Chassis Swap

[Evcanell]

Need for informed information, looking at maybe swapping out the chassis for an updated one.

 

Has anyone done this and if so what year and make did you go with?

 

Is it more expensive to go in that direction or to do a frame off restoration?

 

I'm looking for a nice ride with the older 52 shell showing on the outside and inside the cab?

 

Any thoughts?

 

Ed

[NiftyFifty]

There are a pile of threads on this topic already, most using the 90's Dakota frame or the S10 Chevy, with details on what to do ant not to. Best to start there and see all the different options and processes along the way. Good Luck

[albolton]

A good way to go in my opinion is stay with the stock frame, change the diff, and install a Fatman IFS kit, there are lots of chassis swap threads here, and this is just my opinion, thats what I did, and my truck drives every bit as good as my wifes 08 mustang...seriously!

and the benefit is all of you sheet metal bolts on the way it should.

[wayfarer]

If you keep the stock frame then the 1st gen Dakota front clip is a very doable swap. There is an on-going thread on the Hamb where this was done. I have seen the truck and the ifs looks very good in place....your results may differ...

[porky55]

Putting the Dakota front under your truck, but saving the original back half keeps the bed useful. The frames line up great

[Ram Man 02]

I second leaving the stock frame in place. box it in if you feel you want the extra strength but look into front suspension options. I went the fatman route but would look more seriously at a new dakota front clip if i were to do it again.

[herpoppy]

A good way to go in my opinion is stay with the stock frame, change the diff, and install a Fatman IFS kit, there are lots of chassis swap threads here, and this is just my opinion, thats what I did, and my truck drives every bit as good as my wifes 08 mustang...seriously!

and the benefit is all of you sheet metal bolts on the way it should.

albolton, did the fatman IFS bolt right in? what motor did you go with in your truck? ford 9" diff? sorry for all the questions, I just brought home a 49 today, am green as a gourd and need some direction. thanks!!

[wayfarer]

Here is the Hamb swap:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/52-dodge-b3b-hemi-project.742584/

 

.

[Ram Man 02]

albolton, did the fatman IFS bolt right in? what motor did you go with in your truck? ford 9" diff? sorry for all the questions, I just brought home a 49 today, am green as a gourd and need some direction. thanks!!

fatman kits weld onto your frame. as do most IFS options

[ol'skool]

Leave the original frame. I have done a swap using an S10 frame. They suck. Their steering system is antiquated, the wheel track is different so you might have to mess with spacers,etc. keep the original and modify it. You don't have to try and figure out how to mount the body then, that's a nightmare in itself. The S10 has that steering box which sits right out front and is in the way. Swapping a frame is the backyard way of doing it. If you have a tape measure and can weld you can do a Mustang II install. Just take your time and measure twice.