How much drop with Camaro frontend?

[RockinKees]

Hello everybody!

I want to know if someone could tell me how much drop I get when I weld a Camaro front-end under de framerails of a 59 Fleetside?

Is it possible to put any pictures of the before and after the install?

In the front I want the Camaro clip and in the back I will flip the axle on top of the leafs.
At the rear it wil give me about 5,5" drop with the shackel hanger flipped.
But how much will the stock front clip do?
Do I need drop spindles or change the springs?

Thanks for your time!!

I just bought a 59 Fleetside from the states (I hope...this is attempt #3)
No pics yet....

[Speedbumpauto]

do a search of this forum using "clip ride height" and there is lots of info including another 59. The clip attaching area and ride height have been huge topics here.

[Mac the Yankee]

I lost 10 inches on mine- I'm 6'6", and the top of the cab went from the top of my head to my shoulder... and still have 6" of clearance underneath the rockers

[RockinKees]

I did read a lot about it Speedbumpauto, but I didn't see how much drop it will give me, I will try your searchtip!

Mac, the 10" is only from the stock frontclip? And then 6" groundclearence??
That sounds great, exactly what I'm looking for
Then I also don't need to flip the rear shackel hangers

Somebody got any pics of the before and after?

Thanks guys!!

[Mac the Yankee]

RockinKees,

I did the flip as well (you truly will need to, unless you REALLY like your butt in the air), and maintained the 6" of clearance.

Also, there are many ways to measure/get things lined up when doing the subframe clip...

I dropped plumb bobs from the center holes on the truck frame and drew a center line on the shop floor, then dropped the same bobs from the center holes on the clip- kept things nice and straight from side to side! Then it was just a matter of cutting/trimming the truck frame and welding (added 1 5/8" to my wheelbase).

Wish I had taken better pics, but the only other thing we (Brad54 and I) did was to slice the truck frame at the spots where the subframe dip and heat/hammer the frame to the sub AFTER we had tacked things together along the outside of the frame.

[RockinKees]

Yes, I know I have to lower the back as well. But if you leave the shackels alone, then you get a 7" drop, If you mount the shackels upside down, then you raise it again by 1,5"
At least that's what everybody told me.

So with a 10"drop in front, 7" at the back should be enough ;-)

This morning I heard the Fleetside was picked up from the previous owner
It is now a matter of time, well, more unpatiently waiting, to get the truck over to the Netherlands.
As soon as it gets here, I will make a build thread, I am sure I will need you guys with all sorts of advise!

Today I am a happy man!!!
It's going to be much better soon ;-)

Greetings,

Kees

[Mac the Yankee]

Yup, all I did was cut the plates off of my Camaro rear and put the rear on top of my springs, with some plates from a local Tractor Supply store

Best of luck in the build!

[Red Foreman]

Heaps of info in this link, a truly classic thread!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...ne-day.148978/

[RockinKees]

Originally Posted by Red Foreman

Heaps of info in this link, a truly classic thread!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...ne-day.148978/

I know that one!
It's not gonna work for me in on one day

[Mac the Yankee]

Look at JAWS' posts on that thread- his work seems to be the best of the lot!

[RockinKees]

I have read it, Mac.
It sure looks great!
Hope mine comes out well enough to show you ;-)

[RockinKees]

Well, we changed the plans a bit.....No more Camaro clip.

I have bought a complete IFS frontend en IRS backend out of a '86 Jaguar XJ12.
I also got the mastercilinder and booster out of the same car

The truck is planned September 9 overhere in Holland.
First we try to get the Dutch registation so we can drive legally.
Then we go and change the axles, brakes, make a pedalbox, steeringcollumn and drop the truck a bit
And of course everything else that have to be done.
If you like I can make a thread in the build section?

This is going to be a lowbudget build, everything is going to be build in my backyard, hoping it is going to work what I have planned for it....
So if I need advice or you have some tips or critics, please feel free to tell me!

Hope to see you at the build thread in a couple of weeks!

Cheers,

Kees

[mr48chev]

I like your current plan.

I'd slide under a similar Jag on stock tires and measure from the bottom of the crossmember to the ground/floor on both ends to get the static ride height with the stock tires the Jag comes with. That will give you a base to figure your final ride height from when you calculate in the difference between the height of the stock tires and the tires you plan to run.

After you pull the stock running gear out from under the truck block it up on the floor with the exact static ride height you want to end up with. Then you can figure out how to mate the front and rear suspension to the frame to get that ride height using the stock Jag crossmember to ground measurement. That method has worked for me twice with great results.

[RockinKees]

Thanks Mr48Chev for your tips!

I thought I pull the stock running gear out, slide the Jag under the framerails and go from there.
This all with all the frontend and bed mounted, so it will have its original weight.
That way I should have a baseline of the static drop the Jag will give to the truck.
All I have to do then is measure the correct rideheight I want and bolt or weld it in...
The same with the back axle.

I assume you did this with with an AD truck?
Do you have a build thread to this?
Did a search on your name (sorry...) but could not find it?

[OrrieG]

Do start a build thread, with enough detail so someone else wanting to do the same.

[Mac the Yankee]

Didn't someone do a TF with Jag front suspension? Might be worth taking a look at

[RockinKees]

There are some that did a Jag front and rear swap.
Only thing is there aren't many pictuers of it doing so....

I will try and make a build thread, doing front and rear suspension on a '59 Fleetside.
Hope the truck is in good shape....bought it of pictures and phonecalls.....

Wish me well!!