Thread: Frame swap
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05-24-2004 07:52 AM #1
Frame swap
Made a big decision .. going to swap out my 1951 Buick special frame for a 1983 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham
Switching because of the newer brakes and steering, better frame, & because the rear end has to be switched any way ( whither it be gears and some "contraption" to attach to an open drive shaft, or a complete switch to a F- body rear axle coil spring type with trailing arm .
The way I'm looking at it .... it'll be less work in the long run and I've got everything I would have changed anyway.
I understand that its going to be a big joband not worried about the resale value " I assume I'll never get back the time I've put in to it and it has helped me keep my MENTAL health up to par... or as good as it was "
But have measured trice and haven't cut anything yet... just thought I should ask you guys with some experience before I go any farther to see if I could get some words of wisdom about unseen problems you have run in to while doing something like this ?
or get a little kick in the head from the geezers about something I "Should'A" been thinking of.
"Ummm? ...here, is where I'm at" ........ the wheel base is exactly 119.0 on both and they match bearing to bearing length wise . I "may" have to cut the trunk floor and move it up for the gas tank, and swap bumper brackets .... front cab mounting braces ( have to replace front floor pans anyway ,and I was going to make them my'own'self anyway) .... What else should I be looking at ? ..... have to play around with the mounting of the front fenders to the frame ..... going to use the Olds steering column, brake booster and pedal , and part of the wiring harness.
as soon as we get the body off the Olds I'll rebuild the brakes.and check it out a little more ....
"?You think I'll run into the same problem with parts/ cost with the Olds later down the road ? since they don't make them anymore . " there a dime a dozen right now"... ....what'Ya think ?
Getting the Olds for cheap! ( I found it while looking for a S-10 frame to swap for my '49 pick-up) , a guy was driving it to work & the gas was killing him
( plus the seats are trashed ) , has the 307(5.0) V8 4bl, runs great but, I have an old 60 - 70 ? Big Block Olds motor that has less miles on a rebuild and as soon as I lock down A "defiant "casting number
"I may run it "
anyway there it is .....
Thanks for reading & any helpful comments ,
"I'm going out, to help start taking bolts out and getting the body off the Buick frame
T LLast edited by treekiller; 05-30-2004 at 02:21 AM.
"Whad'ya want for nuth'N, ..............aaa,rrrrrubber biscuit... ?"
"bad spellers of the word untie ! "
If your wondering how I'm doing I'm > " I'm still pick'N up the shinny stuff and passing open windows"
John's ride to the cemetery, his beloved Billings OK bus, The Baby Elephant!! Traveling in style!! As his service was starting I couldn't figure out what the music was, heavy on a flute in a jaunty...
John Norton aka johnboy