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does anyone here have some good plans to build a frame for a 1947-53 chevy or gmc truck like reared front sup and where things should get mounted if someone can send me some plans on what they did that would be great

got few ideas but never done it

got few ideas but never done it

I built my frame for my 59 - I used 2x6x.1/4 box steel. I later found out that using 1/8 wall steel would have been sufficient.

I have a factory assembly manual that I used to get the measurements from. I have some problems that I ran into that I would be happy to warn you about.

Just one hint - build a jig.

Overall - this was fairly easy and quite fun!!

Check out my page in my signature line......

email me with questions!
- Ryan

i think i still would want to use the stock frame and clip it with something

the-parts-guy, you don't have to clip it you can buy a MII front cross member from most places online or even better go with a drop axle. Check out some rod magazines for some ideas and then build your own.

Ryan, your frame is a beast! looks mighty strong. nice work doing it yourself.

i am not interested in sinking upwards of $3000 into the front suspension, i am a do it yourself kindof person, and i would like to just clip it with something.

If you're clipping it - then why keep the rest of the frame? Obviously stock is not your goal.

You can increase strength - and get a great custom look all for under $300 in steel.

We were going to box in our old frame - but realized that the time and cost to do that was only a sliver shy of the time and cost of building a brand new one.
I say do the whole thing - it is much easier than you might think....

- Ryan

41 - beast is an understatement! We should have used 1/8" thick wall instead of 1/4 - but didn't learn that until after we tipped the scales at 600lbs of frame.

Talk about lowering the center of gravity!!

But it's square - has many stories behind it - and most importantly everything fits - so far.

- Ryan

I was thinking more along the lines of the $300-$400 cross member with junkyard parts not a heidts superride. I have never heard anything good about doing clips on early trucks. Recently I did see a really clean early truck on a complete s-10 frame though.

i have seen lots of guys clip the trucks with a camero or a nova but i dont know how it is done and i would like to learn how and i dont want someone to do it for me but i sure could use some plans on how it is done so i can do it

Partsguy, you need to consider the Pacer front end conversion. I think the detailed article can be found at chevytrucks.org. I put a Pacer front end in mine with relatively little work...just had to clean up the assembly a little and weld on some appropriate mount brackets. Nice things about the Pacer front-end...big/beefy unit, disk brakes, IFS, stabilizer bar, power rack and pinion steering, a relative bolt-in. I paid $225 for the unit and $150 for a rebuilt power rack. The downside...there aren't a lot of Pacers out there any more. I got mine from a guy called dr. mopar just south of Austin. The rebuilt racks are not plentiful but they can still be ordered from your local auto parts store (I ordered mine from O'Reilly).

this stuff you might fine in the usa but up here in canada there is not alot of parts like that lots of cameros and novas and i dont want to spend alot on shiping this will be a low budget truck

I've been reading everything I can find on clipping and frame construction because I plan to roll my own.

The subframe approach is a lot of work, and if you are paying for that work, the shops say its cheaper to use the MII approach.

A log of guys complain about alignment or strength issues related to subframing. Most of those are quality of workmanship issues, and I've seen some very similar complaints about the MII approach.

Swapping an entire frame is a lot of work. So is building your own frame.

I've come to the conclusion that none of the answers are perfect. I've wanted to build my own frame since I was a kid. I've spent enough on tools to pay for a cheap crossmember and junkyard parts, and I'm not done yet. For me its about wanting to do it myself, so I'm doing it my way.

Give me another year or two and I'll tell you how it comes out...

Am I the only one who is OK with keeping my straight axle front end? It is getting a swaybar and disk brakes, already has gas shocks, but if I want good handling I drive my Miata, BMW, or motorcycle.

Hey parts guy, where in sask are you? I'm living in Saskatoon right now, orinally from paradise hill. Anyway, I clipped my '46 half ton with a $300 '80 firebird when I was seventeen and had next to nothing for experience. Just measure carefully and talk to other hotrodders, welders, etc. Its not on the road yet, but everything is coming together nicely and I can't see any future problems.

I have a straight axle truck with sway bar and disk brakes. Disk brakes are a huge improvement, but it still leans too much on corners and jars my teeth on speed bumps.

So I'm still driving it, but I'm not completely happy with it.

If I only drove it on weekends or something it might be okay, but I drive it almost everyday.

is there anyone out there with a good set of plans