Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Looks like you're already putting the new tools to use!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I am curious how you do it, i have a 41 waiting to get some extreme mods.
On my 38 I did the one piece hood already.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~sand1938/album...ide%20hood.jpg
This is not how it is now but the frame is still in the hood. i have a nice rigid hood like this. ( i ditched the gas cylinders)
The hinges disappear almost completely under the dash so if i want to ride without the hood it still looks good.

You can see more pictures at my homepage.

I hope you post the progress on the 41 because that is the truck i really like.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Front Firewall tub time! Even with the DMC4 I had to tub the firewall out to fit my 29.5" tall tires so I can drive and turn some when it is laid out. I took some 18ga AKDQ and made two matching tubs using my English wheel and shrinkers. I took two 1" strips of metal and shrunk one side to get the shape I needed and then wheeled up the tubs to match the template and each other.

Then I cut out the passenger side firewall and made sure everything fit and cleared the tires at full dump and full lock on the steering. Once that all fit and the pass side was tacked in place I made two templates so the drivers side would be the same. Then I simply cut it out and tacked the new one into place. Once the body comes off I finish weld everything and reshape the firewall and smooth it out as well.

Now that this part is done I am headed out to finish up the AccuAir install for the write up and Video.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/tubs01.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ln/tubs2-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ln/tubs1-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/tubs3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/tubs4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/tubs5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/tubs6.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/tubs7.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/tubs8.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/tubs10.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Also note that even know the tire looks like it is touching the firewall at full drop it is clear, but only by 1/8". That is plenty since I will never get full turn lock to lock when it is aired out because of a small problem called fenders! I will be getting close but never full lock. All in all it was about 6 hours from start to finish and I am sure trailer fenders would have been about half that time but it was worth the extra 3 hours in my book.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/tubs11.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/tubs12.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rln/tubs13.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

You should have just trimmed the tire back a little :)

And, as with most projects... one thing leads to another. Time to move your wiring harness and fise box.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

For all us tall folks, how much floor space you losing with it Kevin? It looks like it might be cramped in there now (at leas for my size 14s)

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Well the tub is above the dimmer switch and stops about 3.5" to the left of the steering column. It comes into the cab about 3" at the farthest point. So unless you drive with your feet up under the dash then it is not a problem. I think even for the shifter guys it would still work just fine. Now if you try and go this low with the same size tire but using stock suspension expect to cut out a lot more! The PorterBuilt DropMember moves everything forward a few inches and this really helps.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Lets see if this works!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Two more for now. Well the Tahoe is back out side until the next LFD build is complete and that will be a few months so pleasant dreams!:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Looks like it works pretty good and quick to with out being jumpy. Btw how how loud is that compressor? And the dog sure seemed into it...

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Looking very good Kevin! Bet your excited to have it this far. Looks like the guard dog didn't know what to make of it.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

The comps are a bit loud but not any more then other high out put electrics. I will be trying to do a York style engine driven to supplement the electrics and I am also thinking about building a few more tanks to mount on the out side of the frame. I feel I need some more air because of how the rear suspension works and the 6 gals I have now work but I want more.

You know my dog loves to attack tennis balls and air noise, don't know why.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Great Hoogalie Moogalie.........Thats what I'm talking about.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

i like the shot looking in the back watching the tires tuck in and not needing the floor totaly cut out for it. Very cool. So, I guess we will have to wait awhile to see some more on this build.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I will get some better video for the AccuAir How-To article that really shows everything in action. Yes it will be awhile before new progress takes place. The last few days I have been working on my new frame table for the 41 I am getting ready to build but once that truck is done than the Tahoe chassis will take its place and get finished up.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

looks good Kevin. I'd like to come by sometime and check out how loud your compressors are compared to my york. I'm undecided on what I want to use on my impala.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Very cool.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Hey Kevin,
I read through your whole thread here in the last couple days. You have some talent my man.
I also followed your link to the T-bird IRS install because I am planning to do the same thing to my 51 Merc PU. Thanks a lot for the great pics and explanation of how you did yours.

Richard

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Is it just me, or are the rear wheels not centered front to back ???

They look kinda far back to me, but it could just be the angle I guess

Looks sweet bro !!!!!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

hi kevin
i am curious as to why u did not use the orignal corvett front crossmember? is it because the frame rails are too wide or narrow?. WOULD RELLY LIKE SOME INPUT ONT THIS. I HAVE A 72 C10 PICKUP AND A 89 C4 FRONT AND REAR IRS WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO INSTALL IN THE C10. LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA WOULD BE VERY COSTLY TO IMPORT A DROPMEMBER FROM USA. REALLY ENJOYED YOUR BUILD. U HAVE A VERY CUTE SON. AND LOVELY DOG.
MANY THANKS FAZEL

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Fazel, Im sure Kevin will jump in here too, but I do know the answer for you. First of all, on a dropmember, the geometry is tweeked to match the different wheelbase and roll center (among other things) of the truck vs the original vette. Its also a bolt on proposition. I know that there are those that fab up a crossmember to mount the vette components (never seen anyone use the stock one) but normally they dont try to re-engineer the geometry to match the truck. This is not optimum, but it haws been done. Of course Ive also seen guys bolt the rear-end to the frame with U-bolts and call it a lowering job-to me its worth the money to do it right. That may also be the reason I dont have one yet..........

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

That is correct as well as the track width has been narrowed I think 2-4" for the trucks. This allows for more turn radius when lowered with larger tires. But if you want concrete info send a PM to Nate Porter and ask him, he will be glad to give you any info you may want on the ability of using a stock cross member.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Speaking of PB. When will his new site be up? Not that I needed anything, but I did want to see what he had.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I'd be interested in seeing pics of the frame table that you're building...

thanks

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I second that request as well.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Kevin, if I'm not mistaken, the C4 dropmember doesnt narrow the 'Vette' width, although a Vette has a little narrower track than the truck. Otherwise the stock rack wouldnt work. The regular dropmember does narrow the width of the truck by design.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

The stock rack doesn't work and is replaced by a widened MII rack. I think it is still narrowed up but about 2" less then the regular DM but I may be incorrect about width. But the rack does need to be replaced that I know.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

It is 3-6" x 14-0" and about 30" tall when bolted down to the floor. The table is made from 3.5"x3.5" 3/8" wall tube with a 3" x 1/2" plate welded to the top of the tubes that has been drilled and tapped every 3" OC.

I have a simple but effective laser system from my days of building high rise buildings that I use for leveling the table (with in .015") and also use for dead center of the table during builds. So far this table has worked out great and during non use I have 4 6" casters that bolt to the legs and allow me to move it out of the bay for other work.


Kevin

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/EM3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/EM4.jpg[/IMG]


Here is a bonus pic of a 1/2 scale project I have been messing around with for my son. No more info will be given about it so don't ask :)

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DRoadster1.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Looks cool. Could you be persuaded to post a build thread in "Alternate Tinkerings"?

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Not for this!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

That's very cool...will we at least see the finished product.......please ;)

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Hmmm....no build thread... Is this something that will be commercially available in the future?;) And if so, will it be available in a 2 seater (2 y/o twin boys)?

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

is that the t-bird irs i spot? I WOULD LOVE to see the finished write up on this as i am planning on doing the same to mine.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I guess I was mistaken then. Ive been reading everything I can on the DMs and I could have sworn the C4 DM used the stock Vette rack. I do know that the regular DM is narrowed 2" and uses a widened MII rack, but I was under the impression that the Vette was already a bit narrower in stock form.

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/07...ember_kit.html

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Originally, it did use the stock C4 R&P. Now it uses a MII unit.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

fyi...

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

yeah, I should have said 2" per side.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

and an unmodified MII rack.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Ok bare with me as my ADD kicks in today! I have customer trucks to be working on but my mind is wondering so I wanted to get the evil thoughts out of my head.

First was the exhaust and a friend of mine just picked up a 99 F-body LS motor complete for a 45 chevy PU he is building and the first thing he bought for it were headers. That left his stock manifolds sitting their and after seeing Hart_Rod's Donkey build and how well his stockers fit I drove down to my friends and picked them up for a test fit. Rob is running the stock front cross-member and I have a DM C4 in this so I was not sure how it would work. Well it works great and for the price of free I do believe their are just the one's I was looking for. My steering will work out great as well and with these DM that is a big plus! So here are a few pic's.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...n/exhaust3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...n/exhaust2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...n/exhaust1.jpg[/IMG]


Then I decided to lift the Tahoe up so I could take a few measurements to make sure an oil pan I just ordered for the 5.3L would work with the drop member (and it will) but I had to wait for the elect comps to charge up the system before I could lift it (been sitting for a few weeks untouched) and the system was empty.

So this got me thinking of how I would like to have an On Board Air (OBA) system on the motor as well as the elect (for back ups) pumps. See how ADD really gets in the way of work! So out came the wrenches and about 30 min later I had the system designed in my head and laid out on the motor. I removed the tensioner and put the ALT. over on that side and with a very simple bracket it will mount and line up real well. Then over were the ALT. was I will mount a small compressor (this one is off my Rock crawler and has worked great for years with a small mount of oiling and puts out close to what the York's put out since a york will not fit. This one is off a 5.0 mustang if I remember right and with a bracket or two should mount up just fine as well and the pulley matches what is on the motor already. So for a tensioner I will use the old ALT. mounting bracket for the solid base and build an adjustable rod that will hook from their over to the ALT. and allow me to tighten the belt. It will be a fancy adjuster rod since I need to clear the radiator hose inlet.

Now after doing all this I have never looked to see if their was a kit already for this and I have just been wasting my time or not. So if you know of one or have a pic of something out their please lets see it.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/OBA2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/OBA1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/OBA3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/OBA4.jpg[/IMG]


Well that is it for now, but the day is young so who knows:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

You got to love ADD!!!!