Current Plan -- June 29, 2002

June 29, 2002

Stu (my son) and I just completed a survey of the Chevelle wagon to scope out if we can use the rear from it. A document I've seen on a web page says its rear should be 62 inches wide measured on the surfaces where the wheels mount. Our rough measurement was 63 inches, but we did this with the wheels on the car, so some guessing was involved.

The rear under the sub measures 61 inches, and I don't think 63 is a problem, and since we will have to replace the wheels anyway, we can switch to a wheel with less offset to make up for any problems.

The measurement backing plate to backing plate on the sub is 53 inches. The measurement on the wagon was difficult to make, but we finally decided it was at least 55 inches, but not more than 56 inches. My conclusion is the rear from under the wagon will fit.

So, does this lead to any conclusions? Nothing else has, why would this?

In this book How To Build Custom Cars LeRoi Tex Smith has a section on frame swaps, where they go through what it takes to modify a GM perimeter frame (like the wagon's) to accommodate the body from an old Ford. Now I don't want anyone to confuse my GMC with a Ford, but the general discussion all applies, and I'm playing with the idea of removing the wagon body from the frame and placing the sub body on it.

When I mention frame swap most people look at me like I'm nuts, and maybe this is a lot of work, but the idea continues to appeal to me, and I'm thinking I need to pursue it a little harder before giving it up.

The advantages are an a-arm type independent front suspension with large disk brakes, and a well designed coil sprung rear suspension. I want to call this 'modern', but most modern cars have mcpherson struts, and this certainly isn't that. This frame also have power steering, though its not rack and pinion like the commercial IFS kits on the market.

While on the frame swap topic, today I saw a magazine article about shortening the frame under a 60's Chevy pickup. This frame is very similar to what's under my '72 Chevy, and they showed how the solved the problem with shortening the '72 frame that had lead me to discount that idea. Right now I think the only reason not to use that frame and suspension is that I don't want to give up the utility of a working pickup.

If I go frame shopping, I have more information available about swapping to a S-10 frame than any other. I might investigate that option before making any commitments.

Meanwhile I walked past the sub today and felt bad that its considered out-of-service until I resolve this rear-end problem...

Feel free to write me at Steve@OldSub.com if you have any ideas or wisdom to offer.

Last updated: December 31, 2006