modern chassis

[burnard hodge]

I want to replace the chassis on my 1932 studebaker model 55 with a modern chassis I have found chassis for model a ford but none for my car can anyone help me

[Skip Lackie]

Not sure I understand your question. If you are looking for a off-the-shelf modern reproduction chassis for a 1932 Studebaker, then the answer is no one makes them. If you are asking if anyone has found a modern chassis that will fit under a 1932 Studebaker, then I can't answer your question -- I don't know of anyone who has made that swap.

[enjenjo]

https://artmorrison.com/ They can build a chassis for anything. Hold on to your wallet.

[Mike Van Veghten]

Yeah, Morrison does nice work as does Heidt's, and possibly a few others.
BUT, also as noted, hopefully...you've already put your kids through collage !

IF...you are looking for a better driving experience out of this new chassis, vs. just having a less rusty set of frame rails... You MUST discuss the front suspension geometry with the builder.
In more "normal" chassis builds, they (all builders) will take the easy way out and design the control arms parallel in all plains. This will net you a suspension that will handle virtually the same as the chassis that you are removing ! Check your current control arms !!
So, you NEED to sit down with them and discuss the additional cost of designing the front suspension with correct, /proper control arm geometry.
That is - the upper control arm will have its outer point (ball joint end) "above" the arm to chassis mount location. And on "some angle", front vs rear (depending on the wheel base).
And the same with the lower control arm. It will be close to level with the ground at ride height, but at an angle (front to rear), also depend on the cars wheel base.

So yeah...there's a LOT more to a properly designed, good handling chassis than just bolting up stuff to a set of frame rails. Or else, it just be a pretty, new 32 Stude chassis with 1932 handling and disc brakes.

Mike

[garyash]

From your question, it sounds like you want a street rod, so you'll throw away the engine, transmission, axles, steering, and all the other mechanical parts of the Model 55 to put your body on a different chassis. The model 55 cars came in 110" and 114" wheelbase, so you'll need some thing close to your original length or the wheels will be in the wrong place. Maybe a Chevy S-10 truck chassis would work.
See this: https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/...10_frame_swaps

The body of the car may have been built using wood for the structure with the sheet metal tacked on, so you might have some difficult woodworking ahead to rebuild the body. I hope you have plenty of time, money, experience, motivation, and garage space to do a project like this. Otherwise, you'll be back in a year or so trying to sell off a cut-up, half-done car.

[Hallabutt]

I'll try to make it short and sweet. Since this is your first post I have to believe that you are not a Studebaker guy. IMO before you bury in a project from which there is no escape, get rid of the car. There are plenty of stillborn street rod projects out there that need an advocate. I'm going to make another assumption, that you are not in love with the relatively rare 1932 Model 55. My guess is that you just want a street rod that is different. Please give us a sketch of the car-body style and condition.

[sweetolbob]

I want to replace the chassis on my 1932 studebaker model 55 with a modern chassis I have found chassis for model a ford but none for my car can anyone help me

It depends on your definition of a modern chassis. A local chap here set a 32 Buick Coupe on an S-10 chassis and turned it into a great show car and highway driver. Powered by a 455 Buick engine and transmission it was a great example of that era Buick for all to see. He has disc brakes and kept the original wheels for effect.

He said he would have chosen a Dodge Dakota chassis as it had a wider front treadwidth. The reason folks love the S-10 is the frame is easily modified to change wheelbase.

Your car, your choice. Bob

[6hk71400]

You might want to add, your money, lots of it.

[r1lark]

He said he would have chosen a Dodge Dakota chassis as it had a wider front treadwidth. The reason folks love the S-10 is the frame is easily modified to change wheelbase.

Yes, that's one downside of the S10 when used with larger cars -- the narrow treadwidth. The Dakota is actually pretty easy to change the wheelbase on also.

[PackardV8]

I'll try to make it short and sweet. Since this is your first post I have to believe that you are not a Studebaker guy. IMO before you bury in a project from which there is no escape, get rid of the car. There are plenty of stillborn street rod projects out there that need an advocate. I'm going to make another assumption, that you are not in love with the relatively rare 1932 Model 55. My guess is that you just want a street rod that is different. Please give us a sketch of the car-body style and condition.

X2 - sixty years of experience guarantees you can buy a complete, sorted, finished driving car for less money than you can build yourself from scratch.

jack vines

[burnard hodge]

thx guys for all the input ,not looking to build a hot rod love the look of my 32 body just want it to run and handle more like a newer car

[wcarroll@outrageous.net]

What condition is the original suspension in?

I ask because you can’t blame a 90 year old car for poor handling and ride quality if it hasn’t been refurbished.

I see lots of nice looking cars with worn out systems.

For example, after 90 years of supporting a cars weight one shouldn’t expect much spring to be left in a leaf spring.

Perhaps the car is just worn out mechanically and in need or refurbishing?

No, it won’t ever handle like a modern car, but maybe you’d be happy if it just performed as it would have when new.

Heck with the condition some of our roads are in, a well performing 1932 suspension might be jut the ticket!

[r1lark]

thx guys for all the input ,not looking to build a hot rod love the look of my 32 body just want it to run and handle more like a newer car

An old car that's modified to run and handle like a modern car -- to me that is a hot rod! (Or, as they were called in the 1980s, a resto-mod.)

[burnard hodge]

dose anyone know where I can find a schematic drawing for a 1932 studebaker model 55chassis

[garyash]

Here you go! Have a good time.

[burnard hodge]

thanks Gary I have looked everywhere for that information is there one that shows the dimensions between the Frame rails as well thanks so much