Good Idea? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

duke1622 · 03-07-2015, 11:58 PM

Hello All,

Thinking of grabbing a later model C10 to use as a parts truck for my 2nd generation '55. Would be using front suspension, rear-end, trans... The goal is to set the '55 up so it goes runs down the highway with everyone else. As mentioned before, I'm intending to keep most of the truck stock, but would like the benefits of disc brakes and higher gears found in the later C10s. Is this a good idea, and if so, is there a year period to search for. I'm finding plenty of early '80s, dirt cheap, so any help would be great. Thanks!

**mr48chev** · 03-08-2015, 01:33 AM

If you are intent on doing that use the whole chassis frame and all as putting that front end under the TF chassis doesn't work well and ends up being a cobbled up mess. The later chassis is 28 and something inches wide where the suspension mounts up and yours is 30 something in the same spot.

On the frame swap you will have to fit the cab, nose and bed to the chassis but at least you will have a safe chassis that works the way it was intended and the way you expect it to.

59chev · 03-09-2015, 01:36 PM

A second gen (70-81) Camaro is a better donor . Front track width and rear end are the same width as the 55-59 trucks. The Camaro clip fits in there like it was made for these trucks.

duke1622 · 03-09-2015, 07:21 PM

Thanks, I will look into that!

dwcsr · 03-09-2015, 07:56 PM

this is on an 87 chevy chassis

duke1622 · 03-09-2015, 08:24 PM

Great looking truck...thanks! What type of issues did you run into?

57chevyman · 03-09-2015, 08:58 PM

as the others said, not a good fit. heres a pic of a 1968 c10 chassis, and what it looks like what you make the front suspension fit the 1957 frame. a new rail has to be added to the inside edge of the frame , and the outside edge has to be trimmed to clear the a-arm. the top of the frame is reinforced with extra metal. the a-arms are bolted to the new metal that was added to the inside. the guy who built my truck about 15 years ago opted for this front suspension because he wanted the jacked up 4x4 look.

dwcsr · 03-10-2015, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke1622

Great looking truck...thanks! What type of issues did you run into?

I did do this one but I have looked under it and its not a bad swap. I think you may need to move the rear axle but for the most part its a fairly good fit.

03-07-2015, 11:58 PM	#1
duke1622 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 12	Good Idea? Hello All, Thinking of grabbing a later model C10 to use as a parts truck for my 2nd generation '55. Would be using front suspension, rear-end, trans... The goal is to set the '55 up so it goes runs down the highway with everyone else. As mentioned before, I'm intending to keep most of the truck stock, but would like the benefits of disc brakes and higher gears found in the later C10s. Is this a good idea, and if so, is there a year period to search for. I'm finding plenty of early '80s, dirt cheap, so any help would be great. Thanks! Attached Images

03-08-2015, 01:33 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,585	Re: Good Idea? If you are intent on doing that use the whole chassis frame and all as putting that front end under the TF chassis doesn't work well and ends up being a cobbled up mess. The later chassis is 28 and something inches wide where the suspension mounts up and yours is 30 something in the same spot. On the frame swap you will have to fit the cab, nose and bed to the chassis but at least you will have a safe chassis that works the way it was intended and the way you expect it to. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-09-2015, 01:36 PM	#3
59chev Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 441	Re: Good Idea? A second gen (70-81) Camaro is a better donor . Front track width and rear end are the same width as the 55-59 trucks. The Camaro clip fits in there like it was made for these trucks. __________________ My Build Thread: 59 Apache - Lifelong obsession http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=622133"]59 Apache - Lifelong obsession

03-09-2015, 07:21 PM	#4
duke1622 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 12	Re: Good Idea? Thanks, I will look into that!

03-09-2015, 07:56 PM	#5
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: Good Idea? this is on an 87 chevy chassis Attached Images

03-09-2015, 08:24 PM	#6
duke1622 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 12	Re: Good Idea? Great looking truck...thanks! What type of issues did you run into?

03-09-2015, 08:58 PM	#7
57chevyman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Massapequa Park, NY Posts: 873	Re: Good Idea? as the others said, not a good fit. heres a pic of a 1968 c10 chassis, and what it looks like what you make the front suspension fit the 1957 frame. a new rail has to be added to the inside edge of the frame , and the outside edge has to be trimmed to clear the a-arm. the top of the frame is reinforced with extra metal. the a-arms are bolted to the new metal that was added to the inside. the guy who built my truck about 15 years ago opted for this front suspension because he wanted the jacked up 4x4 look. Attached Images __________________ Frank 1957 Chevy 3100 2000 Silverado z71 SOLD 2012 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 1992 International 4700



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.