Gone and got myself a 55'

[TINKERDUKE]

Hi people, I've just bought myself a 55' 3100 chevy stepside, Its never been welded or filled yet looks really ratty which is how the bodywork will stay. What i would like to know is what chassis or suspension options are open to me- currently all standard except 305v8/th350. Can a C10 chassis/running gear be used? or a camaro clip? or whats the cheapest mustang II available without sacrificing quality?
Also does anyone know what axle gearing this would have had- originally 265v8 with a manual gearbox.

Many thanks, Steve.

[OrrieG]

Welcome to the board. Short answers are:
C10 is too wide, camaro and other gm clips can be done, after market that use GM or MustangII components work, you can get coils or bags depending on how low and variable you want, if you bag you need to C channel the rear frame.

I would suggest using the search function and look at the many discussion threads on which front end is "best". It all boils down to what you want from the truck; stock height, resting on the rockers or something in between. When I first came here I probably spend 12-16 hours just researching what others were doing and saved myself a bunch of figuring out stuff and fabrication time.

Rear end gearing was variable, best way to find out is jack it up and rotate the passenger rear tire while having a friend count the number of revolution the pinion turns. Standard ratio was 3.90 but you could get from 3.23 (I think) to 4.56 or even 5.12 in some of the big trucks.

[GeorgeVale]

The other common option over here in England is to use a jaguar clip from a xj6 only problem using this is getting a lhd power steering rack though you can use a rover sd1 rack flipped over. I think I saw a camero clip for sale cheap on rodandclassic mart the other day worth having a look.

[guy51usa]

check out ezchassisswaps.com email:info@e-zchassisswaps.com interesting options. Welcome to the group. Guy

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by GeorgeVale

The other common option over here in England is to use a jaguar clip from a xj6

Now that warrants some pictures...

[TINKERDUKE]

Thanks for the replys fellas, i think i will stick with the stock height for a while. What would be the options for putting disc brakes up front on the stock suspension (already has later master and servo)? Thanks again, Steve.

[Az. Hank]

I'm going to use a basket case 84 Corvette for the drive line and motor and trans. They are cheep and take care of switching to 5 bolt wheels. Flat out engeneering has a kit to install it.

[55dude]

i would find a jag and rob the f&r suspension for it