47-54 guys, what front clip do u use - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blue85 · 10-23-2006, 04:52 PM

tryin to get my 52 project underway, whats the best front suspension transplant to use? my buddy has a 84 camaro he is scrapping, told me i could have it for me if i wanted, will it work good? Tryin to steer away from spending 2g on an aftermarket conversion

bretcopsey · 10-23-2006, 04:54 PM

Isn't the third gen Camaro frontend strut based? I beleive first gen Camaro and mid seventies G body are about the same track width as the AD truck. First gen Camaro susoension geometry needs work though and is 'rear-steer'

CAL 58 GMC · 10-23-2006, 05:48 PM

If your planning on grafting a Camaro sub frame then the best years would be 1970 to 1981 and of those the 1976 to 1981 are preferred for the front steering linkage. Nova sub frames also work well. I would stay away from 1982 and newer, as bretcopsey said, they use McPerson struts and could lead to alot of modifications.

fireout · 10-24-2006, 03:43 AM

75 -79 Nova subframes work good.

Kid · 10-24-2006, 10:01 PM

If you want to save money, but are willing to spend the labor hours, I suggest a "G" body front clip. (78 to 87 I think) It has the correct width for the 47 to 54 trucks. The camaro cips are too wide by about 3" ovrerall. I am not sure about the nova clips.
I put a 84 "G" body clip on my 51. Here is a link to some pics of the instl. It does involve some labor.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154951

cajundragger · 10-25-2006, 05:28 PM

if you decide to use a crossmember I recomend the Scotts setup. Thats what I got for my project and its sweet....

pgf545 · 10-25-2006, 11:12 PM

I did a Heidt's and it wasn't too bad...the only thing I was disappointed with was the instructions.

Bernie

Daniel U · 10-26-2006, 03:19 PM

The 82-92 Firebirds and Camaros(F-bodies) use a K member that bolt to the unibodies. There would difinitely be some mods to make this work! No offense, but don't try to reinvent the wheel.

Kabwe · 10-26-2006, 06:21 PM

Monte Carlos are my favorite. Its not as wide as the Camaro which works well in the advance design trucks.

Daniel U · 11-04-2006, 01:55 PM

I just found out mine was clipped with an AMC Pacer. Don't know what year. I'm cutting it off and having a TCI (total cost involved)front end put on for ease of future brake/suspension work. See my thread for details in the future.

chevyrestoguy · 11-05-2006, 12:18 PM

Definately measure the track width of your truck and any potential donor. If you want to lower your truck, try to find a donor of equal or less track width. I've seen guys use 67-69 Camaro/68-7? Nova, but beware of the rear steer set-up, as it can mess with header selection. 70-81 Camaro is too wide. If I had it to do all over again, I would have saved my money up and did a Mustang II. There are lots of companies who make specific kits for the 48-54 Chevy/GMC. You don't have to cut the front of the frame off, you utilize your stock front bumper mounts, you have disc brakes and rack and pinion steering, and they make everything under the sun to modify and update the stock Mustang stuff. I did a 70 Camaro clip in my '55 (2nd series) and I love it, but it was alot of work and making bumper brackets was a pain in the rear.
________
Ford Ltd

10-23-2006, 04:52 PM	#1
Blue85 Oilfield Trash Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Raymore, Sk, Canada, Earth Posts: 3,170	47-54 guys, what front clip do u use tryin to get my 52 project underway, whats the best front suspension transplant to use? my buddy has a 84 camaro he is scrapping, told me i could have it for me if i wanted, will it work good? Tryin to steer away from spending 2g on an aftermarket conversion __________________ 14 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 08 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab 87 Chev 3+3 4x4 80 GMC K10 High Sierra bone stock 70 Chevelle 350SS long term project 68 GMC 3ton Grain Truck/Garbage wagon 50 Pontiac 2 Door Coupe Project "I've got a shotgun rifle and a 4 wheel drive and a country boy can survive" Hank Jr.

10-23-2006, 04:54 PM	#2
bretcopsey Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: dayton, oh Posts: 327	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use Isn't the third gen Camaro frontend strut based? I beleive first gen Camaro and mid seventies G body are about the same track width as the AD truck. First gen Camaro susoension geometry needs work though and is 'rear-steer' __________________ My 51 project http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2285825 My 68 Camaro project http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2277404/1

10-23-2006, 05:48 PM	#3
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use If your planning on grafting a Camaro sub frame then the best years would be 1970 to 1981 and of those the 1976 to 1981 are preferred for the front steering linkage. Nova sub frames also work well. I would stay away from 1982 and newer, as bretcopsey said, they use McPerson struts and could lead to alot of modifications. __________________ Classic Trucks Link http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...uck/index.html 1958 GMC.Project Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=162816 1966 Chevelle Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=443576 Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrNKo8F7Zw#GU5U2spHI_4 Last edited by CAL 58 GMC; 10-23-2006 at 05:49 PM.

10-24-2006, 03:43 AM	#4
fireout Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: NE Oklahoma USA Posts: 63	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use 75 -79 Nova subframes work good.

10-24-2006, 10:01 PM	#5
Kid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 702	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use If you want to save money, but are willing to spend the labor hours, I suggest a "G" body front clip. (78 to 87 I think) It has the correct width for the 47 to 54 trucks. The camaro cips are too wide by about 3" ovrerall. I am not sure about the nova clips. I put a 84 "G" body clip on my 51. Here is a link to some pics of the instl. It does involve some labor. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154951 __________________ The kid Build threads: 51 Jimmy http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154951 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=219902 http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...uck/index.html 68 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=50348

10-25-2006, 05:28 PM	#6
cajundragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,008	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use if you decide to use a crossmember I recomend the Scotts setup. Thats what I got for my project and its sweet....

10-25-2006, 11:12 PM	#7
pgf545 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Santa Fe,Texas Posts: 933	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use I did a Heidt's and it wasn't too bad...the only thing I was disappointed with was the instructions. Bernie __________________ 52 Chevy Truck (Dad's) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206021

10-26-2006, 03:19 PM	#8
Daniel U Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA. Posts: 1,202	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use The 82-92 Firebirds and Camaros(F-bodies) use a K member that bolt to the unibodies. There would difinitely be some mods to make this work! No offense, but don't try to reinvent the wheel. __________________ Mom's 1954 (TBI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10) 5 Chevrolet window 3/4 ton long bed Pick up build thread ->http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=228674 My 1954 (TPI 5.7/700R4/10 bolt 3:73) Chevrolet 5 window 1/2 ton short bed Pick up build thread->http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&goto=newpost 1960 (400/T350/?) Apache 10 short/fleet side-big window 1973 (TPI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10 w DANA 60 front) Chevrolet Cheyenne 4X4 2013 (Vortec 5.3/6-speed 6L90 automatic) Sierra LT CREW CAB Doing my part to warm the globe

10-26-2006, 06:21 PM	#9
Kabwe Certified Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inglewood, California Posts: 3,118	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use Monte Carlos are my favorite. Its not as wide as the Camaro which works well in the advance design trucks. Last edited by Kabwe; 10-26-2006 at 06:22 PM.

11-04-2006, 01:55 PM	#10
Daniel U Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA. Posts: 1,202	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use I just found out mine was clipped with an AMC Pacer. Don't know what year. I'm cutting it off and having a TCI (total cost involved)front end put on for ease of future brake/suspension work. See my thread for details in the future. __________________ Mom's 1954 (TBI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10) 5 Chevrolet window 3/4 ton long bed Pick up build thread ->http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=228674 My 1954 (TPI 5.7/700R4/10 bolt 3:73) Chevrolet 5 window 1/2 ton short bed Pick up build thread->http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&goto=newpost 1960 (400/T350/?) Apache 10 short/fleet side-big window 1973 (TPI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10 w DANA 60 front) Chevrolet Cheyenne 4X4 2013 (Vortec 5.3/6-speed 6L90 automatic) Sierra LT CREW CAB Doing my part to warm the globe

11-05-2006, 12:18 PM	#11
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: 47-54 guys, what front clip do u use Definately measure the track width of your truck and any potential donor. If you want to lower your truck, try to find a donor of equal or less track width. I've seen guys use 67-69 Camaro/68-7? Nova, but beware of the rear steer set-up, as it can mess with header selection. 70-81 Camaro is too wide. If I had it to do all over again, I would have saved my money up and did a Mustang II. There are lots of companies who make specific kits for the 48-54 Chevy/GMC. You don't have to cut the front of the frame off, you utilize your stock front bumper mounts, you have disc brakes and rack and pinion steering, and they make everything under the sun to modify and update the stock Mustang stuff. I did a 70 Camaro clip in my '55 (2nd series) and I love it, but it was alot of work and making bumper brackets was a pain in the rear. ________ Ford Ltd Last edited by chevyrestoguy; 02-18-2011 at 10:56 AM.



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