frame up build question

[cantwell.colton]

ok -
so ive been through a ton of threads and been through a while - now im getting rid of all my current projects and im finally going to do a frame up build.
dont know what im going to run yet truck or old car, depends on what i can find and sparks interest .. but it will be fenderless -

my big question is -- what are the best all around vehicle as a parts donors
- talking steering, brakes, etc -- i know - depends on what i want - but what i want is to not always be part hunting - want to have the majority of it available if possible --

also - thinking i want to run an old straight 6 or possibly the chevy 4.8 but thats not here or there - because if i find a diesel all bets are off for the previous mentioned lol

 

[earthman]

Colton it's a very good idea to start with a doner but its going to be what you can find for the price and make a choice.
Tell us what is available and we will give you our asessments.

 

[Bonehead]

Look for parts you like. Like a ford 9 inch, or 350 chev engine, or a front axle from a van. Maybe look at donors for what parts you can use.
Brakes, radiator, steering, rearend, engine, tranny, drive shaft, seats. Many of them have alot to offer.

 

[donsrods]

Generally, cars from the 70's down make the best donors. Less electronics and bracketry on the rear axle and other stuff. Rear axles from parallel spring cars are the easiest to cut the mounts off of, newer ones have lots of stuff to remove to get the housing cleaned off.

Don

 

[RPM]

One of my favorite donors is the mid 70s Camaro. Good strong drive line in it, no fancy electronics to mess with. GM intermediate brakes.

 

[cantwell.colton]

Look for parts you like. Like a ford 9 inch, or 350 chev engine, or a front axle from a van. Maybe look at donors for what parts you can use.
Brakes, radiator, steering, rearend, engine, tranny, drive shaft, seats. Many of them have alot to offer.

i like the idea of a van because theyre always easy to pick up around here for cheap ...
http://corpuschristi.craigslist.org/cto/1977981576.html
something like this LOL

 

[cantwell.colton]

also has lots of sheet metal

 

[cantwell.colton]

Colton it's a very good idea to start with a doner but its going to be what you can find for the price and make a choice.
Tell us what is available and we will give you our asessments.

well i have some time to look - and theres lots available..
i was just trying to get a general idea of vehicles to keep
an eye out for and vehicles to stay away from without
having to climb underneath them etc

 

[cantwell.colton]

right now -
theres an 85 mustang
and 89 jeep cherokee
an s-10 rolling chassis
that van
an 89 grand marquis with a running 302
94 new yorker
240sx
87 regal
and more


what im most interested in is steering, brakes, etc
if i pick up an engine then ill have a better idea of
rear end etc..

 

[kzoldman]

Colton, I picked up a rolled but running 97 5.0 Explorer for $350 for my project. Plan to use the 4R70W trans but just have to by a controler for that.

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Hey, didn't you just get hitched??? Forget the frame and get on the body work!

 

[rainman]

IMO you need to watch out for the vans, sometimes there rearends are offset. One thing I would keep in mind is trying to find a doner where you can use front and rear. That way you will have the same bolt pattern on you're wheels. That can be a headache sometimes.

 

[earthman]

Well with the van the dirty low down rule of thumb is...if you don't hear it run then it doesn't run. We are assuming you want something running that you won't have to rebuild immediatly.None of these choices will get you a front end or steering box which is normal nowadays. There will be rack and pinions tho. The Marquis will have a 9 inch rear i believe if that is importantant to you. Actually i vote for the Marquis out of that bunch. If you can hear it run, possibly drive for the trans test.

 

[cantwell.colton]

new question

i guess i didnt really think about the drivetrain set up -- pretty sure i can pick up a 78 marquis for almost nothing that i "traded" a friend - has a 400 cleveland in it... needs carb rebuilt and a new brake booster but thats not here or there -- know for a fact it runs though

a new thought
what to use for a frame --
i was thinking 4in channel and box certain areas - will that be sufficient you think?

 

[earthman]

The '78 marquis for almost nothing that runs! Now your thinking like a rat rodder
The standard is 2x3x3/16 rect tubing. Don't think you would be happy with channel.

 

[rainman]

If you have to spend money you don't have it's always better to put it in the chassis and suspension, for safety reasons. Don't skimp!!!

 

[cantwell.colton]

frame layout

If you have to spend money you don't have it's always better to put it in the chassis and suspension, for safety reasons. Don't skimp!!!

it wasnt really a matter of skimping - lol i was looking at the frame when ford used for the model a and model t - the year they made the switch - and i kinda liked the channel and couldnt really see what difference it would make -- 4in channel should be plenty strong enough for any rat set up - well almost any vehicle -- then boxed with 5/16 plate...

no worries though -- guess ill buy a few sticks of tubing -- now.
if any of you guys have a layout for the frame you built or its in one of the
threads here andyou wouldnt mind sharing so i can look at all of them [P
it sure would be helpful

 

[Willowbilly3]

Fenderless should be a solid front axle. Any of the independent front suspensions look like crap on fenderless cars. Plus you end up with the radiator sticking way out front, just plain ugly. Any of the early vans will have a solid front axle and dropped too. Plus they have decent hydraulic brakes. Same with most pickups into the early 60s. Small box vans and postal jeeps also have solid front axles, I've seen a few of those at the crusher this year.
I used an Econoline front axle. Pop the drums off the hub and a Crown vic rotor will go right on. However those were a little large for the 14" wheels so I used Aerostar rotors and had to take a little off the hub. Modified Speedway brackets and S10 calipers.

 

[cantwell.colton]

guess its time to call the guy with all the truck cabs and spend some money at lowes on some 2x4s lol

 

[cjmahone66]

late 70's and 80's camaros and firebirds is what i used for my AD truck. good running gear up front, decent rearends, SBC, ect... most important is that replacement parts and high performance gear for those cars are CHEAP and readily accessible.