Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Now we're talkin! BOOM!!! :metal:

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Thanks Fry, it's starting to get somewhere but now it is back out of the shop until XXL's truck is finished up for this round. He should be here about 10am with a list of things to do. I think he will be about a month or less then I will pick up my English Wheel from Lazzy. Nate did me a favor and just tacked in my mounts because I plan on moving things around a bit so I can get everything just how I want then I will build a new fire wall around the 5.3L. So for now progress is at a stand still for the Hoe once again. But she will at-least look good just sitting their won't she;)

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

What I like most about this build is how you had the forethought to plant the thing in the weeds while losing minimal interior room. Very cool!!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I just cant imagine all the man hours. Can you estimate? Truly amazing.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

It is not easy but it pays off when all is said and done. Look at todays progress.

Well I am way over 100 on the rear suspension alone:lol:


I set the rear floor in today for the first time with both rear tires and guess what I found, Negative space! My rear seats are 47" out side to out side and my tires are only 46.5" between at full dump. Then add 1/2" per side for inner fender clearance and the fenders them self and you are down in the 45" range. So the easy thing to do would be to find a smaller seat. Since I tend to go for the not so easy route I went ahead and removed the seat covers, plastics and what ever else was on the seat frame and just narrowed each seat 2". So now the seats are 43" +- out to out and I should have plenty of room. I took the 2" from the out side of each because the upholstery has a few lines in that area that will be easier to deal with when that time comes.

Now starting Tuesday I will be back on XXL's truck for about a month or more with the list he gave me today.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ln/seat1-2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ln/seat2-2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ln/seat3-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ln/seat4-1.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Correction I took the 2" out of the inside not the out side were the shoulder belts are. I was just looking at the floor pic and scared my self I thought I messed up. Glad I was wrong:lol: Now I just need to section 4" right out of the middle of the floor weld the one front middle mount back in. Sounds simple enough right.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Dang this thing is so gnarly. Dude your tires are almost poking thru the hood! So that leads me to this question; what do you have in line for hinges? Way nice job! Soo bad A$$...

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

In my head I have a 4 link designed that will come off my inner fenders;)

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

You could have the hood flip forward. I think you did that before on another truck.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

you got the ride height nailed great job

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

:agree:

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I could not have said it better! :cool:

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Thanks a lot guys I am really happy with how it is coming together and so is my Wife:metal: I had about 2hrs tonight to work in the shop but I spent most of the day mind building a bag set up for the C4 front. Nate sets them up for shock waves but I just did not want to spend the money they want for them and only end up with minimal travel.

So I took a spare re-7 and went to work and it turned out well. I still have some adjustment with bag placement, shock mounts and sway bar mounts but it looks very promising. It lifts very fast for a 1/4" line and has a good feel to it. Once I work out all the misc. things with it I will make a clean set of mounts and move on to the next item in the build.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/bag1-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/bag2-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/bag3-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/bag4-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/bag5-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/bag6-1.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I spoke w/Nate about this when I got my C4 DM & he indicated the air-spring was do-able.... the shocks (placement/leverage?) were where I got the feeling he was not happy.

I look forward to see what you come up with.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Yep but that is were a good dual adjustable Q1A or the like will help out. Once it is all said and done I will have about the same or less then the Wave's but I will have a lot more travel and a better weight/load rating.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Kevin, I must say I am thoroughly impressed with how this thing is turning out. I want to bounce a question off of you though concerning the Corvette Suspension components.

For the past few months, and for the foreseeable future I have been making my living operating a tow truck, one thing I was taught was that you never ever hook a strap or hook on to an aluminum A-arm on vehicles such as corvettes because they are prone to shattering.

Seeing as how you are using this truck as a tow rig, I wonder do you think it is possible that the Aluminum A-arms will not be strong enough? I know that you aren't exactly going to be pulling a 50' trailer loaded to the gills with pallets of neutronium or something, but I do know that we are talking sports car suspension in a truck, that will ultimately tow other trucks.

I can see that if it is an issue the easy fix is to build your own A-arms out of Chromeolly, I just didn't know if this is something you had considered or not. Well that and I would hate to see you do such a masterful job of building this thing to have it wrecked.

I do know that the corvette is one of the vehicles that is specifically listed as no hook on the A-arms for the aforementioned reason, when hauling them I have to strap them through the wheels. If hooked to the A-arms the insurance will not cover them if damaged, so I know it has been a big deal.

Over all though I must say I was skeptical when you cut the burb length down, but seeing it as it is now, I think it is going to be a note worthy vehicle, and I will be very surprised if it doesn't wind up on the cover of a magazine.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

MrBeast I know what you are saying but keep in mind in the tow world you are putting the full force of the vehicle on that one A-arm if you were to use it for a pull or tie down location. With driving and towing you are adding force but in a very different way. The front Arms will see more force but it will be more of a side to side load when turning and some in heavy braking but since all my trailers are set up with 4 wheel electric brake's I feel that part will be fine. As for the extra force in turning I am not worried about that at all because I will never be able to put the force into a turn like a race track and a good set of race tires would do, and we know these Vett's can do that with out a problem. With my front bag mounts on the lower arms I took full advantage of the entire surface of the arm as well as all the factory shock and spring mounting locations (even the sway bar mount is tied into the mount. I will also have bracing that will sit tight to the Mono leaf pad for added force distribution. So that takes care of the front and I feel I have covered all safety factors.

The rear is a different story and will see added weight just sitting their with a trailer attached. This is one of the reasons I went all steel on the forward links and made new mounting plates that use every structural mount hole as well. Not only an I double shear plated into the factory front 4 link locations (were as the factory was only single shear) I am also braced down into the shock mounts. Then the rear bag links are using the factory Mono leaf link mounts that are designed very well from the factory. One reason I went with a new diff cover was to set all my links and mounting points right were I wanted them and not just were the stock piece worked. Also in doing this I went from alum to braced steel plate and feel this has added to the overall integrity of the set up. Again keep in mind when these cars are road raced they use the factory parts 90% of the time and I have never heard (I am sure someone has) of a part failing from over stress not to say it can not happen. So all in all I think I have taken in to account the added weight of the vehicle (remember vetts are not light cars) and planned usage. In reality it may never really be a tow vehicle but I would rather build in that direction from the start then just try it out later.

So in closing (darn Novels:lol:) I think it will be more than needed but if not you can at-least get a feel for what goes through my head when getting into something like this. Thanks for asking because I am sure you are not the only one wondering about it.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Here are a few pics I forgot to post of the motor clearance. It is tight but it all fits. I may not be able to get a factory engine cover on it with the truck intake but any of the F-body's would work just fine. I plan on ether changing over to the F-body set up or when I re-do the fire wall I might make my own cover.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/eng3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/eng4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/eng5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/eng6.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/eng7.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/eng8.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

When you get done with the suspension work...

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Ya... But NO! My third row seat is already kids only head room:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

This is probably a dumb question, but why do you have the engine back so far?

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Well normally you slide the motor back 10% for better weight transfer on the strip. But in this case it is just to clear the rack and pinion and cross-member. The rack sits between the balancer and the pan and that puts the back side of the cross-member right in front of the pan sump. The carb'd motors set forward about 2" more then the LS motors due for Dizzy clearance but I for one like the motor as far back as it can be because this leaves more room for the engine bay work I have planned. It would leave more room for an inner-cooler if I go that direction ;) On my LowBuck truck I slid the motor back 2" over stock as well.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Good to know. Thanks. I haven't checked clearance issues since I got my rack mounted.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

WOW! So, I didn't read all of this but just read the last 3 pages. I see you are using a newer sub. floor or is a tahoe floor. Looks like you are using it all the way up the the back of the front seats... or to the back of the back seats. I guess it is for the seat mounts and to use the third row seat too. Any other pics of that? Did I miss them? WOW is all I can say about this build..... I wish I lived close to you. I would have to come over to watch and learn. Truly amazing work. WOW WOW WOW!

Also never noticed the marker light placement on LOW BUCK. Very cool. My grandpa had one just like that LOL.. he also had a tahoe like this too.HAHAHA J/K of course

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

03 Tahoe rear floor just up to the back of the second row seats. I still need to narrow the floor 4" to match the seat narrowing I had to do. No real pics yet as it is just sitting their for storage room. Yes the main reason for the floor section is that Burbs come with Ply Wood rear floors so I had to do something about that with my notch so I figured why not incorporate the 3rd row mounting at the same time.

I will have more pics once I get back on this project. I have a few customer builds to do so I can afford my AccuAir ride control system;)

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

awesome!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

excellent work kevin...

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Thanks for the thread. I killed a whole day of work reading this when I should have been selling more policies. Oh well, I will have to muster some more willpower to stay away from your build threads.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I'm glad I don't have a computer at work:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Section the body 2-3" to get rid of the slab-sided look, and you'd have one bad-mamma-jamma... if your short enough or like F-Body car seats. :lol:

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Well no real progress but I did make a large purchase today From AccuAir!
Yep I have a full kit on it's way with twin comps, twin tanks, computer, valves, Ipod style control and the key remote as well. I am so looking forward to this system and getting it installed. I will run 3/8" lines and as usual I will do a full How-To install on the system with plenty of pics.

I also have the front bag system almost finished in the mock up stage and as soon as I get some time I will make the final plates and up date the post.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I'm looking forward to seeing your lower bag mount finished with the shock and sway bar integrated. I hope you get time to finish it soon.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I hope it will be soon as well but right now I figure about 3 weeks before I will even start on it.
First I need to finish XXL's truck, then once my AccuAir parts show up I plan on making brackets to mount all the parts and pieces before I get started.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Will you be updating the XXL dropmember thread, starting a new one, or is this under wraps ;)

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I've been following this build closely. I have been building a 1970 Suburban and am doing a 4th door, your build has been incredible to read through.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Double-secret. Hint...

http://hackedgadgets.com/wp-content/..._On_eBay_7.JPG

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

:lol:

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Well Cr@p I thought you only wanted the one in the center. Well that just cost you a bunch:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Everything costs me a bunch! :waah:

BTW, three of the eagles have nearly landed. The fourth eagle is in the chute. That is all.

/back to your regularly scheduled thread

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I like it when new toys show up! It is also a great sign when the company cares enough about how everything looks when it arrives because that tells you they probably care even more about how it performs. Another great company for this is ECE (Early Classic Ent.) and if you have ever bought their products you know what I an talking about.

Every thing was accounted for and it was wrapped and packaged very well as you can see. I went all out on the kit and ordered (2) 3 gal black alum tanks, two compressors, key pad controller as well as the remote key fob controller.

My plan is to make mounting plates for all the sensors, air valves and computer out of 1/4" plate contoured to fit nicely for each part then drill and tap mounting holes for the items to bolt to. Then those plates will be Tig welded to my frame for a clean built in look. I am also going to be boxing in my frame and may end up running all the wires and lines through the frame with bolt in access holes in areas to get to everything. I am really looking forward to the How-To thread I plan on doing in the next few weeks as time allows.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Accu1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Accu2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Accu3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Accu4.jpg[/IMG]

Also all the mounting hardware that AccuAir includes with the kit is Stainless steel! Nice attention to detail.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Accu5.jpg[/IMG]

They even include a nice little laminated quick reference card for the glove box!

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Accu6.jpg[/IMG]