55.2-59 Rolling chassis

[Fast Chevy]

Is there a market for 1955 Chevy 2nd series rolling frame chassis?

[MiraclePieCo]

Not sure about 2nd Series, but I sold my 1st Series complete for $50 and was happy to be rid of it. So many owners are doing chassis swaps that there's a glut of original frames around. Although I do see sellers asking big bucks on Ebay, selling one for those prices would be like hitting the lottery.

[1project2many]

I think it depends on what's in your area now. I couldn't imagine anyone paying much in the western states, but here in the rust belt a good rolling chassis might get a few bucks.

[mr48chev]

I sold what can be a rolling chassis with front hubs (52 Ford F1) to a guy who was redoing a truck with a botched subframe install on it.

I'd have to agree with Miricalpieco in that there seems to be a lot of guys ripping decent chassis out to do a frame swap and then wanting more for the stock chassis than they paid for the clunker they took the frame for the swap out of. I still can't see why guys with good original frames under their trucks want to rip them out and cobble worn out chassis back under them though.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I still can't see why guys with good original frames under their trucks want to rip them out and cobble worn out chassis back under them though.

Uh oh ;-) I think you just kicked a hornets nest!

[mr48chev]

I did that a long time ago but guys want to build cheap trucks that don't have a lot of resale value for what they have tied up in them so be it.

There is a TF chassis on the local Craigslist that I think is over priced for what he has. https://yakima.craigslist.org/pts/d/...737660062.html

That is about the norm for around here though, a lot of car and truck parts and donors on the local craigslist seem to be way overpriced.

[Fast Chevy]

Didn’t mean to stir up the hornets nest. To each his own. I just haven’t decided what direction I’m going yet, so just wanted a little input. If I did a frame swap I didn’t want to junk the original frame, thought it might be of use to someone.

[_Ogre]

lots of frame swaps in the 47 to 55.1 crowd, not so common on the 55.2 to 59 trucks
imo the existing 55-59 frame is easy to modify and probably the easiest, most economical way to go
i'd hang on to it until you decide which way your going and a budget

my 58 truk, stock frame, mustII ifs, oem rear springs with axle flipped and 36,000 miles

[Fast Chevy]

Thanks for the reply’s. If u don’t mind Ogre approximately how much do u have in your frame swap, engine, tranny, rear end, mustang front?
Thanks Jeff

[bobinbc]

Originally Posted by Fast Chevy

Thanks for the reply’s. If u don’t mind Ogre approximately how much do u have in your frame swap, engine, tranny, rear end, mustang front?
Thanks Jeff

Um wow. Ogre responded with some amount of detail the reasons why he kept his stock frame He also told you that he kept his stock rear springs and mounted a Mustang II front suspension onto it. If you don't understand that perhaps you need to do a lot more reading....

Also, the cost of suspension and drivetrain will vary widely and the amount that he has in his will have zero bearing on what it may cost you or me. If you're worried about the cost of these items again I would suggest some research, maybe start with Summit Racing, Ebay, your local online classifieds, friends, Google etc.

[_Ogre]

lol... play nice bobinbc
as bobinbc pointed out i run a stock frame. imo you come out ahead costwise to use the oem frame
fatman mustII ifs was $1800 twelve years ago, rearend is $175 jy 86 trans am disc 3.27 gear,
flip kit cost me $29 from a trailer supply
my big $$ was the ramjet 350 gm crate motor and phoenix 700r4 trans, you can google those prices
for the look i have, i still consider my truk a low buck build, at least compared to a lot of builds i see here

[Fast Chevy]

Thanks Ogre, I was thinking between 10 n 15 k depending where I got engine/tranny from.
Jeff

[bobinbc]

Sorry Jeff I’m behind on my sleep lol
Posted via Mobile Device

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Fast Chevy

Thanks Ogre, I was thinking between 10 n 15 k depending where I got engine/tranny from.
Jeff

are you doing the work yourself? thats the only way 10-15k with full suspension makes any sense. and I am not speaking to discourage either, just saying an 800 dollar motor does not cost the project 800, more like 3k by the time you buy hoses and fluids and have a pcm flashed and a harness made. then another 2k in your fuel tank and system if you are going efi. all new brakes. etc etc etc. bleeding to death will come from many many small cuts haha

its not only cheap projects that blow their budgets, it actually seems to me that building a super high quality or even a medium quality show truck will only make money for the builder who has an owner to charge. the old joke is: do you know how to make 50k building hot rods? start with 100k.

if you are doing it yourself and need pointers though, guys on here will help!

[Fast Chevy]

I built 2 Camaros, the last 1 I did everything except paint n part of the interior.
I put a GTO LS2 in it, all new suspension, power everything, but I know what u mean these projects can get out of hand with costs. This time maybe I won’t get so carried away if that is possible. Lol
Thanks for your input.
Jeff

[Fast Chevy]

Photo of last build!

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I did that a long time ago but guys want to build cheap trucks that don't have a lot of resale value for what they have tied up in them so be it.

There is a TF chassis on the local Craigslist that I think is over priced for what he has. https://yakima.craigslist.org/pts/d/...737660062.html

That is about the norm for around here though, a lot of car and truck parts and donors on the local craigslist seem to be way overpriced.

That chassis looks straight and comes with original wheels and the spare tire holder. It even has engine mounts. If someone wanted to do an original style restoration it might be handy to have so you could have the chassis work done first.

[joedoh]

good looking camaro! my wife had to PHYSICALLY restrain me from buying a local 67 camaro vert with the 6 cylinder. would have been a perfect weekend car for me except the rust, which was most of the car haha. TBI setup, T5 trans, and just cruise!

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Fast Chevy

Thanks Ogre, I was thinking between 10 n 15 k depending where I got engine/tranny from.
Jeff

i probably have 12k in my frame/running gear alone
6k was just the motor, but that motor has paid for itself many times over
every spring i just go out to the barn and start it

[smoking59]

Hey Ogre, looks like I may have to be changing out my 355 (i was told) in my 59, was wondering why you went with the ram jet? Also did you consider a donnor engine at all? Thanks

[_Ogre]

ogre hates anything carburated, he hates his lawn mower, he hates his weed trimmer
he also hates working on motors, i've rebuilt my fair share of motors too, didn't want to go that route
the ramjet 350 is plug n play, very happy with it, read thru my build for more info
if your running the stock v8 bellhousing it would be a quick/easy swap

[smoking59]

OK I get it, thanks

[mongocanfly]

ogre...I hate lawnmowers and weedeaters card'b or injected
after going LS on every truck ive got ill never go back....