getting ready to install my camaro subframe

[ng64]

I know this subject has been discussed plenty but I'm getting ready to install my subframe an was wandering is there any reason why I can't remove my front fenders hood and cab to do this. My buddy told me to leave it all on the truck so I could make sure my wheels will be centered in the wheel well. I see no reason to leave it all on. Thanks for any advice. Also have my new engine ready

[MARTINSR]

Your buddy is right, absolutely right. You want the thing at ride height, I used all thread to replace the shocks then tightened up the nuts to suck the springs down to where the rubber bumper was about an inch off the frame leaving the lower control arms level, just as they were on the Camaro in checked.

With the wheels on the sub frame I rolled it into place. With the rear of the truck at the ride height I planned, I was able to put the sub frame up against the frame and VERY IMPORTANTLY using a protractor put the upper control arm shafts at the same angle as they were on the Camaro! This is a mistake often made. Guys will be so focused on how cute the sub matches up with their frame thinking THAT is what is most important and it's not. Making sure the geometry is correct is most important. If you screw this up you need to get offset control arm shafts to correct it, and some times that doesn't even work depending on how screwed up you got it.

So after the sub is in place I put the front sheetmetal on to make sure the wheel looked right in the wheel opening. The measuring tape means NOTHING at this point, how does it LOOK? A quarter inch too far back can make for a horrible look! A little too far forward you can get away with but if it's too far back, just a hair it looks like crap. I had it too far back. As I remember I moved it about 3/8" and I was very happy I had not made the mistake of thinking it could be done without hanging the sheet metal.

Now, what year is this truck? If it's an AD, I HIGHLY recommend to go with a different front end, the Camaro is too wide and you have to cut up the rad support so much, making a new one makes more sense.

Brian

[ng64]

Thanks for the advice. My truck is a 57. The wheels I have on it now are just some I borrowed don't plan on usin them. So if I didnt check the angle of the upper control arm shaft while the subframe was under the camaro what do I do? Seems like I read somewhere they should be like 7 degrees? Thought I throw in some pictures even though I'm ashamed of my truck compared to everyone else's on this forum. But I love it anyway. Any more advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[MARTINSR]

I don't know what angle they should be at, study it. It's a shame it's not still in the Camaro.

On your truck, don't ever be ashamed of what your truck is, more trucks in this forum started out NOT looking as good as yours!

Brian

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

On your truck, don't ever be ashamed of what your truck is, more trucks in this forum started out NOT looking as good as yours!

Brian

I second that. See if you can goole what the anti-dive angle is for the camaro, it should be around 5 to 6 degress, but not sure...Jim

[Spblack]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=219621


check here

[buggy5872]

If you leave the tails on the subframe and they are tight against the bottom of the truck frame, it will have the correct angle. If you are not going to do it that way, Set the subframe up on jack stands, make the tails level, then measure the angle.

[ng64]

Thanks for all your help guys. My plan is to leave tails on subframe and weld them to my stock frame making sure my angle is right hoping it ends up flush with my stock frame

[Indian113]

This is the simple way to do a sub clip.

[ng64]

Indian113 do u know the measurement from the cab mount bracket to where u cut ur stock frame by chance? I was gonna cut my directly behind the existing bump stops on my stock frame

[Indian113]

That isn't my frame. It's a friend of mines 57 frame. If you can try to get a hold of Red Foreman in Australia he used the pics I have and did a 56. He could give you a lot of help. Check out his build in the build section. I have more pics of that frame if you pm your e-mail addy I will send you a file

[Mac the Yankee]

I used a plumb bob to mark the wheelbase on the floor (and mark the center line of the frame), then added approx 1 5/8" to the wheelbase to better center the wheels in the fender.

marking center line of the frame on the floor really helped when we positioned the subframe- dropped the bobs out of the center holes in the subframe and lined it all up square!

[Iceburgh]

I have done 8 of these on 47-55 1st. None of them had the anything on them in front of the fire wall. The rad support is critical that it is the same distance with the new sub frame. All sheet metal bolts off of it. Make up a jig to use and attach it to the fire wall. Build from there. As far as wheel center....measure that before cutting off the old frame.
I believe it is 116" wheel hub center to wheel hub center