1964 Valiant straight axle build

I agree that in some cases it would be easier. For instance: You can buy ready made front frame stubs for tri-five Chevys, and first generation Novas, but that application assumes that you are, for the most part, going to use a one-piece fiberglass, tilt front end, and you only have to line up the pivot bar in the front.

In my case, I would have had to fabricate a mount for the steering, and then make adjustments to the steering linkage, as the box would most likely have to be closer to the frame. Then I would need to make mounts on the frame to mount the engine (with or without the motor plate), then there would still need to be some kind of brace between the stock framerails to restore strength.

The weight savings, in my opinion, are not worth the extra money and work to get it all to work right.

If I were to make a square tube frame stub, I would have to also make radiator mounts, and lots of braces to get the front clip to line up.

Like I said, both ways work, and a "hot rod" style front frame set up would be easier to set up the steering without custom parts, but in my case it was way more simple to use the stock K member, and weight savings aren't that big of a deal with me, as it's not going to be a race only car.

Thanks for the kind words everybody! :)