Thread: heavy-duty frame

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I would probably use 2 x 6 and then narrow / taper it to front/rear

front and rear cross member depends on suspension choice, center x dependant on trans/exhaust/bell housing area and rear control arms

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

I would probably use 2 x 6 and then narrow / taper it to front/rear

front and rear cross member depends on suspension choice, center x dependant on trans/exhaust/bell housing area and rear control arms

For a frame 2x4 with .125 wall is going to have a lot of flex still, especially with that heavy motor. If you must stay with 2x4, i'd go with something closer to 3/16". or go up to a 2x6x.125" with tapers front and rear, should be 2x6 from front suspension to rear though, may take some good fab work. I tend to over build, just a touch, but its better than breaking. .125 wall actually you will see suspension mounts rip right out of the tubing and everything. Own a fab shop and see MANY street rods that people bought some "trick" chassis from well known, big brand builders that just fall apart under daily driving conditions. My frames are all 3/16" either boxed or tubed, and gusset everything regarding suspension mounts.

Rear suspension i would go 4 link and coil overs and a watts linkage, and front I would do an IFS with coil overs.

Find a body, order an IFS to match that year, then build the frame to match up to that IFS crossmember width and set the rear so you have good body mounting locations and wheel clearance. If you are building it from the ground up you can make it how ever you want in the tail, the front you have to get the right track width and height and all that, rear ends are easy...

X-member will depend on transmission set up. may be easier to do cross members. I did combination of x-member and cross members in my pick up chassis. make it yours, do something unique.

I think in some respects you are putting the cart before the horse. Generally, you find a body you like and engineer the frame and chassis to fit that. You haven't even chosen a style you like yet, from the info you have provided in your post. IMO it would be very hard, if not impossible, to build a car the way you are describing. How do you know wheelbase, track width, where the engine goes, etc?

Don