Which frame to use?

[98layinframe]

I picked up a amazingly clean 51 the other week and im having difficulties deciding which frame i wanna run under this thing. Which of the options you guys think would be best?

Option 1. Run the stock frame with a mustang II front tubular setup, and the C4 Corvette irs rear end I already have? Would need to box and brace the crap out of the frame since theres wayyyy to much flex in it to make me happy.

Option 2. Run a 2wd s10 frame like most do.. then deal with a tight squeeze for the headers and steering, run the wheel spacers and find a 4x4 rearend.

Option 3. Start with a 4x4 s10 frame. The front rails look cleaner, its very easy to convert over to 2wd by simply removing front diff and machining the knuckles off the outer hubs or simply swapping 2wd 98+ blazer shafts in place. Also the track width is already 1.5" wider per side so no spacers needed up front and maybe only a little one out back depending on wheel offset and width.


Ideas? Opinions?
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[98layinframe]

Ohh and what do you guys run for body mounts? Looks like the front core and cab mounts are basically solid then the rear cab mounts are those little shackles. You guys keep that setup or just run s10 rubber body mounts in all six locations?
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[57halfton]

use the stock frame, box it and go with C4 IFS that goes with the C4 irs you already have.

[Maximus]

I would use the orig. frame, and update front suspension. much less trouble ahead with this route

[98layinframe]

Yeah im kinda leaning towards the stock frame idea. Hate the idea of spending nearly 2g's on a tubular mustang II setup though.
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[Rude Dude]

Why does it have to be tubular? This TF truck had stock arms, The speedway crossmember can be ordered to use stock arms


http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedw...448#tabcontent

[n_elsod]

Take a look at mine on the project build. I used the 4wd frame if it will help you make a decision.

[_Ogre]

i'm with maximus on this. stock frame updated.
i like the mustII ifs for simplicity and a better gear flipped on top of stock leafs in back
this will halve the stock ride height of the stock suspenssion
i've seen a lot of frames swaps on this forum, never quite understood the concept
some were performed very nice and clean, i think it's a lot less work to deal with the frame you have

[1953chevyroc]

Unless your frame is in REALLY bad shape I would use the stock frame, everything lines up already and S10s are going up in price and the suspension would probably need an overhaul if it had a lot of miles or had been sitting for a while. If you're looking at prices, both are fairly close and you'll have a lot more hours in the s10 swap than the IFS/IRS swap.

[rollinrooster]

I went the s-10 route because my factory frame was in bad shape. Its alot of work but kinda cool being able to go to your local parts store and get parts off the shelf and not have to special order everything.

[98layinframe]

Im looking for a full tubular mustang II setup just simply for the looks. It would look a little odd with a rear cantilevered all tubular corvette rear end and then some stock looking stamped steel control arms.


Yeah my factory frame is in nearly perfect shape, hell even the stock old brake lines are in usable condition! (not that I will be)

Also the other problem i have is living up here in this lovely rust belt of the country, finding a clean enough s10 frame, camaro, or nova front clip is getting harder and harder to come by. So if any one living down south has a nova clip they would like to sell let me know! Road trip! haha

[GMtrucknut!!]

I like the factory frame idea. From what I have heard from all my friends that have done an AD truck it is actually less work using your stock frame and after it is finished it looks a lot cleaner.

[98layinframe]

What about body bushings? The truck i bought is in pieces and so theres no rubber mounts. The factory just uses a piece of belt looking rubber chunk. Does everyone keep the stock style setup with rubber pad and the dogbones out back? I was thinking of modifing the core support and all 4 cab mounts to sit on an s10 style modern mount for a nicer smoother ride. Any ideas on this?
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[_Ogre]

you can buy any part for your truck new
lmctruck.com or brotherstrucks.com

usually the guy that has to ask about mounting a old body on a new frame
is the same guy that shouldn't do it.
i have doubt that i could mount a old truck on a mack frame
or a mack body on an old truck frame, but i've been fabricating stuff for 45 yrs

not knowing anything about your fabrication experience
the stock frame can be made very streetable easy peasy
so easy, even an ogre could do it...

[98layinframe]

I know.. but that's not what I was asking. I'm saying if I were to update the mounts by ditching the rear dog bones and run 6 newer style soft rubber body mounts... would there be any down side?
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