how do i drop this front end
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how do i drop this front end
Posted: January 07 2008 08:52 PM
 
karl gunderson (aka Gundie) [ View ] [ ithinkicouldfly@hotmail.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Upsala, Minnesota
 
this is the front end of my 52 GMC. theres no way i'm going keep it as high as it is right now. i want to get it about 7 inches off the tar. so where do i start, should i start looking for some A frames or can i make what i have work. me and some of my friends have been thinking a chop top would look pretty mean.
 
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by Red's Place Custom & Restoration  -  01/07/2008 09:16 PM
dropping the front can be done in several different ways. mustang 2 front or subframe. there are some that think subframe is the only way but remember you are messing with old parts off of old cars and problems will arise, the safest way is buy a mustang 2 front made for your application. may cost alittle more in the begining but will be money well spent. Chopping that top is not for the first timer at sheetmetal work you will have to 1/4 it to bet it to go back together and the small wrap around windows will be a pain also, but it will look sweet. Good luck with your project RED
Red's Place Custom & Restoration [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Charlotte, North Carolina
 
Posted by Gundie  -  01/07/2008 09:28 PM
so how do i get a hold of a mustang 2 front end, i'm not planing on chopping it any time soon. in a couple years i will chop and paint it and make it all nice. i've been accepted into UTI down in houston texas for collison repair and painting. i want to focus on painting and sheet metal work for buildng hotrods.
Gundie [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Upsala, Minnesota
 
Posted by Red's Place Custom & Restoration  -  01/07/2008 09:37 PM
try calling Fatman Fabrications at 704-545-0369 ask for Brent or any of the people in sales let them know you are just starting out and they will help you. His are not the most expensive but I have been using them for years and for the cost they are good. Heidts and Tci also make these kits but they are alittle more. I am glad you have decided to go to UTI for training I don't know about their classic car department but it is alot different than regular crash bang work. Just remember you will always have to make aliving doing something so regular body work is a good place to start. Join a club in your area and ask around you may find someone that could use you in their shop as an apprentice while you are in school. Oh yeah if you tell them at fatman Red told you to call they will sell the kit to you at regular price. Hope this helps RED

PS Remember you will always have to make a living doing something whether you like it or not just the way this world is.
Red's Place Custom & Restoration [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Charlotte, North Carolina
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  01/08/2008 08:26 AM
clip it, faster , safer , cheaper. if you use a donor car you will have all the parts. drive shaft,rearend,brake pedal/booster,column .etc. the clip under this truck cost 250. all that was needed was cleaning, pack bearings and new brake pads.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Gundie  -  01/08/2008 10:43 AM
so if want to clip my front end do i have to cut the frame and just switch all the other stuff off my donor car to my truck and weld it where i cut off the old one or what. and what kind of a donor car should i look for. early 80's oldsmobile or caddy?
Gundie [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Upsala, Minnesota
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  01/08/2008 10:50 AM
nova or camaro. might be best to have this done.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Gundie  -  01/08/2008 11:00 AM
what year range
Gundie [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Upsala, Minnesota
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  01/08/2008 11:28 AM
69 to 84 i believe. any before struts.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by DaveHughes  -  01/08/2008 01:54 PM
I would put the whole thing on an s-10 chassis. They say its an easy swap. Easily lowered, even air ride would be a breeze.
DaveHughes [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] seaman, Ohio
 
Posted by 56chevytruck  -  01/08/2008 02:04 PM
yup seen it done, upclose and personal.... Shine likes S10 stuff too
Say What... [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Midlothian, Texas
 
Posted by DaveHughes  -  01/08/2008 03:22 PM
56 that is one fine looking truck. Is it on an s-10 chassis??
DaveHughes [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] seaman, Ohio
 
Posted by ronhotrod  -  01/08/2008 08:12 PM
Subframes with a REAR Steering Box would fit the best. they are found under '67-69 Camaros and Firebirds,'68-74 Novas, Omegas, and Venturas (Chevy, Olds, & Pontiac) There are several ways to install them and ALL should be done by a person who is not only a qualified welder but also under-stands the front suspension geometry. The '82 and up Camaros and firebirds have a Mcphearson strut type suspension and cannot be used.

Several of the site advertisers as well as my store carry the Mustang II kits to fit your truck as well. While they too require welding you do not have to cut the front frame section off to install. Either will produce a good handle and ride when properly installed.

The S-10 frames can and have been used as well but also require some cutting and manipuation to make them fit.

I personally like the subframe clip due to the added wieght making for a superior feel. But the Mustang II is an excellent choice as well.
ronhotrod [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Mount washington, Kentucky Charter Member since July 2001
 
Posted by Gundie  -  01/08/2008 11:06 PM
so what year of an S10 should i look for. to me that sounds like my ticket to do things. i know a number of qualified welders so thats not a problem. and i know a guy that has a ford 9 inch. so i should be able to make that work right? any use for that big 8 bolt rear end in it now or should i scrap it. how much do those mustang II kits run. i'm kind of questoning the swaping frame thing. i'm afrade it won't all line up and would just be a pain
Gundie [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Upsala, Minnesota
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  01/09/2008 07:58 AM
the s10 frame has a rise in the rear, yours is flat. you will loose the floor of the bed. the s10 also does not match wheel base so there is fab work to do.the camaro clip is the easiest to do. you need to do more research on this. it is not as easy as it seems.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by 56chevytruck  -  01/09/2008 09:18 AM
Dave, yes that is on a S-10 frame, and it took some modding, as you can tell from the pic i attached to this reply, my buddy used the s10 bed, and grafted the fenders on, and curved the s10 bed to match the curvature of the cab.

Gundy, check around with shops in your area, and get pricing for installing a M2 and then get pricing to have a clip installed. I went with a clip on my 56 as well, used alot of parts of the donor camaro.
Say What... [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Midlothian, Texas
 
Posted by DaveHughes  -  01/09/2008 09:22 AM
I Thought certain wheel base s-10s were the exact right wheelbase, I have been thinking of doing one for my daily driver. That s-10 bed with those orig fenders looks awesome. first time I have ever seen that done. I have been thinking seriously about building one and leaving all the s-10 driveline- 4.3fi od trans etc... I think it would make a cool driver.
DaveHughes [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] seaman, Ohio
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  01/09/2008 09:39 AM
108.3 , 118 , 123 are the three frames under s10's. it is much easier to just graft the front section of the s10 to the orig frame like i am doing on inderweed.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by hotrod37  -  01/09/2008 11:48 AM
Here is a site that has a kit to adapt the S-10 frame. About a grand to start. Can go from there. Looks interesting to me.

http://www.ad-engineering.com/


You could just install a dropped axle and go from there. Or perhaps a later beam axle from a truck. Take a look at some truck magazines.

hotrod37
hotrod37 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Morgantown, Indiana
 
Posted by Gundie  -  01/09/2008 08:20 PM
i think i'm goin to try an S10 frame. one of my friends has 4 of them so when we screw up the first couple times we can learn and fix the problem and still have more frames to work with.
Gundie [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Upsala, Minnesota
 
Posted by tazhog54  -  01/09/2008 10:38 PM
Only problem sub framing is making new mounts for the radiator or the core support which holds the front fenders on ,engine mounts,bumper mounts and making sure the ride height is where you want it. no book on that cut spring etc. Mustang II front ends are a lot easier to do and no guess work ,it's been done for you by profresionals. 10 years ago subframing was the way to go but now it made so easy and very clean looking ,mustang IIis the way to go!!
tazhog54 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] visalia, California
 
Posted by jgregory21  -  01/09/2008 11:10 PM
I have had several cars, the mustang will not turn as sharp as a Sub frame. Also I have found out that a sub frame also rides a little smoother. I have drove a couple of cars that have '68 Camaro sub. It is a good job whatever way you go. My son did one with a S-10, the rear is narrow, use a nove rear end 60" wide. As stated before, use a doner early Camaro or Nova. If your pocket book is big enough get new, if not go to Sub. Years ago, I have used a old AMC Pacer Cross member. You can use Ford rotors on Pacer. This is a picture of my '49 Chev. Pick Up, with B. B. 454 with a '68 Camaro.
jgregory21 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] blanchester, Ohio
 
Posted by whipsold39  -  01/09/2008 11:21 PM
It sounds like you got your mind made up but a front end that hasn't been mentioned and would work is from a 76 to 80 plymouth volare or dodge aspen. It would give you the torsion bar setup.
whipsold39 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] 400 9th ave silvis 61282, Illinois Charter Member since January 2006
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  01/10/2008 08:04 AM
if the frame on inderweed had a mll on it i would gas ax it out and throw it in the dump trailer . but in all honesty the r&p is what i dont like . it all works but when building on a budget the clip is much cheaper if you look for a good one. most have had ball joints and aframe bushings done. the s10 is ok but not as easy as some think. the rear kick up causes problems in the bed floor. you still have mounts to fab.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
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