Complete Chassis/Frame Replacement 55-59 Chevy Pickup

[56_3100]

I'm looking for input on who has the best chassis and why you think that?

I know the options are endless when ordering a new chassis but will narrow it down to some specifics

standard Front IFS
standard Rear 4 link
standard rear end
power rack
tranny x-member
motor mounts for sbc
pedal assy/brake booster mounted

Looking at the following vendors in no particular order

Scotts
TCI
No Limit
Fatman
Jim Meyer
other suggestions???

I would like to hear any comments good, bad, must have options on a new frame, price, durability, best support

I would also like to hear anyone's experiences they had ordering a new frame

[dubie]

These guys have some of the best frames on the market, and they have just recently released on for the task force truck owner.
http://www.canadian-hotrods.ca

[55metalmonkey]

Not sure where Edm is in your tag but if you mean Edmonton AB I would suggest Canadian Hotrods Inc. In Tapen BC. I haven't used there frame but had a look at one at a display at a local car show. Definitely one of the best ones I've seen as far as quality goes.

[56_3100]

Thanks guys!

I sent Canadian Hotrods an email.

Hopefully I get a reply from them with some hi-res pictures. The website site pics are very small.

[55metalmonkey]

From what I read its $14k(ish) for a complete and awesome looking frame with all lines run inside the frame. Basicly a fully built roller custom built for what you want to run for a drive train. Not a bad price when you compare that to an equivilent fatman chassis + shipping

[MARTINSR]

Just make sure you read this thread first. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614784

Brian

[55metalmonkey]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

Just make sure you read this thread first. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614784

Brian

Well if he's in Edmonton his stock frame is either rotted out or he has some Fort Mac cash to play with. Or both

[56_3100]

Originally Posted by 55metalmonkey

Well if he's in Edmonton his stock frame is either rotted out or he has some Fort Mac cash to play with. Or both

haha 55metalmonkey! I am in Edmonton, but just one of those poor oil field workers. The truck frame is okay, just not what I want to play with. I'm not doing a s10 frame swap or grafting frames together or even messing with adding just IFS. I want a new custom built frame... PERIOD...

Just looking for suggestions...

Thanks for all the replies

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by 56_3100

haha 55metalmonkey! I am in Edmonton, but just one of those poor oil field workers. The truck frame is okay, just not what I want to play with. I'm not doing a s10 frame swap or grafting frames together or even messing with adding just IFS. I want a new custom built frame... PERIOD...

Just looking for suggestions...

Thanks for all the replies

That makes WAY more sense, it's MUCH, MUCH easier to make one from scratch than to modify the wrong one to fit.

Brian

[paintman]

Take a look at Progressive Automotive in Ohio!
http://www.progressiveautomotive.com...short-bed.html

[mr48chev]

I'd check with Art Morrison while I was at it. .
Here is a tri 5 truck that they built for someone
http://www.artmorrison.com/gallery/m..._itemId=26472i
No Idea of the price but that would depend on how you option it out too. After all Your lady has been .wanting a trip to the Seattle area to see the Space needle and ride the big wheel and eat some great seafood.

[dsraven]

hey, did you get that frame swap figured out? how about total cost involved? have you checked out their frames?

[cameo]

I stopped in at Wadson's on the west end, they distribute the TCI frames, and the price was right around 14-15k for a non air non shine frame. they can show you some they have there too. one under a Fargo, one ready for a Ford.

If you want to get rid of your original frame, I'm looking for one on the cheap

[dsraven]

I was at TCI a couple of years ago, while the wife was shopping in Ontario wills outlet, because I thought they had a showroom. turns out they are an engineering, machining and assembly outfit that doesn't really have a show room. the guys there are great and took me through the entire place. they do a great job and can outfit you with whatever your desire for suspension on your truck. at that time they had a complete frame all crated up for shipping. he told me the cost at the time and it seemed like I could do a lot of work for that and at the time I wasn't looking for a complete frame, but now, after all the frame prep work I have done on my frame, I should have just bought the darn thing. for starters it is square and true, all the cab and box mounts are there, the diff is an option, the rear suspension style is an option, the front suspension is an option, braking types are an option, all set up for the rake you want etc. now it seems like a bargain. hindsight is 20-20. you should call TCI and get some pricing direct from them, or go online and check it out.
not sure if I will use the trailblazer frame or the original frame yet. still undecided.
post up some pics of what you have there. everyone is curious.
dennis

[dsraven]

ok,I have seen the Canadian Hotrods shop and frame first hand before any powder coating etc. I would buy the Canadian Hotrod's frame today, (if I won the lottery), if for no other reason than the hassle of importing etc. the Canadian frame is a full roller with complete engineered corvette underpinnings with GM parts,front and rear and is totally ready to bolt your body onto. every mount etc is in exactly the right spot and it looks AWESOME, is already powder coated etc, and the brake lines etc are already in the frame. there is a very beefy x member behind the trans to make things nice and stiff and it has the cutouts for the exhaust to be directed through. I have seen the whole process from beginning to end and they make a high quality frame. check them out for sure if you are Canadian or not. these guys have done their homework. the power steering system has been run up and tested, bolts are coated for corrosion and friction elimination, they use quality parts and stuff fits. the list goes on. for sure check them out before pulling the trigger on a new frame.

[Advanced Design]

They have some nice details. http://www.canadian-hotrods.ca/prices.html

[rtruman]

Should I stay away from this 56 Chevy truck has chevelle frame .
I really like it but my buddy said it wasn't done right

[MARTINSR]

Well to be clear, it doesn't have a Chevelle "Frame" under it. The front portion of the Chevelle frame was cut off and welded to the truck frame. The rear end is stock leaf springs were as the Chevelle had coils with a triangulated four bar set up. So that essentially is simply a "clip" job like is commonly done with a Camaro clip.


Brian

[1958Warrior]

Probably should've started a new thread instead of bringing a 3 year old one up, but good to know someone does a search to try to find answers.

Not done right can cover a lot, is it not square? wheels not centered? not the way he likes, stacked verses blended to the frame?

Looks typical like most, not sure if it is a Chevelle ,could be Nova or a Camaro clip.

I do not like the way the front brake line crosses over to the passenger side , its short and not attached to the frame, couldn't drop the pan if needed plus could catch road derbis, I would redo that and route the exhaust up higher over the rear axle so it dosent hit.

[rtruman]

Originally Posted by 1958Warrior

Probably should've started a new thread instead of bringing a 3 year old one up, but good to know someone does a search to try to find answers.

Not done right can cover a lot, is it not square? wheels not centered? not the way he likes, stacked verses blended to the frame?

Looks typical like most, not sure if it is a Chevelle ,could be Nova or a Camaro clip.

I do not like the way the front brake line crosses over to the passenger side , its short and not attached to the frame, couldn't drop the pan if needed plus could catch road derbis, I would redo that and route the exhaust up higher over the rear axle so it dosent hit.

Thanks I passed on this one got this one but you are correct my buddy told me the same as you did you were spot on Thanks Richard

[gabe2000]

trailblazer/envoy frame swap!!! I am doing one right now. The amount of work and time in months or years that others take I did it in 2 weeks. I am about to weld the body mounts.

[mr48chev]

The subframe swap in post 17 appears to be a Camaro/Firebird subframe that has the truck frame sitting higher than most of us would set it on the subframe. It doesn't look "done wrong" in the respect that the subframe and the truck frame line up good but one can't see the welds or details to know how well it was done. I'd say more on the lines of thrown together quickly without any attention to finish details.

That truck also probably sits at stock height for a TF truck rather than being low like most of us who would do that swap would want.

It boils down to what you want in the end and what your wallet can handle. The high quality custom frame is spendy but in the long run that means that you can drive it without issues and if you decide to sell it it commands a premium over a subframed truck and times over a frame swap with oem frame truck.

[dsraven]

hey gabe, you got pics of that trailblazer/envoy swap? howz it look?

[gabe2000]

The 1st week: gutted the trailblazer
2nd week and going: getting measurement before welding.

[gabe2000]

""standard Front IFS
standard Rear 4 link
standard rear end
power rack
tranny x-member
motor mounts for sbc
pedal assy/brake booster mount""

and more: fuel tank, brake lines, fuel lines, shocks.....

all listed above is included in the complete trailblazer for $1500.

I got 5 spare tires from the salvage yard from Envoy (only) size are: p245/65/r17

I am following Dug's 59 project and will be changing some things as I go.

For ex. I am keeping inline6 engine (has more torque then V8). This will save me time, money and WORK. I wants bench seats, and trying to use the trailblazer AC unit with control. All wiring will be from the trailblazer. Its going to be the REAL PLUG and PLAY. (Yes, I am cheap and poor!)
Right now I am trying square the front end: fenders, front grill, radiator support before welding all body mounts.