Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

OK, so is just me? It looks to me like the rear fender is tilted lower in the rear. Is that the plan or is it just test fit that way?
Rob

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Josh, sorry I overlooked what you did. Then your spot on. Good job.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

It may not be perfectly fit, like I said, that fender is pretty rough.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

I've been watching your build for awhile, and while I love the work you are doing and I think you are a genius with metal working... I see something that is bugging the crap out of me. That rear fender is leaning back unnaturally and it's driving me nuts! :-)

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Oh man...was about to say you need to throw the frame out and start all over again. Also before putting the frame in the garbage, just slap a few stamps on it and mail it to me in Cali.....

She looks beautiful. Congratulations. Quite talented with the metal work.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

You guys are killing me with this fender thing! :lol: Ill get it adjusted tomorrow after work. The bed is all homemade, and there are no bolt holes anywhere, the fender is just clamped up there with vise grips, as is the running board, etc... Was kinda a pain getting everything to stay still for me, lol. No worries my friends, it wont stay that way!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Your doing an Awesome job. Some people can't figure out that you are still in mockup stage. You put a 9.5 wheel on the back how wide is the is the rear end. and what back space I want to put the widest wheel and tire on mine that I can but don't want to cut the box.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

I will get the backspace measurements for you tonight. I'll even give you the part number for the wheels and you can look them up and verify everything just to be certain. I have a 295 rear tire under there and it is fit perfectly between the bedside and the fender.I definitely didn't think I would be able to fit a 295 tire under the factory fenders without rubbing the bed. thanks for the compliments on the truck.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

WTF is up with that rear fender? LOL! Couldn't resist. Not to steal your thread but with your help I got this done....

http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/IMG_5694.jpg

http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/IMG_5701.jpg

Anyway's, looks like you got your IFS and IRS installed perfectly. What's the plans for today?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Would it be possible to get a photocopy of the cross member drawings? I'll send you a few bucks to cover the copying/mailing.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Nice Sid, give me a call tonight.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Hey man, I actually dont have the drawings anymore. They were the same dimensions as the factory front crossmember/cradle though.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Sid, heres the pics you wanted man, let me know if I can do anything else for you my friend.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Hey, it's the weekend! Got an engine and trans in there yet?
It looks great so far. Keep it rolling

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

no progress this weekend Matt, was repairing a trailer for some neighbors and hanging out with my little man right now.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Have a happy Easter weekend to you and your family. Talk to ya soon buddy...

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Thanks buddy, you do the same.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Hey Josh. Couple things to pick your head about.

What type of finish are you putting on the C4 components?

What rear end ratio do you have in your IRS? Help me pick a good ratio.

What kind of parking brake does your IRS have?

What are you using for door latches?

Cheers!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

What type of finish are you putting on the C4 components?
I am going to bead blast everything and leave it raw aluminum, just sealed

What rear end ratio do you have in your IRS? Help me pick a good ratio.
Mine has the factory 3.07 ratio, I will leave it unless I have issues with anything. Then Ill go 3.42-3.73

What kind of parking brake does your IRS have?
Mine has the e-brake inside the rear rotor. Just has a cable going to the backing plate to pull the lever

What are you using for door latches?
Im not sure yet, I was going to use the ever popular Bear Claw style latches but unless I find a killer deal somewhere they are kinda pricey for me. Im on a super shoestring budget.

Hope this helps. Anything else just let me know buddy.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Hopefully this will help, I will gladly measure anything else you need. I'm not certain on rear end width. I'll check that. It's factory 87 C4 IRS width.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Wow, you are really tearing that thing up! Looks great... at this rate, you'll have yours done before my '49...

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Door latches! LOL! Killer deal! LOL! I don't know what I was thinking when I asked you about the latches! LOL! I wasn't even drinking when I asked you that. Don't worry dude. They're yours if I don't use them. It will be a bit before I start working on the doors. With working on the cab and you getting me pumped on building a cross member, it will be a bit.

The kids having a good Easter? My three were up at 6 AM wanting to go on the hunt. I'm off to the outlaws tonight for another dinner and egg hunt. Maybe a few beers if the better half will drive. Her side so I gotta be good.

Cheers!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Hey Josh. Did you have to drill out the LCA steel insert inside the bushing?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

The.factory ones are 12mm, I opened them to 1/2". Didn't require much effort at all.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Cool! I think I'm going to use 1.25" solid bar and drill & tap for M12 hardened bolts. What do you think of that idea?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

That may work for yours but I couldnt do that. The front crossmember that holds the radiator support, etc., is too close to the front of the control arm for me to get a bolt in there that was long enough for me to feel good about. I felt it was safer for me to do it this way.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

That gives me something to think about..............hmmmmmmmmmm. I may have the same problem. Glad I asked. Your frame rails and rad cross member are the same as stock right?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Yes, my frame dimensions were taken from the factory assembly manual. The Flat Out kit I designed mine after is done the way I did mine too. Probably for the same reason. Have you started a build thread yet?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Thanks Josh. Maybe I'm over thinking things. Worried about strength. There's 2 1/8" of the 1/2" rod sticking out of the cross member and going through the LCA pivot point plus approx. another 1" for a washer and nut. I'm just having a hard time believing that much rod/bolt sticking out of the cross member is going to be strong enough. I maybe wrong but that's what's bugging me. Flat out has been doing it that way for ages now so maybe I shouldn't be worrying about it as much as I am.

Your'e really pushing for a build thread aren't you..LOL!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Yeah, I figure if they havent had any issues doing it this way for so long it is probably ok. I think the Flat Out kit gives you new bushings and uses either a 9/16 or 5/8 rod. But I figured the factory bolts were only 12mm so I should be fine using 1/2 hardened steel rod. That way if I ever have anissue with a lower control arm buhing I can just go to the parts store and pick one up. That is how Im trying to do this whole build. No special one off parts that could fail on a road trip and have to get it towed. I can just fix it in a parking lot somewhere instead.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

I was just out looking at mine. I think I have enough room with an angle drill to drill mine a little bigger, tap, and use 9/16-18 grade 8 bolts. I will just replace the lower control arm bushings and drill the center sleeve out to 9/16. The steel rod I had for this was so hard we were having a very hard time cutting threads into it.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Just finished putting a new starter and wheel bearing on our 05 Montana SV6 and grabbed a beer and eyed the frame rails on the 51 on the other side of the shop. The front bolt will be a bit tight getting in but maybe I should halt the fab work on the cross member till I am ready to install it.

You want a set of upper shock mounts I have made? They are ready to go. If that helps you out my little southern buddy. I can measure the thickness at work tomorrow but I'm pretty sure they are 1/8". I'm not ready for mine yet so you can have these ones.

Cheers!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Your little southern buddy! LOL. Yeah please let me know how thick they are. I think the ones from Flat Out are 3/16. I believe its scribed on the side of the template I sent ya!

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Ya they are 1/8". The template does have 3/16" on it. Bastard! Gonna have to buy some material now. Don't know what I was thinking when I made them.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Josh. Would you mind shooting some close up pictures of your cross member? Like to see how close the front LCA bolt would be to the frame. How high is the 2X4 part above the frame towards the front?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Call me tonight around 830, I'll get you anything you need

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Get out and get anything done on the truck man?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

I went to a wedding early afternoon and took my son to his baseball game this evening, hopefully I'll mess with the truck a little bit tomorrow. How is that build thread coming along?

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

Spent a few in the garage last weekend. Got the lower control arm mounts tapped for 9/16-18 grade 8 bolts, new lower control arm bushings here and ready to install once I get the arms cleaned and ready. And thats where the progress ends and moving backwards starts....
I decided I didnt like the way the rear half looked. It worked ok but didnt look as clean as I wanted it to, so I hacked it off. This is where my need to make everything "just right" usually makes me crazy until I give up and sell stuff and move on. Not this time. I am just going to remake the rear half of the chassis again using the info I have from the last two failures Ive had. :lol: Still want to run this IRS but I have a solid axle that keeps inching closer and closer to this truck! Time for some more research to determine how to install this giving me the look I want at the same time. Hopefully progress this week.

Re: 1954 3100 C4 Tube Chassis Build
 

This guy did some engineering that you wouldnt need to, but some of it may help. Start with post 995

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...306237&page=40