55.2-59 55-59 frame swap

[kgmunro]

In your guys opinion is the s10 frame swap the best for a 55-59 truck? I have a 1 ton that I want to swap out and also an s10 so I was thinking about putting the two in a garage and letting them mate...

[GRIMSS]

Originally Posted by kgmunro

In your guys opinion is the s10 frame swap the best for a 55-59 truck? I have a 1 ton that I want to swap out and also an s10 so I was thinking about putting the two in a garage and letting them mate...

The s10 is too narrow for the task force trucks. So the answer would be no.

here is a shot of a s10 rearend centered under the front of a task force to show how narrow it is.

[geezer#99]

Have you looked at a 73-87 truck frame. Same width and frame dimension is within an eighth of an inch. Easy graft under the cab. I did one years ago.

[DG Racing]

the 1987 frame is to wide i have one and its 73.5 wide exterior of tires
and my 1957 is 70.5 wide . so the tire in direct under the lip of the fender .

but if you whant to have a frame swap i mesure a dodge dakota and its 67.5 ext. of tires .

its that im looking these day what to do with my frame ??????

[geezer#99]

Yes it's wider but with the right offset wheels it fits perfectly. And matched the 5 bolt rearend too!!!

[kgmunro]

My truck being a 1 ton can I still use the front section of the 73-87 frame or is it a larger frame than the 1/2 ton??

[geezer#99]

Not sure if your 1 ton frame is different. That gives you an excuse to go to the local junkyard to measure. Measure under the firewall.

[fabguy]

I would look into a C-10 from 71-72, frame width on both should be 34", and frame height will be the same. If track width is too much to your liking, check with CPP I belive they have A-arms that reduce your track width. I have that same frame section under my 58 fleetside and it works great, also on my 55.2 suburban, since I want to bag it I may need to get different A-arms due to track width. Just my opinion though. Cheaper and easier to get parts.
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[GRIMSS]

For got about this build you might check out. He's using an '88 chevy lwb.

sgtusmc's 59 build.

[sgtusmc]

Originally Posted by GRIMSS

For got about this build you might check out. He's using an '88 chevy lwb.

sgtusmc's 59 build.

Here it is 59 on a 88 fullsize frame. 15x7 stockers with 215/60/15 tires.

[56hotrodred]

I am putting my 56 on an 80 SWB. Few issues to work out as the frame is 3 or so inches longer but is pretty much the same width. Only real fab work was the front rad support but I worked that out as have others without too much trouble. I do not want to cut and shorten the frame so may just move the rear axle ahead a few inches with new perches to get the box a bit closer to the cab. I want to be able to order all stock brake lines and other parts to keep costs and complexity down.

There is lots of info and threads on here that deal with most of these issues. So the 73 to 87 frame is not a bad choice but it would be worthwhile to check the earlier frames as well - late 60s to 72. Sarges 88 frame is also awesome and should get you into the newer front torsion bar suspension I think.

Good luck.

56hotrodred

[DG Racing]

[QUOTE=sgtusmc;4260375]Here it is 59 on a 88 fullsize frame. 15x7 stockers with 215/60/15 tires.


with your table up like that is your camber good or its very negative ??
Do you have a coil spring ??

Im trying to find why your wheel is so in the fenders

[DG Racing]

Originally Posted by kgmunro

In your guys opinion is the s10 frame swap the best for a 55-59 truck? I have a 1 ton that I want to swap out and also an s10 so I was thinking about putting the two in a garage and letting them mate...

i have a 1 ton 1985 and i whant to put my 1957 cab and extra long step side box on it but when i mesure the wheel ext to ext it to wide 74.5 inch.
compare of 70.5 on my 1957 3600.

but i will check if i can change the wheel offset of my dually wheels

this is my 1985 truck that i whant to put my 1957 cab on it

[sgtusmc]

The cab is about 1/4 off the frame. The rear still has all the leafs in the pack. The axle has a flip kit with the front spring mount raise some giving it the drop. I removed the front coils and installed bags on cups. The camber is off (it was off when I got the truck at stock height). The front tires/rims are an issue for me (my wife will kill the fenders if left like that). The stock rims and tires that I'm using for mockup (15x7 215/60/15 tires) will work fine in the rear. However, I went with a 15x5 rim and 155/80/15 in the front. I'll get some pics once I get my tires back and rims painted.

[DG Racing]

ok with a 155/80/15 tire that is 24.7 inch tall with your 5 inch rim will fit better because its a small tire .

But can whait to see your pictures .

with 20 inch rims its fits but its just under the lip of fender and sometimes its touches the fender lips (owner told me )
this truck is on a 1988 c-10 frame ,with a 9 foot long bed

[1955 mancave]

hi guys, its been some time since I have been on !! talking about frame swaps what about the later model say 1999 & up im sure anything can be cut to work but has anyone tried, I would like to use all late model drive train on a 55.2-59 suburban

[two55trucks]

you say your truck is a 3800? so it's frame rail's are straight, with no hump. if you are wanting to swap out the frame for the purpose of having a short wheel base, (I.E.. 114") why not just relocate the rear spring perches forward to obtain the 114" wheelbase? believe me, it is a whole lot less work, time, and money spent. if you're looking to lower your truck you can always C-notch the frame easily. why wear yourself thin trying to find the perfect dimentioned chassis when you actually already have one under your truck now? the 3800 series chassis is plenty strong enough for anything you may want to put your truck through, and, it already fit's perfectly. as far as the front suspension goes, there are plenty of option's available out there. personally, i went with a '73 camaro clip. it was simple and cost effective. i spent a total of 3 day's, (start to finish) removing the front section of the 3800 frame and grafting in the subframe. the only really time consuming part was measuring, and remeasuring, and measuring again before welding the two together. my finished product? ride's beautifully, has the perfect stance for the '55 - '59 TF body style, and, if i didn't point it out to anybody that may ask, yu would never guess my truck started life as a 3800 platform truck

[pugs]

i know old thread but I had put a 57 on an s10 chassis. I just picked up another cab and front clip this past Sunday and will most likely be going s10 again

[5150]

Originally Posted by pugs

i know old thread but I had put a 57 on an s10 chassis. I just picked up another cab and front clip this past Sunday and will most likely be going s10 again

Did you use a kit?

[pugs]

no kit i reuse pieces i had cut off, its not that hard to do.1st make sure you frame is sitting level i it the cab on the frame and eye ball it up then bolt up the front clip and go with wood blocks and pieces to get the cab sitting level and go from there with making mounts or reuse the ones you cut off if they are rusted out ot in some builds ill take a piece of 2x3 tubing to make my mounts.

[5150]

I ended up going with a No Limit Engineering Full Coilover kit.

[G&R's57GMC]

I used a NoLimit wide ride I.F.S. With air bags and the NoLimit fat bar rear suspension and air bags with a Currie 9” .

[5150]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

I used a NoLimit wide ride I.F.S. With air bags and the NoLimit fat bar rear suspension and air bags with a Currie 9” .

How do you like it?