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| | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 54 | I've just bought a 1953 panelwagon. Though the frame appears to be in decent shape I'm thinking of putting a completely new frame underneath to enjoy a modern day ride. Any thoughts as to if the ride and handling will be dramatically better and which might be the most reasonable and best company to go with if I do take this approach. I've done previous trucks where we upgraded brakes and steering but the handling still seemed to be not as good as it should be. I'm not inclined to do air bags, unless that's a must, or lower the vehicle.
Thanks in advance for advice.
regmudd | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Read the posts right above this one (definitive suspension for Stovebolt). They will give you food for thought.ðŸ›
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
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USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Anything for a pickup would be applicable.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | "I've just bought a 1953 panelwagon."
Panel Truck (3100 or 3800)?
or
Sedan Delivery (Panel Station Wagon)? | | | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 54 | Sedan Delivery. I've also seen it called a Panel Sedan and a Panel Delivery.
Last edited by regmudd; 08/08/2017 2:08 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 | First a couple of things you must be aware of up front: a 53 anything will never, repeat NEVER, handle and ride like a new vehicle. There will be noises, especially wind noise, restricted vision, body roll and pitch, vibrations, and a myriad of other inherent traits that one must expect. I have seen many old rides last a very short time where the owner expected 2017 performance from a 1950's vehicle. A short time ago we finished a 53 Suburban that has a Pacer IFS and a Lincoln Mark VIII IRS along with special body mounts, Lizard Skin sprayed on interior body EVERYWHERE, followed by Dynamat, and finished up with the bubble foil and then dense upholstery backer panels. Cowl top and side vents along with the vent windows and sliding side windows are permanently sealed and every glass and door has Steele rubber. It may be the most quiet AD Suburban in existence with killer ac/heat and you can converse in a normal voice up to about 65mph and that's it. Braking, steering, and body roll are a hundred times better but still a noisy wallowing hog when compared to the wife's Infinity. If one could be the same as a new vehicle they would still be making them so lower your expectations and embrace them for what they are; a really cool ride that draws attention and can safely cruise in the left lane.
Evan
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | As you know, you have a car chassis, not a truck. It should ride good with rebuilt suspension and a few power option kits. It won't ride like a truck. Model 1508.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 | It is a car chassis that can haul a way heavier load than any 1/2T AD ever could. The front is designed for a V8 Pacer X which carried more weight than an AD with a load in the box and the rear was designed for a close to 5000# Lincoln. Believe it or not we actually engineer our swaps, not just bolt/weld together a bunch of parts. Caster, camber, Ackerman, roll center, CG, and anti-dive are all in our vocabulary AND understood. Now if it is 3/4T then load capacity will definitely be lower. I will agree that most swaps are governed by what fits and are limited by the both tools and knowledge of the one doing the project. They range from ill conceived to down right dangerous. Since these postings are in the HiPo Shop the very heading states it is for people that want to hot rod their ride and NOT leave it factory stock.
Evan
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | If he wants a hot rod, I don't know that. It was just a thought. There are, of course, many 53 coupes and sedans being hot rodded. They are also a low rider favorite. All manner of chassis options/clips available.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 |
Evan
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