Looking ahead in my street/strip build, but also understanding that you have to start with the foundation. I'm wondering how much hp/tq will the stock frame hold up to, considering high stall torque converter and some decent hard launches.

And assuming that your answer will be fairly low, what are some options as far as modifying or boxing the stock frame or going full tube or... ?

And who are the companies, if any, that offer frames and components for our trucks?

Thanks, Joe

 

I don't know anything about this company but their site keeps coming up whenever I Google for Ford truck information:

Progressive Automotive, 1948 ford truck chassis, 1949 ford truck chassis, 1950 ford truck chassis, 1951 ford truck chassis, 1952 ford truck chassis, 1948 ford truck frame, 1949 ford truck frame, 1950 ford truck frame, 1951 ford truck frame, 1952 ford

 

Hmmn, that looks like a very decent option. Thanks for the link Bob!

On a side note, is it too much to ask to see some Ford powerplant considerations? Every place I see that sells Ford motor mounts sells chevy ones 4:1.

 

Are you building an all out drag truck? What motor? How much power? Tubbed? Track only or street driven?

There's too many factors to consider.

I've seen stock chassis trucks with little frame modification in the 9's and driven on the street.

 

Not all out, street/strip, dropping in a 351W to be punched out to 392-408 in the future, not sure about hp, respectable but not insane, not sure about tubbed yet.

What frame mods? I'd be all for using the stock frame, maybe a back half mod?

 

Another option is Total Cost Involved. They have a good line of suspension and chassis equipment.

This is the page from the catalog with the 48-56 F1, F100 chassis:
http://www.totalcostinvolved.com/pdf/TCI_pg17-18.pdf

 

That might be an option, but i'd have to sell one of my kids first. My little girl is really cute, just adorable, but i've known my son longer and so he's grown on me, i'm kind of attached to both of them really, decisions....

Seriously though, thanks for the link, I wanted to see what was out there.

 

Heidt and Art Morrison Make some of the best replacement chassis for racing/street applications, but the stock or modified stock frame will handle all the power you'll be able to put to the pavement. Pickups are traction challenged from the start (pun unavoidable) especially with a chassis suitable for street use. Without modification the stock frame will handle 400 hp easily. Over that and you will need to rigidize it (and tub it to get enough tire on it to not just make a lot of smoke) with boxing and/or a K member to reduce torque twist.
There is no such thing as a "good" street/strip chassis, trying to do both requires a lot of compromises as what is best for one use is detrimental to the other. If you are mostly interested in "redlight" drag racing, forget about it completely or take out a lot of insurance, both life and liability and start a bail fund, street racing a pickup is an accident going to happen. Not a lecture, just the realities.

 

I sent you a PM

 

Nah, maybe a little street fun under 60mph, just in town, but I get plenty of that in my Cummins. I have a huge (4-5ft) "Powered By Cummins" sticker in my back window and every diesel head in town wants a piece of me because of that. This will be more for cruising on the street and bracket racing at the strip. My loooooong term goal would be up around 600hp and it sounds like with some modifications down the road the frame would be able to handle that.

Got it and replied