51 champ sedan to S10 frame

[Garland Terry]

Hi. New guy, first post, be gentle. About 15 years ago a purchased a nearly complete but rough 51 Champ sedan. My plan was to hot rod it. But it has set in the fence row for many years. I never started anything on it because the suspension is shot. I have seen a couple of these sitting on s-10 chassis. Is this a big deal. What wheel base is used. I have restored several cars over the years but I have never tackled a body swap. Any suggestions. Thanks GT

[60Lark]

I don't know about the S-10 but I know of a fella that put a 51 Champion on a 1996 Chevy Cavalier chassis he also used the Calalier interior and dash, it turned out very nice


Studebaker Fever
60 Lark
56 Power Hawk
Phil Hendrickson
Arnold, Missouri

[sweetolbob]

The nice thing about the S-10 frames are that the longer wheelbase models have a straight section that is easily modified to change the wheelbase.

I would suggest that you go to the HAMB website and search S-10 frame replacement. They have a ton of data.

That being said, The only S-10 frame replacements I've seen under Studes have left the car to high in the air They look funny. Please do the car a favor and plan a good frame swap with the S-10 to keep it looking correct.

If done correctly, it should make a nice rod.

By the way, WELCOME

Bob

,

[woodysrods]

Welcome GT
My shop truck you see in my signiture is on an S10 Chassis. And I have used them on numerous vehicles as they were cheap, available, and easy to get parts for. Things to remember: They have extremely week and narrow rear ends. Throw that away first and get a ford 8" or 9" depending on what you are going to use your Stude for. Next is that width thing again, the frame is great but the track width is a little narrow for most cars... 54" when most cars are in the 58" to 60" range. Popular Mustang II front ends are 56 1/2". I used one under my Henry J and it fits like a glove, almost better than the J frame did originally and they are the same track width. But the front track width can be solve with a machined spacer that will bolt onto the chev bolt pattern front hub and change it to whatever you want Ford 5 on 4 1/2 to match your Ford 8 " rear that solved your rear track width problem). One plus if you are not into rack & pinion steering is that they have a nice manual or power steering box. Front of the frame can be a bit of a problem for some cars sheet metal because you can only trim it back as far as the steering box which is mounted out front. As far as the length? There are three from the factory. They are easy to shorten but not so much fun to lenthen. (Regular PU 108" too short for most cars. King cabs and long boxes are the ones to get with 117" & 121" wheel bases. The rear part of the frames are different with the same welded on front frame section that was used in the midsize chev cars of that era (thats why the parts are so readily available & cheap)So, to shorten you S10 to the desired length you merely need to grind away the factory weld, slide the frame apart, remove the desired amount, slide it back together and reweld. There are a couple of other trick to that procedure but I can share that wiht you later. We perform this operation in my shop in about 2 1/2 hours with two guys. Other than that if you can live with the klick up in the rear it is a nice way to go without reworking your suspension. My Stude PU sits over the stock frame creating a very low appearance without any suspension modifications. I have full ride suspension.
If I can be of any further assistance just e-mail me at woodysrods.ca
Brian

Brian Woods
woodysrods@shaw.ca
1946 M Series (Shop Truck)

[woodysrods]

Hi Gt
I have also built a 50 Champ sedan using the stock Frame with an 84 Corvette front end on air bags and a 9" Ford rear. Nicest driving car I have ever had the pleasure to drive.
Thus I am using that combo in my current 56 Hawk project. Without the air bags!
Brian

Brian Woods
woodysrods@shaw.ca
1946 M Series (Shop Truck)

[kurtruk]

Someone on here must have a picture of the one in Southern California that the couple put on an S-10 (Blazer?) 4x4 frame. Yes, it sits high. Has a camo paint job and a roof rack. They used to drive it a lot. Anyone?

KURTRUK
(read it backwards)




Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong. -A. Lincoln

[Anne F. Goodman]

That would be Mimi & Bob Halgren

Mabel 1949 Champion
Hawk 1957 Silverhawk
Gus 1958 Transtar
The Prez 1955 President State
Blu 1957 Golden Hawk
Daisy 1954 Regal Commander Starlight Coupe
Fresno,Ca

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by kurtruk

Someone on here must have a picture of the one in Southern California that the couple put on an S-10 (Blazer?) 4x4 frame. Yes, it sits high. Has a camo paint job and a roof rack. They used to drive it a lot. Anyone?

Owned and built by our SDC President and her husband. I believe it's all Tralblazer underneath including the (modified) dash. Beautiful work []

Dick Steinkamp
Bellingham, WA

[StudeDave57]

quote:Originally posted by Dick Steinkamp

Owned and built by our SDC President and her husband. I believe it's all Tralblazer underneath including the (modified) dash. Beautiful work [] Dick Steinkamp

Indeed~ it is (was) a TrailBlazer. Seen it once or twice I have...


StudeDave '57 [8D]

[Starlite51]

here's our current '50 project sitting on a S-10 chassis with a Currie 9 inch rear (tubbed)



John
Folsom CA


"Lone Dog ... No Woof"

https://www.cruisinnews.com

[woodysrods]

Now that is how it should look! Great job John.
Those other guys must be on free drugs or something???
Brian

Brian Woods
woodysrods@shaw.ca
1946 M Series (Shop Truck)

[gordr]

Just so you know, Garland, since the car is a '51, practically any suspension part you might need is available from the vendors who can be found on the vendors' page linked from the home page of this very Web site.

If you use Lark spindles, I think it will drop the front end a bit, too. You can get a kit to mount modern disc brakes, and a few folks have added rack and pinion steering to the stock Studebaker front end.

I'm not trying to talk you out of doing an S-10 frame swap, but please don't think that scarcity of parts means you HAVE TO do it. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[studeclunker]

I agree with Gord. It would be a deal easier to fix and mildly modify the original chassis on the car. I mean, after adding a 289 V8, disc brakes, rack and pinnon power steering, what more do you need? Besides, why look like every other dweeb who decides to hack and slash? Dare to be different! Drive a Studebaker as it was intended to look. And if it's a bit of a sleeper, all the better.


Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[Jerry Forrester]

quote:

Now THAT'S a cool car. Altho I'm basically a "53-5 C-K and 2R guy, I could see myself tooling around in something like that.

...............................................

I am in the process of getting parts and pieces gathered up for the May 2010 South Bend Swap meet. How about you?

Jerry Forrester
Forrester's Chrome
Douglasville, Georgia
Be sure to check out my eBay store

http://stores.ebay.com/CHROME-CHROME-CHROME

for your shiny Stude stuff.

More pix of Leo the '55 Pres HT here...http://tinyurl.com/2gj6cu

[clonelark]

Nice start on the 50, wish i had a garage with that much room. , Those starlite's look so good slammed and tubbed.

If it wasn't for the last minute i'd never get anything done.