Fat Man Fab

rusty rodder · Sep 22, 2008

so has anyone used them before?? They say a mustang II clip for my 39 stude and Ron who has a 40 Stude says go with a camaro......IM SO CONFUSED

Any thoughts or reviews?

dmw56 · Sep 22, 2008

You can use either. On the Camaro you have to cut off the front of your frame and weld the Camaro sub frame on. With the Fatman you remove all the suspension and cross member and weld a new crossmember in onto your frame. You might be able to find, rebuild, and install a Camaro cheaper.

I used a Fatman sub frame and Mustang II suspension because the width of my frame is too narrow for a Camaro.

Tripper · Sep 22, 2008

CI Inc

39,
I used a Chassis Engineering Inc bolt in version on my '41 Ford PU. Bolts to orig holes in frame so it's a lil more idiot proof (IMO) I had never done one B4 & felt more comfortable tryin' their setup. Worked great & then I welded it in too.

My build

BoB

RoddingRon · Sep 23, 2008

Brent and company at Fat Man's have good products. The 34 Studebaker I had did in fact have a Fat Man front end on it. It was a nice fit and worked well.

Since those days I've had to work more on a budget (divorce will do that to you), and that's why I started the sub frame routine. I've been able to find and refurb a GM subframe cheaper then buying the crossmember and all of the parts to put it all together (around these parts it's darn near impossible to find Mustang II or Pinto's in the yards to strip for the arms and spindles).

In this guys opinion...if you can afford the Fat Man set up it makes life easier. If you don't have the money, or just like a little extra mental exercising, the subframe is the way to go. It takes a little measuring and planning and then some more measuring before starting to cut for the sub frame deal, but both ways will give you a better ride and braking. Like I said I've done both, and the Fat man deal is easier....the Subframe is cheaper.

I know...decisions...decisions

Willowbilly3 · Sep 23, 2008

I've heard some talk about the Aerostar front, anyone else seen that done?
I'm a low budget junkyard guy so things like that perk my ears up. Cameros are getting hard to find, I live too close to a dirt track.lol

CR55 · Sep 23, 2008

Willowbilly, Go for the Fatman front end if you can swing it. You won't be sorry. He has worked out all of the geometry before it's offered for sale. I have the front suspension on my 37, been there for 18 troublefree years. I also installed one of his rear pro street plug ins. been on there for 15 years. I was not feeling competent enough in the fabrication part to do a rear suspension, so I found out about his and installed it. Both ends were very easy to do. Give him a call, he's so easy to talk to, great guy who stands behind his products.....CR

BruceR&C · Sep 23, 2008

If it's in your budget go with the Fat Man. I used it on my wife's truck. Have had no trouble with it at all. With the exception of the welding of the xmember & top hats (which I farmed out), installation is a breeze. Even with the manual rack, my wife ( all 5'3") has no problems steering the truck. Even in tight spots.

Gastrick · Sep 24, 2008

I thought I posted in here but I don't see it now. I've used Fatmans crossmembers and front frame clips. I've had good experieces with both products. One of the cars I installed a Fatmans front frame section on now has years of service and many thousands of miles with no issues.