John,
Vette stuff is cool!
Couple of things:
Yes, the c10 stuff has the frame to the inside of the saddle. The spacers I
used were 3/8 inch thick, between the frame and the c10 saddle
A kit to mount up that vette suspension into your truck exists, but someone
on the list said a lot of the stuff you won't be using... I have no
experience in this install (only because I couldn't afford the parts). But I
am installing Jaguar XJ6 front and rear suspensions in my truck with a 425
big block Buick motor, so anything is possible!
I do everything myself, because I'm cheap... I have to be, I cannot effect
the household budget with my toys...so I work on other people's cars ad
trucks to make the money to play. This also affords me to see how other cars
and trucks are put together (and how they come apart) I've also developed a
friendship with the local dismantler (junk yard) to get stuff cheap or even
free if I take care of removal.
So in a nutshell yes you can install that vette stuff under your truck, get
the brake master cylinder while you're at it so it's a matched system. Use
the premises: "when in doubt make it stought" and "keep it simple stupid
(KISS)"
I would think quite a bit of designing is ahead for you unless you can
afford the "pre-engineered" kit. Jim Myers is the crew who makes the kit I'm
thinking of. As I stated I do it all my self so I have no affiliation with
him or his company, nor do I have experience with that kit, but if they can
do it so can you.
Jon P.
-----Original Message-----
From: JohnHuntD@aol.com [mailto:JohnHuntD@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 2:29 PM
To: Peters, Jon C; oletrucks@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Front Clips
Hi Jon,
This is in response to your e-mail to George about what
front end to use to
convert his '55 TF to a modern front suspension and brakes.
I recently bought a bone-stock '49 3/4 ton Chevy long-bed
that I'm just
starting to convert into a "truck rod". I may haul a
motorcycle occasionally,
but I am much more interested in car-like handling and ride
rather than
hauling capability.
From a prior project I have a 467 big block and turbo 700R4
I'm planning on
installing, and also the complete front and IRS rear
suspension from a 1988
Corvette. The problem is the Corvette front crossmember is
designed with the
frame mounting flange on the OUTER side of the crossmember,
such that the
Corvette frame rails bolt OUTSIDE the crossmember mounting
flange, with the
upper and lower a-frame mounting points located on the
crossmember above and
below the Corvette frame rail. The Corvette transverse leaf
spring goes
through the cross member, and rests on the top of the lower
a-frame. A neat
setup.
Unfortunately, the frame rails on my '49 are at least six
inches too close
together to mount to the outer side flanges of the Corvette
crossmember. I
was considering cutting the frame rails and welding a
horizontal "zee"
section on each side to be widen them sufficiently to bolt
onto the outside
of the Corvette crossmember. Of course that will require
changing the
radiator and front bumper mounts, and everything else that
bolts to the frame
rails in the front.
Your posting says the the 1973-1987 C10 crossmember will
bolt up to my 49's
frame rails as is, if I use spacers. I'm guessing that means
the 1973-1987
C10 crossmember has the frame rail mounting surface on the
INSIDE of the
cross member, such that the frame rails mount inside the
crossmember. Is that
correct?
I'm starting to wonder if I should forget about using the
Corvette front
suspension and just make some spacers and bolt on a
crossmember and complete
front suspension off a 1973-1987 C10? Yet I hate to give up
using the
neat-looking Corvette suspension with the forged aluminum
a-arms and
transverse leaf spring, particularly since I already have
it, complete with
disc brakes, Corvette 17" wheels, and tires.
I would appreciate any thoughts or recommendations you might
have on this,
plus any comments from anyone out there who has tried to put
Corvette
suspension under an AD truck.
Thanks very much in advance.
John Doak in Baltimore, Md.
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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