Nerd Rods, 55-59 Truck Frame Project 1956, C4 suspension, 5.3L auto Kit Frame Design

[rat_rod_russell]

Alright! CNC Bent exhaust back half was a success! Unfortunately its not but a few buck cheaper after shipping but its still WAY nicer and there might be some discounts in the future when I start working in some kind of volume.






Gas tank is also completely welded. I just need to install the pump and sending unit to finish it up and have the hold down brackets finished up then it will be ready for powder coating. Once we finish the heat shields for the mufflers then it will be ready for final install.

One thing is for certain, I need my own sheetmetal brake and soon. The brake I've been using isn't well cared for and I end up setting it up each time but on this tank the setup was a bit off because I didn't bring my mic's with me and it shows if you know what to look for. That's why I sanded off a good chunk of the welds and smoothed them out.










I'm also making a drive shaft protection that will be sold with the tank as well so if a U-Joint breaks the drive shaft will be held in with steel not banging into your aluminum fuel tank. Although if you think you might rupture a drive shaft then this tank isn't for you and I don't think it will clear a live axle anyway.


But it looks good in the frame!







Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Update Time!

Logistics, logistics, logistics. Mainly on wheels for George. We finally had Ben @ Hermance Designs do a rending for him to try our several wheels after looking at some very expensive options he landed on the Showwheels and here we are.



We've also been busy with the version 7 TriFive Car frame and lots of carts and other fabrication and handling equipment here in the shop. Its been busy, just doesn't look that way from the outside looking in.

Here's just one of the rolling chassis's that's been pushed out the door since we've been out of touch.
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128100

And a roadster we've started on recently as well.
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...urbo-Track-Toy

But the CAM is in as of today, and the wheels should be here shortly. So next the truck can come in and we can lock down the chassis. More photos to come shortly.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

So we finally flow tested the gas tank. The shop water hose filed a 5 gallon bucket in 1:15. When I topped my bike of the other day it took 1:35 to fill 4 gallons so we're good there. We hooked it all up with all the bends to get up to the stock filler neck on the truck and let her rip. Test came out perfectly and we're good to go.



With that confirmed I ordered up 2 more tanks. We recently had frame #2 returned to us for completion. They had purchased it as a stage 2 for a father son project but with the son in high school they hadn't touched it. So it went from a stage 2, to a stage 3, and finally they asked for a stage 4 running chassis with a 5.3L LS and an automatic so one tank for them and one for stock. So you'll see some of their photos in here as well. The cool thing if I can swing it will be that George's is a tall body and The Webb's truck is a low body so if I do this right we can have some side by side stance photos soon.



We got George's motor cleaned up and a coat of paint on it and the transmission to spruce it up a bit after the CAM swap. CAM, Push Rods, Valve Springs, and a light stall torque converter. But is all back together and in the frame for the last time




We're making up all the lines and fitting the radiator core. Coolant, Power Steering, Transmission and so forth will all be worked out now and then the body fitted so we're not monkeying around under the hood.



More to come soon, I've spent the last few months getting stock all worked out so we should flow through the project more quickly now.
George's Gallery http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customer...George%20W/06/
The Webb's Gallery http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customer...ake%20Webb/01/

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

We’ll we’re waiting on a few things from the customer, namely the wheels, a final paint decision and some final budgeting plans for the level of finish out we’re going to be doing. So my hands are tired on a few things for now but the Webb’s truck will be getting the spot light for the time being so we should have two running trucks driving out of the shop shortly, one high and one low body stance.


So we’ve got the body on the frame now and we’re stared hooking up the final systems and doing the final checks on clearances for our kits so we can finalize the designs on those.




The CCP firewall mounted break pedal goes in beautifully but there are almost no instructions about it so Jim is going to do a video about its installation. While the frame in its high body placement is a no body modification fit you will still need to install the firewall master cylinder and that reacquires cutting on your body. So we want a video showing that so people will know what modifications are needed and specifically how hard they are. Jim said he should be able to do the next one in 30 minutes so look forward to that.






There is also a lot of room to the engine that we don’t normally have on the TriFive’s so larger systems like the 8” or 9” boosters are an option here for people who want some serious braking power.

[rat_rod_russell]

Wow its been a little while but we're gotten a bit done on Georges 56 and the Webb's 55. I'm really excited to see the tall and low bodies sitting side by side soon. Wheels are on the way for both and so that should be happening soon.

Some detailed photos of the tank assembly that were asked for by another guy but I thought everyone would like to see whats inside.

Gallery with all the photos so its easier to flip through them.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customer...ake%20Webb/01/

[rat_rod_russell]

Georges truck is waiting on parts for the time being so we're working on the Webb's truck so the kid can drive it a bit before he takes off to collage in a few weeks. So its hammer time.

The complete photo gallery can be found here.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customer...ake%20Webb/02/

Got the heat shields done for the mufflers.


And picked up their cab.



Got it back to the shop Monday night and by Wednesday afternoon it looked like this.




The firewall and floor will be done this afternoon. We're going to do this truck 1" taller than the lowest possible so the ribs in the floor can be left alone and they can use the bench seat.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

Lots going on with both Georges truck and the Webb's

On the Webb's

Got the engine fired up to check for leaks in the transmission cooler and fuel lines.




Short video of here running for the customers


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wODnGeehUvg


Then I realized it was a mess and clean it up a bit for some nicer photos. You can see the tank hold downs and exhaust heat shields. Here I screwed up and didn't leave enough room for the heat shields and had to add a spacer to the tank to move it up to clear. I'll correct this in future designs by wrapping the mufflers and moving the exhaust down a little bit.







And we got the body on for the last time.




We had to do a little different floor board modification for the gas tank filler neck since we raised the tank a bit but it won't be hard to seal up.





We also finally got the wheels for George's truck and got it on the ground to take a look at.





We're waiting on the paint booth to take Georges truck over for paint then we can do final assembly.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

battery mounted with an SKFab battery box and some bolts welded to the back of it so we could mount it to the firewall.




Power steering lines are done and you can see we're using the auto transmission cooler for a rack and pinion cooler. I went in the bottom and out the top to keep it from all back flowing into the overflow tank since its under the top line and cut down on the length of line. I also told the customer if I'm crazy and there is a problem I'll install another cooler and different lines on my dime later. The column shifter cable is installed and tuned.



And the PRC Radiator System is installed for the final time and getting hooked up. We're going to use the radiator temp gauge hole for the steam vent line off the throttle body.



Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

She moves under her own power now.



Photo gallery for easy viewing and a few more photos not posted here.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0002- Rick Jake Webb/03/

Rick and Jake are waiting on their custom offset 20's to be done so I'm lending them my old race wheels and tires. I'm not using them at the moment.

BEFORE YOU ASK ABOUT THE REAR TIRES
Yes 345's will fit but not with stock fenders. I just needed a set of tires that were very even and equal for balancing and alignment and this was the only set not in use at the moment.




But the 275 fronts will work on a 10.5" wheel with 56mm offset and a small spacer so it won't hit the sway bar.





The filler neck worked perfectly but I need to re seal the gas tank. I think someone used the wrong sealer on the lids and she bleeds when hit with direct sun. So I'll have that sorted shortly.

The alignment is also mostly sorted. I ran out of time and this was close enough so we can start balancing and adding body work. Alignment is hard once the fenders are covering the wheels and fining an alignment machine that can do them is a royal pain so we align like this first. I didn't realize that this older alignment machine would allow us to put the scales under the wheels or I would have brought them too. Next time for sure now that I know about this guy just up the road from me.

[rat_rod_russell]

We with this guy about ready to leave we all really wanted to see what the stance was going to look like so we slapped on a pair fenders and balanced a hood up top. Mmmmmmm, what a good stance. And this is still 1 inch higher than the maximum low you can do with our frame. We will do the lowest possible we can with my fathers truck so be ready. Also I shot these photos from waist high. It makes for a good photo but in person it looks even lower. I also shot a bunch of video to help explain whats involved with doing the low body stance for guys interested in seeing a bit more. I'm editing it right now and hope to have it up before the end of the week.

The easy flip through gallery is here ( http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customer...ake%20Webb/03/ )







You can see here some of the clearance considerations to go with the firewall and radiator clearance. Also remember, this is the deep 5.3L Truck oil pan so with the correct pan the engine could be lower giving more room to the firewall and requiring less modification. Also the truck pulleys stick the furthest away from the block so a Camaro or Corvette pulley system would again let you get the engine further forward and again give more room to the firewall.









Hope to have that video soon!
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

Figured this would help answer some questions about the fit and clearing we had to do. This will basically apply to all task force trucks with C4 suspension so enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb0UY3gReOo

[rat_rod_russell]

Finally getting back on the original truck we started on. The customer wanted it painted and so I've been trying to sort that bag of worms for the last several months. First I tried to out source it, talked to several painters, most never showed up after saying they would, some wouldn't do what the customer wanted done and a few gave me a bad vibe. I've learned with painful reputation that I need to listen to my gut on things like that so those guys were a no go. Finally I decided to just spray it here. Waited on a paint booth to rent that ended up not working out. Finally a few days ago I had my minion clean the back up, threw the hood on the stands and painted the damn thing. Did the fenders later that day and so fourth. I would be painting the cab right now but my glasses got FUBAR'd yesterday and my prescription changed so now I'm adjusting to new glasses before I dare spray the cab.







More photos soon. I hope to paint the cab when I wake up. We are fixing a few things I don't like about the exhaust at the moment and bolting down the last of the brake lines. Then its body install time for the last time!

[rat_rod_russell]

I had to do some modifications to the exhaust on this one that took longer than expected. So with that the chassis is completed and I got a last set of photos before the body goes on one last time.

Easy viewing gallery here.
http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S3.01/














Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[wfo guy]

Looking good. Anxiously waiting.

[rat_rod_russell]

That makes two of us. I seriously think my fathers truck will be done first and considering we only started on it 5 months ago is saying something.

[rat_rod_russell]

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Customers/CP5559C4/0001 - George W/07

Well this has been a long time coming. Sorry for the delay. Customer had some changes, so I had to warp up the projects in front of him before I could continue on this project. Its not fair to the guys who have been waiting when the guy in the middle suddenly goes. "I want to add this"

So! Its got all the sheetmetal on there. Got some good photos outside while we were cleaning the shop the other day. This beast needs its wiring and then its time to drive it!

Gallery link at the top. Highlight photos here.


Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Busy busy busy. We're booked out through the summer so I keep forgetting to post updates.

All the photos are here

http://gallery.nerdrods.com/Product/CP5559C4/S4.01/

But here are a few details as well. We shipped two of these out a few weeks back and we're knee deep in a few other projects.





LS3 Connect and Cruise, 480 HP kit, PRC Radiator Core Support, C4 Corvette Suspension, QA1 Double Adjustable Coil Over Shocks, Front and rear swaybars, Stainless Steel 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust, Flow masters delta 50 series mufflers, and my new billet shock mounts and exhaust hangers.

Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[rat_rod_russell]

She lives!!!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgOMFfwF6p6/

I also took her out to eat the other day. A meal for her then a meal for me. I did figure out the filler neck and OE style fuel cap don't play well with fueling so I'm going to add a external vent check valve with a rollover protection lock on it to the system and see if that helps fueling.



One might remember me testing the tank and 90° angles of the fuel system to see if the vent and angles would flow enough to prevent back burping on the fuel and it worked so I just need a bit more venting and something to let off pressure as the mass warms up and cools off.



Also my cat thinks she's an engine.



Later
-Russell @ Nerd Rods

[wfo guy]

Watch cat, not always useful. Looking good.

[Motoracer838]

Watch cat, not always useful. Looking good.

LOL, if it's anything like my female Maine C**n and your a stranger, I wouldn't go anywhere near it... (stupid filter won't let me fill in the asterisks...)

Rat Rod, seriously cool build...

Joe