Model A Hotrod Frame-Suspension-Steering
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Model A Hotrod Frame-Suspension-Steering
Posted: November 18 2002 02:40 AM
 
Larry Loiselle (aka loiselle) [ View ] [ ditvenet@hotmail.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Manor, Texas
(512) 272-5770
 
Let me start this message by stating that I realize that many of you are traditionalists. I am not and really don't care what is under the body of my 1930 Ford Model A. I want the body for looks, but what is under it does not have to be a Model A frame.


I have a 300hp Camaro 350 V8 to replace the 160hp Buick 350 V8 that is in it and will keep the TH350 transmission. The entire front suspension, steering, and braking system have to be replaced. It has a 10 bolt Chevy (S10?) rear end with air shocks.


Have you ever seen a Model A mounted on a Chevy S10 frame? I got under my truck today, and it is a mess of added steel here and there with what looks like the outside of another frame (S10?) welded over the Model A frame in the rear of the truck It has a ten bolt (S10?) rear end, leaf springs, and air shocks. Maybe they took the rear of the S10 frame and just welded it over the Model A frame. There are even a couple of 4x4 wood cross beams.


Since I have to replace the current front suspension and steering, why not just use the complete S10 frame and mount the Model A body parts onto it?


Has anyone seen this done?


Larry
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by GreatNorthWoods  -  11/15/2002 09:09 AM
The only good thing the S-10 frame has going for it is the width. The rear end housing in the 2wd truck is only 47 inches from backing plate to backing plate. Compare that to a V8 Maverick eight inch housing which I used under my 29 Ford at 49 inches backing plate to backing plate and kept six inch wheels completely under the fenders. However, other than width...that's about it. Every other part of this frame swap would be a nightmare. If it were mine, I'd start all over with an aftermarket model 'A' chassis. They are readily available in all stages from bare frame to completely finished so all you have to do is drop your body on it. Check with Progressive Automotive. They have some great products. Also, as 31Tudor says, unless you have one of those rare 350s with the dual bolt pattern you probably have the Buick, Olds, Pontiac bolt pattern on that 350 transmission. You can buy an adapter to use the BOP transmission on a Chevy for around $50, I think. Phoenix Transission has them and probably others.




This message was edited by GreatNorthWoods on 11-15-02 @ 9:23 AM
GreatNorthWoods [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Littleton, New Hampshire
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  11/14/2002 12:35 PM
Kudos to you for not caring what other's "beleive in." You may need an examination for attempting to drive anything with wooden crossmembers though, or attempting a project like this.


I know the route you're looking at: I have an A, I have an S-10, and a fresh 350. Should be relatively cheap, but a lot of work to combine them for the best of both worlds. Am I on the right track?


Things to consider: your truck weighs a lot more than an A, and the suspension is designed specifically for the weight, plus potential payload. Take a thousand pounds off your S-10 and see how it rides... a 5 ton truck comes to mind. How high does it sit? a 4X4 comes to mind.


The fabrication to make this work will be absolutely terrifying, even for a very experienced street rod builder or fabricator. I don't know of anyone who would do this, even for money. It's just absurd.


Parts to put a 350 in an S-10 are available, but expensive. Where does the V8 sit in the S-10 chassis in comparison to the A firewall? There's hardly any room in an A for a SBC anyway.


The top of the A chassis is perfectly flat (except for the kickup for the rear buggy spring). The S-10 chassis is anything BUT flat. How do you propose lining up the body, grille shell, hood, splash aprons, running boards and fenders? (You'll want all that stuff cause you don't want anyone saying "hey, is that an S-10 chassis in there?")


There's a remote possibility that the rear fenders, running boards, and splash aprons could be mounted up, but how about your front fenders that mount to the original straight frame?


Getting an IFS under the fenders is tough enough with a kit designed for the A. Plan on cutting big holes in your front fenders to make room for the upper A arm (if you get the fenders mounted).


Have you measured the width of the frame? It might be wider than the A body anyway.

How about spindle to spindle or backing plate to backing plate? I'll bet the wheels are going to stick out so far (whether the car has fenders or not), that it'll look ridiculous.


How about the Buick V8 you've got? If I remember right, the TH350 you have is likely a BOP bolt pattern, not a Chevy. Your Chevy 350 probably won't bolt up to the BOP TH350. Check it.


DON'T ATTEMPT IT. There are too few rods on the road to destroy one for a FRANKENSTEIN project that will very likely be abandoned. Sell both vehicles and the motor, and use the money to buy a completed rod.


Am I a purist? Hell no. I'm not necessarily a traditionalist either, but I know what's too ridiculous to attempt. You asked for an opinion, there's mine. Sorry if it hurt.
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by Willys33  -  11/14/2002 02:52 PM
As I remember it the A frame, like 31Tudor said, is flat. If you can get the frame measurements it would be very easy to build one out of 2 x 3 square tubing. I have also remembered seeing some A models with MII type front ends and they don't look good because they are exposed. You would have to go with tube A arms and the price keeps climbing. Can't build a solid, good looking house without a good foundation.

Jerry
Get off the trailer and drive [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Alamogordo, New Mexico
 
Posted by 16buick  -  11/15/2002 11:52 AM
You say you don't care about the underside of you car, it's just the outside body that needs to look good. Well...honestly, I have never heard such, well... If you want your car or truck to look good on the outside start with the underside, try a deuce frame custom built for the model A, there are a bunch of business' out there.
16buick [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Ionia, Michigan
 
Posted by greggggg  -  11/14/2002 06:08 PM
i think a humvee chassis would fit better
greggggg [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] owatonna, Minnesota
 
Posted by Iammr5X2@aol.co  -  11/18/2002 02:40 AM
The truth is not wether you are a traditionalist, or a newy hotrod person, the better you build the frame the better your car will be, and the more your car will be worth. I suppose you could just throw it together, but what if someone looks underneath, that could be a bit embarassing !!

I would not waste a good steel body on a S10 frame, I would use a Fiberglass body until I could afford a good frsme
Iammr5X2@aol.co [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Carson, California
 
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