WILD idea! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

brennecke · 07-01-2002, 05:00 PM

I measured the wheelbase on the Eldorado, and it is very very close to being the same as the truck. They are also within inches of being the same length overall.
So here's my idea, pull all of the body off of the eldo frame, and sell or pitch it. Clean the frame up real nice and fab mounts to set the truck body onto the Eldo. It would get me the smooth ride and stace of a cad while being for the most part a truck. It would sit about 4 inches off the ground too.

The wild thing about this is that it would be front wheel drive.
Anybody know why this would be a really bad idea? I know I'll have to make body mounts, so I'll be looking around for a frame manual for both so that I can do all the measuring on paper first, but I think it is doable.

bigvinnie · 07-01-2002, 05:19 PM

are the frame rails the same width?.... I guess with enough time, money, tools, expertise and desire, anything is possible... these trucks can be made to ride well and sit that low on the existing frame with a lot less time, money and headaches...

but if you enjoy doing it, then who's to argue?

brennecke · 07-01-2002, 05:36 PM

No, the rails on the cad are all the way out under the doors. I know that will be tricky, but I don't thinkit will be more expensive than doing a frame off on the truck, swapping in the engine and buying a tranny.

CoryM · 07-01-2002, 05:47 PM

Oh god you want to make your truck a FWD? Well, whatever floats your boat but......... uh, I wont say anything else or else Ill be in trouble.
CoryM

bigvinnie · 07-01-2002, 05:47 PM

so you're gonna need a trans no matter which way you go.... hmmm.... to compare what you're suggesting to a frame-off, you'd have to tear your cad down to the frame and do the same thing...

so, in addtion to the fabrication, you'd also be detailing the frame, re-building the suspension, fresh motor, brakes, differential, etc.... be sure and update us with pics, sounds like an interesting project...

lofly'a · 07-01-2002, 05:57 PM

i think the balance to weight ratio will be a big issue. most of the vehicle's weight will be in front. needless to say, you won't be able to haul or tow much of anything, and it would become strictly a show piece. my 2 cents,.............it would be an interesting conversation piece though. my mom had a 74 toronado 455/400 combo, and it was a blast to do burnouts and smoke the fronts. i have also seen an eldog with 2, yes 2 drivetrains at fort hood, TX. some service man with too much time shoehorned an extra transaxle and engine in the back. was a sight to see when he fired em both up and smoked all four at once.

**68SWB4x4** · 07-01-2002, 06:08 PM

a FWD truck?!?! why would you even want a FWD caddy!

CE20934 · 07-01-2002, 06:51 PM

Those old Eldos with the 472s or 500s were mean FWDs. The Toronados with 455s were just as cool.

Beats a Saturn or some other FWD domestic riceburner wannabe anyday.

Dan69 step · 07-01-2002, 07:20 PM

I delivered the Cad for Matt and he told me his idea. Pretty cool actually. Nice guy,too!And the Cad actually has a pretty nice body!! Hope it all works out!!!

Longhorn Man · 07-01-2002, 07:44 PM

Very interesting...I put an el-camino body on a corvette frame in high school...but that is a little diferant than this.
Don't think I'd do it, but it is very interesting.

*Randy70C-10* · 07-01-2002, 08:17 PM

Cool idea! Nothing wrong with the "Dare to be different" approach. Besides, think of the traction you'll get with all of that weight over the front tires. I say go for it!

highwaydevil · 07-01-2002, 08:29 PM

fwd Cadd's rule, I had a friend who's mom had a 72 eldo. That thing cornered great, and had a top speed around 160. I put a 56 Ford f250 on a 72 Thunderbird chassis/drivetrain. would have rode better if I had ever finished it. Sat nice, and seemed like the suspension would be fine also. Just ran out of knowledge on engine problems, gave up and sold it.

*Gee_Emm* · 07-02-2002, 01:03 AM

I have never heard of a FWD truck before

, hey go for it, you might be the first one to ever do it.

CE20934 · 07-02-2002, 01:07 AM

Those VW trucks based off the Rabbit were FWD. I think the Subaru Brats were too. Not sure on the Brats though.

mt Al · 07-02-2002, 01:56 AM

Sounds very interesting. If you've got the time and resources, it would be a very unique approach. Having a FWD truck would have huge advantages where the roads tend to be icy.

A friend in high school's family had a FWD caddy. They lived in Billings, but had a pellet mill about 80 miles away. No better way to get there (20 years ago) consistantly, snow/ice/etc. than the caddy. They loved it.

Have a ball.

chevyman 68 C/10 · 07-02-2002, 07:10 AM

My wife's uncle did this to one of these trucks. I never saw it ,that was before we got together.
Everone said it was a pretty fast truck, but I just could'nt do this to these trucks.

Longhorn Man · 07-02-2002, 07:28 AM

Dodge had there little Omni-el camino lookin POS..it was a front wheel driver too

bouncytruck · 07-02-2002, 12:01 PM

My dad and some friends of his put a Eldo engine in the back of a Le Car. They just wanted something that would do wheelies. It was virtually undrivable.

If you successfully complete a project like that, you'd almost guarantee a spot in a magazine. I'd would think that AWD would be a better way to go.

highwaydevil · 07-02-2002, 02:59 PM

The dodge car was called a "Rampage". I had an 86 and thought it was fine. The back end was way too light though, even though it was fwd, the back would still slide very easily. It was actually rated to hold 1100 pounds. I had about 1500 lbs of brick in it once.

brennecke · 07-02-2002, 07:21 PM

I'm still kicking it around as an idea.
The cad is rated to haul an extra 1100 pounds, so thats not much different than a C-10.

I thought about the weight thing, and the trucks spin tires because there's no weight in the back, but when loaded, they do fine. This truck would be exactly the opposite, not spinning (unless you punched it) under normal use, but maybe spinning a little when towing or hauling.

I may never do it, but with both frames measuring so similarly it is hard not to consider.

Thanks again Dan.

PanelDeland · 07-02-2002, 09:53 PM

I saw something simular to this in a mag awhile back.I don't remember which mag though.It was a crew cab(I think) with a Toranado or Eldorado front wheel drive.The truck had been cut off behind the cab and a tandem axle trailer was used for the rear.It was low to the ground and looked as if it would be easy to load.I have a lot going on but I'll try to get time to look it up and post a pic.

Longhorn Man · 07-02-2002, 10:03 PM

I've seen a few in mags like that...they were all COE fords thgouh

Jesse 67 c-10 · 07-02-2002, 10:46 PM

sounds interesting to say the least! AWD would be really cool, like those GMC cyclones, but If I was going to do something crazy I'd put the motor/tranny in the bed, right behind the cab, mounted real low with an independant rear, put all the rest of the stuff up front, wouldn't really be that hard, use a vette or jag rear, I'd make my own, run the tranny slip yoke through a double u-joint straight to the diff. With a bed cover you wouldn't know the diff from the outside and man, it would sure hook up and handle nice! you could even rob the four wheel steering off one of those new gm trucks! get shockwave air springs, while your at it, might as well custom make a titanium alloy space frame that weights 35lbs, use a glass' body, and build yourself a 1500hp gas turbine engine run through a cvt. , heck you could even add that really rare "hover" option, lol hehehee!

man, I'm going to love engineering this fall! On a more reasonable note though, has anyone out there used a chassis from a place like Jim meyers or something like that? those look like the way to go, modern design, probably a much stiffer chassis, slick susp setups too. If I had a million dollars.............
Good luck!

Jesse

pierce · 07-03-2002, 07:54 AM

This hauler at a show had a front wheel drive caddy motor, very slick set up...

07-01-2002, 05:00 PM	#1
brennecke Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Missouri Posts: 469	WILD idea! I measured the wheelbase on the Eldorado, and it is very very close to being the same as the truck. They are also within inches of being the same length overall. So here's my idea, pull all of the body off of the eldo frame, and sell or pitch it. Clean the frame up real nice and fab mounts to set the truck body onto the Eldo. It would get me the smooth ride and stace of a cad while being for the most part a truck. It would sit about 4 inches off the ground too. The wild thing about this is that it would be front wheel drive. Anybody know why this would be a really bad idea? I know I'll have to make body mounts, so I'll be looking around for a frame manual for both so that I can do all the measuring on paper first, but I think it is doable. __________________ Never tire of doing what is right II Thess. 3:13 Northeast Missouri 71 LWB original 350 3/speed Soon to be 500

07-01-2002, 05:19 PM	#2
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	are the frame rails the same width?.... I guess with enough time, money, tools, expertise and desire, anything is possible... these trucks can be made to ride well and sit that low on the existing frame with a lot less time, money and headaches... but if you enjoy doing it, then who's to argue? __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

07-01-2002, 05:36 PM	#3
brennecke Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Missouri Posts: 469	No, the rails on the cad are all the way out under the doors. I know that will be tricky, but I don't thinkit will be more expensive than doing a frame off on the truck, swapping in the engine and buying a tranny. __________________ Never tire of doing what is right II Thess. 3:13 Northeast Missouri 71 LWB original 350 3/speed Soon to be 500

07-01-2002, 05:47 PM	#4
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	Oh god you want to make your truck a FWD? Well, whatever floats your boat but......... uh, I wont say anything else or else Ill be in trouble. CoryM __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

07-01-2002, 05:47 PM	#5
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	so you're gonna need a trans no matter which way you go.... hmmm.... to compare what you're suggesting to a frame-off, you'd have to tear your cad down to the frame and do the same thing... so, in addtion to the fabrication, you'd also be detailing the frame, re-building the suspension, fresh motor, brakes, differential, etc.... be sure and update us with pics, sounds like an interesting project... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project Last edited by bigvinnie; 07-01-2002 at 06:11 PM.

07-01-2002, 05:57 PM	#6
lofly'a Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Alexandria, LA 71301 Posts: 1,451	i think the balance to weight ratio will be a big issue. most of the vehicle's weight will be in front. needless to say, you won't be able to haul or tow much of anything, and it would become strictly a show piece. my 2 cents,.............it would be an interesting conversation piece though. my mom had a 74 toronado 455/400 combo, and it was a blast to do burnouts and smoke the fronts. i have also seen an eldog with 2, yes 2 drivetrains at fort hood, TX. some service man with too much time shoehorned an extra transaxle and engine in the back. was a sight to see when he fired em both up and smoked all four at once. __________________ -02 avalanche (daily driver) -66 gto ragtop 389/400 (garage queen, hand-me-down from dad) -72 Tribute Trans Am (6.0LS/T56 6-speed) in progress -2003 YUKON (Wife's) -71 gmc swb fleet (current project, gonna shave everything, bags, stuff w/ 20's, gen III powertrain) -48 3100 SWB - 12/31/23 LONG TERM Project

07-01-2002, 06:08 PM	#7
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	a FWD truck?!?! why would you even want a FWD caddy! __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

07-01-2002, 06:51 PM	#8
CE20934 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Help! I'm in an office park with its own network of freeways! Posts: 470	Those old Eldos with the 472s or 500s were mean FWDs. The Toronados with 455s were just as cool. Beats a Saturn or some other FWD domestic riceburner wannabe anyday. __________________ '67 C20--427 tall deck/SM420, 4.10 HO52 (Michigan has not been kind to the Old Man) '95 Caprice--355 LT1/T56/3.42 8.5" 10-bolt (daily driver, almost 300k on the chassis) '07 Outback--wife's car. 125k & counting. No head gasket or transmission issues yet. fingers crossed

07-01-2002, 07:20 PM	#9
Dan69 step Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Fullerton,NE Posts: 380	I delivered the Cad for Matt and he told me his idea. Pretty cool actually. Nice guy,too!And the Cad actually has a pretty nice body!! Hope it all works out!!! __________________ 69 short step 68 50th Anniversary Gold/ White lwb 72 2wd Blazer 63 Studebaker Avanti 85 Avanti 66 Studebaker Cruiser 49 Studebaker pickup 3-49 Studebaker 1 1/2 truck 94 White/ GMC coe (cabin hauler) 95 chev 2015 chev Duramax 2500

07-01-2002, 07:44 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Very interesting...I put an el-camino body on a corvette frame in high school...but that is a little diferant than this. Don't think I'd do it, but it is very interesting.

07-01-2002, 08:17 PM	#11
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Cool idea! Nothing wrong with the "Dare to be different" approach. Besides, think of the traction you'll get with all of that weight over the front tires. I say go for it!

07-01-2002, 08:29 PM	#12
highwaydevil Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Platteville, Colorado Posts: 1,067	fwd Cadd's rule, I had a friend who's mom had a 72 eldo. That thing cornered great, and had a top speed around 160. I put a 56 Ford f250 on a 72 Thunderbird chassis/drivetrain. would have rode better if I had ever finished it. Sat nice, and seemed like the suspension would be fine also. Just ran out of knowledge on engine problems, gave up and sold it.

07-02-2002, 01:03 AM	#13
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	I have never heard of a FWD truck before , hey go for it, you might be the first one to ever do it.

07-02-2002, 01:07 AM	#14
CE20934 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Help! I'm in an office park with its own network of freeways! Posts: 470	Those VW trucks based off the Rabbit were FWD. I think the Subaru Brats were too. Not sure on the Brats though. __________________ '67 C20--427 tall deck/SM420, 4.10 HO52 (Michigan has not been kind to the Old Man) '95 Caprice--355 LT1/T56/3.42 8.5" 10-bolt (daily driver, almost 300k on the chassis) '07 Outback--wife's car. 125k & counting. No head gasket or transmission issues yet. fingers crossed

07-02-2002, 01:56 AM	#15
mt Al Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 243	Sounds very interesting. If you've got the time and resources, it would be a very unique approach. Having a FWD truck would have huge advantages where the roads tend to be icy. A friend in high school's family had a FWD caddy. They lived in Billings, but had a pellet mill about 80 miles away. No better way to get there (20 years ago) consistantly, snow/ice/etc. than the caddy. They loved it. Have a ball. __________________ '72 GMC 1/2T 4x4 1500 Super Custom pickup (current) past rides were: '70 Chev 2wd farm truck '71 GMC 2wd 1/2T 402 nice! '72 Chev 2wd 1/2T 396 '72 GMC 3/4T 4x4 2500 Super Custom suburban. Bozeman, Montana



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07-02-2002, 07:10 AM	#16
chevyman 68 C/10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Gilmer, Texas USA Posts: 313	My wife's uncle did this to one of these trucks. I never saw it ,that was before we got together. Everone said it was a pretty fast truck, but I just could'nt do this to these trucks. __________________ 69 Chevy short fleet side soon to have LT1 and 4L60E pb. ps cruise and air. 68 Chevy short fleet side 400 sb 5 inch chop top pb. ps. pw. 350 auto and shaved handles 68 anniversary no engine long wheel base 400 auto FOR SALE 68 Chevy fleet side long wheel base complete parts truck.

07-02-2002, 07:28 AM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Dodge had there little Omni-el camino lookin POS..it was a front wheel driver too

07-02-2002, 12:01 PM	#18
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	My dad and some friends of his put a Eldo engine in the back of a Le Car. They just wanted something that would do wheelies. It was virtually undrivable. If you successfully complete a project like that, you'd almost guarantee a spot in a magazine. I'd would think that AWD would be a better way to go. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-02-2002, 02:59 PM	#19
highwaydevil Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Platteville, Colorado Posts: 1,067	The dodge car was called a "Rampage". I had an 86 and thought it was fine. The back end was way too light though, even though it was fwd, the back would still slide very easily. It was actually rated to hold 1100 pounds. I had about 1500 lbs of brick in it once.

07-02-2002, 07:21 PM	#20
brennecke Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Missouri Posts: 469	I'm still kicking it around as an idea. The cad is rated to haul an extra 1100 pounds, so thats not much different than a C-10. I thought about the weight thing, and the trucks spin tires because there's no weight in the back, but when loaded, they do fine. This truck would be exactly the opposite, not spinning (unless you punched it) under normal use, but maybe spinning a little when towing or hauling. I may never do it, but with both frames measuring so similarly it is hard not to consider. Thanks again Dan. __________________ Never tire of doing what is right II Thess. 3:13 Northeast Missouri 71 LWB original 350 3/speed Soon to be 500

07-02-2002, 09:53 PM	#21
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	I saw something simular to this in a mag awhile back.I don't remember which mag though.It was a crew cab(I think) with a Toranado or Eldorado front wheel drive.The truck had been cut off behind the cab and a tandem axle trailer was used for the rear.It was low to the ground and looked as if it would be easy to load.I have a lot going on but I'll try to get time to look it up and post a pic. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

07-02-2002, 10:03 PM	#22
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I've seen a few in mags like that...they were all COE fords thgouh

07-02-2002, 10:46 PM	#23
Jesse 67 c-10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 599	sounds interesting to say the least! AWD would be really cool, like those GMC cyclones, but If I was going to do something crazy I'd put the motor/tranny in the bed, right behind the cab, mounted real low with an independant rear, put all the rest of the stuff up front, wouldn't really be that hard, use a vette or jag rear, I'd make my own, run the tranny slip yoke through a double u-joint straight to the diff. With a bed cover you wouldn't know the diff from the outside and man, it would sure hook up and handle nice! you could even rob the four wheel steering off one of those new gm trucks! get shockwave air springs, while your at it, might as well custom make a titanium alloy space frame that weights 35lbs, use a glass' body, and build yourself a 1500hp gas turbine engine run through a cvt. , heck you could even add that really rare "hover" option, lol hehehee! man, I'm going to love engineering this fall! On a more reasonable note though, has anyone out there used a chassis from a place like Jim meyers or something like that? those look like the way to go, modern design, probably a much stiffer chassis, slick susp setups too. If I had a million dollars............. Good luck! Jesse __________________ Edmonton, Alberta, 67 c-10, Long fleet, front disks, 5 lug rear end, 327 with Vortechs, edlbrock manifold, comp cams XE 256, 600cfm carb. Backed by a getrag 5 speed and 1 piece driveshaft. 1993 Dihatsu Hijet Jumbo cab 4x4, currently converting to battery electric power.

07-03-2002, 07:54 AM	#24
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	This hauler at a show had a front wheel drive caddy motor, very slick set up... __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe

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