Automatic Or Manual Frame
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 751
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From: Lufkin Texas
Automatic Or Manual Frame
Can an automatic frame be used in place of a manual transmission frame? What is different about them if they can't be swapped? Are the frames the same from 74-79?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...What is different about them if they can't be swapped?...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
There is only 1 bracket that needs to be welded on the auto crossmember so it's not a big deal to use an auto frame. IMO, the convenience of the removeable crossmember is a big plus with an auto frame, if you're not concerned about originality.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 751
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From: Lufkin Texas
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
Auto in place of manual....Yes, provided you swap out the clutch bracketry if you want a manual transmission.
The clutch goodies. 68-79 manual transmission frames have the clutch bracketry welded to the frames. 80-82 manual frames have the bracketry bolted in place. Automatic frames do not have the cluth hardware.
The clutch goodies. 68-79 manual transmission frames have the clutch bracketry welded to the frames. 80-82 manual frames have the bracketry bolted in place. Automatic frames do not have the cluth hardware.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 236
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From: Clearwater Florida
74 was a 1 year only frame. The rear cross member that the bumper mounts to is different than every other year.
In addition the side rails behind the rear wheels are not the same shape.
73, one year only.
74, one year only.
75-77 probably the same. May be slight difference because later cars had steel floor pan.
78-79 are the same. Different rear bumper mount cross member than 75-77 cars