Swapping to a car frame

[dubie]

Does anyone have any info on swapping a 55-59 onto a Camaro frame or any other car frame? I was thinking that a Camaro would make a great donor for a frame swap if the wheel bas was right. If not, I am thinking we will use either a 67-72 shrty frame or a 73-87 shorty to use on the 58. I just don't feel comfortable with the front clip weld that has been done on the 58 frame right now

[fatfords]

dubie,
The 70-87 Camaros were all uni-body cars with bolt on front sub-frames, so a "full frame" is not possible. I'm not sure what the gen 1's (67-69) had, but around here, they would be too expensive.

At a swap meet earlier this year, I saw a nicely done 57 big window that was sitting on a 95 S-10 frame. The guy said he moved some of the body mounts off the original frame, modified some and built some from scratch. He had replaced the v-6 with a v-8 and everything looked like it belonged there. He also mentioned an article in a truck mag, but I couldn't find it or lost that issue.

Just some ideas to kick around.

[dubie]

I have heard the S 10 frame is an easy swap. The only thing I don't like about that is the weak S10 front ends. I have a nice straight 72 LWB rolling chassis here that I will probably end up having cut into a shorty and use it because it's coil rear and front discs already.

[fatfords]

The cut down 72 frame sounds like a good plan, especially if you have one. With all the motor mount combos available, you shouldn't have any issues with firewall clearance. I know the 55-59 trucks are very short from the front bumper to the front axle, so you might want to stretch a tape to make sure you won't have to cut or relocate a crossmembler.

Too bad your frame is already hacked. If I get my hands on the 56 I'm trying to buy, I may use the front end off my crunched 72 and do something like this.
http://50chevy.freeservers.com/Bolt_...pendent_2.html
It looks too easy!

[dubie]

Yeah, I bookmarked that same page!! looks to easy. I would love to find a stock frame with the solid axle in it so I could do that kind of swap. I know there is a 56 in the local junk yard but there isn't 1 thing salvagable in that truck

[1972C10]

What alot of people do is weld in the maro subframe in the front I saw a 58 the other day that was done like that they just cut the frame off and butted the camaro sub on it and welded it up Pretty clean overall job But for all that work might as well have a rack and pinion.

[dubie]

I have the original frame with the Nova front clip welded into it but it isn't butt welded, it's fish plated.
here is a pic

[chev49]

I use nova type car front ends as they unbolt & may have v8 ps, 4 spd, disc brakes from the impound auctions. Have also used a later camaro front end w/ some trimming. If i got a vehicle like your pic shows, I would just repair the frame rail.

[67pro-street]

this is a very helpful thread.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by dubie

I would love to find a stock frame with the solid axle in it so I could do that kind of swap.

Dubie, if only you lived closer I could get you a stock frame cheap. But im way down in SC. We have 2 SWB 55-59 chassis here, as well as a 55-59 LWB chassis.

Also have a few 47-54 chassis, but dont think that is what you're looking for.

[dubie]

it seems everything we need for this truck is in the USA Ah well, I know I can dig one up around here