|
51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
So... having already worked with an S10 extended cab long box swap on a 47 (my previous build that I sold when I left Victoria) I learned a lot along the way and it was on a very tight budget. One of the things that I truly didn't appreciate was the narrow track width in the front and the requirement to run spacers to push the wheels out. I know that many have and do use them, but something in me just doesn't like the added torque on the spindles that these would cause.... it's just me.
So... with that being said... I've looked at using an Explorer 8.8 LSD rear end and then went down the path of looking at the front as well (keeping the stock track width that the explorer has and just using the entire subframe (although I am aware that I will need to extend it (which I find no big deal)). This is expected to give a better track width that would only need to be corrected with wheel offsets to get me to where I want to be. And that leads me to my donor vehicle... it's a 2003 Explorer Eddie Bauer edition with the V8 motor (no, I'll be using a 91 TA L98 TPI 350 with an NV3500 behind it). The explorer has 4 wheel disk and a 3.73 D4 LSD in the back with IFS and IRS. Paid $400 cdn for the donor and the cost to go get in the next town over. Kermitt47, this is your fault! After watching the video and seeing his setup... I knew it was doable... and so... I will be doing! Here is a link to the video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj078sfLnhs The "Project" https://i.imgur.com/oVVUuNo.jpg The "Donor" https://i.imgur.com/CJYEQGA.jpg |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
I’m in! Love looking at new ideas.
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
I am in for the ride. I had originally found the video when I was looking for Gen V swaps and at the time thought the Explorer chassis was worth a look at a later time. I will be happy to follow along with your build.
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Thadious: That looks like a very interesting swap option for a lot of older trucks. Post lots of pics and details about what you do to make it all fit together and work right. I will be watching this one with great interest.
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
nice stuff! starting with a long bed box you can make the wheelbase exact without stretching the frame! although it looks like a 9ft bed so it and the running board would be something other people would be looking for.
I am in! |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
The one pictured is a long bed, but I will either be shortening it to a short bed or using the short box that I already have. All the bedrails and strips need to be replaced anyways and the short running board that I have are a little rotten. I'm on the fence on shortening the box to actually fit the wheelbase that I have (and consequently the running boards and filler panels), going with a standard short box and moving the fenders forward to match the wheelbase (and shortening the running boards and filler panels) or stretching the frame (most likely) and just using a short box, fillers and running boards...
I'm trying to use what I have instead of spending a ton on new sheetmetal, but we'll see where that goes! The wheelbase on a 2003 Explorer is about 113", so about 4" less than optimal, but shifting the fenders forward may be an option, rather than extending the frame... we'll see. And on another note... an S10 frame (at the back of the cab area) is about 40.5" whereas the the Explorer frame is about 45"... so I will likely be looking at opening up the back of the cab a bit to accommodate (about 2" per side). |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
are you saying you will be extending the cab to fit the wheelbase and box length you want? its a bit of work but would give you more leg room. I suggest to add length to the doors and move the posts back. it may look better than a short extension behind the door. it is your truck though so you gotta do what you like.
have you thought about using the donor explorer floor pan and firewall? I sent you a private message in that regard. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Quote:
After a closer inspection of the frame today (and having it almost completely stripped down) I will be extending it... it will be a matter of cutting it, placing a long insert inside, drilling and plug welding it in place, then having a couple "C" channels make from 1/8" plate as fillers and welding the whole thing together. What I will have to do, is at the back of the cab, down by the frame rails, enlarging the opening that goes over the frame so that the cab can sit down over it. I removed the cab, fenders and entire front end of the truck off of the old frame (minus the hood) as one piece. This will help with getting everything aligned as a unit with minimal shifting of the parts. I do believe that with some minor mods, this will make for a pretty nifty conversion. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
from experience, cross brace the cab in the door openings and side to side somewhere. do this when the doors fit and open close properly BEFORE you cut anything. it would have been good to do this before it was removed from the old frame but whatever, it warrants doing just to keep things "square" so with all the movement and stuff hanging off the cab unsupported the cab doesn't get tweaked and then the new mounts etc are made for a tweaked cab. I would suggest to set the cab on a square level dolly of some sort so the mounts are level with each other and then get the door hinges etc rebushed so they fit properly and then adjust the doors to the cab. when this is done, so they open and close nicely, you can drill a couple of small alignment holes in the door, the hinge and the cab where the hinges bolt up. then when you need to take the doors off for whatever reason it will be easy to get them back where they need to be. if, when fabbing and shifting stuff around, the doors don't fit then you could look for the reason why. something is stressing the cab.
since the box needs work anyway, you could think about using the floor from a newer truck that has a steel floor, sides, front wall etc. just a thought. if you have the space keep the donor as long as possible, you never know what you might need or be able to sell for a couple bucks to pay for stuff you need. that is unless you're independently wealthy, lol. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
I would suggest to do a frame check on the donor before you get too far in. it doesn't look like t was banged up but a corner to corner check would be easy.
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
As this is my first go round with an Explorer frame and the fact that it looks like a nice swap in area when it comes to space, my intention is to start with the old frame and bust out the laser level for measurements. Distance front to rear on the cab mounts, distance to the front rad support mount (looks like I may be able to cut the old one out and install it in the new frame (since I don't have the steering box to deal with) and then do all the elevations. This should get me the plan view and elevation location points for the mounting as per the original design. The largest consideration I have after that will be the height required to clear the transmission. I'd like to keep the trans hump to a minimum if I can.
I picked up the donor vehicle on monday, stripped the body off on Tuesday to this point https://i.imgur.com/7I3UTJa.jpg Someone was looking for the transmission and transfer case out of this thing so I stripped the rest of it down (for the most part) yesterday and got it to this point... https://i.imgur.com/fbfiOCK.jpg Look at all that free space for the engine in the front! Sorry that the drain pan is in the way, I was bleeding out the power steering fluid now so I didn't do it all over the place rolling it around in the future... https://i.imgur.com/XNHTZ1n.jpg I also stripped out the front axle in the process, effectively making this a 2WD. I'm not a big fan of leaving the splined hole in the hubs open (after pulling the CV joints), and considering I really didn't want to pull the front end apart to get the joints out, I cut them just behind the small boot end (had to pull the boot back to do it. This gave just enough clearance to slide the remaining part of the CV joint out of the front hub and enough that I could pop the other end out of the front axle and get the axle out (after unbolting it). https://i.imgur.com/mGYBGP5.jpg And so they were machined down to this point and fitted back into the hubs, just using the original nuts. https://i.imgur.com/E6ACGWW.jpg Today, I finish pulling that massive fuel tank (I think I'll be using it since it's poly and will give a wonderful range of driving and fits right in nicely. Exhaust lines go down the other side and there's removable heat shields that cover it all. Finally a pressure wash before I roll it back into the shop and let it dry for the week while I go camping. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Sorry that it's taking so long to get anything done, maybe after camping you'll feel more like working on it.
Kidding, lol. Is there more hours in a day out there in Creston? Great progress. Keep posting pics, maybe it will get me fired up to work on mine. I need to go camping, maybe I should try Creston...... |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Very interesting, this is something a little different, I will enjoy watching. Not sure what your plans are for actual bed length but I'll throw in my 2 cents.
I also started with a 9 foot box, I shortened it to accept the unaltered floor I salvaged from a 2000chev extended cab pickup(6.5 foot bed), it ended up being about 1 inch longer than an original 1/2 ton wheelbase. In my opinion these trucks are short and I wouldn't want to be any shorter wheelbase base than the original 1/2 ton. I also used a rotating laser to get measurements from a level original frame, worked great. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Wow, no grass growing under this project! Great progress.
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Quote:
Retired at 50... gotta keep busy tho! |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
So, after a final removal of some things (gas tank being one of them and a quick pressure washer blast...
Here are a few pics of the 2002 Explorer frame beside a properly sized (I had to shorten it since it was a extended cab short box) 1995 S10 frame. Note that the Explorer frame is fully boxed for it's entire length. https://i.imgur.com/LUypBbH.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ZpfEifG.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jACKc1K.jpg https://i.imgur.com/u4LIWHb.jpg https://i.imgur.com/AUAP3Qp.jpg Note that the difference in frame height is alot of the difference in tire size. These are the stock size tires for the S10 vs the taller tire size for the Explorer (the Explorer size is a common choice for these builds at 29" dia). |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Thadious: Those side by side pics of the Explorer and S10 frames are great. I notice that the frame kickup at the rear of the explorer seems a little less pronounced than the S10, but those rear shock towers in the Explorer seem a tad high. I’m thinking of how the 2 frames compare in terms of the loss of bed depth, but it’s hard to tell from the pics as to which frame is better in that respect. Keep posting pics of this quality, and include LOTS of details!
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
So, at first thought, you are absolutely correct. What I'm thinking, at this point, is 2.5" lowering springs with a spacer between the 'cup' at the top of the shock tower and the tower itself, thus effectively negating the 'drop' the springs give but removing the height above the tower. Of course, shorter shocks will be required. We'll look at this later but should give a slightly lower bed height than the S10...
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Those are real good pics, Thank you.
It appears that the width of the Explorer frame may cause issues with the AD trucks, and maybe better suited to a 55.2 - 66 body ? Thanks again, I will be following along, as I am considering a new project. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
As for bed height and those towers, like you said, address that issue later. When I did the 57 on an envoy donor I was all worried about bed height due to the rise in the frame above the axle. When done I thought, whatever, probably not gonna carry much back there anyway. I suggest to mock it up with a raised floor to fit the frame and think about some sort of mini tub where those towets are. The donor vehicle had some sort of bump out there which you could possibly save for later when you get around to that part. Look at some of the other builds with basically no box due to huge tubs. It just depends on your personal wants.
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
@Tempest67 - You are correct, the back frame opening of the cab will be opened 2" on each side to accomodate the additional frame width back there.
@Dsraven - in the past, when I did the S10 swap, I raised the box, lowered the rear fenders and made new filler panels between the box sides and running boards. They didn't like out of place at all and the height of the cab above the box in the back looked more proportional. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
It sounds like you have a plan, I'm just saying you can install the box and figure out your floor height or floor bump over suspension parts after. Lots of guys dont worry about the floor until after they have a few miles on it, some dont put a floor in so they can showcase their handiwork.
Nice job on the front stub axles, quick too. Do you have a lathe or access to one? My project is stalled due to other gotta do projects. Hope to get back on it soon. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
So... managed to get "some" progress on the ole girl this weekend. Couldn't wait to get the front end on the frame to see how she was going to fit! I found that with the additional width of the front end, the inner fenders should slip over the front suspension a little easier... well... it was a fair bit of trimming and fit, and trimming and fit to say the least!
First we had to see where the front frame "horns" needed to be bucked off so the rad support would drop down over it... this was the first location. https://i.imgur.com/abbnEse.jpg After a few more "fittings" when trimming the front inner, I found that it kept binding up and rubbing (cut it too close) so I trimmed it back just a little further... https://i.imgur.com/wcb9YcM.jpg It worked a fair bit better and I was able to get the body to sit down a LOT nicer on the front end. Keep in mind I had to trim out about 1 1/2" from each side at the rear where the notch sits over the frame. The inner sheetmetal was a bit rotten, so these are getting replaced anyways, as well as the typical cab corners. A couple of the inner fender trims... Driver's side https://i.imgur.com/S0IJiYd.jpg Passenger's side https://i.imgur.com/yEZ3tqJ.jpg The engine mounts are still on in these pictures, but they've been removed. The height on them is a little offset as the driver's side seem higher, but they'll be reworked anyways to fit the TPI block and NV3500 trans in. And this is what she looks like now with the body in place... https://i.imgur.com/VXGVsmr.jpg I'm liking the look of the track width on this far more than the S10 and NO SPACERS!!! The tires on it are 28" on 17" aftermarket mustang rims, so they may be reduced in size for height, we'll see. Next was getting the body back off and getting the frame ready for stretching... I've opted to cut the frame on both sides just forward of the front gas tank mounting crossmember. This is because I'm thinking of using the stock Explorer tank (it's a poly tank, quite large and I think I may be able to do the hidden filler neck behind the license plate route. So, levelled and on custom made stands, I used my machinist level (0.005"/ft) to get everything tickity boo. (I'll be tacking the top of the stand to the frame so they don't move when I pull the halves apart) https://i.imgur.com/xXUXvp6.jpg Then setting up the locator marks to ensure everything stays square when putting it back together. https://i.imgur.com/GEH65Wo.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gOZKezu.jpg https://i.imgur.com/7rJorw7.jpg https://i.imgur.com/JCzLdby.jpg These marks are located 11" back and forward of the front gas tank cross-member and measured from the upright tabs forward and aft respectively and 1 1/2" in from the outside of the frame. This gives a diagonal measurement of 50" The nice parts about this location of the cut is that it can be measure from the square locating holes on both sides (with the two round holes beside it) back 6". https://i.imgur.com/7UiDTxQ.jpg Keep in mind that when drawing the lines for the cut and using a square and scribe, if you put the square on the bottom of the frame and the top of the frame respectively, they aren't the same! This frame is rarely truly parallel in the same spots! This also applies to the front frame horns. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Making good progress. With the stang wheels the track width looks good.
On the inner fenders, ensure to leave room for body flex. You could "shingle" it so the inner is narrower than the frame and that way it could be a bit longer to hide the gap, or cut it short and use a thin rubber flap like the newer vehicles use. That way your engine bay stays cleaner less splash from wheels. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Quote:
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
you could also fab a bump out section that would cover all the suspension parts and have a hole, with rubber plug, to access the shock bolt. once you get the body at the right height and figure out your engine clearance you will figure it out.
I like your frame stands, it's a different version of what I did with mine. once set up, the frame ain't going anywhere unless a stand takes a good hit. using the stock tank will save you headaches and time. too bad you couldn't find a cheap frame rear section that you could cut at the right place and graft onto your front section. that way there would only be a single weld on each side. I suggest to temporarily weld on some lengths of angle iron or something that is long enough to accommodate the new weld in section length so the pieces will be easy to keep in line until you're done. of course you will use your machinists level but the extra parts would be a third hand. angle iron and c clamp vice grips are great. I was at Canadian Hotrods in Tappen and had a tour a few years back. when they get their laser cut frame parts made they have little tabs on the edges to keep the parts correctly spaced for the welding process. great idea. (awesome looking frames too!). you could do the same with a flat washer tacked in the space, when the parts are correctly spaced and tacked together just hammer the flat washer out of the way. keep posting up pics, I am sure I am not the only one who finds it interesting. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Interesting thought on the bump out. I'll look into it more once I get the frame extended (just waiting for the local machine shop to bend up the 3 "C" channels that will make it up) and I'll post the drawing later (once I make sure that it all works as intended!).
The stands are made from square tubing and rebar, as the previous owner of this property had this thing about jamming 2' of rebar into the ground, another 2' piece (or longer) of 1"x1" square tubing onto it and one of those solar powered yard lights into the square tubing on the top. I don't mean a couple here or there... more like 100 or so! They were EVERYWHERE! In face, a year + later, I'm still finding them! So, lest to say, I have a nice stack of 1" tubing and short lengths of rebar, and this just helped shorten the stack just a little. Add a piece of pipe at the top with a 3/4" nut welded on, then a chunk of all-thread, a nut and washer welded to the top and machined flat. Makes for a good support stand! I had considered a second frame, but it would be a hassle to find another exploder, strip it down again and do the whole thing over again. With an inside sleeve, all welded in and the two additional C channels, it will still be 50%+ stronger than the original frame in that section and considering it was a boxed frame to begin with, plenty strong for this project. The jack stands are tacked to the frame sections, so they aren't going anywhere and when cut, the frame doesn't drop or collapse in any way. The benefit of having a brace so close to the cut at both sections. The insert sleeve will also ensure alignment, both side to side and up and down. The internal section of each half of the sleeve is 11" with an additional 4" for the new make up section (essentially 26" in length). As far as alignment and pulling it all together, the final adjustments (the fine one) is accomplished by welding a nut at the after end, a length of all-thread, through a small piece of pipe (welded to the forward end) with nuts on either side of the pipe. This will allow the frame to be pushed together and pulled apart with much easier precision than a clamp or (gasp) hammering it. Then just cut off the parts later and grind flush. I'll post a picture later of my setup. The intention of this is to get a good solid backed weld, ground flush and made to not be noticed, without sacrificing one iota of structural integrity! |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Just a thought on ride height. The front suspnsion is likely engineered to work with the lower control arms sitting level with the truck at ride heighy, like when its got the weight of the truck, a tank of gas etc, but no payload. If your "new" body weighs less than the original one then the suspension will lift the frame higher and the steering geometry may be outta whack. As the control arm moves up and down through it's arc the lower ball joint moves further away from the frame until it reaches its midpoint, when the control arm is level, then the ball joint moves closer to the frame as the suspension continues through its arc. In order to get good handling and proper alignment you may need to mess with the springs to achieve originally engineered ride height. When I did mine I installed some suspension "pins" to lock the suspnsion at ride height with the original body still on. When all done with the swap I'll remove the links (basically square tube linking the upper and lower shock mounts) and adjust the springs to achieve the original suspension ride height. It would suck to build the truck at an elevated ride height and then find you need to lower the suspension causing the body to be too low for our awesome road system.......
Just a thought for you to consider. Its your build so you need to do it your way. Great job so far. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Another thought,
When I was doing my frame cut out front I got all concerned about where to cut it off etc. Finally I realized that setting the body on some ajustable stands, like you made for the frame, until I got the body squared up and sitting level with cab mounts built etc, allowed me to work free of those frame horns. After the body was where it needed to be then I built the front frame horns from the old frame section to match the rest of the frame and the bumper height, and then added the rad support mounts. I cant remember the cab mounting on the AD trucks but my 57 originally sat metal to metal at the front, with a shim pack as required for body alignment, and on rubber pucks at the rear. It also had rubber pucks under the rad support on each side. Basically it was pretty tight on the frame. I'm just saying this because you may need to think of how the body will flex as a unit from the rear of the cab to the front rad support as this will affect the fender to body fitment, hood to body fitment etc. Im sure you are already thinking of that since you have done an S10 swap before. Just thought I would throw it in for others following along. You dont necesarily need to use a stock mounting system but keep in mind how it all needs to work together. I used stock envoy body mounts under the cab and a set of energy suspension urethane bushings under the rad support on each side, at frame width, just for lack of room in the area. The inner fenders are kind of part and parcel of the body rigidity as well because they will move with the fenders but you gotta cut off whatever you need to for clearance. I ran the suspension through a full bottoming out scenario and I cut mine too much on purpose because I plan to use the rubber or plastic splash guard idea when done. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Lol! I wonder if you haven't been giving more thought to my project than I have!!!
I wanted to get the engine and trans dropped into it's cradle for the additional weight and see what the suspension geometry looks like. That extra 1000 pounds or so on the front chassis will certainly have an impact on that! Then I'll have a look at ride level and mounting the cab. I didn't have the forethought to lock the suspension in it's original height, so I'll have to make due for now. I don't think it will be a huge issue as long as I get the major weight loads on the frame (definitely different than the explorer was) and mocked up/mounted correctly. The one thing that does come to mind is that locking it with the explorer body on will net a minor difference than with the 47-52 bodies and one would need to be more concerned with the new body as that is the direction in the end, not the beginning... just a thought. The back end will be a little interesting as I intend to remove a ring or two off of the coils to get about 2.5" out of them. After, fab up a set of "pucks" if you will from some pipe and plate to shove the entire strut down that 2.5" or so and get the towers from poking up quite as high. In the end, I'll pick up a set of drop springs to replace them and keep the spring tension where it should be. In the front, eventually and for mockup, I'll remove 2" or so to see where they sit, then I'll throw in a set of 2" drop springs to get that bit of forward rake. Anything else other than that for ride height may need to be by tire size and I'm hoping it won't be too big of a difference from there. I'd like to be about 8-10" off the ground from the boards just under the driver's door. As for the rad support... it's nice enough that there is a power steering cooler on the explorer that mounts to the front cross member covering the rack and pinion steering. It provides two mounting holes in about the right spot to make a bracket for the original front rad mount. The rad mounting, right now is only about 2" forward from that bracket and it looks like it could be accomplished with just a piece of angle. I cut off the front end of a 1 ton chassis (had two and this was the worst) to get the spacing and brackets for the front bumper. The intention, once the front body is on, is to align and graft this into the front frame horns on the explorer and provide a strong mount. The 1/2 tons used 1/4"x2" bent brackets, whereas these mount directly to the frame and I'm pretty sure I can make these not only work, but look good too. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
be careful. i have lowered rangers with the same front suspension and the big difference in length of the upper vs the lower control arm can cause a lot of camber change when lowering with springs. with extreme drops (airbags) it was necessary to raise the upper arm mount. set the ride height as much as you can with the body.
beauty work so far! |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Suspension geometry was what I was thinking about as well. Sounds like you will have it figured out in the end.
Keep working and posting, it's interesting. Some great innovations as well. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
hey thadious, you got any updates or are you having too much fun driving it already?
|
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Lol, I wish! I've been busy getting things around here ready for the white stuff to come! This has included turning a 84" snow blower into a 60" one (PO had hit a fence post in the grass and bent the auger all to sh*t!) and rebuilding a 23hp Kohler motor to run it (still looking for a camshaft gear for it).
Also picked up a '65 Bridgeport milling machine, so busy getting that tuned up, wired, DRO, etc done for that! Right now, she's in the shop with the motor sitting on the existing mounts and the cab and front end resting on the frame. I'll be working on the height adjustment for the body mounts in the coming days (fingers crossed) to get that firmed up. Then readjusting the engine mounts so I can slide it back an inch or so and off. Looking at swapping the stock exhaust manifolds in for a set of old school ram's horn center dumps or Tru-rams (found a blem set on Ebay for a great price but they won't ship to Canada (even though they ship everything else (including a transmission) here!)). So working on that. Picked up a tilt column from a 65 Impala a couple weeks ago and that should slip in nicely, just have to find a longer intermediate shaft from something that will go from the Explorer rack and pinion to the Impala column. Space is tight, but not as tight as the S10 was! Cheers! Ted. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
nice snag on the milling machine. I would like to find a good old lathe but then it would take shop space. maybe let my son have it in his shop, then I could always use it.
when you get back to the project maybe snap a few pics. better get that snowblower done first though, snow is a comin. brother in law got stuck in that hwy 93 mess last night. trucks jack knifed everywhere due to black ice. they sat on the side of the road for 2 hrs. no cell reception there either. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
man the stuff that could get done without EERRRRYthing else getting in the way.
keep it up man! |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Funny thing... I picked up milling machine in Edmonton! I have an old 13" South Bend for the lathe (I love the old iron!). Both will get a rebuild in the future, but for now, just getting them into a usable state.
And yes, they do take up their fair bit of real estate on the shop floor... good thing the shop is about 2000 ft2! |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Well.... damn... I didn't think that it was almost 2 years since I last posted! I guess it's time for a little "update"!
The project has been moving along and a little quicker as of late as the house renos were finally finished this last fall... leaving me poor but with all the time to start getting on the truck! In the spring, I blasted all the frame and all sheet metal body parts with a fine crushed glass (no warpage) in a Harbour Freight truck tent with a tarp floor and everything taped off. A dozen bags of glass grit and a blaster I made almost 15 years ago and the second AD truck I've blasted with it! https://i.postimg.cc/yYQ5GJNt/Cab-af...ndblasting.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/8CW0stbg/Cab-after-priming.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/gcZcKWkv/Painting-body-parts.jpg Fabbed all of the body mounts in a similar style as to the S10 design and installed them on the frame and mounted in the engine. Then started putting the sheet metal back together. I also realized I was going to have to redo the inner fenders as there was some serious rot in the front end of both of them. Was able to get replacements from my local AD "dealer"! https://i.postimg.cc/G2ZL1Mz8/Cab-on-frame-w-engine.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/wjHBvGzD/Cab-on...ide-engine.jpg So, got the front end together and back in place... https://i.postimg.cc/FHZHJVF8/Front-...s-going-on.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/wBjT5R7v/Front-...t-together.jpg And then trial fitting the parts back together on the back end... https://i.postimg.cc/TYjRZJb1/Partia...t-together.jpg The seat is from an F150 that I narrowed 3" to fit nicely and center on the steering column (from a 65 Impala (floor shift, key in the dash). When I got to this phase, it was time to blow it apart again and start getting things working. So, body off and got a good chunk of the exhaust built... dual 2 1/2" 304 stainless with a crossover in the muffler (just fit best in the available space) and will be dual output that splits and exits on either side of the rear frame rails. https://i.postimg.cc/FH99mkbZ/Rolling-chassis.jpg After this, I got the Painless harness installed for the TPI 350 and burned a chip to remove the VATS from it (will do the other emissions in the near future) and tried to get this thing to run for the first time... https://i.postimg.cc/rwQqpyQL/Routin...hard-lines.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/KvhGqHRC/Front-view-old-engine.jpg Well... nope... the distributor had eaten itself and was a no go, so that was replaced and managed to get it to run. Had no cooling so that was short spurts only, but it did run. I just wanted proof that the wiring and computer worked as they should. Noting that the motor was old and tired (about 200k miles on it) and #2 cylinder had low compression, the next part... rebuild it... https://i.postimg.cc/qqykB8Zm/Motor-...ccessories.jpg And before you say it, yes, I know the alt is swung around backwards... https://i.postimg.cc/mrpZmZHS/Motor-w-accessories.jpg The reason being is that I will be building a custom bracket system to have the alt in that position and the PS pump on the opposite side with adjustments to take up the slack. I also realized that a chev PS pump runs at about 1200 psi as that is was chev's use for the steering box. Ford rack and pinion is about 700-800 psi, so I had to replace a regulator in the pump to knock it down. I replaced the front struts in the explorer frame with ones from an 02 Tacoma and cut the first ring off the coils which allowed me to use the top "hat" section of the explorer strut. End result, a 2.5" drop in the front end and with new camber adjustments, looks like it will work just right. Coil springs are the same thickness as the explorer ones so ride should be somewhat the same. In the rear end, I swapped in ones from a Crown Victoria, machined up an adapter plate for the underside, welded it in, ground flush and the CV springs bolted right in. Again, replaced the adjusters for camber and it lowered the back in another 2.5-3". Then... back together again to get the running boards done... https://i.postimg.cc/V6Sfpy9P/Primed-RB-brackets.jpg And installed.... https://i.postimg.cc/Qxctjr2X/On-lif...unning-bds.jpg So, now I'm left in fabbing up new running board to box side filler panels as the box is about 2" higher than stock and then will be fabbing up the trans tunnel for the NV3500 in it as well as fabbing the brackets and system to use the old style ebrake from a 2 ton (long lever beside the trans) as I love them and definitely can make this work with the design! Still a long ways to go, but progress is still happening and then there's keeping the funds going to pay for all the parts! Merry Christmas to you all, Ted. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
hope you had a great Christmas in the snow.
good progress. question, are that the tire diameter you settled on, no rubbing concerns when wheels are turned and a bump is encountered? huh, like there would be any bumps in Creston. lol. love the shop space, gantry, lift, mill etc. jealous. |
Re: 51 Chevy on a Ford Explorer Subframe - Time for a Different Frame Swap!
Actually, it's been a bit weird for weather here... We've had 2 drops of about 3-4 each and both have melted off. With the exception of a bit of ice here and there, it was a brown Christmas where we live.
I've been experimenting a bit with tires and offsets.... Tires are 28" (225 width and I like the looks of them for a truck and not a low rider pavement queen. I don't expect to be offroading or anything like that, but I also want a little bit of clearance to still keep it a truck! As for the rims, I have a set of Ford mustang rims (the shiny chrome ones) and a set of Dodge rim (the silver ones) and have been looking at how the offsets are going to work out, but without the motor and trans in it, at the moment, I don't get the IFS settled out to see how the offset and steering will be in proximity to the front fenders. The Ford offsets that I have tuck a little nicer and will be my starting point for the front, but I want less offset in the rear to get the tires to come a bit closer to the rear fenders... they still tuck about 1" too far for my liking but do have nice clearance to the box... so maybe a little less offset and a wider rear, for traction! |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:40 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2025 67-72chevytrucks.com