Nova sub frame posable issues

[THE UGLY]

I have a 1950 chevy panel truck and was wondering what kind of issues i might run into going this way. I have aces to a 73 nova subframe. Some people say that they have problems with track width. And if anyone has done a rack and pinion swap. Did a search and found minimal information and not a lot of pictures.

[bobinbc]

73 Nova is rear steer, problems with hooking up steering box to column, track width is about 60" , what is the track on 50 panel ?

[Indian113]

I have a 74 nova on my 53, I bought 15x6 with a 4 inch backspacing wheel for the front

[raycow]

Originally Posted by THE UGLY

And if anyone has done a rack and pinion swap. Did a search and found minimal information and not a lot of pictures.

Try a search for Mustang II or M-II. Here is a recent thread, but I know a bunch more are out there.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427246

Ray

[ChuckDriver]

I pretty sure the 73 Nova sub is a Front Steer, just like the Camaro.

[Indian113]

I think the 73 Nova is a rear steer,my 74 is. It wasn't that hard to put steering connections in,I don't no if I could run headers though. I had a motor in for mockup and I was using stock exhaust manifolds

[bobinbc]

75 and up is front steer same as 70-81 camaro, 68-74 is rear steer same as 67-69 camaro

[robnolimit]

Headaches are cheep to create, and expensive to cure

[THE UGLY]

Thanks the sub frame is for sure a front steer unit which means it is a 74 i think. I like that last pearl of wisdom. I will have the sub frame tomorrow and can't waite to get started on this beast.

[ChuckDriver]

My bad! I thought the Nova was the same as the Camaro. Live and Learn!

Thanks!

[raycow]

Well some Novas are the same as some Camaros, so you have to say what years. Specifically, 68-74 Novas are the same as 67-69 Camaros and 75-79 Novas are the same as 70-81 Camaros.

Ray

[bobinbc]

Not at all, ChuckDriver. Nobody knows everything, I just happen to know about Camaro's (and consequently Nova's) because I owned and built a ton of them before I got back into trucks. Here's a pic of one of the last ones I did around 7 or 8 years ago (crappy pic scanned from a photo)...

[THE UGLY]

Nice camaro what was the power plant in that bad boy

[bobinbc]

That one was a mild 327 made to look externally stock. Car was basically a resto except for the steel cowl hood, SS emblem and corvette ralley's.

So did you pick up your Nova clip? Do you have any pics of your project?

[THE UGLY]

I am getting the clip this weekend and probably will start a build thread. I haven't took too many pix yet

[THE UGLY]

Here is a pix after we loaded it on the trailer. Hopefully it works

[bobinbc]

Cool bumper, saw one like that on a tow truck once.

[troy54gmc]

Here are a couple of pictures of the 1975 nova subframe that i used on my 54 gmc. I have a bunch of pictures of the install if you need them. 75 is a front steer unit.

[troy54gmc]

After the install...

[troy54gmc]

This is the ride height without drop spindles (just stock nova suspension) with stock dodge charger 17" wheels and tires on it for mock up. this is completly maxed without coil springs.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by troy54gmc

this is completly maxed without coil springs.

Do you still have the stock bump stops in there?

Ray

[troy54gmc]

No. i switched them out for a smaller size. about 1/2 inch tall. i plan on putting airbags on the front so hopefully the only time ill need bumpstops is when its air out sitting.

[THE UGLY]

I would love to see more pix of your install. The new charger wheels are the same bolt pattern?

[troy54gmc]

No charger wheel hole pattern are a little bit bigger, but they work for mock up and i had them in the garage. ill try and put some picts. up for you. This is where i started. cut the original frame and the new nova frame just behind the bottom horns where the lower a-arms attach. as you can see the original frame is a little bit skinnier than the nova sub frame. so i addapted it. then used construction paper to mock up my steel plate. you will also noticed i connected both side of the frames together with 3, 1/2" grade 8 bolts. just for back up in case any of the welds fail, the frame should hold together.

[troy54gmc]

picts.