Frame Fitment Question

[AnimalGuy]

Are all the G body Frames the same?

Reason Im asking, I want to build another car but cant afford to dump a lot of money in a project right now but I can take advantage of my local pick a parts half price days and start building another car one part at a time.

There are a lot of G bodys to be had. My plan is a 78-80 Monte Carlo.

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

el camino frames will not fit other g-bodies, i know that. beyond that all other frames should be compatible except for an extension they added to the frames for the 2004r cross member, earlier frames do not have that extension and will need to have it installed if you plan on using a 2004r.

 

[AnimalGuy]

Thanks GBE. Im going to be going with a caddy 500 engine and an old school Muncie 4 speed so the cross member is not an issue to me. I will be boxing the frame.

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

before you box the frame i suggest replacing all hard lines with stainless steel lines, brake, fuel, etc. i had a brake line go bad on me and i know how frustrating it would be to replace it if i boxed the frame. they're all held onto the frame by clips and those clips could be covered up by the steel you're using on the frame. and you DO want to put the hard lines in clips so they dont flex and possibly fail. 25+ plus on regular steel lines isnt something to take a chance with. i'm just glad my line went bad in the driveway and not on the road.

 

[GhettoRacingKid]

IIRC i believe the monte carlos have loner front frame horns then a malibu. not sure about the other G bodies.

I know there is a lot of info on this board. a search will be your best bet.

as far as being broke and all that. to save money in the long run. buy a complete car not just the frame. getting all those parts is expensive and time consuming.

 

[pontiacgp]

before you box the frame i suggest replacing all hard lines with stainless steel lines, brake, fuel, etc. i had a brake line go bad on me and i know how frustrating it would be to replace it if i boxed the frame. they're all held onto the frame by clips and those clips could be covered up by the steel you're using on the frame. and you DO want to put the hard lines in clips so they dont flex and possibly fail. 25+ plus on regular steel lines isnt something to take a chance with. i'm just glad my line went bad in the driveway and not on the road.

I used cunifer for my lines and attached the lines along the boxed section by riveting line clamps onto the plate

 

[FE3X CLONE]

When you box the frame you don't box over top of the lines. You need to custom bend the lines so that they run on the outside portion of the new boxed section.

 

[AnimalGuy]

Personally I don't like putting the lines where I cant see them. I don't build show cars so I want to make it as user friendly as I can.

Right now I don't have a car, Last DD car I had was 10 years ago, it just been the motorcycle since then. I plan on getting a car that I can drive once I sell the bike. I will pick up a frame and build the chassis as I can afford parts. I want to do an engine swap and run a 4 speed too so its going to be a bit of a hobby process with weekly trips to the few local self pick parts yard close to me.

I'm hoping California makes the rule change that cars older than 1981 so I'm looking for a 78-80 Monte or El Camino. I will keep the car smog legal stock until I hear about the rule change then its on!

 

[pontiacgp]

When you box the frame you don't box over top of the lines. You need to custom bend the lines so that they run on the outside portion of the new boxed section.

that's what I meant to say but rereading my post I notice I didn't make that clear...

 

[FE3X CLONE]

When you box the frame you don't box over top of the lines. You need to custom bend the lines so that they run on the outside portion of the new boxed section.

that's what I meant to say but rereading my post I notice I didn't make that clear...

That wasn't really directed at you but just a general statement.