55 first series on a 1997 C5 chassis....

[62lwbc10]

Hello All, A buddy of mine has a decent 1955 first series 5-window short step that he intends to put on 1997 C5 corvette chassis and powertrain. Has anyone on this forum ever done anything like this? Just looking to see if I can gain any insights for him from the experience on this board.

Thanks alot,
MArk

[Hogger54]

This is pretty close. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=631911

[Dan in Pasadena]

Always heard C4 works but C5 is too wide. Maybe with a lot of negative offset on the rims it'll work though actually using the Vette chassis instead of using components to adapt the Vette IFS & IRS to the truck's original frame will be an interesting challenge.
Watching.....

[OneOffStroker]

I was going to do this, but decided to save several thousand dollars and go with a Jag IFS & IRS instead.

The best part of the C5 vs. the C4 is that the C5 uses a transaxle and torque tube, so 80% of your frame is already made for you. The C5 wheelbase is shorter, so you will have to move the fromt suspension cradle forward a few inches, which means new motor mounts and will also need firewall offset because the motor can't just be slid forward because of the torque tube design. There is a TON of fab work, but it would be pretty neat to have done in the end.