this is for my 54 belair project. I was originally considering keeping the stock chassis at least for now, but the amount of fabbing it’s going to require just to get it up & running with some updated components (ie- brakes/steering/etc) is starting to seem like it’s just going to be a huge waste of time and $$. One thing I’m definitely trying to avoid is the old stang II or whatever front clip with a Nova or whatever rear. Is there any reason peeps don’t just go throwing like say a 70s or 80s caprice or even say an S10 chassis under anything? Seems to me like it wouldn’t be so bad- what with the updated steering setup, larger GM brakes, frame is already setup for late model V8, decent rear depending on exact model, etc etc. I’m almost thinking a 2nd gen S10 with the disc brake 8.5" rear would be perfect… Not to mention they’re easy enough to find
I’ve seen plenty of post-war steel riding on Impala / Caprice frames. IF Customs did a slick '49-'51 Merc on a Impala frame around 2004 (?)… Hot Rod shows some of these from time to time
One day, Chad was in the shoplooking at two cars he had just stumbled upon, a beat-up '56 Chevy wagonhe found in a barn and a rear-ended '94 Cop Caprice bought at auction. A little daydreaming followed by some measuring told him what to do, and before long the wagon body was welded to the complete chassis, floorpan,and running gear of the Caprice.
I was originally leaning towards the 1st gen s10 but then I started hearing thats its too narrow by a couple inches… I could stretch it if necessary, I guess its not that big a deal
alright so I just came across a guy that has a mid-80s monte chassis for cheap, those are very similar to the impalas, right? and s10s for that matter? I didn’t know the montes already had an oem triangulated 4 link setup which is nice, seems like if it will work all I’ll have to do is throw some spindles up front, drop the bags in place and body on…
all I know is that the Front suspensionis roughly the same, spindles and brakes are the same between the G-bodys and the S-10. I am not sure frame wise.
I think I’m mostly concerned with the width on the frame and how it will fit under the 54 body. I’m not too worried about length because I’m assuming it’s going to take at least some amount of fine tuning as far as stretching or shortening.