Hey Andy!
Gee! That's a tempting offer...(as I sit here looking at the 2 1/2 feet of
snow in my yard!)
Two problems come to mind though...
1/ the last time I visited Cal., I almost never came home again!
(and I'm not about to make my wife THAT happy!...lol!)
2/ commuting to your house and back, everyday would kill me!...
(and God only knows who else!)
So, I'd better pass,ok? But I appreciate the offer...really!...lol!
Ron
>From: "Willard, Andrew" <andrew.willard@experian.com>
>Reply-To: "Willard, Andrew" <andrew.willard@experian.com>
>To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
>Subject: RE: [oletrucks] 48 Frame Swap
>Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 08:50:01 -0800
>
>Hey Ron,
>
>If you're really in need of a warm place to work, I have a 53 Panel in need
>of a Camaro subframe. You're welcome to come out to So Cal and work on
>that. ;-)
>
>Andy Willard
>Tustin, CA
>53 Panel project
>89 S-10 driver
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ron Keller [mailto:tinwiz1@hotmail.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 4:45 PM
>To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] 48 Frame Swap
>
>
> Gee whiz John! ... I hate it when your always right!...lol!
> I suppose if a guy has the smarts to modify the Camino frame, you could
>do what you suggest as well...and you know it would be straight.
> If you take it slow...and trim and measure...then trim and measure...
>you'd eventually get a match.
> Boy! I hope no one thinks I'm trying to say MY WAY is the ONLY WAY! I
>think there are probably as many ways as there are guys out there. It's a
>carguy's divine gift to, "never say die!"
> I think that we all have lived through it though!...it's called making
>due with what we've got! It's gotta be tough trying to build something in
>England!...especially using American parts.
> But, if any of you know what a'35 Auburn Speedster kit car looks like
>...as I remember, it's on an early 80's Ford LTD chassis. So if you can put
>one of them on a big chassis, a determined rodder should be able to do the
>same, or better!
> I just wished he lived closer...I'd go over and do it for him. My
>garage
>is unheated this winter,due to construction,and I'm going nuts from
>boredom.
> Whatever way he uses, I just want to see him get it done and on the
>road!
>
>There is no greater satisfaction than that first drive out the driveway and
>down the road...(legally,I mean!..lol!) (I live in the country!)
> Thanks John for your common sense approach. And GOOD LUCK to you
>Stuart,across the pond! Whatever you do, measure twice, (ok 5 or 10 times)
>and cut once!...lol!
> Bye for now, Ron
>
> >From: john dorsey <jrdorsey@strato.net>
> >Reply-To: john dorsey <jrdorsey@strato.net>
> >CC: oletrucks@autox.team.net
> >Subject: Re: [oletrucks] 48 Frame Swap
> >Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2001 18:32:16 -0500
> >
> >Ron,
> >You forgot the easiest way! Just set the exsisting frame on top of the
> >el camino frame and weld them together.
> >
> >This gives the added advantage of more ground clearance!
> >
> >Never forget the three rules of truck ownership:
> >1. There is no subsitute for more Cubic Inches.
> >2. There is no subsitute for more Driving Axles.
> >3. There is no subsitute for more Ground Clearance.
> >
> >--
> >John Dorsey
> >Wauchula, FL
> >'49 Chevy Panel (14 inches high)
> >'52 GMC Firetruck (18 inches high)
> >'51 Chevy suburban (it'd be higher without all that crap in the back)
> >'89 Jeep Cherokee (still dead)
> >
> >
> >Ron Keller wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello Stuart!
> > > I just thought I'd try to give you a little insight into your frame
> >swap
> > > idea. I've been at this stuff since about 1967, so I've got some
> >experience
> > > at chassis fabrication and modifications.
> > > The idea of using an existing frame is a good one, as long as you
> >don't
> > > care if it's original underneath...and are willing to give up some
>depth
>
> >in
> > > your pick-up box and maybe cab(ie: driveshaft tunnel)."If" you keep
>the
> >rear
> > > suspension as is AND set it on the existing Camino chassis)
> > > ...See attached pic...hey I'm no artist,ok?...lol!
> > > I've generaly just put early 80's Nova and Camaro front clips in
>using
>
> >the
> > > "stock" truck frame. This allows the rear cargo area to remain stock,
> > > although "your" idea will allow your truck to sit LOW AND "still ride
> > > nice!!!!" (if you are willing to sacrifice some of your pick-up bed)
> > >
> > > Your El Camino should have a 57" wheel track(centre to centre on the
> > > tires), which is just "perfect" for your truck...if it's wider, like a
> > > Camaro(61"), you can still use it, but your tires will be at the
>outside
> > > edge of your wheel wells, unless you use a negative offset rim ...like
> >stock
> > > early Corvette 8" rims...or buy narrowed aftermarket A-arms. (But,
>with
> >you
> > > living in Britain, I know that's not an option)
> > > As for the wheelbase, you should take a measurement of both and see
> >how
> > > much,IF ANY difference there is. I'm pretty sure you can keep the
> >Camino's
> > > wheelbase and modify the pickups wheelbase to match.
> > > ...(Hey!Calm down everybody!...let me clarify,ok?)
> > > I've built trucks with any number of wheelbases, and they ALL looked
> >good!
> > > So,if you want to "KEEP THE COSTS DOWN"...
> > > ...(hey guys!...REMEMBER, HE LIVES IN ENGLAND, NOT CALIFORNA!) by not
> >having
> > > to shorten the driveshaft...see how it looks "to you" with things as
>is.
> > > The rear fenders can be moved "back and forth on the pick-up box" to
> > > accomodate the wheelbase..if you can come up with "THE RIGHT LOOK" IN
> >YOUR
> > > EYES!
> > > I've shortened them up to 12 inches(remember,the customer is always
> > > right!) for that "Drag influence" and believe me, most people(OK,NOT
>YOU
> > > CONNOISSEURS OUT THERE...lol!) don't really notice...unless it's
> >extreme.
> > > But,"if" it looks good to you, "your" the one you gotta please!
> > > A lot of you guys out there may not go for the frame swap..but this
>is
> > > 2001 and this is England! I've done it too and once they have paint on
> >them,
> > > an early Chev truck is a thing of beauty. Regardless of the type of
> >chassis
> > > under it. We build old trucks to satisfy OUR OWN needs and
>desires...not
> > > everyone wants a restored truck.
> > > Now, the biggest problem will be that your rear suspension will
> >protrude
> > > "up into" the pickup box a lot!(Tubbed looking sheetmetal covering?)
> >You
> > > may be able to raise the floor in your box, "to your liking",
>otherwise
> > > you'll need to raise the truck higher on the chassis. (This will mean
>it
> > > will not sit so low).
> > > In short,the best thing is to get "the look" your wanting,
>regarding
> > > wheel base and ride height, then see what needs modifying. This will
> >give
> > > you an idea of the scope of this job. But if you set it on the chassis
> >as
> > > is, your floor (and firewall) will likely need to be notched for
> >driveshaft
> > > clearance!!! Yup, it's low.
> > > Now, Roger said it was "a weak frame" and he was right, BUT you can
> > > strengthen it with either an X-member tieing in the front and rear
> > > suspension or box the existing channel rail sections, although I'd
> > > personally replace the channel sections with 4X4 square tubing as well
> >as an
> > > X-member...but I'm a truckin' kind o' guy!...lol! (Remember a good
> > > foundation gives you a good house.)
> > > Now, if you want to lift the truck off the Camino chassis as it is
>,
> >so
> > > the cab sits higher than "in da weeds", you can raise the 4X4 tubing
>and
>
> >tie
> > > it all together first, then cut out all the old frame rails...this way
> >will
> > > make sure your frame dimensions don't change...Otherwise, if you
>modify
> >your
> > > existing frame, make sure it doesn't move around during the cutting
>and
> > > welding by using "lots" of bracing tack-welded to the chassis(But
>still
> > > allowing working room)...and if your not experienced, you should try
>to
> >do
> > > "one side at a time", rather than cutting it in half and wondering how
> >to
> > > put it all back together again.
> > > Well, there are more options,( you could tie your existing frame
>into
>
> >the
> > > front Camino crossmember...for more room in the box, but a bit higher
> > > sitting vehicle, then use just the Camino rear end "above" your old
> >truck
> > > springs...with notched frame rails to allow the truck to sit lower
>than
> > > stock) but I hope this gives you a little help.
> > > If you persevere, you will end up with a nice riding , nice handling
> > > package that uses stock parts and can easily be kept roadworthy...
> > > "without" spending BIG bucks on aftermarket parts
> > > ...And that's what it's all about, I think!
> > > If you think I've helped you,or that I may be able to help you,
>please
> > > feel free to email me anytime,as your truck progresses.
> > > Sincerely Ron Keller
> > >
> > > >From: "rogerg" <rogerg@maverick.facil.uconn.edu>
> > > >Reply-To: "rogerg" <rogerg@maverick.facil.uconn.edu>
> > > >To: oletrucks <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
> > > >CC: Stuart <sbcltd@netcomuk.co.uk>
> > > >Subject: Re: [oletrucks] 48 Frame Swap
> > > >Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 09:50:00 +0000
> > > >
> > > >Check the frame length and the wheelbase. Although the elCamino frame
> > > >is easy to shorten it is really weak unless you plan on boxing it in.
> > > >Driveshaft is one of the longest in the business.(61 1/2")
> > > >Roger G
> > > >51-3100 AD Huckster
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > From: Stuart <sbcltd@netcomuk.co.uk>
> > > > > To: oletrucks <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
> > > > > Subject: [oletrucks] 48 Frame Swap
> > > > > Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 12:42:15 -0000
> > > > > Reply-to: Stuart <sbcltd@netcomuk.co.uk>
> > > >
> > > > > Has anyone on the list done a 48 1/2 Ton on 82 El Camino frame
>swap?
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm in the Uk and finding parts is a complete nightmare but I've
> >been
> > > >given a
> > > > > complete El Camino and I think the frame will fit. Just wondered
>if
> >you
> > > >guys
> > > > > had any advice/thoughts?
> > > > >
> > > > > Cheers
> > > > > Stu..
> > > > > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and
> >1959
> > > >oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and
>1959
> > >
> > >
> >_________________________________________________________________________
> > >
> > > [demime 0.97c removed an attachment of type image/bmp which had a name
> >of chevpk.bmp]
> > > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and
>1959
> >oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>
>_________________________________________________________________________
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
_________________________________________________________________________
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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