Help!! Unibody removal/full chassis install.

[volvorat57]

Guys i need your advice,
As some of you may no im building a rat "style" 57 volvo pv444.
Its a unibody car.. which In my opinion is shi*y I have been thinkin alot latly of just building a new chassis out of 2x4x3/16" tubing.
And just cut out the old floor and frame rails and start over with the bottom half of the car...
Im runlning fenderless and want it ultra low with some rake to the rear. It has IFS but its really narrow. same with the stock rear axle. I Would like to get an old chevy or ford rear, and Old skool straight axle up front.

I have just accuired a runnning chevy 305(80s monte), and some old hooker headers from a 60s vett.. (Out side of body headers) And with out cutting alot of the firewall and front frame rails its NOT gonna fit.

So my question for you is should I build a New full chassis or build a new Unibody chassis?

Please help... Ps.. There is no rust on the original floor, trunk or firewall

 

[Gastrick]

If it were me, I would build a new chassis. I think that by the time you piece everything together trying to make the unibody chassis work, it's actually easier to just to make a new chassis. At least new framerails front to rear. I also think it will be stronger and look better if you do it that way. That's my opinion anyway.

 

[Unkl Ian]

I'd be doing a tube chassis.

And looking at 60's drag cars,with the front axles moved
way forward,and headers dumping out the front wheel wells.

Topolinos and Crosleys were popular.

 

[volvorat57]

thanks for the responses guys,

Well right after i posted i said screw it..grabed the sawzal and cut the front frame, firewall and front portion of the floor, and removed the rear suspension.
The body has cross members welded in from side to side in the cabin. those will stay And have notches cut in them for the frame rails to run through. (maybe weld in some angle for the body to new frame mounts but the floor trunk and some other sheet metel will be cut out.

Full chassis is the way i wanted to go all along. But was afraid to cut the car up.. ha ha i just ****ed off ALOT of volvo freaks.. Ha ha OF WELL!!!

Again thanks for the responses..

Also looking for CHEAP front and rear axles,

 

[Unkl Ian]

.. ha ha i just ****ed off ALOT of volvo freaks.. Ha ha OF WELL!!!

I'm guessing they made more than a few of these cars.




Where are you located ?
might help with the parts search.

 

[volvorat57]

Im locating in central Michigan just south of lansing..