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

[rat_rod_russell]

Sorry, I forgot to start this thread over here so you'll all get some catch up post.

George here in Texas contacted up about upgrading his 56 Chevy pickup like we do the passenger cars. So we talked it over and he decided he wanted us to do the work.

We're going to be building a new frame with C4 Corvette suspension, 5.3L LS motor, 4L60E automatic, Dana 44 3.42 gears, and the full swap for him. For you guys that means we're going to be developing a DIY frame for the 1955-1959 Chevy trucks just like our TriFive DIY frame. We'll be posting up updates here as we go and feel free to ask any questions.

George and his friends dropping off his truck the other day.

Looking at these photos again is sad, just wait until you see what was under the paint. Lets just say, we're using the hood....... And that's it.........

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

WOW, The sad thing is now that we have it appart the bed is the nicest part of the truck. We can't use any of this. Its going to cost more to fix than it would to just find a better cab.

Take a look

Part 1

[rat_rod_russell]

Several of the body braces fell out from under the car when we took the body off the frame, the front passengers side fender was braised on to the cab because all the body bracing were rusted through. And thats just a few of the the bad points. I could write a paper on everything wrong with this truck but I'll let the photos speak for them selves.

We've located a new truck, I'll post some photos up of it soon. Can you say barn find?

The really sad thing is that we didn't end up using the bed either, just the hood.

-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

BEHOLD, the new truck. Found on Craigs List with 2-3 hours of searching for 2-3 days. BARN FIND!! See how little rust is on the cab.

[rat_rod_russell]

More to come as I get the frame dialed into the computer!

-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

We got the scanning done. We've been slamming out TriFive Frames and working out nicer instructions for it in the processes and that's taken up a ton of time but it will all cross over to the truck project.








I'm getting the data sorted into the computer then I can start with the frame design.

More Soon!
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Got the data mostly sorted and I've been deciphering the factory assembly manual for what each model is, like a model 3104 is your basic short wheel base 2WD truck but change that 0 for a 5 making it 3154 and now its the 4WD model. 3105 is the panel truck but a 3106 or 3116 is a Suburban with different rear doors. You basically have to memorize all of these because a random body mount or hole will be on the blue print but have a number next to it.

So to make it simple. Our frame will only be for the Short Wheel Base cars or the 3100 series. You will have a nice place to cut the frame and make it longer for guys wanting to do custom wheel base cars (I'm going to make a shop truck with a 16" flat bed on this frame) and we might make a kit for it later on or your just going to have to put on your big boy hot rodder pants and just cut it yourself.


Now onto this car. I send these a few days ago to a few people when I just




So I wanted to check the motor clearance as well so I dropped the LQ4 in as well to see how it looked. The goal is to make sure you won't need mod the firewall and it looks like we're going to have plenty of room.








So I'll go over some of the ascetic choices. First I'm moving the wheel base out from 114 to 115. I'm moving the front wheels forward to fill the well better but I'm moving them forward by 1.00". The back wheels always look fine but the front always looks to far back and this makes it look correct with the lower body.



Feel free to ask questions and I'll start answering so I can send people here instead of writing the same email over and over again.

Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

So I just got a little more data into the computer about the bed and then I remembered. For a no body modifications frame the floor board of the cab and the motor aren't the biggest problem...... Its the bed and the rear suspension. Turns out at 6" off the ground the bed hits the differential pretty badly. So we're going with 8" off the ground as your "I want corvette suspension but I don't want to cut my body period!" option seen here. This will give you miles under the hood and a completely stock bed as well for guys who just want to buy everything OEM stock ish for finish out.



And 4" off the ground, seen here. The frame will be shaped as such that even this low you won't need to cut the bed steel braces just the wood to clear.



And just for you guys who didn't know this is 14" off the ground or STOCK!



And for it to all make more since here's a cool animation. Click to see the 1080 version with more detail, Warning the image is huge by computer standers so it might take a few to download.



I'm going back to work, you kids keep those question coming. Its egging me on!

Later
-Russell

[LUV2XLR8]

none of your pictures are posting fyi

[rat_rod_russell]

I can see them on my computer and my phone through its connection. You might try refreshing or restarting if there not showing up. lol, there's a butt load of them!

Thanks
-Russell

[85coupe50]

Looks cool... Like the 3 height versions!

[rat_rod_russell]

Updates!

We're making room for lots of tire out back for guys who NEED it and still make it easy to build and fit the 8" ride height without body modifications.






I know a few guys were having trouble with the grid looks so I colored in the sections to make it look correct. Also these are 20" wheels front and rear at the request of the customer to see what they would look like. Again one at 4" and one at 8".





Later
-Russell

[acegto]

Cool stuff. Love the 3D Capture you used. Makes me wish I was a Nerd...

[rat_rod_russell]

Thanks, its good to be the Nerds these days!

Transmission looks like its going to be cake. This is a 4L60E model and its got tons of room. I couldn't find my 4L80 model on the computer.






So the customer asked me to CAD up his wheels to see what they would look like. These are 18" Foose Nitrous II 18" with 245/40/R18 up front and 275/40/R18 out rear.






Also did some pocketing magic and now we've got an even longer shock (we already offered more wheel travel than the major competition.) And I've got miles of room for ridetech Shockwaves, We area dealer for ridetech as well so I hope to have that kit worked out soon enough.



Last note, We we'll make these frame rails air tight. You will be able to use the frame as an air tank and no have to mount it anywhere.

Thanks again
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

Update time. I'm having to pocket the suspension cradle into the tubing rail on this frame compared to older designs for other cars. Got room for the air ride on the back for guys who want to run that way and I'm making room for all the body mounts right now.

[rat_rod_russell]

Getting close, I've got 280 lbs of frame in the computer now we're just dialing in the fine details, making sure all cuts are normal to the surface, giving the tabs the proper tolerances, and working on clearing some small sections on the body and making decisions on where and if we want to do a little cutting on the bed braces. I also whipped up a set of Foose Nitrous II's in 18's for the customer to get a feel for the look on them.

I've got most of the prototype frames spoken for, so it won't be long now!

Later
-Russell

[ramlinman]

nice job

[rat_rod_russell]

Detail work now. I'm happy with the shape and we've taken care of most every clearance issue I can think of with these tucks and got the number of parts down compared to the TriFive frame so there will be less welding and will make it easier to assemble but still similar in several ways to give the frame some parallel to the other frames to make guys who have welded one feel familiar with the other.

We've got the Corvette stuff dialed in now but we will have life axle support like the TriFive frame as well. I've sold a few of the truck frames besides this project already but they are all welded frames so I won't need to make instructions just yet. I'll do a time lapse of the second frame I weld for you guys to see how I do it.

You can see two key thinks with this frame in the fuel and brake system support, still working on where and how to place the fuel tank and the 4" tall tubing risers to give the optional ride heights for different builders.

But I know what you all really want, pictures, lots and lots of pictures. So here's your fix.







Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

ALMOST!!!!!

I'm looking for another frame to measure bumper mounting holes. I've measured one already but I like to check 2 and average the two or three to find my locations all dialed in. But until then, pictures of the 99% completed frame!!!!







Later
-Russell

[rat_rod_russell]

DONE!!!!!! MAW HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!



Just got it all sent off to the laser yesterday. I've got some quality control books to make up so the guys cutting the parts won't miss anything but we should have a frame to weld up in 2-5 weeks. They need to poke around and see what time frames look like over there before I can get a solid time frame.

Thanks
-Russell