Anyone rodding a '20's or '30's Chevy

[J Man]

I was wondering what you do for the frame and front suspansion. Do you run a Ford style frame? Do you also have any Pics?

[KingpinOlds]

I'm helping a buddy put together a '28 sedan. He's going to use a dropped front axle hung from leafs just like it was originally setup. The axle hasn't come in yet from speedway, when it does and if all goes well I'll update.

[flynj1]

I have a 34 and used the cheby frame with a ford fr. axle

[whizzerick]

Do a search on Edmurder's project.

[drgnwgn289]

my dad has a 26 roadster, and it litterally bolts on to a T frame, to bad they are pretty much useless.

[squirrel]

gear jammer is building a 31 with the stock front end, with newer juice brakes and tube shocks. We'll see how it works, should be ok. Basically it's the same design as on my 59 pickups, which work ok for me.

Not sure about what steering box will get used, maybe stock.

[burger]

31 coupe on 31 frame. stock springs w/ aftermarket axle. i'm a large proponent of the chevy frame -- parallel leaf springs work better, massive 5" tall frame... what's not to like.


ed

[squirrel]

built like a truck! or rather, trucks are built like 31 Chevys.

The fun part will be mating the newer torque tube rearend to the packard tranny....

[Kerry]

Here's a link to a post about parallel spring front suspensions you might find interesting.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=240698&page=&view=&sb=5&o =&fpart=1&vc=1

[PBRmeASAP]

don't have a pic to post, but in the classified bleeds ad for the munster tub, you can see my 31 chevy p/u, parellel leafs and a 6.5" drop axle. anyone know where to get new leaf springs? 73 year leafs holding up a nailhead...don't think they are going to hold up well

[Plowboy]

PBR, we have a local spring shop that can make about any spring you want. Check your local truck spring shops.

I run Parallel leaf on my truck. Rides 10 times nicer than my old model A.

[PBRmeASAP]

Plowboy,
did you replace them on the space truck? if so how much did they set you back $ wise?
good they ride good, people keep telling me it will ride like a 'buggy' and i'll hate it.

[NorwegianV8]

Pete Flaven did a cool 30(if i remember right)Chevy coupe
with a Nailhead and a 39 Ford truck grille.
i belive he ran parellel leafs ??

[NorwegianV8]

one more... same car

[heyitsnate]

doc frankenstein runs parallell leafs with a dropped? axle...looks killer. i'm a traitor,my frontend is ford,but the chevy frame is indestructable.

[Baumi]

Berny´s 30 Chevy

http://www.swingit.de/Italien/IMGP1564.JPG

30 chevy pic 1 (http://forums.firenzechapter.com/attachments/DSC%5F95411%2Ejpg)

30 chevy pic 2 (http://forums.firenzechapter.com/attachments/DSC%5F95411%2Ejpg)

30 chevy pic 3 (http://forums.firenzechapter.com/attachments/DSC%5F97601%2Ejpg)

30 chevy pic4 (http://forums.firenzechapter.com/attachments/DSC%5F81841%2Ejpg)

it is channeled about 8"
Chris

[Plowboy]

I used the stock Ton truck springs on mine, but I had them restacked with about half the leaves and had them re-arched. I think the bill was under a hundred bucks. If you have the stock springs, I'd just take your springs in and see what they have to say.

[squirrel]

another source for springs for old cars

http://www.eatonsprings.com/

[KingpinOlds]

Here's a link to a post about parallel spring front suspensions you might find interesting.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=240698&page=&view=&sb=5&o =&fpart=1&vc=1
This link doesn't work anymore, but I have a few questions for anyone willing to help.
We are using shorter than stock springs, obviously we are going to move the rear mount, has anyone used shorter springs? I am thinking it will only affect the ride a little.

Is the axle welded in so it is 90 degrees or does it have to have a slight angle?

Has anyone mounted shocks to this style frontend and how?

What kind of steering setup has been used, we dont have the original?

What kind of rear setup has been used?

Thanks for any help,
Rick

[Rand Man]

I'm a Chevy man and I might want to build an old Chevy some day. I could have bought an early chevy frame last fall for little of nothing. I figured I'd never find a body. How hard is it to find something to work with?

[CLSSY56]

I was wondering what you do for the frame and front suspansion. Do you run a Ford style frame? Do you also have any Pics?

Boy, I sure want to build one.

[RustyRedRam]

I don't have an early chevy, but rather an early (1930) Olds. They are pretty much the same. I am using the stock frame, with a Ford front end set up. Fits like a glove. The frame had parrallel leafs which got removed for the I beam/Reversed eye spring set up. The frame is a heafty 6 inches, which allows you to run damn near whatever you want as far as drivetrain and makes for a wicked channel job. A friend of mine has a 32 Chevy 5W that he utilized a Model A frame that pretty much bolted right up. Early Ford front end on that one too.

[burger]

Sorry for the shameless self-promotion, but if anyone reading this thread would like to see pictures of my '31 Chevy frame, chckout this link (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=542674#post542674).


Ed

[burger]

This link doesn't work anymore, but I have a few questions for anyone willing to help.

1.We are using shorter than stock springs, obviously we are going to move the rear mount, has anyone used shorter springs? I am thinking it will only affect the ride a little.

2. Is the axle welded in so it is 90 degrees or does it have to have a slight angle?

3. Has anyone mounted shocks to this style frontend and how?

4. What kind of steering setup has been used, we dont have the original?

5. What kind of rear setup has been used?

Thanks for any help,
Rick

Rick,

1. It'll make your ride "harder". Never done it so I can't say how bad it is.

2. Yea, you want to lay it back towards the body by 5-7°.

3. Same as any other suspension. Put two mounts on your chassis and two mounts on the axle. Place shocks in between.

4. I ditched the original. If you're looking for one, I'll sell you mine. What I'm using instead is a F-1 steering box that will be converted to cowl steering a la Clark's (So-What) Tech-o-Matic article.

5. I used the rear end from a '55 Chevy, but anything with the right width will do ya fine. To lower the rear, we're relocating the spring mounts from underneath the frame to the sides, much like you would see underneath the back of a modern pickup truck. We're also using springs from a '46-'48 Chevy car, mostly because Chopolds' had them lying around his shop and they're in decent shape.

Hope that helps.


Ed

[Wowcars]

My dad's (Sundance) '32 two door has been run since '81 on the original leafs. Dad took every other leaf out to lower it, used 53-54 Chevy spindles after swapping them side to side connected to a Mustang gear box. Its ready for a rebuild now, but there is almost 60,000 miles on this setup.

[Donzie]

I recently aquired a Chevy frame. I plan on using the parallel springs. Speedway has a spring/axle package for about $300.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp/strBase_List./hilt./source.2192/base_no.91639031/str_base_no.91632501%2C91632504%2C91633005%2C91635 000%2C91635001%2C91635009%2C91635010%2C91635011%2C 91635012%2C91635015%2C91635023%2C91635050%2C916390 01%2C91639031%2C91639105%2C91639108%2C91639501%2C9 1643%2C916433%2C91643510%2C/header_title./page_name.prod%5Flist%5Fdisplay%2Easp/search_type.L1%7E310/search_option./deptsearch./deptSearch_id./dept_id./dept_id_p.225/dept_name./dept_name_p./ShowImages.yes/sq.60/cont.1/intPgNo.4/redirect./qx/product.htm

Here's a pretty cool lookin' set up.

[AssGasket]

Ask Spike about Miret's coupe... He probably shot about 27,000 photos....

[Rocky]

I used a tube crossmember with a suicide mount on my 34 chevy frame. Had a 32 ford pickup cab mounted on it.

[Rocky]

I used a 34 chevy frame under a 32 ford cab. I made a tube crossmember and welded a speedway suicide mount to it...

[Donzie]

A little OT but someone has raised the issue of steering boxes. I have a '39 Ford box I've thought about using. Any reason why I shouldn't with the Chevy frame/suspension?

[KingpinOlds]

Thanks Edmurder and all that replied with input. I'm hopefully going to get this put together by next weekend, just missing a steering setup and rear springs.

Rick

[Stone]

A welth of info here thanks guys.I want to find and build a chevy project someday.Trying to learn as much as possible.

[Donzie]

Since my earlier reply I've found a complete '39 Dodge front axle/spring set-up including hubs/drums and brakes. It even has the steering box and column with it. I'm hoping I can use it all with my frame.
I'm putting a '39 Chevy cab on the frame and plans are for a 216 Chevy inline, 3 speed and S-10 rearend.

[Stone]

Since my earlier reply I've found a complete '39 Dodge front axle/spring set-up including hubs/drums and brakes. It even has the steering box and column with it. I'm hoping I can use it all with my frame.
I'm putting a '39 Chevy cab on the frame and plans are for a 216 Chevy inline, 3 speed and S-10 rearend.
Cool good luck dude.Post some pics when you can.

[gofast62]

i have a 33 3window chevy, its channeled low on the stock frame with the chevy axle. vega cross steer, works nice, looks good!

[MBL]

Are those frames considerably wider than a model a?
Tim
MBL

[outkast]

ive got a 31 2dr sedan, runnin the leaf springs all round 6" dropped axle, i wanted to stay ol school on it, but im thinkin of mustang ii it because the ride is a little choppy because of the leafs and ive had them built twice!! but its still runnin the stock frame we boxed it in with a 8" rear out of a maverick, front rotors from a 80;s malibu!! 283 turbo 350!!

[J Man]

I thought this post was long gone. Nice to see it come back.

[MBL]

Are those frames considerably wider than a model a?
Tim
MBL

[Jimmy B]

Are those frames considerably wider than a model a?
Tim
MBL

Not sure, but a few people use them under A Models.
The Chev Chassis is 107in wheelbase. 656mm (25.82in) at the front & tapers out to 1122mm (44.17in) at the rear of the chassis

[Stone]

ANybody got any more pics? I love to see the old chevys.

[labelkills]

I am working on a 30 chevy right now.
I am going independent up front and a gm 10 bolt rear with ladder bars and dual coil overs
I want this as my new daily driver
I was think it would be funny to put a ford engine in it (probably wont) but it would be funny.

[Mike B]

Here's a picture of my 32 chevy on an A frame. The 32 chevy frame is wider by about 2 inches, but you can always narrow it. I will show more build pictures in another post.

http://img200.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img200&image=wow92oc.jpg

[Stone]

Nice pic Cheater Mike