The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Revised question. Has anyone done a frame swap on a 57

Has anyone done a frame swap on a 57 that can give me some advise?

First, why do you want to, or think you need to do a frame swap?

Grigg

if i remember right the 73-87 c10 was a good canadate for the taskforce's and acording to the ad-enginering site s10 frames are basicly the same for the whole run

It must be nice to get people to respond to your post. I posted the same question on here several days ago and have not gotten the first response. Congratulations, smitchell!!

By the way, we have set our 1955 cab on the frame, and I think that with a good bit of fabrication it will be a very good transplant.

In reply to my first question:

"First, why do you want to, or think you need to do a frame swap?"

smitchell sent me a private message with:

"This is my first restore and I dont know anyone around that can do a front clip and that only leaves me with doing a complete frame swap."

My response is:
OK, that helps, but lets back up a step. I was looking for the answer behind that, why do you think the stock suspension is inadequate, or not suited to your needs?

It all depends on how you will use it, or how you want it to perform.

I asked because often the answer is "I don't know", and then you need to think about what you want the truck to do.
Many people think that just because everyone does it is a good enough reason to do it themselves.
You will be better served by building your truck to do what you need, and that is not always what "everyone else" does to their trucks.

I did not ask to be mean, but to get a better understanding of what you are looking for. Then we can better answer your questions, and point you in a direction that you will be happy with in the end.

And the final response from smitchell:

"I was just looking for a smooth driving truck. I want it to be my daily
driver. I want all the modern features, suspension, brakes, power
steering, air , of a modern truck, but yet with the old school body. What
do you suggest. Ive heard doing a clip is very hard and you have to know
what youre doing, and that a frame swap would be much simplier if you find
the right frame. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks"


Grigg

It sounds like you are looking for almost the same thing from your truck as I am from the truck I am building. The only possible difference being the load you want to carry. I will be able to carry about 8,000 lb and tow more than that. What are your plans, to carry a load occasionally, and how much, or to use the truck like a car?

For my approach (48 Chevy 2 ton 6400) I thought that the stock frame was adequate, and will allow a much cleaner job than swapping for a later model frame.
For the brakes I swapped later model axles with large disc brakes up to the task of stopping the load I want to carry.
I used the original suspension design, but with new springs, and I will add air springs front and rear that I can adjust to the load at hand.
I also added power steering and a hydrobooster for the brakes.
All of this with the original frame that nicely fits the body it came under. I think that my modifications for the most part look as if the truck came that way stock, as I like this look and the simplicity. I think this look can only easily come from using the stock frame and body.

My truck will also have AC, a radio, cruse control, and many other modern things.
I have driven my 1 ton with the very same axle, brake, and steering modifications that are now on my 2 ton project, and I liked the way it drove and handled. I see no need for a different frame or front clip for my needs.

If you want a frame swap because that's what you want, then go for it, we'll help along the way.
Along similar lines I choose a diesel engine for mine because that's what I want, right or wrong, it is in my truck. If you want a frame swap just because you do then there is nothing wrong with that, it's your truck.
Lets hear some more of what you want your truck to do and how it should perform. Are you set on a frame swap, or open to other ideas if they make the truck what you want in the end?

Grigg

Smitchell what modern truck do you want to emulate. Some modern trucks use the same basic suspension design as your truck. It may seem that your desire to make the swap is being challenged, but the better you can articulate your goals the better the responses you'll get.

I've spent enough time looking at Grigg's pictures to know he and I have very different objectives and therefore are doing very different things. I think we both have a good handle on WHY we are doing what we are and will be happy with very different trucks.

He and I are both building daily drivers but his approach and my approach may both be wrong for you. Until we have a better idea what you want to accomplish its hard for us to know.

Maybe you can describe in some detail how you want to use the truck. Loads, distances, performance both motor and handling, comfort and so on. Compare it to other cars or trucks and be clear what it is about the comparison that is important to you.

I enjoy getting into this kind of dialog, but it helps a lot to fully understand what you will consider a successful conclusion.