the frame in the rear, and notched it in the front and used to take it all over So.Cal. with no prob's.
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