I'm still in parts collection mode for the next project which is a east coast style 32 roadster. I'm working on a plan for the chassis. Currently I'm the front ⅓ from 32 front section I have and rest 2x4 or 2x3 tube. Gaining a couple more inches in the cab. I'm sure this has been done before but I don't recall seeing any builds on here doing this
I remember years ago Bob Bleed build a ‘32 style frame with the rail height significantly reduced from the firewall back. There where photos of the process or at least results posted to a thread.
I just saw something on one having been done quite similar to what Wideglide74 said but the floor wasn't cut on it. They took a couple of inches out of the tops of the rails and set the body down so it looked partially channeled but the interior height didn't change. I'd say you are on the right track though. That will let it look like you channeled it six inches over a stock 32 frame but you don't have to raise the floor that much.
I found the car that I was thinking about. it was on the cover of the Sept 2021 Modern Rodding but just looks like they set it down a couple of inches over the frame instead of a full channel when they took a couple of inches out of the middle of the rails.
Here’s a recent one but with original chassis left intact………may give you some ideas…. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-ardun-killer-“.1161976/page-18#post-14224313
I am unfamiliar with this build, but the reason for the depth in the ‘32 chassis is for strength over the span of the wheel base. Trimming the chassis in this area negates the strength of the original concept, - a bit like notching the chassis over the axles. ( So it needs to be strengthened appropriately ).
I notched the frame on my 34 PU project 2". Lots of work but the end result gave me the look of a full channel while maintaining as much headroom as possible.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/a-new-england-channeled-roadster.1204021/ This is a great thread for a channelled 32 roadster.
My old boss at the rod shop talked about one built down here like that. VERY smart move to gain some inches
Here is the picture of the sectioned 32 frame from the New England channeled roadster thread that Alchemy posted above.
A question for those who have an engineering background. Would running a rib (similar to a boxing plate) down the center of the cut down area and a few inches beyond the its ends, along with the regular boxing plate, add enough beam strength and torsional rigidity to be worth while?
It all depends on the geometry. One has to do the math to truly know. Most likely it wouldn't as you are adding material near the cross sections neutral axis, which doesn't do anything to stiffen a beam in bending. You need to add material as far away as possible from the neutral axis to stiffen a beam. If any of you are interested in learning a bit more about bending moment of inertia. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/area-moment-inertia-d_1328.html
the roadster has front half of 32 chassis with 2x2 .180” box tube under the body including a full X section from the same tubing, floor and tunnel are part of the frame, very rigid. Rear has t crossmember/spring mounted in front of the axle, helps keep the frame as short as possible. Looks like 6” channel but no interior height loss at all. the pickup has a 3”notched section under the body, cut the rails in the center and dropped the whole removed section inside the rail so the frame rail top holes stay put, then the whole works is boxed with a 3” c channel center, saves almost 3” on a 6” looking channel. with a 2” chop I still don’t fit in it well but I’m something close to a yeti.