I am not sure if this is where you would like me to start this thread but feel free to move if needed. Also any questions or input please don't hesitate. Hopefully this will make sense?
What we are doing is replacing the front clip off of a chev truck and installing a pinto clip. It will have a rack coil overs and tubular control arms. The kit came from Bear's Performance. The truck has already been backhalved so this clip will tie into the ladderbar crossmember for best support. Here are some pics with a brief description:

Here is a pic of the way the truck sat with the stock front



The factory front clip, (looks heavy)



The new frame section



Our first problem, the tubular ladderbar crossmember will not make a good point to weld the frame section to (pay no attention to the welds on the jig, we were getting low on wire...lol)



Another shot of the crossmember



We weren't happy with how this crossmember was installed (to low) so we got a new square tubing crossmember and plan to raise it which will give the truck a lower stance and much more support to the new chassis



We built our jig for the truck trying to keep it high and the frame level. Now we didn't go overboard on the jig, just trying to keep the factory frame level because we will leave the body bolted to the original frame and build the new one inside of it. Once the frame is done we will build a cage which will tie the body to the new frame. Then we can bring our new supports over to the body mount and remove the old frame. Here is a pic of the jig



Next we used a laser plumbob and marked the wheelbase, crossmember,frame and sqaured the truck up with the floor. Now we have a few lines square with the truck all measurements from this point will be easy. Here you can see the front clip removed and a few of our lines on the floor. The new frame will slide right between the factory frame rails.



Now we slid the new frame in place and put together one side in order to establish ride height. This is going to dictate where the rear crossmember will be put in place.

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gotta love a pro street

Looks like ya know what yer doing to this point. You know if that Ford is in your way ?????

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Down the two lane blacktop.
Oldskool Is Kool :thumbsup:
Ford Man From Way Back



Check out: hotrodhotline.com for my pictures.

Great pics.....help some people to understand what's involved in doing something like that. Many of us would like to get that Fairlane out of the way for ya!

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...... BRIAN ......

Sorry colorado and SCrew, I think I will put up with the car in the way for now.The old fairlane tends to be in the way quite abit but this is why I will keep it rolling till the truck is done, then I will finish the front clip on the fairlane.The shop is getting a little small for us, but with any luck I should have a bigger shop with a hoist by summer.

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gotta love a pro street

Looks like a great project. How did it turn out?

I wish I had the know how and resources to be able to pull something like that off.

I thought I would share the last couple pics so you all could see how the old chev turned out.

Front clip finished with rad support and cage


Final ride height

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gotta love a pro street

Looks great. How long did you work on it?

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Ford Mustang - I wouldn't have any other car in the world!

It took about 6months to do the pinto front clip and back half. As far as I know the truck hasn't had much done since it left the shop looking like this.

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gotta love a pro street

I guess its ok looking but you know what? It would have been MUCH better if you were workin on a FORD! Maybe that should be your next project? Trick out a Ranger or something if you are into those smaller trucks ;)

Unfortunately most of my jobs are on chevs and jeeps. My own personal vehicles are all fords but if I started refusing work because it didn't have a blue oval on the hood I would go broke pretty quick.
The only reason I posted this build is because it would be the same setup for any make when doing a front clip.
I am a ford man but I do admire good workmanship regardless of the make of the vehicle.
When you said it was ok looking what seemed to be the problem. Did I not tie the front clip to the rear crossmember right, or was it something else.

My future projects are as follows:

Building a complete cage (starting this tonight) BRONCO
Hydralic assist steering BRONCO

putting bags on a 08 Chev 1500 (Starting next week)

Complete build of a 64 Mercury pickup (this is my truck so it will be awhile)

Allan

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gotta love a pro street