59 project ss sniper

[Flames97]

Originally Posted by Daze57

i applaude the insight flames 97 has said about what to look for on your truck sir !
we ( the forum ) only want to make it safe so you can drive it for years !
good luck on your project !

Thanks Daze57.

[Kim57]

I know you're worried about how low you will be able to get your truck when aired out.
What Flames97 said is good advice but the other Camaro clips I have seen have the top of the clip meeting the bottom of the frame which would make them set lower from the beginning.
Kim

[Flames97]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=220256
Here is a thread to look at. The clip installed in it, is closer to the position that yours is put in. And from looking, I think how your is welded in, your truck may sit an inch or so lower. Its really close anyway to what you have. And with airbags so that give you an idea.
And check this one out. Its about the same position as your clip as well. Also air ride.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=162816

[4Eyedtruck]

yes I am a little worried about how it will sit but if it ends up close to cals or 56chevy1300 trucks I will be more than happy and I plan to run some large wheels and tires so I know its not going to sit as low as some I just don't want it to look funky lol thank you for posting those flames ive actually read cals thread before and the other one also I now have them in here for future reference and I was looking for someone with a 4link setup and bags last night you must of read my mind !

[Flames97]

I bet it will sit just right. I wondered if you'd seen those threads but I posted them anyway just in case.
Can't wait to see what you plan for the rest of it.

[4Eyedtruck]

Not much of an update but progress none the less stripped the truck down to the frame over the past two weekends fired the 305 that was in the frame it ran smooth so ill be saving it for some small build later on or if something comes along that could use it. anyways trying to clean the frame up and fix my subframe up as much as possible.

Ran into bondo covering up horrible welds and now im stuck here wondering what to do next so please any insight would be appreciated. this thing looks like the original truck frame was cut short so they added plate to fill the gap really not liking the looks of it at all but hoping i can save it and make it safe the good news is the frame is actually pretty clean

[Flames97]

Well....I don't know if this is the best Idea but its what I came up with for now.
So take it for what it is worth. (just an idea) Maybe someone will come up with something better.
But here it is.
The red is where I would add metal. Obviously you can blend the metal better...not just a strait rectangle piece or triangle on the other. Make it look nice is what I'm trying to say.
I ended the rectangle where I did because of the brake pedal mounting bracket holes. You'll need those again.

And where I circled in black.....Is that just a sliver of metal to fill the gap??
I would think about adding something like the triangle I put in there. Just a thought. Or you could clean it up and reweld and grind it to look better(the sliver). But I'm not to sold on that.

Then I think you where talking about cutting the tails off. You would then be able to but a piece on the bottom of the frame to tie into the camaro stub there as well.

[4Eyedtruck]

Hey Aaron thanks man you have about the same idea I do and i think i will be able to bring the rectangle further back and fish mouth it im going to run the firewall brakebooster but will double check before I do and I have to get rid of them tails they are driving me insane. i thought about leaving a little bit and then boxing it in. if i cut them off like the rectangle would that be enough support when boxed in ?

[dubie]

The Nova sub frame was installed on our 58 the same way by a previous owner. He took the measurements off the stock ride height and copied that to the Nova clip.

[Flames97]

Originally Posted by 4Eyedtruck

I thought about leaving a little bit and then boxing it in. if i cut them off like the rectangle would that be enough support when boxed in ?

I would think so. Sounds like your on it! Keep it up!!!

[4Eyedtruck]

Hey dubie what did y'all end up doing with that truck ? And it looks familiar that's for sure lol I even have that crossmember lol and I cut out some plate going to try and pick up some more cutting wheels tomorrow and cut out the inner plates some time this week and get them welded in hopefully

[dubie]

I've had the truck for 10 years and haven't done anything with the frame yet.It was a daily driver for the previous owner for 15 years the way it is and I drove it for a short while like this and it handled great. I plan on replacing the entire frame with a stock chassis and starting over. Whoever did this Nova clip job, cut to much of the actual frame off and I don't want to start piecing a frame back together. I'm going to use another frame and weld in an IFS front cross member, Mustang 2 style

[4Eyedtruck]

ive actually had that thought my self find a frame cut this subframe out and do it the other way but after looking at it the past couple days i think im going to be alright time will tell

[dubie]

oh hell yeah, you'll be ok with the way yours is. Just keep on the path you're on and this will work out just fine for you. Keep us updated as you go

[4Eyedtruck]

alright Turkey season is over so ive been working on my frame some when time allows. finally was able to lay some welds on her the subframe stuck out on the inside of the frame making it difficult to find a way to get the plate to fit flush so far this is what i have come up with.

Ill be the first to admit im not the best at welding so please give me your opinion on if this looks like it will hold or if i need to add something to it im all ears.

[Flames97]

Hey alright...making progress. I like the looks of the tails cut off personally. Your welds are probably fine, kinda hard to tell in the pics. Better than what was there for sure. I've seen welds that look like they shouldn't hold anything, make me wonder "how in the hell is this still together. And I've seen welds that look good not hold well at all. Again, I bet yours will be fine. You can always smooth it all out with a grinder, just be careful to not get too carried
away and grind all the strength away.

Just my opinion:
On your first pic, I'd try and make a small piece to tie in that uneven area in the sub frame. That would tie it all together.
Maybe your thinking it, but the other thing I would do is make a plate for the bottom of the frames.
Lookin good. Glad to see your back on it.

[4Eyedtruck]

Hey Aaron glad to see your still here man hope everything is going well for you.

lol I agree in that first picture that needs something when i took the pictures I had that thought of I need to fill that in. I'm already ahead of you on the bottom part of the subframe I boxed it in and tied it into the frame as well and ground them flush ill try and grab a pic later on

the welds that were holding it together were very very poor to say the least. I can tell ive made it stronger for sure just didnt know if maybe I should add any to it or if this would be sufficient.

also been waiting on the engine shop was told one more week three weeks ago! needless to say they will not have a repeat customer out of me dropped the block and crank off on Jan. 17th I have also cut the front spring pockets out for the Re7 bags up front also installed a cnotch in the rear and picked up a 2002 blazer 4wd rearend for now the two 9" housing I had were severly bent and the blazer rearend cost me 75$ everything was on it but the calipers. and getting rid of that god awful 4bar setup that was on the frame as we speak have the heidts 4bar waiting to go on it.

[Stepside Jim]

4Eyedtruck, I have no advice, only encouragement. Wow, that's quite a project you have going there. Looks like your heading in the right direction.

I'm trying to imagine a cosmetic patch to help blend both frames together, but we'll have to see how the bottom plate turned out.

Good luck, Jim

[Flames97]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Can't wait to see more. Everything is looking good. Keep it up.