So I have to take 3" out of frame should I a try and just cut it off the front tip and move all the body mounts back 3 " or cut frame and weld back together? If I cut frame is there any input on how to keep it strong after the fact I trust my welding but extra reinforcement couldn't hurt ! I've seen guys cut a zig zag they say it's stronger then a line. Any input I'm a bit away from this point but I like to do my homework
Have you thought about front X member off 73 and later Chevy pickup. The crossmember unbolt and they are 5 on 5 bolt pattern disc brakes and you could use the whole brake assembly master cylinder and proportional valve. You will have to check the width to see if it will work. I have been following the build from down under. 39 Cad 60/S have been my all time favorite car. I can't remember how much room the x member takes up under the car and how much room for the transmission will be left if you slide the vowel mounts back and shorten the front. A shortened frame is not that hard to do if properly welded and reinforced. Think twice before you cut. Hope this have been helpful . Frank
I'll look into it what type of susp do they us ? I'm wanting to keep coils up front to make air ride easy install!
There is a lot of aftermarket parts for those front ends, brakes, rotors, air ride, dropped spindles etc.
Hey guys long time no post ! So I put the caddy on the back burner awhile back to deal with life and trying to finish the easier of the two projects my 72 Rallye 340 4 speed charger . Well long story short I got charger blasted and found a ton of metal work so now it's definitely not the easy one! It's still in main garage area but I'm getting ready to swap the caddy back in ! I have been grabbing stuff for it here and there . So to get this ball rolling again I'll tell you guys I decided to go with the 5 speed instead of the 700r4 ,so I bought a 83 z28 Camaro that had a 5 speed setup in it also grabbed rear out of it .
Also grabbed up a surp setup for my chevy 350 with ac stuff so will be putting ac in the caddy to dang hit here in FL.
I think the rules for this site state that late model clips and MII suspension are OT and not to be discussed or shown. Just for reference: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-h-a-m-b-rules-guidelines.44274/
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/please-advise-front-subframe-for-50-buick-use.242672/ here is some info on a similar situation the bosses dont allow this topic anymore, luckily there is still a wealth of info on the subject. There is a to of info in the hamb archives, just look em up
I used a early Corvette front clip on a 40 Buick and it slid in the Buick rails like it was made for it . 67-late 80’s measure the rails with and compare.
Oh wow guess I've been gone to long ! Well I will be starting back up on this project very soon should be entertaining enough
Reread your posts and I guess you mean keeping the same wheelbase? All the subframe talk has confused me. .... So you mean widening the catwalk? Or leaning the A pillars to pickup the shorter roof? Yeah I did all that on my 39. I sectioned and extended the trunk and leaned back A pillars on mine. Took 3 goes to get the chop right.
hope you get a chance to meet "moon" i think it is-in england,doing crazy stuff too-wonderful,both of you!
Yep I remember finding your Brougham in Needles California, flat on its haunches. Got pics somewhere. I also put my, since sold 59 Biarritz , back on factory air ride. Drove like a magic carpet. I think the airride issue is the laying frame stupidity that just makes a stunning Zephyr look like a dead beetle. Functional acceptable ride height airride should be allowed. Just not this 13 inch drop shit. I might put front bags on my 39 Packard cos the coils are shot. Leafs up back. GM buses were running airbags early 40s.
hydraulic cylinders in front And bags(bladders)/hydraulics in the rear. 1958 adjustable custom suspension Sits very low(perfect) One of the first bagged cars I worked on was a 58 Buick. It was born with em.
Air ride is not off topic per se. late model ifs swaps are. With that said we don’t really want a bunch of how to air ride threads but we won’t delete because a car has it.
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