Got a 1954 panel with a solid body
Goal is a reliable vehicle that you can drive anywhere and pull a smallish camper.
Plan on using a Coyote with a manual trans.
I am thinking that the stock chassis may not be up to this, am willing to go aftermarket, looking for suggestions.
Also, I always thought that a panel and pickup used the same frame, can anyone confirm this?

This is one that I thought might fit the bill.

https://totalcostinvolved.com/produc...-rear-chassis/

 

Only difference I know of is the panel has extensions at the back of the frame and the rear running board bracket has another bracket attached to mount the body. Fuel tank is unique to the panel as well. There is no reason to purchase another frame unless you don't want to do the upgrades to the original but then if you have to farm out the work you could lay the cash down on the aftermarket frame and deal with any little tweaks that might need done..

 

Thanks for the reply, no I would be happy to keep the frame that I have, It has front disc and Toyota steering and I like the ride height, just wondered how it would handle 460 HP or so but I will not be driving it hard.

 

Not sure why you think you need that much horsepower , half that is plenty...

 

Agreed....

 

because I can

 

If I was worried about pracatility I would not be driving a 70 year old truck in the first place

 

[QUOTE\

 

500 hp what do you think would go wrong using the original frame? The stock hp was 132 ish but ran over obstacles that I'm sure new trucks couldn't handle.

im betting it would be fine

 

That is true, I see all the time where late model pickup truck frames are broke in half, never heard tell of that until the last 15 years of so.

Also I am looking at a 380 HP or so coyote not a 500 HP one.

 

well a stock 56 was 168 or 171 hp I forget and I'm guessing my hot y block is 250 plus and I show it no mercy at the track with fat sticky tires. You'll be fine
you'll find the weak link with the hp. Mine is the Dana 44. I keep twisting axles

 

you never have too much HP

 

Most of it goes unused unless you're burning rubber in front of a high school trying to impress the students at recess...lol

 

I used the original frame on my 55 F-100, with a 2022 F-150 Coyote engine.
t definitely needs reinforcement if you are going to use a Coyote engine.
450 horsepower is just about right with a 3600# truck!!!
I am using the 10R80 transmission.





You can see the build here.
1955 F-100 RestoMod - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums