55 chevy pickup 2nd series - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jimig1 · 07-13-2010, 11:07 AM

I have a 55 2nd series that I just bought about 3 weeks ago. I have been searching this forum and have found some good info. I'm looking to do a frame swap to get IFS. I was doing some search and came across a kit from e-zchassisswaps.com that will let me use the frame of a 73-87 truck. I was wondering if anyone has used this or done a swap with one of these year trucks? I have a truck that I could use to do the modification and it would save me some cash and could finish the truck faster. Are there any draw backs to doing this swap? I'd like to keep the rear about factory height and drop the front a few inches.

dwcsr · 07-13-2010, 11:34 AM

73-87 chassis kick up in the rear about 4-5 inches. You will either have to raise the bed floor or live with it higher. You may need to buy off set wheels for the front to bring them in a little. The tries would be at the fender line with a stock wheel and tire. This swap has been done many times but I haven't seen the EZ swap before on a 55 to 73. maybe someone else here has.

jimig1 · 07-13-2010, 12:20 PM

That is good to know about the bed and the wheels i think that I'd like to see one in person before i go through with it. Thanks

jimig1 · 07-13-2010, 01:31 PM

Here are some pics of the truck the day that i got it

my67chevytruck · 07-13-2010, 01:52 PM

the ones i have seen on a 73-87 frame all look like 4x4's. I am not familiar with the ezchassis swap though.

jimig1 · 07-13-2010, 02:05 PM

I got an email from e-zchassis and they sent this picture of one that used there kit. He is going to talk to the own and see if i can take a look at it up close.

55chevy · 07-13-2010, 03:54 PM

That is still sitting too high for my taste, they make drop spindles and lowering blocks for those chassis.
Here is a tech article on putting a 47-54 on a S-10 Chassis. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=8491 I tried to find one on 55-59 but no luck

Coronas56 · 07-13-2010, 08:41 PM

That dosen't look like a Minnesota truck........

MrSinister · 07-15-2010, 02:44 AM

that pic should be enough to scare anybody away from that swap, wheels with way too much offset that still stick out like an old minitruck

MrSinister · 07-15-2010, 02:47 AM

seriously why do an ifs swap at all save some dough rebuild the stocker and get disk brakes and drop a few inches with new springs

pro1955 · 07-15-2010, 03:50 PM

Just go find a Camaro, use the running gear and subframe, be happy.

jimig1 · 07-15-2010, 03:54 PM

I really want IFS for a nicer ride I want to get it finished an drive it to a bunch of shows and maybe do the power tour

ambryatim · 07-15-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimig1

I really want IFS for a nicer ride I want to get it finished an drive it to a bunch of shows and maybe do the power tour

The camaro clip will drop the truck about 5"-6" and you will have IFS, then go out back and install the diff inside the leaf springs and be done. Or you could go with Truck Arm suspension. That is what I am doing. Check out my build thread to see how I installed my clip. It is easy to do and probably cheaper in the long run. IMO.

pugs · 07-15-2010, 04:52 PM

you really dont need the EZ to swap to the 73 and up chassis, just swap out the stock mounts. front will basically bolt up where they are on the new chassis. rear one will have to set and welded once front are and the cab bolted down and leveled f>b s>s. now when i did the swap a few years i notched out the cab from the rear seat rail back on the inside of the rear mounts to lower the cab down as much as possible. also the wheel base is alitle longer on the newer chasis. if you really want to do the chassis swap
go to a 63-72 , 71-2 have disc brakes and and most have trailing arms which is easier to lower the rear and are the correct wheel base

ambryatim · 07-16-2010, 12:40 AM

Here is some good info on a camaro clip install.

07-13-2010, 11:07 AM	#1
jimig1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 614	55 chevy pickup 2nd series I have a 55 2nd series that I just bought about 3 weeks ago. I have been searching this forum and have found some good info. I'm looking to do a frame swap to get IFS. I was doing some search and came across a kit from e-zchassisswaps.com that will let me use the frame of a 73-87 truck. I was wondering if anyone has used this or done a swap with one of these year trucks? I have a truck that I could use to do the modification and it would save me some cash and could finish the truck faster. Are there any draw backs to doing this swap? I'd like to keep the rear about factory height and drop the front a few inches. __________________ 55 2nd series Chevy Pickup 2019 Chevy Equinox(Daily driver) 2011 Chevy Malibu (Wife's car) MSRA Member I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. -George Carlin

07-13-2010, 11:34 AM	#2
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,131	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series 73-87 chassis kick up in the rear about 4-5 inches. You will either have to raise the bed floor or live with it higher. You may need to buy off set wheels for the front to bring them in a little. The tries would be at the fender line with a stock wheel and tire. This swap has been done many times but I haven't seen the EZ swap before on a 55 to 73. maybe someone else here has.

07-13-2010, 12:20 PM	#3
jimig1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 614	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series That is good to know about the bed and the wheels i think that I'd like to see one in person before i go through with it. Thanks __________________ 55 2nd series Chevy Pickup 2019 Chevy Equinox(Daily driver) 2011 Chevy Malibu (Wife's car) MSRA Member I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. -George Carlin

07-13-2010, 01:31 PM	#4
jimig1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 614	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series Here are some pics of the truck the day that i got it __________________ 55 2nd series Chevy Pickup 2019 Chevy Equinox(Daily driver) 2011 Chevy Malibu (Wife's car) MSRA Member I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. -George Carlin

07-13-2010, 01:52 PM	#5
my67chevytruck Under Construction Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Midlothian,TX (DFW) Posts: 4,555	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series the ones i have seen on a 73-87 frame all look like 4x4's. I am not familiar with the ezchassis swap though. __________________ Heath subscribe to the board here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669 FAQ how to's 1956 Chevy Apache 1967 C10 SWB FleetSide (under construction) 1969 K10 SWB FleetSide (Future Build) 1972 C10 SWB Stepside (Future Build) 56 chevy truck : http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2955823/1 67 truck build: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=281357/1 69 k10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=389470

07-13-2010, 02:05 PM	#6
jimig1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 614	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series I got an email from e-zchassis and they sent this picture of one that used there kit. He is going to talk to the own and see if i can take a look at it up close. Attached Images __________________ 55 2nd series Chevy Pickup 2019 Chevy Equinox(Daily driver) 2011 Chevy Malibu (Wife's car) MSRA Member I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. -George Carlin

07-13-2010, 03:54 PM	#7
55chevy Car Truck Bike Nut Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Suffolk Virginia Posts: 850	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series That is still sitting too high for my taste, they make drop spindles and lowering blocks for those chassis. Here is a tech article on putting a 47-54 on a S-10 Chassis. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=8491 I tried to find one on 55-59 but no luck __________________ Snow free Florida panhandle, don't miss Indiana winters Temp in Suffolk Virginia, Sentenced 2 to 5 years LOL 68 shortfleet project 94 3500 TD dually so many cars so little time 72 K2 CST 2WD Blazer

07-13-2010, 08:41 PM	#8
Coronas56 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tropical Minnesota Posts: 282	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series That dosen't look like a Minnesota truck........ __________________ Semper Fi!

07-15-2010, 02:44 AM	#9
MrSinister Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Everett Wa Posts: 70	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series that pic should be enough to scare anybody away from that swap, wheels with way too much offset that still stick out like an old minitruck __________________ '56 Big window 350/700r4 9" rear w/disc

07-15-2010, 02:47 AM	#10
MrSinister Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Everett Wa Posts: 70	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series seriously why do an ifs swap at all save some dough rebuild the stocker and get disk brakes and drop a few inches with new springs __________________ '56 Big window 350/700r4 9" rear w/disc

07-15-2010, 03:50 PM	#11
pro1955 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rochester Wa. Posts: 68	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series Just go find a Camaro, use the running gear and subframe, be happy. __________________ Truck's just for the fun of it.

07-15-2010, 03:54 PM	#12
jimig1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 614	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series I really want IFS for a nicer ride I want to get it finished an drive it to a bunch of shows and maybe do the power tour __________________ 55 2nd series Chevy Pickup 2019 Chevy Equinox(Daily driver) 2011 Chevy Malibu (Wife's car) MSRA Member I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. -George Carlin

07-15-2010, 04:52 PM	#14
pugs Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hamburg Pa Posts: 1,153	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series you really dont need the EZ to swap to the 73 and up chassis, just swap out the stock mounts. front will basically bolt up where they are on the new chassis. rear one will have to set and welded once front are and the cab bolted down and leveled f>b s>s. now when i did the swap a few years i notched out the cab from the rear seat rail back on the inside of the rear mounts to lower the cab down as much as possible. also the wheel base is alitle longer on the newer chasis. if you really want to do the chassis swap go to a 63-72 , 71-2 have disc brakes and and most have trailing arms which is easier to lower the rear and are the correct wheel base __________________ I don't do thing cuz I can, I do it cuz someone told me it couldn't be done...

07-16-2010, 12:40 AM	#15
ambryatim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Corinth, TX Posts: 210	Re: 55 chevy pickup 2nd series Here is some good info on a camaro clip install. __________________ Better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. Fork In The Road....Cummins Build My Build Thread... Alternative A/C Mounting for LS Engines 4L60E Transmission Rebuild Info Trailing Arm How To Last edited by ambryatim; 07-16-2010 at 12:45 AM.

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