Lark frame- 2dr. & 4dr. the same?

[bams50]

Are 59-60 Lark 2 door and 4 door frames the same?

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[Scott]

I'm not sure, but if you have the parts books I wonder if it could tell you. There might be different numbers, though...

[bams50]

quote:Originally posted by hotwheels63r2

Yes and NO. They will swap places however.

What exactly is the "NO" part?

I'm thinking about switching a super-clean, complete rolling 59 2dr. chassis I have under the 60 4dr. I'm redoing... what makes it work is if it can be done without a lot of changing...

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[stude53]

Hey, Bob

Here is a topic you should read.
====================================================================

http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/sdc_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5578&SearchTerms=lark+frame

[img=left]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j259/stude53/studesmall2.jpg[/img=left]Bob Feaganes (stude53)
53 Starliner Hardtop
Newton Grove, NC

[bams50]

Thanks, Bob- I should have remembered that thread and did a search for it [:I]

But it still isn't definitive- here's what Dick S. wrote:

"I don't have a parts book, but I would guess the frames are the same."

Hopefully someone will know how to tell for sure before I attempt it



Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[John Kirchhoff]

My shop manual shows the same frame dimensions being used for both the 2 and 4 door models.

[rockne10]

This may not help but I have a Motors Crash Book from 1953-1957. The 53 and 54 two door and four door used the same frame. The 55 two door, four door and station wagon used the same frame. The 56 and 57 sedans and wagons used the same frame (except Classic Sedan). Without access to a 59-60 Crash Book, I would guess you would be good to go. It would be nice if an old local body shop still had that book on the shelf.

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
33 Rockne 10
51 Commander Starlight
53 Commander Starlight

previously: 63 Cruiser, 62 Regal VI, 60 VI convertible, 50 LandCruiser

[StudeRich]

I have to say (softly) that none of your answers are quite on target to answer Bob Andrews question.
The truth is the parts book helps, but the Shop Manual actually TELLS YOU the frame rail thickness. Also many good posts on the forum say basically that 6 or 8 cyl. does not matter, EXCEPT on 2 doors, some years like '59-'61 they used a light frame 13 ga. on V8 & on 6 cyl. 2drs. a even lighter 14 ga. one. Most 4 dr's. H/T's, wagons, Police, Taxi, Jet Thrust Engined cars have heavy 11 ga. frame. The answer is NO Bob, they are not the same. Since there were no '59 V8 2dr's. your '59S 2dr. is 14ga. your '60 V8 4dr. is 13ga. neither are the good 11 ga. like '62 & on (wrong wheelbase to fit a '60).

http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/sdc_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5432&SearchTerms=14,gauge,frame

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[bams50]

I see... maybe I should mention that both the subject and donor cars are 6 cylinders...

So to be clear: The 2 and 4dr. frames are exactly the same dimensionally- and with both cars having the flat 6, in my case thickness doesn't enter in...

Did I get it right?[:I]

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[John Kirchhoff]

The shop manual shows one diagram that includes both cars, so they should be the same. If you need I can email you a copy so you will know where the mounting points are.

[kamzack]

Hey Robert,
Call Steve Cade at 352=472=9369. He has the books with all the dimensions and can tell ya positively. As far as thickness is concerned you're right, doesn't matter. Will also mention converts,hardtops and wagons had an "x" member in the frame to give it structure stability. There may have been other severe service cars that had the x member, but I've owned the catergories above and know they have it.
Kim

[StudeDave57]

I'm not so sure about the hartops, but I DO KNOW~
The only wagons with the 'X' memeber were the Wagonaires~
'63-'66 WITH the sliding roof...


StudeDave [8D]
V/P San Diego County SDC
San Diego, Ca

'54 Commander 4dr 'Ruby'
'57 Parkview (it's a 2dr wagon...) 'Betsy'
'57 Commander 2dr 'Baby'
'57 Champion 2dr 'Jewel'
'58 Packard sedan 'Cleo'
'65 Cruiser 'Sweet Pea'

[StudeRich]

Yes Dave; that would be right, NO Wagons or Hardtops had "X" members.
Only Wagonaires ('63-'66), and Convertibles, of course also Avantis.

Police, Taxi, Severe service "fleet vehicles", Export cars etc. were all stiffened by means of the previously mentioned heavy gauge frame.

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[Retired]

Two door, four door, same body, two door, front door is wider,"b" piller repositioned. Frame would be the same. '47-'52 and maybe later, Champion and Commander two, four, bodies were the same. Land Cruiser, look under the rear floor mat and you will find the welded body extension piece. LC had their own rear doors. Was this alteration done in house or did the body builder do it?

[StudeRich]

Retired, all of your posts are interesting to say the least, they mostly all revive old posts! At least you have been reading/searching old posts listed before you joined or posted, which is good! [^]

However by now; a YEAR later Bob who asked the question, could have sold or finished his '59 and '60 Larks![^] Though I don't think he has.



StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA