1956 Dodge Pickup: Need advice on front crossmember swap.

I need some advice or guidance please.
Looking to bag my 56 dodge.
Should I:
Bag the straight axle, weld in a coil spring crossmember, clip it, or frame swap it?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

give it to me

 

X2...Please don't butcher that truck.

 

Elpolocko has a kit based on a Dodge! Check him out. Oh, if you plan on staying FNG do a proper introduction.

 

Seems to me bags work a lot better on an independent front suspension; if I wanted it low I would look at swapping another front end in it, probably the least expensive option if you have the skill to do it right.

To me what it needs more than anything else is a section job about 4 inches to bring the beltline down, but that's more work than you're going to want to get into.

 

I just run mine at the stock hieght and change the tire size.

 

I subframed my 56 Dodge pickup with a 77 Camaro unit....very straightforward and very satisfactory results....I welded in a 4" spacer between the subframe and the stock frame to keep the stock ride height...If you want it low, just omit the 4" spacer...that gets it way low....Now I have power steering and IFS and disc brakes....very pleasant to drive.

 

I'm not going to butcher anything.

 

Thanks. Define proper introduction please.

 

I don't want to cut it up. I just want it to sit down on air with some 22s under it.

 

I too did a Camaro clip on a 56 and would not suggest thisexpecially if using a Dodge drivetrain, after seeing how nice a complete frame swap worked out from a late model Dakota.. Cab bolted right on the stock
mounting locations, V-8 mounts were slid back slightly but very simple, nice driver, with the V-6 coils and a 340 it lowered it respectably but could be even better with bags.... Here is the truck he did....


and the one I did...

 

Thanks for the info. I'm using a Chevy drivetrain. Which Dakota cab? Reg cab long bed?

 

Because of air or 22s?

 

give this a read: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44274

and don't get sore when people tell you not to butcher that truck. air ride and especially late 22 inch wheels qualify as butchering with most on this board. there's nothing traditional about 22 inch wheels, unless your tradition starts in like 1998, which the hamb's does not.

 

Thank you for the link. I am enlightened now. In my opinion chopping, channeling, sectioning, and some rat rods are my definition of butchering. Now I'm on the same page as everyone else.
And as far as getting sore, I know how forum "newbies" get treated. I have been around the forum block. I take it with a grain of salt.

 

And opinions are like... Well, you know the saying.

 

"Spreading the gospel of traditional hot rods and customs to hoodlums world wide..."

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18 It is done here. Simple, no?

 

You have an attitude FNG?

 

22" wheels look good on a ghetto glider or one of those fucking plastic swoopy looking phantom street rods with digital gauges......otherwise fuggedaboutit, poor truck, if it could it would run and hide from you!!

 

I figured it out. Yes... Very simple.

 

No sir.

 

They'll probably be some shade of black if that helps any.

 

I measured a 1982 Dodge short box chassis and it seems to be the right frame for a '55. The box is identical up to 1994! Wish I could find a nice one like yours.

 

Ill check it out. Thanks.

 

1985 was the last year for a dodge step side, so the boxes are not the same until 1994. Starting in 1961 the boxes were 5" wider that '55-'60 on short boxes, which makes the front panel and tailgate different as well

 

good deal.

 

Guess I'm going with a G-Body frame.

 

Measurements are very close.

 

Any reason why you are not going to use the original frame? I have a 56 and am planning on using the original frame....unless there is a good reason not to.

AkBillyBow