front clip question

[davecarney2]

I have a 1959 GMC. What year models camaro/firebird, etc... do I need to be looking for that will fit for my font end suspension upgrade? Also how would the handling compare to say a fatman or porterbuilt front end?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Dave

[mr48chev]

The 73 /79 units is what most guys run in those trucks. If you can find a complete Trans Am subframe I'd go with it as they have bigger sway bars on them. I'd also go for the matching rear end and sway bar if you can get it.

I've not driven any trucks with after market subframes under them but I would say that a Camaro/Firebird subframe set up right will ride and handle right there with the best of them having built two rigs (48 Chev pickup and 51 Mercury coupe) with first generation Camaro subframes under them.

[buggy5872]

70 to 81 camaro/fire bird will work. There are some variations in the bushings so make sure you know what year you end up with. I think they ride and handle great. you can't beat it for the money. I drive my 59 a lot and have no issues with the front end. If you can get the whole car, I would use the rear also. It is really easy to graph them on the frame.

[Maximus]

Side note**
If you are going to go with a subframe graft MAKE SURE you have your truck registered before you start work - the only easily visible frame VIN is on the front section of the original frame that gets cut away - there is another frame VIN but its under the floor of the cab when the cab is installed.
verifying VIN is difficult after the fact.... (ask me how i know)

and although i only have about 100 miles on my subframe I love it! i just changed springs and re-installed my sway bar and this thing handles better than i expected, ALMOST as good as the original Trans Am that i cut up - almost no body roll - good stuff

If i were to do it again, I would be good for the subframe again!
(in fact i bought another subframe for a '39 chevy project)

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Side note**
If you are going to go with a subframe graft MAKE SURE you have your truck registered before you start work - the only easily visible frame VIN is on the front section of the original frame that gets cut away - there is another frame VIN but its under the floor of the cab when the cab is installed.
verifying VIN is difficult after the fact.... (ask me how i know)

and although i only have about 100 miles on my subframe I love it! i just changed springs and re-installed my sway bar and this thing handles better than i expected, ALMOST as good as the original Trans Am that i cut up - almost no body roll - good stuff

If i were to do it again, I would be good for the subframe again!
(in fact i bought another subframe for a '39 chevy project)

Glad to hear you like it! how do you like the 400 and 4speed?

[chevyhed53]

I have roughly the same setup on my '56--'60s C10 frame with second gen Camaro front clip. I lowered the rear 1 1/2" with a lowering block that sits between the axle and trailing arm. Works well. What shocks do you run on your truck?

[butchp]

Maxamus wher is the vin located on the front org.frame?

[_Ogre]

top of the frame behind the steering box

[mr48chev]

From looking at this one one of my buddies did I'd think a guy could leave the top strip of the stock frame rail intact with the frame, bend it up a bit to clear and after the subframe is welded in place bend it back down and weld it to the subframe. You would want it so that even the most critical eye could tell that it was indeed part of the original frame. That would solve the vin problem.

[butchp]

I am going to cut it out of the original frame and reinstall it in the sub at the same location.

[buggy5872]

Just curious, why everyine is so worried about the vin on the frame?....I have never heard of anyone looking at them. I always look at the vin on the cab. In PA you would be lucky to even be able to still read the number on the frame after 50+ years of winter salt.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by buggy5872

Just curious, why everyine is so worried about the vin on the frame?....I have never heard of anyone looking at them. I always look at the vin on the cab. In PA you would be lucky to even be able to still read the number on the frame after 50+ years of winter salt.

Depends on the state you live in. When i called the California CHP the first question when i asked about getting an appt (without giving any personal info) was if the body vin matched the frame vin. its not the case every time, but if the wrong person gets to verify your VIN and cant see it, it may cause a **** storm. the ONLY reason my situation went smooth was because the man i bought the truck from 10 years ago (still in contact) is good friends with a local Sheriff who KNEW The truck from when the other guy owned it. Having personal knowledge that the truck wasn't stolen or anything strange, he had no problem verifying my VIN, marking that the body VIN was okay.

the OTHER big issue is modifications. Because the truck was modified in structure from its original form, the CHP officer over the phone claimed that I could only register the truck as a CUSTOM VEHICLE because of the frame mods. this would have meant that it would have had a 2010 (at the time) VIN added on, and would have to meet smog regulations of 2010 - I could have petitioned it but my engine year is 1978 (in california thats still under smog requirements) but they said that most kit car Cobra's and such devour the petition allowance for the year in the first couple weeks of the year.

long story short, it was a wreck...

so in some states its a big deal, others not so much.

better safe than sorry...............

As for shocks - im running stock firebird shocks in front stock truck shocks in rear

[chevyhed53]

I live in FL and got a house call from a DMV inspector who crawled over, under and around my '56 looking for a VIN on the frame. It was originally titled in Indiana, so who knows what they were looking for? He was perfectly nice about it, said he was just doing his job.

[chevyhed53]

Thanks for the info on the shocks.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by chevyhed53

Thanks for the info on the shocks.

no problem. Aside from the aftermarket Hotchkis lowering coil springs, everything on my front suspension is "stock or replacement" for my factory subframe, 1978 formula firebird

[Kabwe]

Well I live in California and I never had a vin verifier look at my frame, I never go to the CHP either I go to the DMV or AAA so that could be the reason why. They look at the a pillar and see that the vin matches the pink and say goodbye. Like you said each case is different so maybe its just around these parts.

My cab does not match my frame's vin because the original frame had a volare clip and I did not want to use it so I bought another frame. Plus they sell complete aftermarket frames so I guess that would be trouble also. "Look officer I paid 11,000 for that frame and you mean to tell me I can't register it because it has no vin".lol My head would explode.lol

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Well I live in California and I never had a vin verifier look at my frame, I never go to the CHP either I go to the DMV or AAA so that could be the reason why. They look at the a pillar and see that the vin matches the pink and say goodbye. Like you said each case is different so maybe its just around these parts.

Yea Kabwe, i agree - however I didn't have a pink, just a Bill of sale for the poor truck i started with.
If you have a Pink they don't hardly question it - i know this because when i was going through the chaos of my truck I bought another truck that i was going to use for the cab/title. shortly after i bought the 2nd truck I was hooked up with the verification that i was rightfully deserved and sold off the 2nd truck.
so I guess I should have clarified that I didnt have a pink, however I still don't think that's relevant with the advice i was trying to give...
and i still 100% believe this...
Before spending an extra $.01 on a project car, TAKE CARE OF THE PAPERWORK - aside from the fact that its state law in CA to register a car within (10?) days of taking possession, its just safe/smart thing to do. Once its in your name you wont even have to consider the issues that you could run into - I was 15 and ignorant when I bought my truck so lesson learned on my part.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Yea Kabwe, i agree - however I didn't have a pink, just a Bill of sale for the poor truck i started with.
If you have a Pink they don't hardly question it - i know this because when i was going through the chaos of my truck I bought another truck that i was going to use for the cab/title. shortly after i bought the 2nd truck I was hooked up with the verification that i was rightfully deserved and sold off the 2nd truck.
so I guess I should have clarified that I didnt have a pink, however I still don't think that's relevant with the advice i was trying to give...
and i still 100% believe this...
Before spending an extra $.01 on a project car, TAKE CARE OF THE PAPERWORK - aside from the fact that its state law in CA to register a car within (10?) days of taking possession, its just safe/smart thing to do. Once its in your name you wont even have to consider the issues that you could run into - I was 15 and ignorant when I bought my truck so lesson learned on my part.

I did not have a pink either with my current truck. I needed a vehicle verification and a weight cert. When I had my vehicle verified they only looked at my A-Piller vin.

I do agree with you before you spend a penny to take care of the paper work. Another thing when I deal with the DMV I have a don't ask don't tell policy.lol Sometimes you can talk yourself right into more money and hassles.lol

[57larry]

I have a 72 Camaro front clip on my 56. handles great, a great addition over king pins

[chevyhed53]

No question about it.