[sam1el]

Hey guys, Been a long time since I posted. I been so super busy with my 55 chevy and work. Now I have a new project. It may not be a chevy but it's a close relative. I have a 55 Pancho Chieftain wagon. American pancho so the wheelbase is 7in longer but from the firewall back it's just a nomad. I got this for my gf for her bday last year and we have gotten it pretty much torn down. She has decided she wants to nosebleed it. I am trying to figure out which straight-axle setup I should get form speedway motors. Not sure where to make my measurement. I measured Hub to Hub on the current axle and it comes to 52 and 1/8 inches. This doesn't seem right to me. The only straight axle setups they sell are ford and chevy and the chevy ones only go to 50 which I am assuming is disassembled axle length only not hub to hub. If anyone can point me in the proper direction that would be awesome. I have only been able to find 3-4 posts on anything similar to what I'm doing and they leave tons of the info out. Pancho or not this site has never steered me wrong.

 

[Chevynut]

I have a 55 Pancho Chieftain wagon. American pancho so the wheelbase is 7in longer but from the firewall back it's just a nomad.

The Chieftain is not like a Nomad...the Safari is a close relative. But nothing is "just a Nomad". arty0031:

 

[sam1el]

Maybe not completely but every piece of sheet metal I have replaced this far has been from a nomad and it was a perfect match. You're right though nothing is just a nomad.:tu

 

[Chevynut]

All of these cars share a significant amount of sheetmetal. I don't know where you're getting a hub to hub measurement of 52 1/8" but a stock 55 Chevy is about 59 1/4" hub to hub at the wheel mounting surfaces.

This is a Safari, which is the Nomad's cousin:

This is the Chieftain wagon, which is the Handyman's cousin:

 

[sam1el]

well I had my buddy measure from wheel hub to wheel hub on the chief. he read 52 1/8 i am gonna remeasure it when I get to the shop tonight cause it sounds way off to me. I will get an accurate measurement and post it up tonight and see what we can come up with. For reference is it 59 and 1/4 on the handyman?

Correction,

I asked him and he said he measured from the the back plate on the break drum side to side so it's a bit off I would say.

Also i was thinking the hub to hub shouldn't matter it's the width of the axle I need to know really right?if I get a 50in axle once I put the spindles and everything else on it's gonna probably be about where I need it to be. I guess I should measure the axle? I am new to the gasser stuff so i'm trying to collect info while i'm setting it up in my head.

 

[sam1el]

Welp I apologize for not reading every post. I just had my question answered here
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50057
by reading.

 

[sam1el]

SO i remeasured from kingpin to kingpin as i read in the post I linked as well as what I read a few other places and it looks like i need the 50in axle kit from speedway motors.

 

[classic gary]

i've got a 50" KP to KP straight tube axle with ford F1 pickup spindles, second gen camaro rotor kit and 15"x 4" AR torque thrusts and the track width (center of tire to center of tire), is perfect under my '56. i also pushed the front axle towards the front a little, i've got a 118" wheel base now.

 

[sam1el]

Sweet glad i'm head the right direction I was thinking the 50in chev version of Thiswould at least get me going then it's on to those pesky floor pans I gotta replace.. I will be posting pictures soon, I think the 4 door chief is gonna make an awesome gasser.

 

[pullen65gto]

Sweet glad i'm head the right direction I was thinking the 50in chev version of Thiswould at least get me going then it's on to those pesky floor pans I gotta replace.. I will be posting pictures soon, I think the 4 door chief is gonna make an awesome gasser.

i just bought the 50 inch from speedway, that is 50 inch king pin to king pin & 58 & 1/4 hun to hub (almost perfect) they are great to deal with, got my axle in 3 days.

 

[MT94SS]

i just bought the 50 inch from speedway, that is 50 inch king pin to king pin & 58 & 1/4 hun to hub (almost perfect) they are great to deal with, got my axle in 3 days.

WooHoo!!! Glad you are setup! Did you get the big brakes?

Jeff, where are the pics?!? I wanna see what you're working with...:happy0030:

There's a lot of bumper to remove on those... but I love the taillights!

Later,

Mike

 

[sam1el]

Here's the car the day I got it. I have since stripped the front end off. Let me tell you that bumper was TONS of fun to remove.......:scared0005::scared0005:

People keep trying to talk me out of making it a gasser saying it's too difficult and it will never ride right and it will handle horribly. I'm pretty set on doing it though mostly because i bought it for the gf and she is set on it lol. Anyways More pics to come I'm heading up to the shop tonight to remove the motor and tranny and start prepping the frame.

 

[nitrouspro]

If the body is as straight as it appears, your starting way ahead of where a lot of us did. I think its a great project! al

 

[sam1el]

outside is perfect the floors on the other hand are JACKED up. i can flintstone them

 

[sam1el]

Here's some pics after yesterdays progress. Going back today to start cleaning up the frame some and remove what's left

That's my friend Randy helping out in the picture.

 

[classic gary]

what are you goint to do with the Hydro ?

 

[sam1el]

Was about to put it and the motor on craigslist for free to haul it away if you want it it's yours

 

[classic gary]

where in Texas are you ?

 

[sam1el]

Fort Worth. North Richland Hills area to be exact. Tranny still shifts through all the gears easily and I can turn it by hand when in neutral. Not sure in what shape it's in otherwise.

 

[classic gary]

i smell a road trip !! i gotta check with the ole' lady about this weekend. you be around ?