I have a 29 Chevrolet 11/2 ton pickup that's all original. I would like to put this on a newer frame to modernize everything. Unfortunately I know very little about doing this. Has any one on here have knowledge of the difficulty of this and which frames would work the easiest? I keep hearing about s10 frames but don't know anything about that either. I would greatly appreciate and advice. Thank you
Really really hard to use a late model frame on that truck. Cab is too narrow for a late model frame. Best is to make your own following the pattern of the original and then install suspension and brakes of your liking..
Sam
Do a google image search and you can see what others have done..
I'm a fan of using the 3-part approach. The front 1/3 of the chassis would be a late model S10, the middle part of the frame would be the stock-type '29 Chevy frame rails and the rear 1/3 would be the rear part of the S10 chassis. Begin this project on a flat and level concrete pad. No, your home garage floor is not even close to being flat or level. Build your pad out of 3/4" plywood or particle board with spacers of varying thickness underneath to make the plywood/particle board level and flat so that you can level the whole mess to weld it up.
The S-10 frame wont fit though Tech's suggestion may work - but I dislike the look you end up with and it too may be too wide
If that truck is a 1-1/2 ton truck, then for sure I would consider building my own frame from something like 2x4 rectangular tubing and follow the general outline of the original. The front suspension will be the most labor intensive part if you want to incorporate an IFS instead of, if I recall correctly, the original solid front axle with springs that follow the chassis rails.
Unless the original frame is totally rotted out or has more cracks then a sidewalk in suburbia, why not just refurbish that one. If you intend on updating to late V8 power, then boxing it will add to its strength. Add an IFS or even a *gasp* easily obtained '30s-'40s Ford suspension and then a 9" or similar rear end.
Give us more information and where you want to be when done.
Thank you for all the good advice. What I dreamed of was to be able to keep the original frame for future use to bring it back to original. I had hoped there was a fairly easy way to remove the body and put it on a newer frame so I could have a safer more dependable truck to drive. The amount of work that has been suggested is all good advice but far more than I have time to take on. I guess I was a little delusional in thinking I could do this. Here's my truck now, mechanically sound and to the best of my knowledge all original.
personally I like an early dodge Dakota frame. They are rack and pinion steering which can create alot of room compared to a full steering box chassis like an S10 and they can be taken as 2 different approaches.
1)The way the frames are designed there are some welds that hold the center section of the frame and the front suspension can be removed and added onto a different or fabricated frame. I did this to a 51 fargo. I removed the front of the frame just behind the firewall and the dakota frame slid inside the frame rails, which I then drilled holes and welded the dakota chassis to the fargo frame and boxed it on the inside. This way the original cab mounts dont have to be removed and added to a different chassis and it is easier to make the front sheet metal fit better
2)The frames are designed welded like this to account for the different wheel bases and can be lengthened and shortened. the welds can be drilled out and lengthened or shortened.
My question is, if you are going to all the work to make a reliable driver, why would you want to put it back to original? What are your welding and fabrication skills like?
I prefer the first method I spoke of. I would then do a triangulated 4 link in the back, or a straight 4 link with a panhard bar and coilovers or air ride.
What engine are you putting into this project? Will you be keeping the drive train original or updating that as well
I would never use a modern frame on a hotrod.
there ugly and never quite fit correctly.
and then you need front fenders to hide the fuglyness.
I purchased 60 feet of 2x4 box tubing,
some 095 DOM roll cage tubing, and made my own.
I was a novice.
first frame work ever.
don't ever let your inexperience stop you from doing what you want to.
will power will persevere.
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