My project?????

[akmarty]

Hi all. I just joined couple days ago and I am getting dizzy reading all the post.I have a question that I know has been addressed,It concerns my 48 ford super deluxe flat 8.This may be long !!!First I live 110 miles north of Anchorage Alaska
I have done a few restros. Tractor and a Rambler both were in such good shape
I couldn't customize them.Now I have a blank canvas in this 48 ford tudor and I would like to do it to it.Previous rigs rode on original suspension and because of distance up here and my old age they beat me up if I go 40 mile round trip.I really want to modernize the suspension with a new frame. I have seen here where some have used S-10 frames and that would be OK but I don't know how hard or what yr. is best or if there is a better option.I can get a complete vehicle up here cheaper than mailing bought parts from outside.
I hope this is the right place to post this I have not figured this forum out just yet.
Many Thanks for any and all comments.
AKmarty in Talkeetna

 

[donsrods]

Welcome aboard, Marty. I am not a fan of frame swaps in general. In particular, putting an S10 under a 48 is doable but not without issues. There is a portion of the frame that will take up some of the floor area behind the front seat and it makes it difficult to get a flat floor back there.

My Son has a 46 Tudor that he is going to do once his Capri project is done, and for suspension he is going to use the stock frame but with a parallel spring setup in back and a Heidts Mustang II front suspension setup. He is like you, he wants this one as his long distance driver so it has to ride like a new car and have ac and all that stuff.

The stock frame is really good and strong and the aftermarket has developed a lot of kits to add better suspension systems, front and rear. You will save a lot of work by going this route, but it might end up costing a bit more to do it.

Don

 

[21willys]

I'm not familiar with your cars frame in its stock form so my suggestions may be way out of line. But how about a sub frame swap or some excisting frame mods and a Chrysler k member out of a fifth avenue or something similar.

 

[Sam_Fear]

Find a front clip with a close track width to what you have and sub it in. Make sure the steering gear box will fit behind the grill if it's front steer. Are you going to keep the flattie? As for the rear, if you want coil springs, you might look into using long trailing arms set at the middle of the X-frame, a panhard, and coils - wouldn't require hacking up the floor or even much frame mod.

 

[akmarty]

my proj.

I am going to keep the flattie and would like to adapt 5 spd with leaves in rear.

 

[Willowbilly3]

Welcome Marty, we used to be neighbors, almost. Still consider Alaska home. If you ever stop in Newmans gas station on the way through Willow, tell Sam JB says hi.
Is Talkeena still full of crazy old hippies?

 

[Bamamav]

I saw one over on the HAMB frame swaps social group that used an Explorer frame. Looked like a pretty close match up.

The frame under your 48 was the same one used from about 1935 through 48. It's a good frame like Don said, and lots of aftermarket support in the way of Mustang II front end kits and dual real leafs. But I can see where getting parts shipped to you from the lower 48 would be costly, too.

 

[akmarty]

willowbilly I go thru there often and will tell Sam hello.I'm just not sure on this suspension would really like modern but would also like to save money and time.
I will look for the exploder thread.
thanks all