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I have a '46 Chevy that I'm thinking of 'rodding. I have toyed with the idea of keeping the front axle but have concerns about the lightweight steering components. I also want to upgrade the front end with disks and power steering. I don't want to go Mustang II route because of the cost. My current thinking is to install a '78 Cutlass subframe. I've seen several forums on installing these, but they have all been on AD pickups which have slightly larger frames (I think). Does anyone have any experience on installing one on an Art Deco.

pssssst......AD=advance design

I have never measured the '46 frame, but I think it is pretty much the same as the AD, which is VERY narrow for this vintage truck.

When I did my AD, I went down to the wrecking yard with a tape measure and found what I needed. Try this with your deco.

PS, is that a common term "art deco" for the 40 through 46? I like it.

By the way, I would fork out the bucks and go with a Mustang. I feel I did a very clean job with my Camaro clip on my AD, but it still looks clumbsy. It is an ugly frame, the Mustang leaves such a clean looking finished product. If you really think about it it is not that much more money.

Probably not. Especaially when you consider in the end, by saving $1,500 on the front end now, I'll only spend $27,000 instead of $28,500! Another thought would be to keep the solid front axle and put power steering and disk brakes on it for the near term. Any thoughts?

When you compare costs of rebuilding the sub with the price of the M II it's not $1500. If your spending that much on the truck and taking a while to do it why put it together other than the way you really want it? One thing about sub's is they will usually ride better. I know that statement will draw someones rath. I have a sub on my cpe. and it rides and handles great. One concern is that it's the right width for the vehicle and that it's installed right and not half@#%.

Jack, I forgot all about that! The width of a '70 to 81 Camaro sub is too wide in my AD, it would be a joke in a '46. The "A" body clip like from an 80ish Malibu or Regal is about 1.75 inch narrower but still to wide for an AD, so of course it too would be too wide for the '46.

Armchair, come on $28.000, fork over the couple of bucks more and do it right.

Why not the 'stang gear? Just the price or cuz it's **** gear? I don't want it cuz I want my truck to be chevy in every way, and it's pretty expensive for a student. I'm keepin my 'stright' front end stock (50 3/4T) with the exception of the disc brakes all around. Sure helps the ol'girl stop on a dime. Can't go wrong with that stuff, but ride, make sure you know how you want it and how you like it. I don't mind not riding in 2000 luxury car with state-of-the-art susp. I like classics, but some people need the comfort ride, so chose which one, and you can get 'vette susp, albeit very expensive though.

Nate

when considering ride, how far are you going to drive it in one day? If all your doing is short hauls or parades than probably the ride isn't as important. But if you go for long distances (300-500 mi or more) than ride is a more important factor. Another thing that enters in that many of us consider is age. I know 30-40 yrs ago I would put up with a lot less ride qaulity than I'll accept today

50Dogg, I am big on "following a theme" and totally repect you point on keeping it all Chevy. But none of the parts you would put on the truck were ever made or used on a **** . The original **** MustangII/Pinto componants dried up years ago at the wrecking yards (at least around here) and your typical front end "kit" would come with all new componants made by companies other than **** . Infact, the whole thing can be built using parts that don't even look like the original **** ones!

I also feel that the old I beam is a lot of fun. Rock on with your old truck and it's vintage ride. I have had my trcuk for over 25 years and back when it had the I beam it I actually drove it everyday, now it's in the yard in pieces. I wish I could drive it with that hard ride again!