Updating a 51 Chevy

[68Longhorn]

I was wondering what the best route for updating my dads 51 chevy, do I...
A: Subframe, if so from what
B: Swap the entire frame
C: Mustang II front end
D: Anything I forgot

[zz4pete]

I saw a nice one for sale at the last swapmeet.It had a sweet looking front clip under it with a ramjet 350 700r4 combo.He said the clip came from total cost involved or tci.

[busterwivell]

I personally like the Mustang II type kits available today for cars and trucks. I'm doing one for my 47 Chevy 2 door sedan. I think these are preferable to clipping, as I've seen some vehicles butchered with subframes that require really odd backspacing to look right.

My first experience with MII's was about 12 years ago with my 56 Studebaker 2 door wagon. Back then, there were no "kits", and my friend showed me how to use one cut out of a Mustang II. He was much more talented than me. I was worried about going to the alignment shop, but had no problems, and that car drove like a dream for the 15,000 miles I had it before I sold it.

Bill

[Mr48chev]

Kewl, there a number of guys running them in this area with good luck.

In some regions (British Columbia for one) cutting the fram and welding on a subframe is highly frowned on by the local authorities.

I ran a Camaro stub under the 48 for a long time, It had it when my Avaitor photo was taken. It drove great, and rode great but I was never satisfied with the way things fit up and it never seemed just right as far as I was concerned.

The next go around it gets a custom crossmember. I haven't decided as to M II or C-4 Vette at this time but definetly a custom crossmember designed for the truck.

For those that can't weld and don't want to pay someone to do it, the bolt on one for Mustang II components that a couple of outfits sells (Wes can probably get one) is straight forward and simple to do. Not quite as pleasing to the eye as a weld on but
a guy can do it with a 1/2 inch drill and a hand full of hand tools.