Building a Better Hot Rod - '40 Chevy Frame and Suspension - Stacey David's Gearz S17 E12

When it comes to laying out a vehicle for a hot rod build, most people focus on the engine and transmission they want but tend to overlook the chassis and frame. That can be a mistake because throwing 500hp into an 80-year-old frame can cause some serious problems unless you upgrade it properly. In the past, Stacey has shown how to upgrade a vintage frame, but today he digs into what’s involved in a full frame replacement to make sure our ’40 Chevy can handle everything we want going to throw at it. From frame to upgraded suspension and brakes, to a classic quick change rear end, this build is going to show you another option to upgrading your hot rod foundation, while checking all the vintage boxes! And speaking of hot rods, no hot rod is complete without a kicking’ stereo, so follow along as we showcase KICKER Audio, as they celebrate 50 years in car audio innovations…… only on GEARZ!
Partners in this episode:
Fatman Fabrication staceydavid.co...
Ridetech staceydavid.co...
Wilwood Brakes staceydavid.co...
Winters staceydavid.co...
Tanks staceydavid.co...
Kicker staceydavid.co...
Cornwell staceydavid.co...
Woodward Fab staceydavid.co...
Holley staceydavid.co...
Hot Shot's Secret staceydavid.co...
Become a channel member for early access to new episodes of Gearz:
/ @officialstaceydavid

[@sparkplug0000]

“Real hot rods have 3 pedals” - you have no idea how happy it made me to hear you say that!!!

[@MarshHouse]

nice intro! thats worth a subscriber. beautiful cars. Thanks for keeping them Alive!

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

Thanks for the sub!

[@kevine8736]

stacy I've been watching you since trucks back in the 90s your show's are awsome and have given me a lotta ideas not for just trucks but whatever I put my hands on to be creative ... thanks man

[@richardhill4862]

Stalled projects that I have come across came with living things like rats, snakes, bugs, and plants. We would have loved to have a frame to work with. Your section on car speakers brought back some old memories of cheep speakers, curded wiring and hard instillations was all you had to work with. Way better today!

[@iceman45ification1]

Love that old Chevy!! Can't wait to see how it'll turn out. Since I'm a big car audio fan, Kicker was one of my go-to brands for woofers back in the day. Their gold letter line were the best sounding in my opinion. Nice work Stacey!! 👏

[@jordangryg5442]

your the man stacy ! looked up to you my whole life ! wish i could come check out your projects ! thanks for being you !

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

I appreciate that!

[@giggiddy]

Stacey, I have a difficult time trying to articulate my appreciation for you doing these shows for so long. Unfortunately, all the little "everyone gets a trophy" children are now adults and they want to come here and criticize. We know who the icons in this business are and what you've contributed. The ones with the biggest mouthes are the ones that are still secretly still breastfeeding. Ignore their ignorance and keep doing what you're doing. Cheers brother!

[@izzynutz2000]

That old sparkomatic audio system damn near made me cry it was the first stereo system I ever wanted when I was like 10 didn't even have a car to put it in

[@merrellbean7238]

So so glad to see someone is trying to bring the hot rod back you don't see him any hot rods like have out all they got now is junk aluminum so God bless you and I'm looking forward to seeing your channel just came across your channel

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

Awesome! Glad you found the channel.

[@dragonfires01]

You uave heen inspiring me since trucks.....love all ur shows...just recently found out that ..bc i didnt remember...that kevin painted big blaze..he is my other fave auto guy to watch and learn and get inspired by

[@xsmadman]

brutal hair helmet

[@graeme8800]

Hey, realoc1972, hotrod is blanket term for whatever your building. The title didn't need fixing.😂

[@rubenfranco9046]

Yes it did.

[@bmstylee]

Those bolt extractors look like a useful addition to the box.

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

Very!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Enjoyed!!! 👍👍

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@QuanticChaos1000]

Hardly anyone has the budget for a $13000 frame, let alone the $3000 IFS kit from Chassis Engineering...

[@rickynelson3222]

I agree with you ✌️

[@stephenneil9345]

By the time everything is added to that frame easily 18-20k.

[@Killstryke725]

This is the classic case of if you got money, make it easier for yourself. Me personally I agree 1000% with you because half the fun is finding that good solid frame and fabricating it to your liking.

[@chipprice1174]

I have the shop, I have at least most of the tools, and I have turned a wrench or two in my day. What I don't have is the funds to buy all of the really nice after market items. So, If I build something, most of it will be off the shelf of the local auto parts, or, an EBAY purchase to make it happen. I kinda like that because should something give me an issue, good chance I can go to town(which ever town I might be in) and get a replacement.

[@speedfreak8200]

Hey, are you still putting silicone gasket maker on paper gaskets, or did you move on from that ? I've been a fan of yours forever. I put a thin layer of grease on paper gaskets ..... they don't stick & you can reuse the gasket if you need to peace!!

[@BillMulholland1]

👍

[@jonallen1985]

Who else wants a update on Wicked Willys? I remember the start of not only that but project hairy hauler, and who can forget project Sinister Silverado.

[@everettpangle1861]

🎉Hey I'm just if you have a show about replacing proportioning valve on a 1978 Chevrolet half ton pickup? A lot of fans would like to know about that.

[@crazylarryjr]

I want you to do a Drag and Drive project, That would be a cool project to see you do

[@richardtibbetts574]

Stacey needs a makeover. That hairdo is so 1980’s.

[@randyschield2515]

Stacey, will you have some episodes on the Camaro project? Why not put an old school 427 big block in it? I have some ideas on how to build it. Worked for us in the 70's. 70 Chevelle 427 4 speed. Ran 11.90's at 119.mph

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

The Camaro is coming back next season!

[@MrStacy1974]

A lot of you guys are forgetting that a lot of the original Hot Rods were just 20 or 30 years old in the 40's and 50's. You also blame modern kids for being sissies, but YOU raised them and they watched your every move influencing who they became. My generation lost shop class (raised in the 80's) we didn't have a chance to learn about car building unless our family were already gearheads. Back to my original point hot rods are now old , REALY OLD before you can even start hot rodding these old cars you have lots of rust and frame repairs to do. You can see why some broke kid would start with a cheap 15-20 y/o Honda with a serviceable chassis just add a turbo and cheap suspension with a budget that would BARELY cover the cost of the chassis being used here.

[@motercycle80]

I just see Dollar 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰 sign

[@tavianhorton281]

I’ve always wondered if the banshee is still around or whatever happened to it

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

I sold it, but it's still around.

[@robertgardner1259]

That needs a Godzilla Swap!

[@ChrisSmith-wj8yw]

sprint cars guys have them latemodels have that all auto dirt racing have them

[@tommarkham7760]

Yeah if you have u got sure😂

[@rickynelson3222]

I enjoy your show but it's all high price parts don't you ever do a build like somebody would do back than

[@macho4x4warlock98]

Let’s make it a $100k Rod. Second mortgage cash reserve used. Then get tired of it after working on it for multiple years. Then try to sell for 1/2 what you got in it. Still paying the Second mortgage for the next 10 years…….

[@-donkey_696_]

Its a hotrod ,a hotrod is whatever you make it to be ,its just to bad that that frame ,fronts suspension, and rear axle ,and brakes that go on it is probably well over 25k us ,front suspension with 13" 6piston wilwoods,moser m9 complete with 12" willwood brakes and some America racing rims was the best part of 17k us funds ,what im i thinking 30k for that stuff ,Stacey builds great vehicle's, just out of reach for the averge guy,i wish he say how much he spent on that stuff

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

Thanks for watching! I don't put prices in videos because it would be misleading for people who watch later on. Imagine the sticker shock someone would have today if I said how much parts cost in a build from Season 1!

[@-donkey_696_]

@OfficialStaceyDavid ,I fully understand, I know how much things have went up just since the pandemic lol something that used to cost 300 USD ,would be 450 to maybe 500 Canadian, the last part I bought 317 USD cost me 597 Canadian ,but it would be nice just to know even if you date stamped it lol .Thanks Stacey a friend of mine met you ,she said you were one of the most down to earth people she had ever met . Love you on trucks years ago keep up the fantastic work ,fan 4 life ,thank you :)

[@garypic4083]

Don't you just love having ever tell you how much all this stuff costs

[@poortouringhotwiregarage5617]

There was nothing wrong with that Mustang II suspension that came with the car except for the lower a-arms which are easily upgraded. Must be nice to have more $$ than sense

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

I'm sorry, but you lost me when this Hot Rod project became yet another street rod . My guess would be that you're going to paint it red too just like every other one out there .

[@dkstudioart]

Ya, it will be a nice car but it won't be a hot rod, at least not by the traditional definition, but what else would you expect from Stacey?

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

@@dkstudioart something more along the lines of the " Rat Roaster " or a gasser .

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

It's not going to be red.

[@garypic4083]

​@@OfficialStaceyDavid Blue

[@robs4517]

To make that Chevy right, it needs a Coyote swap.

[@skulledmonte84]

Still wearing the same wig from 2004

[@jons7771]

There is no actual building content in this entire episode. What a waste of time. Stacy David is the master of "Mail Order" builds. Every darn show he has been in is a testament to that. Of course throw a small block chevy in it, dressed up with Holley or Edelbrock parts. I'm getting hints and flavors of Hot Rod magazine. Low buck hot rodding is all about using those so called rusted parts (that you threw away) and making it work. The gasser nose in the air rake was spot on. Now, just a cookie cutter street rod? Nope, i'm out.

[@Emerica-wp9ch]

24mins and not one wrench turned

[@jamesneedham9825]

I dig high dollar cars .but most folks don't have deep pockets and sponsors, I build my cars myself and use what I have or can hustle up,I like your work but you are out of touch with most cats building there cars.

[@garypic4083]

Stacy do you put that hair in the closet when you go to sleep? Yea Restomod 100%

[@cavindent6973]

Not understanding all the complaints in the comments. If this hobby is too expensive for you find a different hobby.

[@stephenneil9345]

Can you buy a 20k chassis??. Just asking cause 95% of builders can not. So don't comment on something you know nothing about.

[@giggiddy]

Cavin- You are 100% correct. These bed-wetters cant afford their hobby and like everything else in their inadequate life, they are blaming someine else for it. Cheers buddy and enjoy the hobby you work so hard for.

[@TheREALOC1972]

"Building a Better Restomod", there.... fixed the title for you. Your not "building a hot rod" a Hot rod is a Classic car with the original frame, original motor that's been souped up at home, a nice cheap paint job that you do in your garage or barn and interior just good enough to sit in and hang on, you know.... like they did right after coming back from WWII. Your building a Restomod, New up to date frame, brand new Engine, a paint job that is going to cost thousands and thousands of dollars New Engine and transmission, and all brand new interior, you all need to look up the definations of what a Hot Rod is and what a Restomod is......

[@rubenfranco9046]

My thoughts exactly, so many super fans just swallow whatever and defend it fiercely. Thankyou for showing me there are more than just mindless idiots out there watching. I was starting to wonder.

[@Eric19781]

I don’t care what he calls it I would let him call my k10 a dragster if he wants to work on it lol

[@TheREALOC1972]

@@Eric19781 You should care, Stacy represents us gearheads in the media and basically in life. stuff like this is why so many people are confused by the automotive world and why the hobby is dying off.

[@Eric19781]

@@TheREALOC1972 I don’t think that is why our hobby is dying I think it has a lot to do with our country is making our boys to feminine and they will not put their phones down long enough to get their hands dirty

[@TheREALOC1972]

@@Eric19781That doesn;t help either but even the "Boys" don;t want much to do with classic cars until they hit their mid 20's or so.

[@dougpearson4711]

Dude needs to do something with his hair its hilarious! Also give away some cooler swag! lame T shirts and a note pad c’mon man!

[@dougpearson4711]

Mail order Stacy should work for QVC cause all he does is sell shit and bolt crap together!

[@dougpearson4711]

This poser didn’t do any work on this car the whole episode! Mail order Stacey what a sellout!