The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 59 Apache Subframe

I am looking for some information on what vehicle to look at to get a front subframe to use for my wifes 59 Apache. I was looking at a 32 chevy pickup at one time that somebody had taken the front subframe out of a 81 camaro and used in the front. Does anybody know what vehicle i can look at to do this to the 59 chevy apache? End result after a few years and a lot of work is to put a multiport injected 454 into it. I am making the assumption that the stock frame that was designed with a straight 6 in mind will not take the HP and torque of the big block. But any information that i can get will be greatly appreciated.

Dbane. Welcome. Have you done a search of these pages? There has been many posts about this topic. Use the search function adjacent to the register prompt. Complete new Hi-Po chassis are also now available. Ive deleted the link from my favourites but will try and find it for you tonight. Im sure a hotrodder will be by soon with more info as well.

Not a '59 but you'll get the jest:
http://classicchrisengineering.freeservers.com/CamaroClip.htm
Too bad you live so far, I have a rolling frame with a Camaro clip and rear end already installed.
Regarding installing a big block in your truck will not be a problem. Good luck

I'm trying to figure out the same thing. I was wondering if I couldn't swap a complete frame in like a 82 Chevy truck. Would this be feasible? I remember reading about a guy that swapped a 91 Chevy truck frame under his 56. Is there any frames that would be feasible or should I just do a camaro clip or mustang II?

DB and tm-Welcome to The Bolt. Probably the best match for the Task Force style of truck (55-59) is the mid-late seventies Camaro/Firebird subframe. This is NOT a job for a beginner, as it requires a fair bit of engineering. If you have welding and fabrication skills, you can pull it off by yourself. However, most folks seek professional help with this conversion and most frequently the professional will recommend using a Mustang II based crossmember kit. This may actually be a better choice as it doesn't involve cutting your chassis. Run a search here in the HiPo Shop on past posts, and run a general web search with your server-try "Mustang II front suspension" and "Camaro front suspension." This should net you some good "real world" examples of what it takes to do this swap, and you will generally get a more personal opinion of the work involved than you would in a magazine. Best of luck and keep us all posted.

Regards,
Wannabe

Not sure if you're still on here. I read your post about swapping a frame and was wondering if you ever got an answer. I've been wondering about that possibility.