Hot Rods Did you use your car's original frame or use a reproduction of the original one?

I build all my chassis from scratch, this one is a swept design on the front portion for my Coupe.

 

I was worried about modifing my f100 frame. My first time on a project like this so I found another one. Having the truck near by on a frame lets me measure and figure out how far I can set the engine back without running into the firewall, where to set the ifs to center the front wheels in the fenderwell, things like that. And if I totally screw it up I still have a good frame.

 

that would have polished out

 

Original frame for the 38 and a 58 Hawk Frame for the 53, so for the most part "original".

 

We used the original frames and added a aftermarket X member from C.I. HRP

 

Used the stock '31 rails (since the serial# was legible and makes titling in CA easy), and part of the middle crossmember. Redesigned or replaced everything else.

 

Using a original for my build. Wanna keep it somewhat Henry steel.

 

Original frames, all highly modified for mine. Especially so on my '63 Falcon Futura with the 464 c.i. BBC engine, and 4 speed. Added a lot of extra frame, and bracing to the existing to handle the power, and also tie into the rockers, and body to strengthen it. Plus a 6 point rollcage tying it together too.

 

I think that depends upon which state you are going to title your car in.

I used an original frame on my A coupe but American stamping rails on my 32 pickup. I had a set of original 32 rails but they were beyond my ability to repair. In the state in which I live you can use original or repo frame with no effect on your title or registration.

I sold my original frame to a guy in another State where you needed an original frame for "full" registration and that paid for my new rails so we were both winners

 

I didn't have a frame when I built my 32. I purchased a perimeter frame and went to work. It was titled as an assembled vehicle. On my 51 f1, I wanted strength. The original was fatigued from too many hours of coyote chasing. 2x6 rectangle tubing fixed that. It's obvious to me that many enjoy chassis work and some don't. It may be beyond their resources which is fine. Most will agree that a proper foundation for their rod is imperative. Whether you can build it or not isn't as important as the final product in my meger opinion.

 

Both projects are originals, ones a *18- and other is *B-

 

When I first pulled the body off my car I looked at the frame. As it was in pretty good condition I considered selling of the rolling chassis and going with a new frame rather than cutting up the original to fit my plan. Although I don't find the price of custom frames terrible, once you factor shipping and taxes it made more sense for me to work with what I have. Besides I hate selling stuff.

Phil

 

I would have used my original Model A frame if it had been in better shape. I built my own out of 2X4 tubing after looking at a lot of pro-built frames. Started by building a really beefy table and laying out my original frame on it. The table turned out okay, so I tackled building the frame. It wasn't that hard, but a Model A frame is pretty simple.

 

mine is a fabricated frame for my 36

 

Scratch built my own model A. No frame tables, no jigs, just a centerline drawn on the garage floor. Only tools, chalk box, measuring tape, 4" grinder, mig and c-clamps and 2-3' yard sticks.

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I used a reproduction frame under my coupe, it's reproduction too.

 

Modified original under all four of mine.

 

I thought the early falcons were unibody, I would like to see what you did to reinforce it. HRP

 

Some Other Cars Became "Frame Donors".....When 40 Fords Were $100.00...

 

My 66 Suburban was dropped about six inches and anyone that knows these trucks are familiar with what that does to the front crossmember and A-arms.
So it went on the operating table.
The rear of the frame was notched about three inches for axle clearance, had to make a riser in the cargo area to clear the new adjustable panhard bar and differential housing which was narrowed twelve inches.
All this was replaced and an all new tubular front suspension with coilovers was installed.
Sorry, that is probably not HAMB "kosher", so no photos.

 

Who makes a good set of reproduction '32 Ford frame rails? HRP

 

All original. However, one has a lot of modifications.

 

How I went with my '31 rails

 

....I am not trying to start a war but I have a question...the guys that make their frames or buy ready made frames...what do you do for the serial numbers? You can not stamp the numbers from the old to the new!...thanks Miller

 

If I have a title for a car with a bad frame I just make a new tag and mount it on the new frame, I have also seen them stamped. HRP

 

I picked up a set of ASC rail's at a swap meet, they looked like they had been left outside in the rain and was covered with surface rust, they were still banded together with metal strap and for 500 bucks I couldn't pass them up I sandblasted them and they looked brand new.

 

My son lived on the Miami side of Florida and I lived on the Gulf side, that meant we had maybe 2 weekends a month to work on the A, which in turn meant, Send me a frame now!!

 

My Ts frame, originally built (modified) in 1956, really needed to be replaced.
Maybe not too bad for 56, but for a solid driver I wanted a modern frame.
Ray Zarick, Model T Shop, built my frame and it's everything I'd hoped for.

 

Original and rebuilt to my specks to include boxing complete, including fabbing the box plates, replacing center and rear crossmember, filling 10,000 holes from prior builders and paint. Discovered I misjudged the height for the "kick" of the rear cross when sitting the body back which really give us fits when it came to the right shocks.
So I now have in addition to the ones you see, (2) more sets of 4. Ahhhh the joys of engineering a hot rod..
Please note: no suspension piece's except rear coil overs showing.

 

Had to build my own, wish I could've found a decent one at the time , here in northern NY but it was all part of my adventure. Had to get my parts as $$$ allowed. I'm happy with it all