Technical CHEVY WOODSTRUKTURE

When I wanna swap a SB in 20/30ties chevy , what about the woodstrukture in the body?
Can I remove the wood?
Must I make it stronger?
Must I replace it?

 

POST UP A PICTURE,

 

You "can" remove the wood, but the body will fall apart! The wood is the structure, the tin is just a skin. That's why you don't see a whole lot of old Chevy street rods.

 

Yeah...Old Chevies are like Ford Woodies. Inside-OUT!

 

Just be sure that the wood is not rotten or loose and it will be fine. It MUST be there, as R Pope above told you. This Bantam is also sheet metal over wood.

 

Wood kits are expensive, you can make your own or build a metal frame if it needs replacing. Just to give you an idea, I found receipts for a complete wood kit for a 27 truck and it was over $3,ooo. This is just the cab, no bed and it was dated 2006.

 

Steffen,
There have been a few HAMBers who have replaced the wood inner structure with metal, and most can be found on the "termites and bowties" thread!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...arly-chevy-group.323303/page-31#post-11224090

 

the wood can be replaced with metal, cheaper, quicker and easier [maybe] .
that being said i believe new or good wood structure in the car is better. wood absorbs impacts better.wood absorbs vibration and shock better making for a more solid and quiet ride. the wood can be made using basic tools....it just takes time.
full disclosure : i have a 33 chevy with all it's wood structure.

 

Most of the old chevy bodies I have built didn't have any wood for patterns so steel is what I do to them.

 

Because the wood subfloor rots faster than a steel subfloor it doesn't hold crap as long, it doesn't rot / rust the skins from the floor up... the steel floor lets leaves and pine needles build up with time and hold moisture... i have seen dead chebbies that have fallen apart... the panels dropped and fell away from the frame... most not needing any patch panels...[being a ford guy i let them rest in piece...]
some fords used wooded sub-structures ... like a '30-'31 vicky...

 

Hi nunattax,
sorry I have yet no pics. Start the project in spring. Now it's deep deep in the garage...