i want to know if anyone can help me with the front end on my 53 bel air i cant decide what to do subframe it or try a mustangII i got at a swapmeet[hacked out of an old pinto or mustang II] either way i need some advice trying to put one of them in ,never done any thing this compliacated before

[ May 14, 2002: Message edited by: CARGUY ]</p>

this is my first time to post on this site although i have been using this site for several months. i installed a hiedts mustII crossmember with all the components from a donor pinto and a later model power rack. it rides and drives excellent. before doing this i looked at several 53-54 chevys with both subframes and mustII and believe me the mustII is the way to go on these cars. if you subframe you are going to have to cut your frame in half be a very good fabricator/welder and will have to fab all new sheetmetal, core support, and bumper mounting brackets. with the mustII all your changing is the crossmember so none of your body mounts are affected. as far as cost goes by the time you purchase,rebuild and install the subframe you will have just as much in it as it will cost to do the mustII. lastly, dont use a hacked out crossmember buy a new one from hiedts or tci you will be much happier in the end. hope this helps. you can also look in the older posts by phat on this topic he knows what he is talking about and is very informative.

Hi Car Guy,
Scott is right , I to used a Heits Tang kit in my 48'Merc.also a power rack.The whole system works great,with directions.
By the way I'm from Belleville,Il.and was wondering if that is a Ford or Merc. on your letter head? Looks good.
Good Luck
Ron Fowler

While the Heidt's system is great and a very good choice, I still prefer the stock x-member. Goes in just like it looks like it should. I like the bolt-in trailing arm system from the 'Stang donor car as opposed to weld-on brackets. I have seen too many of the weld-on brackets cracked. I have installed them in two cars, one being an award winning '42 Willys pickup with tilt up front end so you know the x-member looks good! I can send you a couple of articles on this conversion if you send me your email address.

[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: willys36@aol.com ]</p>

my e-mail is carguy0@hotmail.com

Oh yea, I tried to mail these to you B4 and they kept getting rejected. I will to shirnk the files down tonight and see if a smaller file will get through.

thanks

Sorry Carguy, I have been trying everything I can think of in trying the email you the articles. Even tried to send them a page at a time but your server won't accept my mailings no matter how small they are. I say yours and not mine since I have successfully sent them to several other people. Send me your address in a private message and I'll mail you a xerox.