Frame / Springs: Transplanting Stude car front suspension to truck frames????

[Jeff T.]

Had an odd thought while looking at some recent threads about swapping in fatman or other front suspensions onto Studebaker trucks... Has anyone ever tried to use Studebaker car front suspension parts on a Studebaker truck frame???

Just wondering

Jeff T.

[Alan]

Why? To me that would be a step backwards, maybe 2.

[Jeff T.]

Why not?

Sometimes you use what you've got....Just a thought experiment

Jeff T.

[Milaca]

The easiest way to do this is to take a Lark four-door sedan, chop the body off behind the front doors, add a panel behind the seats to enclose the cabin, and then add a Dodge pickup bed to the rear.

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

A 2 door would give more cab room.

[Milaca]

A 2 door would give more cab room.

Good idea, an extended cab pickup!

[Starlight]

Had an odd thought while looking at some recent threads about swapping in fatman or other front suspensions onto Studebaker trucks... Has anyone ever tried to use Studebaker car front suspension parts on a Studebaker truck frame???

Just wondering

Jeff T.

Jeff.....There has been Camaro subframe swaps done to "C" cab frames in the past.....I think Volare sub frames has also been swapped around and on and on .....Keep on studebakering

[JoeHall]

For subframe swap, look at the current thread by Deadbodyman, who is doing a 1949 pickup and installing a Mustang II IFS by "Helix", with all the trimmings. Looks very practical, and almost affordable, but of course lots of welding. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[gordr]

I remember some people touting the Ford Aerostar van front end as being a very easy swap into a Stude pickup. Using a Studebaker car front clip would be every bit as much work as using a Brand X clip[, without gaining the benefits of power or r&p steering and disc brakes. And you'd have to deal with different bolt patterns for the front and rear wheels, too.

Many people have put the Stude pickup cab and box onto a Chevy S-10 frame, too.

[1962larksedan]

I remember some people touting the Ford Aerostar van front end as being a very easy swap into a Stude pickup. Using a Studebaker car front clip would be every bit as much work as using a Brand X clip[, without gaining the benefits of power or r&p steering and disc brakes. And you'd have to deal with different bolt patterns for the front and rear wheels, too.

Many people have put the Stude pickup cab and box onto a Chevy S-10 frame, too.

I actually like the Aerostar front end a lot; easy to work on with decent brakes and power steering all in one sub assembly. Too; that front end also has the 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern hubs.

[GEEMAC]

S10 is a good match for 50&51 fronts, don,t know about any of the rest, have not measured any. Mac

[sweetolbob]

I actually like the Aerostar front end a lot; easy to work on with decent brakes and power steering all in one sub assembly. Too; that front end also has the 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern hubs.

A search of Aerostar and/or buddymander (exforum member - ducking quickly as I type this) should give a lot of info on Aerostar to truck conversion. But I don't recall any car conversions.

Bob

[over50]

Current thread called "Ford Aerostar front end under a Stude car?" is having the same discussion. You will want to read both to get all comments.
Norm

[1962larksedan]

Current thread called "Ford Aerostar front end under a Stude car?" is having the same discussion. You will want to read both to get all comments.
Norm

Not really. I started the Stude car thread and the CW is an Aerostar front suspension module would be too wide but works quite well under the trucks.