[jmsaunders]

I picked up a 'parts' truck to help me build my 54. Got it home and really liked the subframe job that was done on it. However, the seller was unsure what it came from (was done before he owned). I'm thinking its a 75-79 Nova X Body because its "front steer", the box sits ahead of the crossmember, has disc brakes and the tie rods are in front of the spindles. Thanks in advance for your help.

Jai

[RWENUTS]

I think you've nailed it.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by jmsaunders

I picked up a 'parts' truck to help me build my 54. Got it home and really liked the subframe job that was done on it. However, the seller was unsure what it came from (was done before he owned). I'm thinking its a 75-79 Nova X Body because its "front steer", the box sits ahead of the crossmember, has disc brakes and the tie rods are in front of the spindles. Thanks in advance for your help.

Jai

There was some difference between the '75-'79 Nova (and F-body) front subframe and the slightly narrower '68-'74 Nova (IIRC similar to the '67-'69 F-body). Also IIRC '69-up Novas could have front disc brakes so having discs isn't a for-sure identifier for the year.

The following is for the '75-up Nova:

[jmsaunders]

Thanks guys. And Cobalt I really appreciate the pics you added. I'm saving them so if I do another build I'll be able to do measurements when the seller doesn't know what the front clip if from.

[stmotorsports]

hey cobalt where would one go about gaining access to diagrams like that? I have a couple clips I'm considering and would love to be able to compare specs easily like this

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by stmotorsports

hey cobalt where would one go about gaining access to diagrams like that? I have a couple clips I'm considering and would love to be able to compare specs easily like this

Obviously there's google, etc. but Chevy (and Pontiac for a fee) used to send out info packets on various models. Has all sorts of info, some had drawings like shown above.

More info on them here.

Factory manuals will also have this info.


GM INFO PACKETS

[poncho62]

Looks like a decent job, welds could use some cleaning up....I used a 76 Nova clip with mine...did it 20 years ago, still driving it.....I didnt cut off the rear rails as most do these days.....I figured it gives better support and it leaves the trans cross member where it should be..

[larry's52]

I have the same question , as I'm trying to figure out exactly what's under my 52 Chevy long bed Pick-up ?? I need to raise it little and I'm not sure what I"m working with , I think it's a late 70's sub frame out of a 78-79 Trans AM , Any tell tale markings or numbers to look fort ? Larry

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by larry's52

I have the same question , as I'm trying to figure out exactly what's under my 52 Chevy long bed Pick-up ?? I need to raise it little and I'm not sure what I"m working with , I think it's a late 70's sub frame out of a 78-79 Trans AM , Any tell tale markings or numbers to look fort ? Larry

Front or rear steer is the first thing you look for. What is yours?

Brian

[larry's52]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

Front or rear steer is the first thing you look for. What is yours?

Brian

Hey Thanks , It looks like a front steer and they have a bunch of spacer Jammed into the coil springs ???...What a mess !!!! The front sway-bar is detached and the rear end is lowered to much and bottoms out on the slightest little bump.( one leaf spring ???? ) I'm thinking of pulling the entire body off and doing it the correct way from the ground-up , but I don't have the garage space to take on that size of a project . - so I guess I'll be doing little corrections one-by-one.. Right now I'm working on putting a fuse box in and straightening out the wire mess .. there isn't a single fuse on this truck ! not even the radio !

[cobalt327]

Before doing the front end I would start w/getting the rear end sprung right (looks way too low to me), especially before doing the front end alignment, etc. because the front end geometry will change when the rear ride height comes up to where it should be.

[larry's52]

colat327 Thanks for the advise . I typed out a long response to you this afternoon and it got lost while I was doing a final spell check (???) I do appreciate all the input I can get from this forum and its supporters. Thank you again !!! Larry , PS. Please pray for my son whom is being re-deployed today to a very unsafe region of the world , I miss him already !

[cobalt327]

Your son's safe return will be in out thoughts and prayers. This forum is very appreciative of our servicemen and women as a whole- be they active, veteran or fallen warriors. One such example is here.