VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum frame deminsions

Does anyone have frame dimensions for a 1932 Chevy sedan or know where I can aquire them, I need the dimensions for the front frame rails.
Such as the width at different points across the frame, like from rivet to rivet along the frame rails.



62131

Hello, and welcome to Chevy Chatter. Glad that you could join us.

Overall frame length: 152 11/32"
Width of frame at rear: 43 63/64"
Number of cross members: 5
Side member flange width - upper: 2 1/4"
Side member flange width - lower: 2 1/4"
Dept of side Member: 5"
Thickness of side member: 9/64"
Amount of frame kick up: 4 7/8"

Thanks for the dimension, but would you have the width of the frame rails in the front, my cross members have been removed. I have them, I just want to make sure that they are put back at the correct width.

Yep, sure do!

Width of frame at front: 25 63/64"

where is that dimension taken from, do you by any chance have a drawing with dimension?

Don't have a dimensional drawing of the frame and I have never seen one.

The dimensions were taken from the 1932 Chevrolet Specifications manual.

Thanks again,I've been looking for several weeks now for a dimensional drawing, I get the same response, it seams it does not exist.

Thank You
62131

If you have the side rails and the cross member, I assume aligning the rivet holes would give you the perfect fit.

That's true, but somebody cut the second cross member from the front out and I just want to make sure the frame has not spread apart.

62131

If you have the front cross member and the rear cross member in place on the frame, and along with the dimensions above, that would all you would need to verify if the second cross member is correct.

From the front of the frame the first three cross members have been removed. Who ever did this cut the first and second cross member out with a torch, removed the third by removing the rivets. I know you gave me the width on the front of the frame.
I asked where the dimension was taken from and you told me from a manual. I guess I didn't ask the question correctly.
What I meant was where is this measurement taken on the frame. Is it taken across the second cross member?

Thank 62131

The dimensions of the frame were taken from a specifications manual. The manual does not state on what part of the frame the dimensions were taken from. So, that is all there is.

Given the over all dimension across the front and across the back (both listed above), from those two dimensions you should be able to set up the frame rails in their proper configuration to determine the length of each cross member.

The only way you can be more detailed on the dimensions is to measure another 1932 frame that is complete because, as you found out, information on the frame is almost non-existent.

One other option is to purchase a complete 1932 frame if you can find one.

Would a 31 be the same?

No.

I just happen to know where there are eight 1931's.
I guess it just not that easy.

If you think it might help, I could come an look at it. I'll bring what references I have and maybe we can figure it out. If not, I can take pictures and post them.

Ron
Alvaton, KY (about 30 minutes from Glasgow)

Ron:

I hate to ask anybody to come do that, If I can come to Alvaton and look at what information you have or take some measurements I would be grateful for that.
I'm in Bowling Green 3-4 days a week, I work in behind the post office on Scottsville Rd. I take it that you have a 32 also?
If you give me your phone number I will give you a call.

Check your email account for my number.

Ron received your e-mail tried to call you Friday afternoon but no answer, I will try again next week.

How about the dimension between the front frame rail were the bumper mounts does anybody know what the center distance there should be.

The distance between the inner edge of the frame rails centered between the two top rivets for the front frame rail is 23 1/2" as close as I can measure it. That is on a '32 1/2 ton truck frame. A '31 1/2 ton frame measures 22 1/2" at the same location. The outside of frame rail measures 28" at the same location for both. Therefore the '31 frame rail is 1/2" wider at that location than the '32. I can't measure the a '31 or '32 passenger frame at this time as they have radiators installed.

Oh yes, the '31 passenger and 1/2 ton use the same front cross member but the '32 passenger '33 passenger and 1/2 ton use a different cross member than the '32 1/2 ton. Don't know the exact difference between '32 passenger and 1/2 ton. Suspect it is in the shape of the cross member near the engine. The front engine pan bracket is different from both '31 (fits all) and '32 passenger indicating that difference.

I measured three frames ('31 Pass, '31 1/2 ton, '32 1/2 ton) at the ends where the bumper mounts. Each is different due to bending of the front frame rails (23 1/2" to 24 1/2" center to center on bolt hole). I suspect that 24 1/2" is the most accurate. The measurement at the front cross member will be much more accurate in setting the rails as bending there is much less likely. Also the alignment of the front frame rails are affected by the front springs and how much the front axle is bent. The majority of front axles I have had were bent (I suspect from pulling on the center of the axle to get the vehicle out of a mud hole or to get repaired).

The 25 63/64" apparently is measured from outside edges of the front frame horns.

I measured my bumper mounting holes and they are closer to 23-1/2.
I also measured the rivets across the frame starting from the front towards the back and this is what I have. First rivet is 23-3/4 the second rivet is 25-1/2 I,m missing the third rivet because that is where the 1st cross member has been cut out, (I have the original cross member to put back in.) The forth rivet measures 26-1/2,these measurements are approximate. I can't measure the next rivet at this time as the engine is in the way, the second cross member has been removed also because somebody started to street rod the car and was in the process of putting in a sbc engine and has removed the cross member by drilling the rivet out. I need the measurement on the front part of the frame to make sure that when I replace the first cross I have my width set correctly. The second cross member is no problem as I will just replace the rivets.

I should read "between the two top rivets for the front cross member is 23 1/2" as close as I can measure it." Sorry for the fingers as they don't always follow the brain.

I also measured the distance from the outside of each frame rail also between the two top rivets for the front cross member at 28".

As I wrote in the other post the center to center distance for the bumper mounting holes in the front frame horns was not a good location to rely. The front frame horns can easily be bent where the distance at the front cross member is much more difficult to change.

Chipper: Am I missing something here? I really don't understand what you mean by the top rivet. If you count the rivets from the front of the frame towards the back there should be 4 rivets on each side of the frame rails before you get to the second cross member. I posted earlier that I measured across both frame rail and used the rivets as reference points. I might missing the front cross member and counting the second member as the first. How far from the front of the rails is the first cross member located?