Has anyone ever built their own frame from scratch? I have seen a lot of examples of space frames and other ladder type frames scratch built. I would like to use a mini-truck for the basis of my car if possible. I've looked and so far a Suzuki Samurai or a Chevy Tracker would be good candidates for a basic frame and suspension. How narrow can a Mustang II be made? I'm afraid that most aftermarket chassis will be too wide and $$$ for what I'm doing. Any hints or tips would be a appreciated!


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Bradley Miller
http://morris.accesszone.com -- Honey I shrunk the street rod

Hello Bradley
Building your own frame is hard if you dont have a fram jig, and narrowing a mustang frontend is hard to do if you dont have the know how of the geometry or how to put the geometry back in after you cut it. i would give brent at fatmans a call and talk to him.
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A GOODGUYS REP

If you measure carefully, and make use of a square and level, it is fairly easy to build a frame. The hard part is making it fit the body. I wouldn't get to exotic for a first effort, stick with a live rear axle, rather than IRS. Tack every thing first, and finish weld after you are sure that it fits with all the other systems involved. Building a sturdy frame table, even out of wood is a good idea. It makes it much easier to work on.

I have shortend a Mustang rack 3", to narrow a front end, I think you might be able to go 2" more if needed. You can't shorten a power rack though. As long as you maintain the same geometry on both sides as it had originally, shortening it through the middle doesn't hurt anything. You have to disassemble the rack, and cut the same amount out of the housing, and off the right end if the rack itself. Then the right end of the rack has to be remachined for the inner tie rod end. You might take a look at a Sweet racing rack, they are short, adjustable in length, and are available with power if you want it.

BRADLEY my first call would be ART MORRISON 1-800-929-7188
www.artmorrison.com< they can bend side rails to your spec or build a complete chassis.knowledgeable and easy to deal with.
I was in a shop sat. that's building a 29 A roadster for someone in Tenn. that is a new twist on chassis that I haven't seen before(its been around-I just haven't seen it)this is not a clone but based on the "Dick Flint Roadster" which had a full roll pan,they are bending this frame on simple home made jig that I'll have to take pictures of.the side rails of the frame are prerolled 3/8 steel that won't need boxing that appear to be a roll pan.its way beyond cool!!
I'd still call art information is free.....48 HEMI

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"the old car glass guy"

Brad. I am about 1/2 way through build a pro street style frame for my Nash Metro out of 2x3 rect tubing. I have the frame itself finished and need to build a roll cage for added strength and safety. Its really shaping up well. I cut the entire floorboard out of the metro and started measuring and fabbing. Im using a opel GT front end that is already about 4" narrower that the mustang 2 and has rack and pinion and disc brakes and the coolest transverse leaf spring amounted in the crossmember.i narrowed a ford 9" to 33 inches hub to hub to put some semi monster meats under it. I have a pic or two i can send you i took a while back if ya want. Just take your time and make it fit. Be prepaired to redo this or that....it never comes out just right the first....or second time for that matter. I was told that the metro was built by the same british company that made the morris minor so your project may be quite similar.
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KEEP THE GREAZY SIDE DOWN! Lobucrod