Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I always knew I wanted to make a name for myself somehow. After several years of working as a welder in different organizations, I decided it was time for a change of scenery. Having a grandfather like Joe Casto (Okie Joe’s Dropped Axles) and having grown up around the hot rod world, the most logical thing was to enter into it head-on! This all lead into the new business, ‘Old School Chassis’.

Joe and I both like traditional cars and the quality of construction of early Fords. I bought American Stamping frame rails, Joe hooked me up with Jerry at Pete & Jakes, where I get the chassis hardware, and of course, Joe drops the axles and builds the front ends. I try to use as many original Ford products as possible, such as: Ford axles, spindles and cross members. I also have the ability to narrow 9″ rear ends. Joe tells me that the early dirt trackers liked the 33-34 frames with the X members, because they were stiffer and stronger. I also like the way Ford boxed the frames using C channels slid inside each other face to face and riveted. I use rivets on the traditional frames and plug weld on 1 1/2″ centers on the hot rod frames. Using plug welds eliminates the 30 linear feet of welds that most boxed frames require. Old School Chassis frames will handle anything from a blown Hemi to a 283 two barrel. I strive to build each frame as a unique product with consultations with the customer, not a standard product that you have to force fit for your application.

– Tyler