Thread: Frame swap

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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 job and 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 L